Go Hyun-jung’s “Moderation” Approach: How to Adjust Cleansing and Moisturizing When Your Skin Stings in Autumn

When you hear about the routines of actors with beautiful skin, you may feel like spending more time in the bathroom. Cleansing more thoroughly, adding one more layer of cream. Yet when Go Hyun-jung was once asked about her beauty secrets, her answer was unexpectedly brief: “Just moderately.” These were remarks reported by SBS Entertainment News, which covered a cosmetics brand launch event on October 21, 2015. At the time, she explained that stories about using an entire jar of cream on a flight and a fine-hair cleansing method named after her were not true.[1]

Thinking back to that brief answer raises one question at the autumn vanity: Is everything I am adding for my skin really necessary for my skin? If your cheeks feel tight even when you smile after washing, or a familiar cream starts to sting, it is time to examine your cleansing and moisturizing routine before choosing a new product.

It was fine in summer—why does my skin suddenly feel tight?

Skin dryness is related to the rate at which it loses moisture from its surface. Cold, dry environments, strong cleansers, and long, hot showers can worsen dryness. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) explains that reduced sebum production with age is also a factor in dry skin. Even if you continue the same routine, the way it feels may change as the season and your skin condition change.[2]

Asan Medical Center describes dry skin as a condition in which reduced lipids and natural moisturizing factors on the skin’s surface lead to flaking, itching, and cracking. What is commonly called skin-barrier care is connected to these basic measures that help the skin retain moisture. If you notice whitish areas, do not immediately scrub them away as though they were dead skin. First, consider whether you have tightness or itching and whether your showers have recently become longer.[3]

Don’t you need to wash until your skin feels squeaky clean?

Do not make the goal of cleansing the removal of every trace of oil from the skin. The AAD’s cleansing guidance recommends lukewarm water, a gentle cleanser, and soft cleansing with your fingertips. Rubbing with rough tools or using scrubs can cause irritation. After rinsing, gently pat away the water with a soft towel. It may be worth first reducing the rubbing you do to check that your skin feels thoroughly clean.[4]

Increasing the number of times you wash is not always the answer, either. The AAD’s general guideline is twice a day—morning and evening—and after heavy sweating. If your skin is severely dry or you have dermatitis, consult a professional and adjust even this guideline to suit your condition. Rather than copying a celebrity’s cleansing frequency, noting when and after using what your skin became uncomfortable may also help with a medical consultation.[4,6]

In the evening, check how to remove the cosmetics you have used. There is no need to treat double cleansing itself as the measure of success. If your routine is to wipe with a cleansing tissue, wash with a cleanser, and then rub again with a pad, consider why each step is necessary. On days when your skin is especially stinging and red, be careful that trying to make sure it is even cleaner does not lead to unnecessary friction.

If your skin is dry, should you layer several serums?

When your skin is dry, consider formulations that feel comfortable and when you apply them before focusing on the number of products. The AAD advises choosing fragrance-free products for dry skin and considering moisturizers in cream or ointment form rather than lotion. It also recommends moisturizing while some moisture remains on the skin after washing. If you usually wait a long time after leaving the bathroom and finishing other tasks, try moving moisturizing up to immediately after cleansing.[5]

The impression that a product has no scent is different from a label stating that it is fragrance-free. Check the labeling rather than the product name, and if it feels hot or stings when applied, do not continue to endure it and apply more. During periods of dryness and sensitivity, it is also worth reviewing whether you need to continue using potentially irritating active products such as retinoids. Ask a medical professional how to adjust the use of prescribed products.[5]

In daily life, write down the products you currently use and your symptoms. Recording when the stinging began and what you had used beforehand can help with a consultation. Changing several products at once makes it difficult to identify the cause, so it is better to observe changes calmly when streamlining your routine as well.

If the itching and redness continue, is moisturizing alone enough?

Before dismissing it as seasonal dryness, observe how the symptoms develop. If they recur despite changes to moisturizing and daily habits, or if a rash appears where cosmetics were applied, it may be difficult to conclude that the problem is simply a lack of moisture. Contact dermatitis can be related to irritation or an allergy to substances that touch the skin, so identifying the cause is important. The AAD advises telling your clinician about the skin, hair, and nail products you use and when the rash appears.[6]

If necessary, a medical professional may consider temporarily excluding a suspected product or performing patch testing to identify an allergic cause. Not every person with sensitive skin needs testing. The choice is made after narrowing down the cause through an examination. If there is inflammation, treatment may require an appropriate topical medication and avoiding the causative substance. The aim is to prevent the same irritation from recurring while you continue switching moisturizers.[6]

In particular, do not delay medical care if the itching is severe enough to disturb your sleep or if scratches leave wounds. Asan Medical Center also explains the itching associated with dry skin, wounds caused by scratching, and the possibility of infection. The goal of skin care is not only a dewy appearance in photographs, but also being able to go about daily life comfortably, with less concern about your face.[3]

Recommended by Director Kang Jeong-ha

In daily life, try three things first. First, cleanse gently with lukewarm water and your fingertips, and reduce the use of tools that rub the skin. Second, do not wait too long after washing; apply a moisturizer that does not irritate you. Third, while your skin is uncomfortable, do not add several new products at once. Briefly record the products you use and changes in your symptoms.[3,4,6]

Treatment takes two approaches based on your current condition. If tightness and dryness are the main concerns, adjust your cleansing habits and determine the formulation and method of using a moisturizer suited to your skin. If red rashes and itching recur, check whether dermatitis is present and identify the cause; when necessary, a medical professional may treat the inflammation with a topical medication they have selected. If an allergy is suspected, patch testing may be considered.[3,6]

Rather than immediately scheduling a cosmetic procedure for a dry, stinging face, first identify the cause of the symptoms and observe the process of making your skin more comfortable. Any concerns that remain can then be discussed specifically. Deciding what care you need today is the starting point for skin care without excess.

This article provides general health information; individual diagnosis and treatment should be determined through a medical consultation.

Interesting Skin Stories for Healthy Skin

Drawing on 16 years of experience running Seolleim Clinic Gangnam and expertise in dermatological procedures, Director Kang Jeong-ha explains easy, approachable stories about dermatology, using celebrities, public figures, and television as subjects, along with skin-care methods that can be practiced in everyday life. Through professional knowledge and experience, she aims to help your skin look healthier and more beautiful. We hope this series broadens your understanding of skin and helps you discover ways to care for yourself.

Director Kang Jeong-ha (Seolleim Clinic Gangnam)