Congested sensitive skin and so so unhappy

[BethMaddison]

I have terrible skin it’s reactive and I have pcos so have spots but it’s also v sensitive
Have only ever been able to wash face once a day or it gets worse I also am pushed for time so need a quick routine

My skin was perfect on simple face wash and rich moisturiser till they changed it and it stung my skin and burnt it so I changed to avene but it has made my skin disgusting. Lots of bumps and little spots (it’s the skin recovery one)

I need some help ! Nothing harsh or complicated and no fragrance etc
It’s really getting me down but I’m almost scared in case I pick something and it’s gets worse

I’m just so upset as shallow as this sounds I feel horrible with bad skin and its making me miserable it’s uncomfortable and looks awful
I’ll try and find some aloe gel it’s just so reactive and with the weather getting warmer spf makes it worse as well it’s jaut so congested and I think the avene must be blocking my pores

Everyone's skin is different so what works for me probably won't work for you.
Ask your GP to refer you for patch testing - that's how I found out that I react to limonene, which is in lots of skincare products, shampoos etc. so I can avoid it now. It's made a big difference.

btw I use www.boots.com/botanics-hydration-burst-micellar-cleanser-250-ml-10231439 - I can't use water on my face
Then I use Cetraben as a a moisturiser.

Avene didn’t work for my sensitive and reactive skin either. I’m currently using the Bioderma Sensibio range and so far so good! I tried the La Roche Posay Toleriane range too which was ok but I much prefer the Bioderma products

The first time I had a bad attack I grabbed some olive oil from the kitchen. It might not work for you but it was the only thing I could stand on my skin and I used it for cleansing and moisturising until it calmed down. I now keep a bottle of olive oil light in the bathroom so, if it happens again, I won't smell quite so much like a salad bowl.

Watch Dr Sam bunting on YouTube and join her fb group

Keep it simple for now. Clean skin and a good moisturiser. Brands such as Avene, la Roche posay. Usually in 3 for 2 in Boots

I use Avene mainly. I use their Anti- Rouger cleanser morning and night. I use a microfibre facecloth of an evening to take make up off with the cleanser. I massage it into dry skin for a minute then use damp microfibres cloth. Do this twice then rinse face with luke warm water. Make sure your skin is clean but be gentle with it. I'm currently using a eucerin moisturiser too but have used Avene and la Roche posay in past without issue.

For spots I swear by la Roche possay efficlar duo. It can be drying to only use on areas where needed.

A gently exfoliator too once/twice per week. I use Avene cleanse mask.

You need to be consistent and give it time.

I’m with you, I have exactly the same issues. I am envious of those with nice skin (or even v average skin!)

I’m currently experiencing a big flare up. I’m not sure if it’s the SLS in Cetaphil or if Clinique has recently changed the formula to their super balanced foundation as it seems to have happened when I got a new bottle of that. Plus had a few days of drinking very little and probably having showers that were too hot.

I ended up buying some Avène today after reading loads of info in a blog/website called simpleskincarescience.com. But not the Skin Recovery stuff, I Think. I have a feeling that might be too rich for my pores. I’ve bought Extremely Gentle Cleansing lotion, the thermal spring water spray and the Tolerance Extreme Emulsion.

Not used it yet. We will see. I’m not hopeful. I have had awful skin since I was about 14 and the excess oil production started. I just have sensitive skin in all senses of the word. It’s sensitive to hormones (PCOS here too), products, temps (I also have hyperhydrosis). I am a mess!

So I have the pleasure of blackheads and oily skin while also being dehydrated at the same time with a lovely helping at the moment of redness and eczema-like reactions with little hot itchy blisters and some broken capillaries. Oh and now I’m 45 I have wrinkles forming too. I am a delight!

I just wish my skin would behave in any way normally at all. It’s always been terrible all my adult life and I never go out the house without make up for that reason. (Have tried leaving makeup off my cheeks at least to see if the makeup is causing it all but no, not the case.)

If I don’t get it sorted soon I’m going to the GP as I’m at the end of my tether.

It's crap isn't it and I have been there many many times.
First you need to sort your PCOS out - no sugar and low glycaemic index food only. Consider trying DIM supplement - google oestrogen dominance - life changing for me.
When my skin has been like yours, I use African Black soap by Pranaturals - it's amazing as it's good for eczema dermatitis and acne so deals with both issues use jt with a microfibre cloth for exfoliation. Then for hydration, I would just use a simple hyaluronic acid serum - Hado Labo or Inky or Ordinary. That's it. If you want make up, just go for a mineral foundation powder but one without bismuth or lauroyl lysine - both dreadful irritants. Mineral Hygienics Powder foundation is excellent.

I've always had terrible skin - since my teens and I'm now 49. Partly it's hereditary. But I also have PCOS which doesn't help. Then I found out that I have sensitive skin (as well as it being combination/very oily, and acne-prone) argh!

Dermalogica were the best products that worked for me. They made a difference (and I've tried so many!). But I found my holy grail a year ago. I use Haeckels facial cleanser and my skin looks better than it ever has!

haeckels.co.uk/product/haeckels-seaweed-facial-cleanser/

I follow this with Superdrug Natural Radiant Glycolic Toner and even though I say it myself, for the first time in my life my skin looks radiant. I am actually glowing. It took me until I was 49 but for me, I think this may be as good as it gets without dermatologist intervention.

www.superdrug.com/Naturally-Radiant/Superdrug-Natural-Radiant-Glycolic-Toner-100ml/p/729356

Btw both the Haeckels cleanser and the Superdrug toner are good for sensitive skin.

Sorry to jump on your thread OP, but I came here to post almost exactly the same to find some advice. Hoping the photo upload works - on the left is a close up of one of my cheeks last week with no makeup on. It looks awful and I don’t know what’s causing it. It’s the same on the other cheek, forehead and nose. I think I may have rosacea but I’m not sure so I’ve booked in with my GP in a few weeks and I’ll see what they say and whether they can prescribe anything to make my face look less angry. On the right is the same patch of skin taken last night after letting some sudocrem soak in. I can see a slight improvement but it’s still pretty bad although it did help to calm the redness a tiny bit. I’ve tried everything and I’m at my wits end. Sorry I don’t have any words of wisdom except to say that I feel your pain!

For rosacea my GP prescribed azeliac acid/cream. It worked really well. I'm much more in control of the rosacea now (I've posted what I do already). Diet really helps too. I can't drink wine especially rose and red, fizzy pop, chocolate, all the good stuff basically all make my skin flare up.

Eat well and drink tons of water.. it real does help

I use ultra bland from lush, and take it off Witt a very soft muslin/cotton pad. Very soothing and gentle. Then you can follow with a very gentle moisturiser or even a bit of coconut oil/jojoba oil or similar if your skin tolerates it?

Whiteknuckle ask your GP for soolantra or if you can't wait that long you can buy it online - it is miraculous for rosacea.

White knuckle ride: mine looks slightly different to yours. I think mine looks sunburnt!! But I hadn’t even been outside. It felt on fire, itchy and stretched so I think mine is more severe irritation than anything else.

Azaleic acid works well for rosacea apparently - The Ordinary sell it.

Thank you all. I’m going to order some of The Ordinary azelaic acid online, it’s not as strong as the prescription type but I’ll try it out before my GP appointment. I’m also going to buy some microfibre face cloths. Can anyone recommend a really gentle cleanser to use with them? I’ve had a look at the Avene Anti-Rougers cleanser, I may give that a try.

I have rosacea too!
I wash with Cerave hydrating cleanser, and moisturise with eucerin replenishing 5% urea face cream, if I've been wearing makeup/sunscreen I use clinique TTDO balm before the cerave.
You need to work on repairing your skin barrier with products like the ones above. When your skin barrier improves, the rosacea will be more manageable. IMO you need to repair your skin before using Azeliac acid, because it can be quite drying when you first start using it which could end up making your skin more angry and red. It's very important to wear sun cream EVERY day because for most people the sun makes rosacea worse, physical ones work best for me. Also try to find out what triggers your flare ups. Mine can be alcohol, being too hot, the sun, hot/spicy food, hot drinks and stress/anxiety which is my biggest trigger.

Rosacea is horrible, it's a struggle every day but it will be more manageable if you find out what keeps your skin happy.

I tried to find microfibre flannels the other day but only found normal cotton ones. Then I looked in Boots and they had some Botanics ones reduced (they were with the bath bits like sponges and toiletry bags). Anyway, they are double sided, one side is normal muslin cloth and the other is like soft fur! It's the softest thing I've ever used on my face, it's like cleaning your face with a teddy bear! They are £5 each on line, but mine were reduced to £2.50 and had some multi buy offer on as well so came out at £1.75 each (so I picked up the last two on the rack as well).

Cheeky wipes! They’re reusable baby wipes but you can buy all sorts of fabrics and they’re designed to be used over and over and washed at high temps

Mustbethin have you tried soolantra - my rosacea is gone and doesn't flare with any of my previous triggers - google demodex mite and rosacea - before soolantra, I had rosacea for decades and thought I had to manage it by avoiding triggers etc.

btw agree with you about the azaelic acid - way too harsh - avoid.

Try the REN evercalm cleansing milk, lotion or whatever it is (ie not the gel). It's really gentle - even my skin doesn't complain about it! Also made using natural oils, rather than petrochemicals, which i thikn really helps.

I do suffer with redness too but not all the time. More blushing and then certain foods set it off or alcohol. I’ve had a look at the avene tolerance I’m tempted to try that as the avene I currently use feels lovely on my skin no stinging etc it just seems to totally block it despite saying non comedogenic ...

Then of course I need to find an spf that won’t irritate. I’m so upset simple changed the rich moisturiser it worked so well before

www.bioderma.ie/our-products/cicabio/creme

This Bioderma cream is absolute magic, it cleared up terrible dermatitis I had on my face and if my teenage dc have spots it clears them overnight