Your Expert Guide to Skin Burnout
If you’ve noticed your skin becoming tight, inflamed, or increasingly lacklustre, you might be experiencing skin burnout.
“Skin burnout is a term we use to describe the state when your skin becomes dull, reactive, or unresponsive to your usual skincare routine,” says Dr Simon Ourian MD, cosmetic dermatologist and founder of Simon Ourian MD. “It’s often the result of overstimulation, over-exfoliation, or using too many potent active ingredients without giving your skin a chance to recover.”
Environmental stressors can also play a significant role. “Burnout can result from stress and exhaustion, poor sleep, lack of exercise or nutrition, or environmental factors like UV exposure, wind, cold, and pollution,” explains Dr Hadley King, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York.
The skin’s outermost layer, known as the stratum corneum, acts as a protective barrier, maintaining hydration and shielding against environmental damage. When this barrier is compromised, transepidermal water loss increases and the skin becomes more vulnerable to irritation, allergens, and pollution.
Signs of Skin Burnout
Common symptoms of skin burnout include tightness, sensitivity, persistent breakouts, and a dull or uneven complexion. This often points to a compromised skin barrier, the protective layer that keeps moisture in and aggressors out. When weakened, the skin struggles to function optimally, leaving it more vulnerable to both irritation and dehydration.
In more advanced cases, the skin may become chronically dehydrated, with patches of flakiness, visible redness, or a stinging sensation when cleansing or moisturising. These are all signs that the skin is struggling to cope.
How to Treat Skin Burnout
The first step? Scale back. “If your skin is in burnout mode, you need to allow it time to rebalance,” says Dr Ourian. “Look for products with calming ingredients like niacinamide, bisabolol, aloe vera, panthenol, and allantoin, or hydrating ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid — both of which are featured in the Simon Ourian MD Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Mask.”
He adds: “Once the skin barrier is restored (typically after a couple of weeks), you can gradually reintroduce potent active ingredients, one at a time. I always recommend listening to your skin. If it’s red, tight, or stinging, that’s a sign it needs rest, not more products.”
Dr King recommends the Soothe Regimen from Rodan + Fields as her go-to for repairing and resetting the skin. “The formulations feature humectants like glycerin to hydrate the skin, emollients like ceramides, shea butter, and sunflower seed oil to support the skin barrier, and skin-soothing ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, allantoin, and bisabolol, as well as their proprietary RFp2 peptide complex, which is as anti-inflammatory as cortisone,” she says.
Depending on the severity of barrier damage, it may take anywhere from two to six weeks for the skin to return to balance. Experts recommend avoiding exfoliation during this period and sticking to the same core products daily to support the skin’s natural repair cycle.
Preventing Skin Burnout
To keep skin burnout at bay, Dr King stresses the importance of supporting your skin both topically and systemically. “Improve lifestyle factors such as stress management, good nutrition, regular exercise, and adequate sleep, and protect the skin from environmental damage with sun protection, moisturisers, and antioxidants. Find a skincare routine that works for you without irritating or drying out your skin, focusing on products that support the skin barrier and nourish the skin.”
As for what to avoid, Dr Ourian cautions against skincare habits that do more harm than good. “Common culprits include layering multiple acids, using harsh cleansers, or switching products too frequently,” he explains. “Over time, this can impair the skin barrier, leading to inflammation and sensitivity.”
And when it comes to long-term maintenance? “Consistency and moderation are key,” adds Dr Ourian. “Healthy, glowing skin isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing what works, consistently, and with care.”