What should you know about red and flaky skin on face?

Facial flaking may occur when the skin barrier is dry or irritated by cleanser, fragrance, exfoliating acids, retinoids, weather, or a new cosmetic. Seborrhoeic dermatitis can affect oily areas around the nose, eyebrows, ears, or scalp. Rosacea can present with flushing, persistent redness, burning, bumps, visible vessels, and sometimes surface dryness or scaling. Contact dermatitis is another possibility, especially when symptoms began after a product or hair treatment. These conditions can overlap, so the exact distribution and timeline are more useful than colour alone.

Pause newly introduced or fragranced products and wash with lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser. Apply a bland moisturiser while the skin is slightly damp, avoid scrubbing or picking flakes, and use daily sun protection. Keep a note of products, heat, spicy food, alcohol, exercise, and stress if flushing follows them. Do not use potent steroid creams on the face without medical guidance. Arrange a dermatology review if the problem persists, recurs, or affects the eyes; rosacea treatment is chosen according to its flushing, inflammatory, vascular, or ocular features.

Seek prompt care for facial swelling, blistering, severe pain, pus, fever, or redness spreading quickly. Get urgent eye assessment for eye pain, light sensitivity, blurred vision, marked grittiness, or a very red eye. A rash around the mouth, nose, or eyes that worsens after steroid use should also be reviewed.

Could this be rosacea, contact dermatitis, seborrhoeic dermatitis, or simple irritation? Which products should I stop? Do my symptoms involve the eyes? What treatment is suitable for facial skin?