Help! My face feels like it's on fire

[ShoeWhore]

It almost feels (and looks) sunburnt. But it's clearly not - I'm fairly pale but not even I burn from an hour outside at 8C

Bit of background: I'm early 40s and skin is usually very well behaved. As a result I usually have a fairly simple skincare routine. Love Origins Perfect World products but they are on the pricey side so supplement with cheaper stuff in between. Skin never reacts to anything usually.

Have been really ill and discovered I had both Vit B12 and Vit D deficiency. Vit B12 now sorted and taking heavy duty supplement of Vit D although that's probably still very low as just started.

Upshot is skin has been dire. Loads of spots, like being a teenager again. Usual products not cutting the mustard at all. So tried some new stuff to try and rectify this. Had some Liz Earle C&P hanging around (present I'd never got round to trying) so thought I'd give that a try. Also tried a night cream with AHAs although I've used that before withno probs.

Face now feels on fire! Is it the Liz Earle? What can I do to calm it down?

I've got some Soap&Glory Ultimelt and Clinique Mild Clarifying lotion (the alcohol free one) - are they mild enough to use? Any thoughts on a good moisturiser? After weeks of being really oily my skin is now quite dry and so uncomfortable.

Years ago I bought a Liz Earle starter set. I had a similar problem with the brightening mask - my skin felt like it was burning so I didn't use it again.

No idea what you could try to make it feel better. Maybe some sudocrem before bed?

I think the Clinique is an exfoliating toner so I'd avoid that until your skin has recovered. I don't know the Soap & Glory product, but all the S&G things I've tried have been highly perfumed, so again maybe best to avoid until your skin is back to normal.

Is it itchy? You could try an oral antihistamine.

Thanks both. It's tingly rather than itchy but the anti-histamine is a good idea.

Body Shop does an aloe Vera range, wonder if that would help? I think you're right and maybe I should use at little as possible until it all calms down.

I've not actually used the Liz Earle for several days now

Well that was a great name change

I have Eczema and very sensitive skin and the body shop aloe vera range works for me.

Does one of the natural products have grapefruit or bergamot oil in it? These are phototoxic for two days after applying them and frequently 'natural' skincare ranges include them.

I just got a Neal's yard rose hand cream free in a magazine and found that was phototoxic. what are they expecting you to do? Not go outside for two days? Wear gloves?

I've had a reaction before to a product and my face was bright red and burning. I washed it off and then covered my face in Cicaplast Baume (La Roche Posay)
It really calmed it down. I use it all the time if I've been out in the wind or been in the sun. It's expensive but I can use it on the kids as well if they get sore from being in the wind so it's worth the money.

When did you start with the vit B supplements?

Vitamin B can cause skin redness.

Something you used recently must be the culprit. If I were you I would only use what is widely proven as being hypoallergenic.

The Cicaplast that YourBubz suggests is a good idea. I would avoid Spending moola on stuff that's not hypoallergenic. And I'm not keen on 'natural' stuff either, it's not known (for the most part) as hypoallergenic, and a lot of natural substances can be quite irritant to the skin. I would stick to La Roche Posay, or Avène or the like. They do ranges for all skin types and many skin issues.

Thanks all - some good ideas. Will hunt some of these out and try them. I'll check the ingredients lists of the new stuff too.

I had Vit B12 injections but the last one was before Easter so I'd be surprised if it was that.

Oh that's a while ago.

The Cleanse and Polish irritates my skin badly, so won't be surprised.

Another vote for Aloe range from the Body Shop. My sensitive skin has barely flared up in the past 4/5 years since I started using it.

Lots of essential oils in Liz Earle. Try something simple like apricot kernel oil or a little plain 100% shea butter.

I keep trying other stuff, just to see, but Body Shop Aloe Vera is the only moisturiser that doesn't cause me to itch and flare up. I can't use Simple or Clinique or Neutrogena or Nivea or anything else.

Thanks all. It does seem to have eased off a little, thank goodness. Off to Body Shop for me tomorrow I think and I don't think I'll be using the Liz Earle again! (although it has got rid of my spots at least!)

I don't normally have sensitive skin at all so this has totally thrown me.

My skin reacts to all sorts of things, even products I use all the time. When it has a wappy, I always fall back on Avene's Extremely Gentle Cleanser and their Skin Recovery Cream.