dry red painful skin under eyes / around cheeks for years

[pigglewiggle]

I can't ever get my face wet as the dry skin just hurts too much afterwards. I moisturise every couple of hours and then at night put on apircot oil. This keeps the problem at bay, but I couldn't even go a few hours without moisturising as it begins to hurt. Gp is just giving me an emoliant, that only helps short term and doesn't fix it. Should I insist on a referal to a dermatologist? I've had it over 10 years, tried all type of creams and elimination diets, drink lots of water.

Yes, I'd go back to the GP and ask for further help.

Do you think it might be a form of eczema?

In the meantime, can I suggest trying CETAPHIL. Appy it to a dry face and gently rinse off with a cloth. It really is very gentle and non-drying. The moisturiser is very good too. It might calm the sore areas for you. HTH.

By the way, you can buy the stuff in Boots.

Cetophil has a great wash and moisturiser.

Thanks for the product recommendations but it looks like that one is full of parabens and SLS :( and I like to avoid these.

I'm not sure if it is eczema, nore is my doctor I think. Hence why I just want to see a specialist and not a go any more. It did flare up when I used some blackhead strips about 10 years ago, its never quite been the same since.