There’s nothing quite like looking in the mirror in the morning and realizing that your skin is breaking out. Not only can a skin flare-up be very painful, but it can also be difficult to cover with makeup. A skin flare-up is not anyone’s idea of a good time, but there are many reasons that you might experience one, ranging from medication side effects to stress in your life. Here’s how you can deal with it more effectively.

1. Don’t Pick at Your Skin

First of all, don’t pick at your skin. It can be incredibly tempting when you see your skin with blemishes and pimples to pick at it and try to drain out all the pimples. However, this is absolutely the wrong move; picking at your face, especially with dirty hands, can create more problems, up to and including even worse breakouts. Avoid picking at your skin during a flare-up at all costs.

2. Avoid Overloading With Makeup

Next, as difficult as it may be to let it be a bit more obvious than you would like, it’s best to avoid overloading these areas with makeup. Packing on more foundation or concealer on top of a pimple or irritated skin can make it more likely to stay irritated for longer. If possible, try foregoing thicker concealers, instead opting for a tinted moisturizer or BB cream.

3. Try to Relieve Stress

Stress can by itself cause a skin flare-up, so relieving stress can help you avoid skin flare-ups in the first place. However, once your skin starts flaring up, stress can make it worse, so pulling back on anything that might be severely stressing you out is important. You can relieve stress by taking some personal time, delegating unimportant tasks, or reducing the amount of work you’re doing.

4. Use Targeted Products

One of the best ways to get rid of skin flare-up issues is to use a product that’s specifically targeted toward acne and other skin problems. Whether that means using a serum that’s targeted at reducing pimple development or using a face mask that helps pull away excess oil, targeted products can help save your skin more quickly. Grab an Ulta coupon before you buy yours to get the best deals.

5. See a Dermatologist for Serious Problems

Lastly, if it’s been more than about a week or two and you’re still noticing lots of irritation, or if the irritation gets so bad that it’s painful to the touch or begins cracking and bleeding, it’s probably time to see a dermatologist. In some cases, a skin condition can arise for seemingly no reason, or you may have developed an allergy you didn’t know about previously. A dermatologist is an important medical provider who can help.

Conclusion

Skin flare-ups are definitely frustrating, and it can be difficult to manage these flare-ups once they start happening. However, an approach that manages your existing skin problems and avoids creating new ones is definitely the right answer. Use these tips to manage your next skin flare-up more easily.