The Worst Skin Flare-Up During My Japan Trip

During my recent trip to Japan, my skin had one of the worst reactions ever. It became itchy, red, and extremely irritated, especially around my eyes. It looked as if I had been wearing sunglasses, with the area around my eyes turning noticeably red and swollen. The discomfort was intense—just touching my skin was painful. Within two days, my skin started peeling, making everything even worse.

I tried to pinpoint the cause—was it the cotton pads I used (which were different from my usual toner pads)? Could it have been the Charlotte Tilbury Pressed Powder I bought duty-free and used for the first time? Or maybe the slightly salty onsen water from the hotel? Unfortunately, I never found the exact trigger. To be safe, I’ve since stopped using cotton pads altogether and switched to Make P:rem Cleansing Milk, which feels incredibly gentle on my skin.

Lifesaver #1: Dewytree AC Deep Calming Mask

Despite my irritated skin, I still wanted to wear light makeup since I was traveling and taking photos. The Dewytree AC Deep Calming Mask was a lifesaver during the trip. It instantly cooled down my skin and helped reduce redness, allowing me to manage my flare-up while still looking presentable.

But I wasn’t the only one who saw amazing results—my dad did too! He had recently over-exfoliated his face (yes, he used an exfoliating towel… on his face!), which left his skin red, swollen, and irritated, especially around his eyes. Even after getting a prescription from a dermatologist, his condition wasn’t improving. However, after using this mask for a few days during our trip, the redness and swelling significantly reduced. He became such a believer in this product that he used it every single day for the rest of our five-day trip—and his stubborn irritation finally disappeared!

Lifesaver #2: B.READY Cicaffeine Trouble Reset Serum

When I returned home, I was still dealing with some lingering sensitivity, so I decided to try B.READY Cicaffeine Trouble Reset Serum. (B.READY is a men’s skincare brand by Amorepacific, one of Korea’s leading beauty conglomerates, known for brands like Sulwhasoo, Hera, Innisfree, etc.!) Normally, when your skin is breaking out or inflamed, people advise avoiding skincare altogether. However, this serum is specifically designed to calm and reset compromised skin, which intrigued me. Plus, many beauty YouTubers had raved about it.

Skeptical but hopeful, I gave it a try—and I was AMAZED. The next morning, my skin looked significantly calmer! Of course, time played a role in my recovery, but the visible improvement was undeniable. This serum not only soothed my irritated skin but also helped restore an even skin tone over time. Now, I use it consistently and love the results❤️

Lifesaver #3: Illiyoon Red Itch Care Cream

The final game-changer was Illiyoon Red Itch Care Cream. I had originally bought this last winter to treat dry, itchy patches on my legs, but after my trip, I decided to use it on my still-sensitive, itchy eye area. The relief was INSTANT! My skin felt soothed right away, and the redness and irritation subsided much faster than I expected.

Because this cream was so effective, I now save it for times when my skin is in crisis mode. I don’t use it daily, but when I need it, it works like magic.

Final Thoughts: My Go-To Routine for Sensitive, Reactive Skin

After this experience, I’ve made a few adjustments to my skincare routine:

• 💦 Cleansing: I avoid cotton pads and use Make P:rem Cleansing Milk instead (I previously used Bioderma Micellar Water with cotton pads).
• 🧴 Soothing Care: I use B.READY Cicaffeine Trouble Reset Serum regularly to keep my skin calm and balanced.
• 🚨 Emergency Treatment: When my skin flares up or feels irritated, I rely on Illiyoon Red Itch Care Cream and Dewytree AC Deep Calming Mask to quickly restore my skin.

If you struggle with sudden skin irritation, redness, or sensitivity (possibly contact dermatitis, in my case), I highly recommend trying these products. They helped me recover fast and kept my skin from getting worse. Have you used any of these before? Let me know your thoughts!

This post is not sponsored and is based solely on my personal experience. However, it does contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!