I need a bag for my head....

[theignored]

I returned to work after dc3 two months ago and now my skin looks like a bag of shite. I think it's the combo of working night shifts and having very little sleep.
I spent a small fortune on clarins products, thinking I'd treat my skin to some luxury but ended up with what looked like burn marks on my face.
Since then I've been reacting to my normally trusty no.7 make up which I've used for years (can't use no.7 skin products though) I've used organic skincare products in the past, mainly pinks boutique and had a bad reaction with this too.
I've always had sensitive skin, but it's never been this bad. I've had to resort to using diprobase as a moisturiser and haven't worn make up in a month. We go on holiday next week and I want to look half decent but I don't know what to do/try next.
I've started drinking lots of water but not making much of a difference as of yet.

I had a similar problem and went to doctor. Now my moisturiser is called Epaderm Lotion. On prescription. V gentle and v moisturising. Has ended years of hunting for THE magic moisturiser - and spending lots in the process!

You could try the Oil Cleansing Method (OCM)? Do a search on here, there are loads of posts.

Hi,
I sympathise. I have tried a whole range of skin care products, from expensive to cheap. I won't bore you with the details, but none of them really suit me.

I am now 49, have drier skin than I used to (was T-Zone combination, etc). However, my skin is in good nick, apart from the more evident open pores, and I get compliments on it (not being vanl, just wanting to demonstrate that independent evidence suggests my skin looks fairly good!!).

I am using a range called Dermaviduals. It may be just a beauty salon job, but there is no perfume, just conservative products. Creamy cleanser, taken off with a hot cloth. Then, just a moisturiser, which you can have custom made (ie, 'active' ingredients added by your therapist). There are eye gels and other stuff, and the most fabulous suncream. If you are buying Clarins you can afford this range. I like Clarins because it smells nice but it didn't do anything for me at all, and I end up disappointed.

My magic ingredient is a Clarisonic Mia (buy on-line, get as cheap as you can. You only need the most basic machine with one brush - don't get sucked into the idea you'll use it all over the body and therefore I'll buy the big version -unless you are a habitual body exfoliator). It has really made a difference, and no matter how crap my skin can look on a bad day, I know it would look worse without the Clarisonic. I noticed you have sensitive skin, so you'd need to treat it with caution, although it is gentle. However, it might not be for you. It is in effect a gentle exfoliator which is meant to do all other kinds of stuff that I can't be bothered to read about because I don't believe even half of the claims made for various products, tested on two and a half dogs, etc.) Reviews seem to be that people love it or hate it. You'd need to see for yourself.

The Dermaviduals would possibly suit you. The problem with Clarins, etc, is that they are essentially cosmetic products, not proper skincare products. I don't know where you live, but maybe (finances allowing) you could see a reputable beauty therapist and start using a different range?

And anyone else- please don't tell me off -if you are using Clarins or anything else and that suits you, then I'm not arguing with that at all. I am not slagging off every other product. I just never found anything I like as much as Dermaviduals. I was using the Environ range before that, but I like this better.

Good luck.

The problem with organic and natural products is that they tend to contain loads of essential oils which often can irritate the skin. And just because something is natural and organic doesn't automatically mean that it's good - a lot of the essential oils are known for causing allergies: Limonene, Linalool, Citral, Citronellol, Coumarin, Eugenol, Evernia Prunastri (Oakmoss) Extract, Evernia Furfuracea (Treemoss) Extract, Farnesol, Geraniol to name a few.
Quite often products with alcohol can also irritate the skin - and quite a few of the Pinks Boutique products also contain alcohol.

Personally, I'd get samples before buying. There's no point in spending fortunes on products that you don't know if will cause irritation after first or second application.

I'd try something like Avene or La Roche-Posay or other pharmacy brands.

If your skin is irritated or distressed, you could try using La Roche-Posay Cicaplast or Cicaplast Baume B5 or Avene's Cicalfate. They are not moisturisers but barrier creams with healing properties. I use them during winter when my skin cracks and is very sore, as well as on cuts and burns.