Oatmeal face mask FML

[pigonalipstick]

I have very sore red skin in winter, that is simultaneously so dry it looks like I've taken a cheese grater to the end of my nose, but also gets oily overnight so I wake up with spots. It's a joy.

Tonight I tried a homemade oatmeal face mask which promises to be natures skin saviour. Fuck me it burns, it stings, and now my face is redder than ever. It also made an almighty mess and I looked like a swap thing.

Did I do it wrong?! Or has this happened to others? What can save my skin now

You have oily skin and the centre panel/T zone should be the oiliest but you say it is very dry. I think you might have seborrheic dermatitis. The more oil and moisturiser you put on it the worse it will get. Basically the oil can't get out and it causes the peeling. Google it. If you think it is seborrheic dermatitis, stop all moisturisers, cleanse thoroughly but gently (avoiding oily cleansers) and buy some hydrocortisone cream from the chemist.

I used to get it myself so that is the benefit of a very expensive dermatologist's advice. He also told me that if you have oily skin you don't need moisturisers on it despite beauty writers jawing on about moisture versus oil. He said of course Grey if you put moisturiser on you'll come out in spots. I try a moisturiser every decade or so and he was definitely right. I am commonly taken for much younger so the lack of moisturiser has not made me prematurely wrinkled.

@RishisProudMum yes weeks/ months. It's been years of this though I never had it before then.

Are you a dermatologist for the authoritative way you're speaking?

I would love to see a dermatologist but no idea how to find one that isn't just a Botox pushing beauty clinic.

I forgot la Roche posay. Tried that with high hopes, especially their rosacea range, but nope.

I would see a dermatologist too, this is a long going issue that you need help resolving. If there is a private hospital near you, search for dermatologists attached to that. Or ask your GP how you can get a referral.

Just Google private dermatologist or get gp to refer you.

Could also go through Nuffield health or bupa

I've tried googling but I'm in London and there are thousands, but it's hard to tell who is a beauty clinic vs a medical practice

I was gonna say lrp cicaplast baume, I'm currently using it on my 2 year old who has a sore chin where he's been sucking on his lip, its fantastic stuff, I've used it on my skin when it's felt sore and dry, but I always use the blue nivea day and night now

Hi
Have you googled peri oral dermatitis? Worth a look - my skin sounds very much like yours and I use Rosex gel on a flare up. Day to day I use Eucerin or Avene moisturiser and a Eucerin facial wash.
It took a while to realise the less I do to my skin the better!

Fair enough, then use bupa or Nuffield health to find one, you don't need existing insurance policies.

You could also look up the medics at your local hospital and see if they have private practice options

I have similar skin to you. I signed up to skin and me. On their acne treatment and moisturiser. My skin got worse for 4 weeks, but they warned me of that. 8 weeks in and seeing a difference. Spots reduced, dryness better and simpler routine.

I’m in a related field. I was trying to help but, if you don’t want my ‘authoritative’ speaking, I’ll leave you to it. Good luck.

Is authoritative an insult?!

@pigonalipstick The tone of your comment wasn’t exactly ‘thank you for your attempts to help’. Like I said, good luck.

Try the egg! Leave out the oil if necessary.

My skin is so sensitive I def do not continue with anything that bothers it, even though that has led to chucking stuff after two or three uses.

at bad times I have cleansed with plain olive oil and removed with clean muslin - even adding ‘nice’ essential oils could set me off.

Also if it’s rosacea, get a tube of Soolantra from your gp. Game changing for me and many sufferers.

Can't get hold of soolantra unfortunately, it's what I was originally prescribed with but there's been a manufacturing issue so none available.

I also can't get a gp appointment - still trying to get one for the medication review they asked me to make at the beginning of September!

Oh wow, that is so annoying for you! Grrr.

My skin is similar and I can't use most of the things on the list of bits you've tried OP. If they didn't sting then they certainly didn't help enough to be worthwhile either.

I really recommend Eucerin 5% urea facial cream. If I have spots I put hydrocolloid spot stickers on them to avoid overloading them with anything I put on my face but the eucerin cream doesn't feel greasy at all despite doing away with any flaking skin. I also find the original aveeno cream (not lotion) fine for less dry days or I'll mix the two.

OP what about Clinisept to clean

then maybe even bepanthol or lanacane when the irritation is worst. Perhaps an aloe vera product to moisturise?

I can't see why anyone suggests SPF daily if you are in England and not doing an outdoor job or hobby - but for sensitive skin, no way.

if you want to try pricey stuff, QVC will let you return used skin products.

Depending where you are in London, just Google a Nuffield or a private hospital like Highgate. They might be able to help you in one appointment and you don't need to spend money on products that are making it worse.