Firstly, irritated, itchy skin and allergic reactions are two different beasts. Irritated skin is usually caused by an inflammatory reaction or damage to our skin's natural barrier. The result? Visibly irritated skin that feels tight, stingy and/or itchy. It's usually our face that suffers, with our eye contour and eyelids getting the worse deal. Our hands also bear the brunt - irritated, red, swollen, itchy skin on the back of our hands, rough or cracked skin on our palms and fingers. Body-wise, our skin dries, cracks and peels.