Red, itchy and dry flat skin around eyes - makeup allergy?

[Snozwanger]

Since last September I've been experiencing irritation around my eyes but since November it's been getting worse. When I have a flare up the skin above my eyelids goes red and sore and underneath my eyes across the very top of my cheeks. It eventually goes very dry and flaky. My eyelids are sometimes puffy and are now more noticeably hooded than before.

Products I've eliminated so far are a shampoo bar, soap I was washing my face with and Bodyshop chamomile cleansing butter I used to remove makeup with. It had calmed down so I wore makeup again last Saturday and it all flared up again ☹️

I've been trying a mixture of E45 anti itch eczema cream and hydrocortisone (the latter works but I know I'm not meant to use it on eyes or for longer than two days).

Does anyone have any experience of this? Is it contact dermatitis?

[partyatthepalace]

It sounds like eczema as a result of skin care/make up reaction. Body shop makeup gave me horrendously red skin around my eyes as a teen till i eventually realised. Apparently they are notorious because they use cheap carriers.

Anyway you need to lay off all make up till it clears and switch to non annoying skin care - Clinique and simple are good.

You will likely need to use hydrocortisone for a couple weeks to clear it. Ok it w your doctor of course, but eczema goes through all the skin layers so you can’t just clear it on the surface. Hydrocortisone is a v mild steroid (I’ve had to use stronger ones occasionally and the skin around my eyes is fine.) Get them to prescribe the ointment as it will also help the dry skin so work better than the cream.

When you are clear for 4-6 weeks use very allergy friendly makeup and not every day till you get used to it. Clinique is good.

If you have v dry skin around your eyes, Clinique has eye creams, keilhs avocado is better I think, I find the absolute best one is Bobbi brown extra eye cream.

If it doesn’t all clear up easily, get yourself to a Dermotologist quickly. GPs get v little training in dermotology so are pretty useless.

[Snozwanger]

Thanks @partyatthepalace I've got myself a GP phone consultation in three weeks time as it's flared up again the last couple of days but I may go to a pharmacist in the mean time. I've got some Simple face wash so will try and keep things basic for a while.

[TitleOfYourSexTape]

I have this from time to time, and like you, don't want to use hydrocortisone regularly. I think it is contact dermatitis.

Best alternative I've found is stopping wearing eye make up for a while (a week or so), so no need for eye make up remover either, and also a urea-rich moisturiser - doesn't have to be an eye one specifically, just one with a high concentrate of urea. Also regularly put a small bit on even when your eyes are fine, to keep the skin moisturised.

[TitleOfYourSexTape]

I think the moisturiser I used was Eucerin here

[Souperspooker]

I used to have this. I still wear full face makeup but years ago switched up my cleansing etc to be much simpler and I haven't had it back since.
Cleanse with plain coconut oil and a clean hot flannel. This will even remove waterproof mascara
Gentle moisturizer, currently weleda skin food. Neals yard has been good in past too. Calendula cream esp.
That's it. I'm often tempted but lovely potions in fancy bottles etc but stay strong, keep it simple. Always get compliments on my skin these days (never used to)

It's horrible I really sympathize