#Winter dermatitis

[lewyym]

*shows you the dozens of tiny, bright red wounds on my hands* Wanna know how I got these scars?

...wimter

[raisethe-velvet]

I dont get people who like winter bc like. do you fucking enjoy feeling your blood crystalize in your hands every time you wash your hands after going to the bathroom bc the hot water takes 10 minutes to fucking work??? so youre left with the freezing ice water???

[sp00kypumpkaboo]

Idk if I’m slowing getting contact dermatitis on my eyes/eyelids again or if I have like some kinda eczema on my eyes that flares up in the winters now 😥 I’ve been doing a bunch of research cuz I really hope it’s not contact dermatitis like I had a year or so ago and idk what would happen or how much money I’d have to pay to like urgent care or ER if this gets worse. I’ve been avoiding applying anything on my eyes/eyelids, only putting on Vaseline. Gonna try to do warm/cold compresses, (carefully) massage eyelids with castor oil, buy 1% hydrocortisone and lightly/carefully apply, and keep applying Vaseline… god, fuck me 😓

[scientia-rex]

Best Things I Have Bought

I'm not sure how successful I will be in remembering all of it, but I'll try. These have all been game-changers for me, in a variety of ways. If teen me had had access to all of these, I would have been a vastly happier person.

This one is long, so I'll put in a cut.

-outlet timers. Not having to go around and manually turn off lamps at bedtime? Amazing. I bought these but you can and should get some that have a grounded outlet with three prongs so you can attach good extension cords to them.

-famotidine. aka Pepcid, it's the safest option I currently know of for managing acid reflux. I get nauseated when I get acid reflux, so this is a necessity for me.

-T-Gel shampoo. The only one that keeps my husband's insane dandruff under control. Coal tar shampoos smell peculiar, but are totally worth it if they work. For my hair, I like anti-dandruff conditioner--I apply it to my scalp and my other conditioners to the length of my hair. After bleaching my hair, I use Olaplex 3 to prevent more severe damage; the difference is very noticeable.

-white vinegar for a laundry rinse. I get horrendous contact dermatitis and adding this in the "fabric softener" cup in my washer keeps things from making my skin burn.

-on a similar note, all Oxy laundry booster. Doesn't make my skin burn but does make stains and smells noticeably better than detergent alone.

-Aquaphor. If you have eczema, nothing helps like Aquaphor, unless it's hydrocortisone ointment (the same white petrolatum base as Aquaphor but with hydrocortisone) or a prescribed steroid.

-Bissell Stomp 'N' Go pads. I have stomped. The stain goes.

-Prune puree. A packet a day keeps the chronic constipation at bay. Less volume to consume than prune juice and, in my opinion, slightly more palatable.

-Chinotto is a bitters-based beverage that I discovered by accident really helps my chronic nausea. I've tried other brands, and San Pellegrino is definitely my favorite. Tastes weird at first, but when heavy-duty ginger ale doesn't ease it, Chinotto can. And when that doesn't work, I have Zofran (ondansetron) my doctor prescribed me for the nausea I get with migraines, and that's an effective anti-nausea agent for more than just migraines.

-"You Just Need to Lose Weight (And 19 Others Myths About Fat People)" by Aubrey Gordon.

-rolling laundry cart. Doesn't have to be this one but if you CAN roll your laundry to and fro from the machines, do it.

-"Why Does He Do That? Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men" by Lundy Bancroft. If you Google, you can usually find a free pdf floating around.

-"The Vagina Bible," by Dr. Jen Gunter.

-satin scrunchies. Wet Brush. Terry cloth lined shower cap. AOA terry cloth hair turban (way, way better than similar ones from drugstore).

-stretchy work pants.

-bra liners. For large-chested people who tend to get sweaty underboob, this is a life-saver.

-Goo Gone.

-Dr. Scholls medicated foot powder and the Earth Therapeutics tea tree oil foot spray. The foot powder works for super long days and the spray for lighter days.

-Reflective heat pad. I use this on my car seat in the winter and I am so happy for that every single chilly morning. I've repurchased it... once or twice? now.

-Retin-A. I used to use Differin, which is adapalene, the most potent retinoid available over the counter, but the switch to prescription-only Retin-A has been very noticeable. Decreased wrinkles, clearer skin. More inclined to flake and burn but it's worth it for me.

-Red LED therapy. Near-infrared stimulates collagen production in the skin. The only other thing that really does that is retinoids. I bought the Omnilux mask, which is certainly high-end, but HotandFlashy (a YouTube content creator) did a great comparison of different masks available by specs and this was the best at the time. The difference is noticeable within days. I've tried other, lower-powered masks, but what made me make the jump to high-end was that I got the Dennis Gross red LED eye mask for crows' feet off eBay and I was like "holy shit, this is better." And Omnilux is better still. It makes sense, since they were the OG of the models that have been in dermatology clinics for a couple of decades now.

-AOA foundation has been at least as good at my TooFaced foundation, and it's like 1-2 bucks instead of 40. There are light, medium, and deep shades, each on different pages; I'm linking to light because that's what I use. The lightest shade works for me, and I'm basically translucent.

-AOA VitaGlow tinted moisturizer is absolutely my go-to for lighter coverage days.

-AOA PawPaw blending sponges. Best out there and also the cheapest.

-(do not buy any of the AOA eyeshadows. Total waste of time, zero pigment. I've tried repeatedly and they're just garbage. The highlights are generally fine though.)

-Direct acid foot peels. The calluses come off. Just don't do it when you have ANY open wound on the feet, because it's acid and will sting like hell.

-blendercleanser solid cleanser for blending sponges and brushes. Actually a) gets them clean and b) rinses out.

-PureWine wine wands. I let these puppies sit for three minutes in a glass and suddenly I can drink red wine without migraines or hangovers. Fucking miraculous.

-Dustbuster. Holy shit it's amazing for ADHD peeps. Small thing bugging you? Can't get yourself to bust out the "real" vacuum? USE THIS.

-Crocs. Don't @ me. I wear a black pair around the house and for garden chores and they make my feet happy. Salonpas patches and/or BenGay for a topical when you're sore--topicals are great pain relief.

-Vibrating neck pillow. Don't need it right now? Wait until your next head cold. Vibration clears sinuses.

-PooPourri. I love not having to smell poop. This, and similar products, work pretty well by trapping scent particles in the oil layer instead of letting them evaporate into the air.

-Electric snow thrower. I can't manage a large, heavy snow blower and I don't want to deal with a gas engine. This little guy helped me clear my large driveway in 3-4 hours instead of 12.

-The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark, by Carl Sagan.

-Handheld home IPL for hair removal. I ordered this exact one and I like it. You can get these on eBay or Amazon for cheaper sometimes; just make sure you PROTECT YOUR EYES during flashes. Targets pigment in the hair bulb so lighter skin and darker hair work better, and deeper skin tones may burn.

-Lanolin chapstick. Makes all other chapsticks I've used look like garbage.

-Steam eye masks. ShopMissA sells these and you can find them on a lot sites; shouldn't cost more than about a dollar per mask. I ended up buying an electric eye mask because I wanted to treat my dry eye and that just felt more environmentally responsible, but I love falling asleep with these on and I can't do that with my plug-in mask.

I think this is where I'll leave it--I've gone back quite a ways in my shopping history across multiple sites and thought about my daily routines--but if any of these problems torture you, these are my suggestions.

[cascabelle]

I’ve got some sore spots around my eyes and mild redness. Early days yet but I just know it’s time for-

Winter dermatitis baby!!

[ilminnestrone]

I know that probably no ones gives a single fuck about my skincare routine but after my latest flare-up I had to put down this sheet to rebuild it with my favourites.

I suffer from atopic dermatitis and it's a bitch, especially in the coldest months. Treatments are usually flare-up focused and cortisone based with little care for maintanance, so most of us end up using whatever is marketed for dry and sensitive skin, most of the time worsening the condition and winning another ride on the steroid train. Also, most dermatologist warn us against the dangers of hot showers, equating hot with drying, but rarely tell us we need to boost hydration in the winter, so we end up believing the old adagio about skin becoming "resistant" to products and trying all creams on the market. Bullshit: skin has different need during different weathers, and you can easily reuse an efficient routine every year (unless you develop allergies or other conditions).

A couple of years ago I found a light in the darkness, a friend with a special interest for cosmetic, and we read hundreds of INCIs to build my perfect skincare. I found out that Korean skincare is mostly prevention based, sensitive skin proof and very idrating, so most of the product we chose are Korean.

All of this product are vegan and cruelty free. Unluckily most packaging is quite plastic-heavy, but many products from Purito have recharges and La Saponaria (an Italian brand) uses 98% or upcycled plastic in their packaging.

This routine was built with my skin condition in mind, but can be used by anyone with a sensitive and dry-very dry skin like me. All of these products have been tested even during flare-ups** and I can guarantee they are as gentle as they claim.

Summer

Purito SEOUL - From Green Cleansing Oil

Purito SEOUL - From Green Deep Foaming Cleanser

SKIN1004 - Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Brightening Toner

COSRX - Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence

La Saponaria - Acido ialuronico - multiplo peso molecolare

La Saponaria - Peptidi Complex con Sacha Inchi

SKIN1004 - Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Bakuchiol Eye Cream ☀️

BEAUTY OF JOSEON - Revive Eye Serum : Ginseng + Retinal 🌙

Purito SEOUL - Oat-In Calming Gel Cream

KAINE - Green Fit Pro Sun SPF50+ PA++++ ☀️

Winter

Purito SEOUL - From Green Cleansing Oil

Purito SEOUL - From Green Deep Foaming Cleanser

SKIN1004 - Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Essence Toner 

COSRX - Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence

La Saponaria - Acido ialuronico - multiplo peso molecolare

La Saponaria - Peptidi Complex con Sacha Inchi 

SKIN1004 - Madagascar Centella Probio-Cica Bakuchiol Eye Cream☀️

BEAUTY OF JOSEON - Revive Eye Serum : Ginseng + Retinal 🌙

KAINE - Vegan Collagen Youth Cream

La Saponaria - Biocao Melograno

LADIVAL - Piel seca hydrasalinol SPF50+ crema solar y nieve* ☀️

Altromercato - Olio siero viso - booster - rivitalizzante vitaminico 🌙

*If you find it in your country (it's a Spanish product) go and grab it! It's great and exists in a coloured version for darker skin to avoid any white cast, but sadly it was discontinued in Italy, so I'm switching to:

Isntree - Hyaluronic Acid Natural Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++

Other products I use for specific necessities:

La Saponaria - Peeling AHA** 📅🌙

MISSHA - Talks Vegan Squeeze Pocket Sleeping Mask - Mega Nutritious 📅🌙

Garnier - Skin Active Nutribomb Milky Mask (Coconut) 📅

Garnier - Skin Active Hydrabomb Tissue Mask (Pomegranade) 📅

Garnier - Skin Active Hydrabomb Tissue Mask (Chamomile) 📅

SOME BY MI - Real Hyaluron Hydra Care Mask 📅

SOME BY MI - Real Cica Calming Care Mask 📅

Any brand - Pure Argan Oil 🌙

** Don't use peelings or scrubs during flare-ups!

[banefolk]

Christmas Botanicals Series: Black Hellebore

Next up in the christmas botanicals series is the christmas rose, also known as black hellebore. Hellebore is a flowering perennial with evergreen leaves in the famously poisonous Ranunculaceae family which also contains aconites (wolfsbane), delphiniums, meadow rues, clematis species, and ranunculus (ranging from wild buttercups to ornamental flowers).

Hellebore contains saponins, cardiac glycosides, and other toxins. While ingestion of hellebore may not be deadly to humans, it is incredibly unpleasant. Symptoms include contact dermatitis, burning skin, burning of the mouth and throat, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, confusion, and irregular heartbeat.

Hellebore was one of the first documented chemical weapons used in warfare. The Greeks used the potently poisonous leaves to taint the entire water supply of the sacred city of Kirrha in 585 BCE to end a 10-year siege. It did not kill the residents but incapacitated them with vomiting and diarrhea while the Greek army invaded and slaughtered the entire population by the sword.

Hellebore has been venerated as a powerful plant by multiple ancient civilizations and was included in medical texts by the likes of Hippocrates and Theophrastus.

Black hellebore eventually became associated with christmas due to its evergreen leaves and naturally blooming in winter near the older date of christmas from the Julian calendar. Like mistletoe, the association is likely older than christianity and it was also brought in the home during the dark of winter to protect from evil spirits, ghosts, witches, and illness, but unlike mistletoe hanging in the roof rafters, hellebore was supposedly strewn on the ground with the rushes. Like hanging mistletoe, people in the British Isles and Europe continued the protective practice after converting to the new religion. Today the practice has changed to decorating with hellebore flowers for christmas.

[deadmomjokes]

In other adorable news, my mother in law has been in the process of taming a feral cat for the last four years, and has finally coaxed the creature into a proper weather-proof shelter. Which is good because he appears to be getting older, just got over some dermatitis/potential mange (thanks in part to MIL bribing him to eat vet-recommended supplements by putting salmon broth on the food she left for him) and it's gonna be wicked cold and wet this winter.

Usually he just eats and runs, though he will occasionally come close enough to meow at her if he's still hungry or she's off-schedule putting out the food. He never sticks around though. So this is a big deal!

We're hoping that within the next year she'll actually be able to touch him so she can get the ancient, too-small flea collar off his neck and give him a proper parasite treatment. Maybe even get him to a vet to get fixed and vaccinated. But baby steps. Like custom making a kitty-sized, fully insulated, -5F rated box, buying a 100% wool pet bed (wool so it stays warm even when wet and has mold inhibiting properties), rigging a waxed flap to keep the wind and rain out, and sprinkling the whole thing in catnip to coax him into trying it.

This woman is extra as heck, but hey, it worked. Mr. Binx is happily lounging in his kitty hotbox new winter hideout, having stuffed himself on the wet food MIL put out to also try and convince him to give it a chance.

This wild and ferocious beast is a totally spoiled baby boy already and has no idea.

[erotomanicpixiedreamgirl]

i hate winter bc it just triggers my seborrheic dermatitis and folliculitis . fuck my life

[libraryofmoths]

Moth of the Week

Isabella Tiger Moth

Pyrrharctia isabella

The isabella tiger moth is part of the Erebidae family and was first officially named in 1797 by James Edward Smith. The caterpillars of this moth are referred to as woolly worms, woolly bears, and banded woolly bears. In Canadian folklore, these caterpillars serve as predictors of harsh or east winters depending on their hair’s length and color.

Description The isabella tiger moth’s body and wings range from tan to yellow-orange. The hindwings are a lighter shade than the forewings with both marked by black spots and faint lines. In females, the hindwings have a pink tone. The body also has a black spotted pattern with reddish-orange forelegs. The moth’s color darkens at the head to a red-orange or brown.

Average wingspan of ≈4.35 cm (≈1.7 in)

Diet and Habitat The caterpillars eat many plants and trees such as grasses, asters, birches, clover, corn, elms, maples, milkweed and sunflowers in deciduous woodlands and prairies. Adults drink nectar from host plants. They use a proboscis, which is like a feeding tube. These moths are found in all of the United States except for the states of Alaska and Hawaii, much of Mexico, and southern Canada. The isabella tiger moth also can be found in the Arctic.

Mating The isabella tiger moth produces two generations a year in its northern range and usually a three generations in the south. In May during the evening, females let out pheromones from a scent gland from their abdomen to attract mates. Males fly in zig-zag patterns and mate with the females. Females lay clusters of 50 or more eggs on the host plants. The eggs will hatch in 5 to 12 days. The eggs hatched in the fall will give way to caterpillars that will freeze in the winter, thaw in spring, and continue the cycle.

Predators Woolly bears will curl into a ball if feeling threatened. The stiff hairs protect the caterpillar from wasps, flies, mantids, birds, and other predators, such as humans. Touching a woolly bear is discouraged because these hairs may cause dermatitis, however they are not venomous and typically don’t cause irritation.

Fun Fact Woollybear festivals are held in several locations in the fall with games, costumes, and a winter prediction.

(Source: Wikipedia, Moth Identification, BugGuide, Minnesota Seasons, iNaturalist, Iron Tree Service, Wildlife in Winter)

[skys-archive]

Talk about eczema below, not really for a reason, mostly just because I don't see much about it.

I've had eczema pretty much my whole life, it developed when I was 6 months old. It was on the inside of my elbows and knees for years, especially when I was young. I've actually grown out of that but for several years the entire area was pale white from all the years of scratching and breaking skin, especially when I was little. Somehow that's like, faded a bunch? In the last few years. I would get questioned about it all the time a few years ago (a lot of people thought I had vitiligo which was strange to me though also understandable) and now it's not noticeable besides the texture. There's a lot of white specks from the stabbing and the edges is kinda rough but it doesn't typically get eczema anymore.

On the other hand, it has certainly spread to arguably worse places.

I now instead of perioral dermatitis, which eczema on the face which is both much more noticeable and also feels a lot worse, for me anyway after several years of not really having it. For me it's the worst around my mouth and on my lips. It's always been there for the past... threeish years now? At first I thought I was having some allergic reaction to my chapstick suddenly, since that can happen, but it kept getting worse even after I stopped. It was really painful and dry and red and I was very very uncomfortable for several weeks. It started scabbing and oozing and was overall incredibly unpleasant.

I started using carmex which was absolutely a bad idea, it helped to be more moisturized and less painful but that was also when it began scabbing and peeling and like, getting infected. I don't have any pictures from them anymore but it was, bad. At some point I started using vaseline which was much better. I'm not sure exactly why it works, I assume it makes some kind of protective barrier without having any chemicals or substances getting into all the tiny little cuts and openings.

For the last year or so it's only been bad during the summer and winter, because of it being either very dry or humid and hot, though it hasn't been nearly as bad as it was before. I can put literally nothing around my mouth or eyes which can be really frustrating. I can't use lipstick or any kind of chapstick, just vaseline which I don't love the way it looks, very shiny and wet looking. I technically shouldn't use makeup around my eyes either, but for me I've noticed it's okay as long as I only do it like, 3 times a week nonconsecutively. Sunscreen and bug spray is annoying, when I do get stuff on it makes it a lot worse for a few days which is very frustrating.

I also have psoriasis on my scalp, which has gotten really disgusting in the past and poses issues if I want to bleach or dye my hair. But in the last few years I've gotten much more knowledgeable in how to properly care for my hair and scalp so it's not been too much of an issue.

Anyway this was kind of a long post with not too much of a point, I just wanted to talk about my experience with skin conditions because I don't see a lot of representation for it outside of vitiligo, not that those people have much rep either. Hope you enjoyed my little ramble

[todaysbug]

October 19th, 2023

Isabella Tiger Moth (Pyrrharctia isabella)

Class: Insecta

Distribution: Found throughout the United States, Mexico and southern Canada.

Habitat: Usually found in open, dry to slightly moist habitats, such as weedy fields, fallow cropfields, roadsides and occasionally forested areas.

Diet: Generalists; Caterpillars are minor defoliators which feed on the leaves of aster, birch, clover, corn, elm, maple, sunflower, as well as grasses and weeds such as dandelion, plantain and nettle. Adults drink wildflower nectar.

Description: The Isabella tiger moth is also referred to as the banded woolly bear due to its fuzzy black-and-brown caterpillar. The caterpillars' hairs are soft in texture and do not sting nor inject venom; still, care must be taken while handling these caterpillars as the hairs may trigger dermatitis in some people.

Perhaps due to being common insects with a cute, fuzzy appearance, there are many superstitions regarding the Isabella tiger moth's caterpillar. Some folklore surmises that the width of the brown band can help predict the severity of the coming winter, where winters will be milder if the band is larger, or where darker stripes are an indicator of a harsh winter. Another version claims that the weather can be predicted by the direction in which the caterpillar crawls, in which it will crawl southward to escape a harsh winter (though there is unfortunately no proof of their weather-predicting abilities!). Due to their prominence in folklore, there are a few festivals dedicated solely to woollybear caterpillars, such as in Vermilion, OH, Banner Elk, NC, Beattyville, KY, Oil City, PA and Little Valley, NY.

Surprisingly enough, the Isabella tiger moth can occasionally be found in extremely cold regions, such as the Arctic. It will overwinter as a caterpillar, where it will allow itself to freeze solid, including its heart, gut and blood. It survives by producing a cryoprotectant in its tissues, which minimizes damage from freezing and allows it to simply thaw in the spring and continue on its merry way.

(First image by Janice Stiefel, second by me)

[chaoslaura]

*crashes through the ceiling* I saw your tags under my dermatitis post and you too? Siblings in misery? 🫂

Siblings in misery, high five! How does it feel to be among the really low percentage of adults who didn't outgrew it during their teenage years? Being special in diseases oh yeah.

It doesn't look bad most of the time, but winter is hellish with the dry air, and I didn't make the best choice putting my tattoos on the arm where it flairs up the most.

[occasionalesbianlovermariahcarey]

it's winter so u know what that means 🫣 seborrheic dermatitis 🥰

[merrybrides]

10 Natural Dry Skin Remedies You Can DIY at Home

Sometimes we don’t pay much attention to caring for our skin, even though it’s the largest organ in the body. Skin suffers from dryness due to winter weather, hot showers and vigorous scrubbing with a towel when we dry ourselves.

You don’t have to head out to buy expensive lotions and potions to rehydrate your skin – your kitchen may already contain all the ingredients you need. Natural remedies are also better for your skin, as they don’t contain all the extra chemicals that manufactured skin creams have in them.

Here are 10 simple and all-natural remedies for dry skin:

1. Olive Oil Cleanser

Olive oil works as a natural cleanser and moisturizer.  All you need to do is rub the oil on your skin and drape a warm, damp cloth over your face until it cools. Wipe away any excess oil and you’re done. Olive oil is a good choice for a skin cleanser because it doesn’t strip away your skin’s natural oils.

2. Rich Avocado Mask

The creamy richness of avocado works well to soothe dry skin. We suggest pureeing half an avocado and mixing it with a teaspoon of olive oil. If your skin is very dry, add a tablespoon of honey too. Apply the mask and leave on for 15 to 20 minutes. For an extra moisture boost, apply your regular moisturizer after you have removed the mask.

3. Olive Oil and Sugar Scrub

This combination makes a great exfoliating scrub with moisturizing benefits. Mix half a cup of sugar with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. You can also add an essential oil, such as lavender, to give a soothing fragrance.

Rub the mixed ingredients into your skin, and then wash off. Apply a moisturizer to double up on the benefits of exfoliated skin.

4. Oatmeal Bath Soak

Add a cup of oatmeal to a warm bath, and enjoy the benefits of rehydrated skin. The oat product has skin-soothing properties, and it also helps your skin to retain moisture from the water.

5. Homemade Oatmeal Honey Mask

Oatmeal also makes a good mask or exfoliator. Mix 2 tablespoons of oats with a tablespoon of honey and a dash of water. Gently warm the mixture, then rub it onto your skin. It can be used as an exfoliator and washed off straight away, or you can leave it on for around 15 to 20 minutes as a hydrating mask.

6. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil isn’t just useful in the kitchen – use it as a moisturizing cream at bedtime. Because it is solid at room temperature, it can be applied easily. If you have chapped hands and feet, apply the oil, then cover with thick socks or non-latex gloves.

7. Add Oil to Your Bath

Natural oils such as olive, coconut, argan and avocado oil can be used as a bath soak to moisturize skin and protect the natural skin barrier, which is often stripped away by washing with drying soaps that remove the natural oils from the skin.

Add a few tablespoons of oil under running bath water. If you don’t fancy scrubbing the oil slick off the bath after you’ve finished, rub a small amount of oil to your skin after your bath instead.

8. Milk Compresses

Milk has natural anti-inflammatory properties, and it contains lactic acid, which works as a mild, natural exfoliant. Apply milk compresses to your skin for 5 to 10 minutes at a time. It’s great for irritated, itchy skin too, but lactic acid can sting cracked skin, so use with caution. Apply milk by soaking a washcloth in a bowl of cold milk and then pressing it against your driest, itchiest spots for a few minutes.

9. Fruit Enzyme Cleanser or Exfoliant

Fruit enzymes can really help your skin during cold weather. The alpha-hydroxy acids exfoliate the top layer of dull, dead skin cells on the face and body.

Use a pineapple, pumpkin or papaya fruit-enzyme face mask twice a week for bright skin.

10. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera gel isn’t just for treating sunburn. It can help your skin during the winter months by reducing redness and irritation due to dryness.

Some people can develop allergic contact dermatitis from aloe, so do a patch test first before applying it to a big area of skin.