"No pain, no gain" doesn't apply when it comes to skin care, said Audrey Kunin, a dermatologist and founder of the clinical skin-care brand DERMAdoctor.
"When skin is burned or irritated by skin-care ingredients, it upsets the protective acid mantle of the skin, which can lead to further skin sensitivities and even skin infection," she explained.
However, certain acids and prescription-strength retinoids can yield a slight burning sensation or peeling reaction until the skin has adjusted to it, according to Hu.
"In general, these symptoms subside as the cellular turnover gets re-equilibrated by the active ingredient," Hu said.
If you're unsure whether or not your skin's reaction to a product is normal, reach out to a dermatologist before continuing use.