6+ things you can do at home to help alleviate irritated skin on your face

Sunburn and windburn can cause the skin on your face to turn red, dry out and flake off. Rosacea and acne can also create irritation that needs to be calmed quickly.

Whether the cause is elemental or physical, the appearance of irritated skin can only be treated by soothing it or covering it with lots of makeup. Soothing it is the better choice as it allows the skin to heal. Here are things you can do to soothe facial irritation.

1. Honey. Honey is a natural anti-inflammatory, so Everyday Health recommends applying a thin layer of honey to your clean face and letting it sit for 30 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water.

2. Aloe vera. HDFC Health.com notes that aloe vera is naturally moisturizing, a natural bacteria fighter and an anti-inflammatory. Apply a thin layer to your face after washing it with a gentle cleanser.

3. Oatmeal. Colloidal oatmeal may help soothe irritated skin, according to WebMD. Make sure it's finely ground and mix it with enough water to make a paste. Put it on your face as a mask and let it dry before rinsing it off.

4. Milk. According to allure, if you suffer from contact dermatitis, try calming it with a cold milk compress. Apply the compress for 10 minutes to help jump-start the reduction of inflammation and then put on hydrocortisone cream.

5. Chamomile tea. The tannin in tea has anti-inflammatory properties, according to Everyday Health. Try applying cold, wet chamomile tea bags to the inflamed skin.

6. Hydrocortisone cream. Sometimes you need something a little stronger than what can be found in the kitchen. For those times, WebMD recommends using hydrocortisone cream. It's an anti-inflammatory and anti-itch cream all in one.

Some home remedies should be avoided at all costs.

7. Baking soda. A dermatologist tells the Huffington Post that the high pH of baking soda is hard on skin, so avoid using it to wash or treat skin if you're suffering from skin irritation.

8. Lemon juice. Lemon juice is highly acidic, and the Huffington Post states that it will tend to dry the skin and increase irritation. It should also be avoided.

You may not be able to always avoid having irritated skin, but knowing how to treat it may mean quick relief once the irritation begins.