AIBU to ask for urgent skincare help. Getting married this weekend

[Faceisamess]

Posting here for traffic, sorry. I've spent the evening sobbing and I need some help.

I've had a really strong, bad reaction to a new moisturiser this past weekend. My entire forehead has erupted in lumpy, sore acne after using a different product.

I'm devastated and I look like shit. There is no sugar coating it, I look awful. To top it off we're going on holiday next week and I wanted to go makeup free - that's just not possible now.

I'm not taking a photo of my face at the moment. But it looks like the picture attached. I'm not exaggerating - mine has even bigger lumps at my temples. I'm 33 for fucks sake, I've got grey hair, I've not had a breakout this bad since I was a teenager.

AIBU to ask what I should be doing to get my forehead not lumpy? Off colour but flat I can cope with, but you can't conceal lumps. Please help me!

special I love your post. Poor OP has a nasty allergic reaction and being told to put all sorts on her face. A qualified medical professional with specialist training in the skin? Nope not needed.

If there ever was a time to see a dermatologist this is it! In the grand scheme it's also not bad value for money. Def agree with comment about not seeing a nurse for this. Very few are qualified in skincare. Your chances of the nurse you seeing being able to properly help you are slim because you probably need a prescription.

See a private dermatologist asap. Do not throw random things at your skin, it's likely to make things much worse.

Although I do agree that sunbeds are not a good idea.
It's also not something to complain to superdrug about, it's a garnier product and an allergic reaction that can happen to anyone. A quick Google will soon tell you if anyone else has reacted this badly to it.
Go to a dermatologist, 5 days is enough time to make a huge difference

Sudocrem does have good qualities but some of the ingredients may cause a reaction, and for OP now is not the time to try it.
Another calming product is calamine lotion, and it would probably help, but again, probably not the right time to try it.

go see a real medical professional and put in a strong complaint against superdrug.

I agree totally about seeing a medical professional but you cannot blame Superdrug for a product they sell, especially if other people rate it, that's insane. Yes, send an email and pics of your face to Garnier, you may be allergic to one of the ingredients.

Agree with some others on here OP. Please don’t put anything on your skin until you’ve established what it is. A derma is the only person who’ll know for sure. I hope your absence means you’re seeking some professional help. There’s plenty time to sort it if you use the correct treatments. Please don’t panic and throw stuff on in desperation.

I had the exact same rash.

Anti histamines fixed it.

Make up, heat/sun, creams and moisturisers all made it worse. Ice and anti histamines got rid of mine and it was all over my head!

Faceisamess

Make a GP appointment tell them why it's urgent and that your skin has had a horrible reaction to something.

I have ultra sensitive skin and had acne for years, here are my other tips.

Try soothing the skin with 100% pure Aloe Vera Gel, it may sting initially then it will feel a lot better.

Use acne products with benzoyl peroxide, you could also dab hydrogen peroxide on the spots.

I don't suggest simply squeezing. Wash your face and hands, wash a sharp sewing needle, use rubbing alcohol (a.k.a. isopropyl alcohol) on the skin and tip of needle, gently insert needle tip into whiteheads or blackheads (but Only the ones that look ready to pop), wrap a bit of facial or bath tissue around your fingertips and gently squeeze the spots, wash skin thoroughly afterwards.

Rubbing alcohol can be hard to find in UK shops but you might find antiseptic wipes with it in the first aid section of pharmacies. If you strike out then sterilize needle in boiling water and use antibacterial soap or a dab of hydrogen peroxide on spots beforehand.

If you can afford it you may want your makeup done professionally for your wedding.

Good luck.

go see a dermatologist

Don't put anything else on your face until you do the above; let your skin try to recover until it's treated professionally.

Dermatologist and fast. Where do you live OP? Maybe someone on here can recommend one....

DS2 (in his 30's) broke out in something similar on his face and chest after using a moisturiser he was given in a mens grooming kit.
He was distraught, (his brother called him pizza face!)
All I had available was Sudocream ans he slathered everywhere, the overnight results were very good so he kept at it and it had virtually cleared up within 3 days.
Worth a try?

Get yourself to a proper dermatologist ASAP.
You’ll have to pay, don’t faff about with the nhs if you can afford it. Even if it’s a couple of hundred.
I mean like today!

I'm so sorry OP - just had to post as I had awful acne on my wedding day. I spent the night before holding ice packs to my face trying to get the inflammation down but nothing worked and on the day my SIL has to keep re-doing my make up as I just burst into tears every time I looked in the mirror.
In the end though it really didn't matter - and I say this as someone who has struggled with their skin for years and is still hyper-sensitive about it. The merest mention of acne gets my eyes prickling with tears as nobody truly understands unless they've been there. Champagne, deep breaths and wedding day magic will get you through - it truly will be the best day of your life, no matter what is going in with your skin. I wish you all the best x

Sudocrem and Aqeous are good for inflamed skin as they are loaded with zinc. I wouldn’t put hydrocortisone anywhere near my face due to the potential reaction steroids can have on sensitive skin. Over the counter La Roche Posay vitamin C from the docs Azelaic acid. I had terrible skin 48 hours before my wedding and I think the Vit C solved it.

I react to Sudocrem and to Aloe Vera.

Please OP see a healthcare professional. Some of the advice on here is awful.

I'm super allergic to face moisturisers and have to be extremely careful about trying new ones. A doctor told me to buy anti-histamines (the cetirizine hydrochloride ones) and hydrocortisone cream. I swear by it. Should clear it up in a few days. Hope it works for you!

I slathered on my usual face/spot creams last night and I've seen a dermatologist and have antihistamines.

Feeling brighter, definitely smaller lumps today. I'll update you all properly later - our running the errands I should have done this morning now!

If you are left with some bumps on your wedding day, you can do a lot to disguise them! You need a green toned primer - L'Oréal do an inexpensive one, or Clinique if you want higher end. Then a non-oil based mattifying primer - mac can advise. Follow with concealer on especially red ones and then a full coverage foundation. Follow with a mattifying powder - nars / laura mercier / glossier all very good. Avoid any highlighter on bumpy areas. No one will notice them, I promise!

Glad you got it sorted OP. You’ll be radiant by the weekend!

good news. so not a sunbed or the other daft ideas, thank goodness.

and any cream will be contaminated once fingers go in it, so the sacred baby arse magic stuff needs to be used with caution on anything except a baby's arse. this is why first aid kits should never contain creams.

How's it going, OP? Better?

Haha - Special - do you have a secret way of reading my internal dialogue? That’s pretty much what’s its saying.

specialsubject the sacred baby arse magic stuff does say it can be used for acne on the label, along with eczema, burns and bed sores as well as nappy rash. OP I am pleased you are now sorted and have a wonderful wedding.

Its not a daft idea. It's worked for me and another poster. Unless you've tried it why be so rude? Makes you sound like a right twat tbh.