Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsControlling ItCausesOther Areas of SkinSkin Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Controlling It
Causes
Other Areas of Skin
Skin Care
Skin peelingon your face is a normal response to damage and loss of yourepidermis(the upper layer of skin). Achemical peeltriggers this action to improve your skin’s appearance. Skin peeling can be a problem when it happens due to other factors.
The right way to treat peeling on your face depends on the cause of the problem. Causes can involve external factors likesunburnor chemicals. It can also happen due to skin diseases likexerosiscutis(severe dry skin) or certain drugs.
Treatments for peeling skin can include home remedies, over-the-counter (OTC; nonprescription) products, or prescription treatments. If your peeling skin is a sign of a health problem, you may have to resolve that issue before you see changes.
This article describes treatments for peeling skin on your face and its causes. It also explains how to take care of peeling skin on your face.
Daniel de la Hoz / Getty Images
How to Control Facial Skin Peeling
Controlling spontaneous and unwanted skin peeling, also known asdesquamation, depends on the cause of the problem. In some cases, the solution involves treating an underlying health condition. In others, it depends on a combination of treatments to correct the external factors that trigger the peeling.
The following treatments can help control facial skin peeling:
Medical Treatments
Different Medications for Chronic Conditions
Facial skin peeling can occur as a side effect of certain long-term topical (on the surface of the skin) and systemic (body-wide) medications you may use to treat chronic conditions.Acne medications,antihistamines(treat allergies),statins(treat cholesterol), anddiuretics(remove excess fluid from the body) can cause excessive skin drying, leading to peeling. Changing to a comparable medication under the guidance of your healthcare provider may reduce peeling.
Systemic Antibiotics
Topical Corticosteroids
Corticosteroidointments or creams can treat the symptoms of peeling and flaking skin on your face. These products are available in the following potency levels:
Over-the-Counter Products
Moisturizers
When treating flaky, peeling skin, dermatologists recommend applying a moisturizer immediately after washing and drying your face. Ointments and creams are preferred because they are typically more effective and less irritating than lotions. Look for fragrance-free products with the following ingredients:
It’s important to note that lactic acid and urea can be potentially irritating, especially if used on facial skin that is already irritated and scaling.
Anti-Inflammatory Pain Relievers
These treatments treat pain and inflammation associated with peeling, but may not address the peeling itself.
Home Remedies
Hydration
Adding to the usual amount of water you consume may help increase the hydration of your epidermis and your deep layers of skin. This can help reduce skin peeling and flaking.
Aloe Vera or Soy
Honey
Research indicates thathoneyhas properties that can promote tissue repair and modulate immunological responses. This may be beneficial in healing peeling facial skin.
Cool Compresses and Showers
Cool compresses can ease the pain of facial sunburn and prevent your skin from peeling further if it results from a burn. A cool shower can help treat skin peeling on larger areas. Avoid using soaps or bath oils, which can irritate the problem.
Skin/Chemical PeelsA chemical peel involves the application of an acid solution to your face. It is used to treat wrinkles, remove damaged skin cells, treat acne, and correct scars and sunspots. This treatment and other types of aggressive removal of peeling facial skin are not advised. Removing the dead skin before it’s ready to come off can prolong the healing and make the unhealed skin vulnerable to bacteria.
Skin/Chemical Peels
A chemical peel involves the application of an acid solution to your face. It is used to treat wrinkles, remove damaged skin cells, treat acne, and correct scars and sunspots. This treatment and other types of aggressive removal of peeling facial skin are not advised. Removing the dead skin before it’s ready to come off can prolong the healing and make the unhealed skin vulnerable to bacteria.
Causes: Why Is the Skin Peeling on My Face?
Allergic or Inflammatory Reactions
Allergic or inflammatory reactions may include:
Autoimmune and Infectious diseases
Autoimmune and infectious diseases may include:
Skin Conditions
Skin conditions that may cause skin peeling include:
Other Factors
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies: Lacking the following vitamins and minerals can contribute to dry facial skin which can worsen to flaking and peeling without treatment:
Radiation therapy: Radiation treatment for diseases like cancer can cause the treated area to turn dark, dry, and peel, resulting in facial skin peeling if the treated area is close to your face.
Skin Peeling on Other Body Parts
Skin Care With Facial Peeling
Living with facial peeling requires extra attention to your skincare routine. Using the right techniques can help you reduce symptoms and the amount of peeling that occurs.
Which Facial Sunscreens Do Dermatologists Actually Recommend?
Summary
Skin peeling on your face can occur as a result of chronic or acute problems. While unsightly, it is proof of your skin’s process of repair and regrowth after trauma, disease, or irritations.
Treatment for skin peeling on your face varies based on the cause of your problem. In many cases, treatment may involve prescribed treatments and daily moisturizing along with proper skincare. Drinking plenty of water and avoiding harsh chemicals can support healthy skin before and during peeling.
Consult your healthcare provider if you have skin peeling on your face or peeling that does not improve. This issue can be a sign of an underlying health problem that needs care.
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31 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Yvette C. Terrie Bsp.Itchy, scratchy skin: preventing and managing xerosis. 2013;79.BMJ Best Practice.Toxic shock syndrome: summary.Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.Eczema: steroids and other topical medications.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin.Allina Health. How to treat a sunburn:Tips to stop the pain and start the healing.Akdeniz M, Tomova‐Simitchieva T, Dobos G, Blume‐Peytavi U, Kottner J.Does dietary fluid intake affect skin hydration in healthy humans?A systematic literature review.Skin Research and Technology. 2018;24(3):459-465. doi:10.1111/srt.12454Yale Medicine.How to treat a sunburn.McLoone P, Oluwadun A, Warnock M, Fyfe L.Honey: a therapeutic agent for disorders of the skin.Cent Asian J Glob Health. 2016;5(1):241. doi:10.5195/cajgh.2016.241Medicover Hospitals.What are peeling skin?Skin Care Foundation.Why does my skin peel when I get sunburned and what should I do about it?Medicover Hospitals.What are peeling skin?American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology.Contact dermatitis defined.National Eczema Association.Atopic dermatitis.Boston Children’s Hospital.Toxic epidermal necrolysis.Food and Drug Administration.Allergens in cosmetics.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Skin Diseases.Pemphigus.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Psoriasis.Mount Sinai.Scalded skin syndrome.MedlinePlus.Sunburn.Augustin M, Wilsmann‐Theis D, Körber A, et al.Diagnosis and treatment of xerosis cutis – a position paper.J Deutsche Derma Gesell. 2019;17(S7):3-33. doi:10.1111/ddg.13906American Academy of Family Physicians.Edema.National Eczema Association.Seborrheic dermatitis.Chularojanamontri L, Tuchinda P, Kulthanan K, Pongparit K.Moisturizers for acne.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014;7(5):36-44.University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC).Do you have dry, flaky skin on your face? Here’s what you can do.National Cancer Institute.Skin and nail changes during cancer treatment.Mount Sinai.Exfoliative dermatitis.National Eczema Association.Hand Eczema.National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).Peeling skin syndrome.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis: signs and symptoms.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Dry skin.Northwestern Medicine.Skin care in the dry air.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Yvette C. Terrie Bsp.Itchy, scratchy skin: preventing and managing xerosis. 2013;79.BMJ Best Practice.Toxic shock syndrome: summary.Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.Eczema: steroids and other topical medications.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin.Allina Health. How to treat a sunburn:Tips to stop the pain and start the healing.Akdeniz M, Tomova‐Simitchieva T, Dobos G, Blume‐Peytavi U, Kottner J.Does dietary fluid intake affect skin hydration in healthy humans?A systematic literature review.Skin Research and Technology. 2018;24(3):459-465. doi:10.1111/srt.12454Yale Medicine.How to treat a sunburn.McLoone P, Oluwadun A, Warnock M, Fyfe L.Honey: a therapeutic agent for disorders of the skin.Cent Asian J Glob Health. 2016;5(1):241. doi:10.5195/cajgh.2016.241Medicover Hospitals.What are peeling skin?Skin Care Foundation.Why does my skin peel when I get sunburned and what should I do about it?Medicover Hospitals.What are peeling skin?American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology.Contact dermatitis defined.National Eczema Association.Atopic dermatitis.Boston Children’s Hospital.Toxic epidermal necrolysis.Food and Drug Administration.Allergens in cosmetics.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Skin Diseases.Pemphigus.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Psoriasis.Mount Sinai.Scalded skin syndrome.MedlinePlus.Sunburn.Augustin M, Wilsmann‐Theis D, Körber A, et al.Diagnosis and treatment of xerosis cutis – a position paper.J Deutsche Derma Gesell. 2019;17(S7):3-33. doi:10.1111/ddg.13906American Academy of Family Physicians.Edema.National Eczema Association.Seborrheic dermatitis.Chularojanamontri L, Tuchinda P, Kulthanan K, Pongparit K.Moisturizers for acne.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014;7(5):36-44.University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC).Do you have dry, flaky skin on your face? Here’s what you can do.National Cancer Institute.Skin and nail changes during cancer treatment.Mount Sinai.Exfoliative dermatitis.National Eczema Association.Hand Eczema.National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).Peeling skin syndrome.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis: signs and symptoms.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Dry skin.Northwestern Medicine.Skin care in the dry air.
Yvette C. Terrie Bsp.Itchy, scratchy skin: preventing and managing xerosis. 2013;79.
BMJ Best Practice.Toxic shock syndrome: summary.
Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.Eczema: steroids and other topical medications.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Dermatologists' top tips for relieving dry skin.
Allina Health. How to treat a sunburn:Tips to stop the pain and start the healing.
Akdeniz M, Tomova‐Simitchieva T, Dobos G, Blume‐Peytavi U, Kottner J.Does dietary fluid intake affect skin hydration in healthy humans?A systematic literature review.Skin Research and Technology. 2018;24(3):459-465. doi:10.1111/srt.12454
Yale Medicine.How to treat a sunburn.
McLoone P, Oluwadun A, Warnock M, Fyfe L.Honey: a therapeutic agent for disorders of the skin.Cent Asian J Glob Health. 2016;5(1):241. doi:10.5195/cajgh.2016.241
Medicover Hospitals.What are peeling skin?
Skin Care Foundation.Why does my skin peel when I get sunburned and what should I do about it?
American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology.Contact dermatitis defined.
National Eczema Association.Atopic dermatitis.
Boston Children’s Hospital.Toxic epidermal necrolysis.
Food and Drug Administration.Allergens in cosmetics.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Skin Diseases.Pemphigus.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Psoriasis.
Mount Sinai.Scalded skin syndrome.
MedlinePlus.Sunburn.
Augustin M, Wilsmann‐Theis D, Körber A, et al.Diagnosis and treatment of xerosis cutis – a position paper.J Deutsche Derma Gesell. 2019;17(S7):3-33. doi:10.1111/ddg.13906
American Academy of Family Physicians.Edema.
National Eczema Association.Seborrheic dermatitis.
Chularojanamontri L, Tuchinda P, Kulthanan K, Pongparit K.Moisturizers for acne.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014;7(5):36-44.
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC).Do you have dry, flaky skin on your face? Here’s what you can do.
National Cancer Institute.Skin and nail changes during cancer treatment.
Mount Sinai.Exfoliative dermatitis.
National Eczema Association.Hand Eczema.
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).Peeling skin syndrome.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriasis: signs and symptoms.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Dry skin.
Northwestern Medicine.Skin care in the dry air.
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