reaction to La Roche Posay?

[sadface101]

Hi, wondered if anyone else had experienced this/any thoughts on the ingredient responsible.

Thought I'd try La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+ Unifiant Tinted Moisturiser. In retrospect, maybe not exactly the right product for me - no current acne, but a fair bit of (old) post-acne hyperpigmentation. Tried it over my SPF but under regular foundation - both of which I have used for literally years with no reaction.

All fine on first day. End of the second day, I noticed a very fine (not red) raised rash all over my face , including areas where the skin was absolutely fine before (and no previous acne). You could feel the rash and see it in the light but not face-on, iyswim.

Stopped the ED+ right away. A week later and with lots of heavy-duty moisturising overnight and a little hydrocortisone cream (not great I know but I had to damp this down), the rash has gone and my skin has just been left very dry

I've used mild retinols, vit C products and Liquid Gold in the past with no problem.

Has anyone had this happen to them?? What is the demon ingredient? Is it the salicylic acid? My impression of skin purging was that it happened in "problem" areas only, so I don't think this is the explanation?

Thanks!

To me, it sounds like an allergic reaction to an ingredient in the product.

As far as I’ve understood, skin purging (breaking out when starting a new skincare product to clear out all of the bad stuff, then skin improving) is a myth.
It is, afaik, likely to instead be a mild allergic reaction or irritation, and after a while the skin gets used to the ingredient and stops reacting. It probably sells more to convince people that the product is really working, rather than irritating the skin.

I don’t get on with the Effaclar products at all, and have had a bad reaction to an LRP SPF for acne-prone skin too.

Thanks Biscuit

It wasn't at all itchy (just remembered that there was a very small patch on my cheek that was throbbing, but not especially red), so irritation does sound very likely. There's no way I'm persisting with it, or trying anything else! - interesting to hear that someone else has reacted to their products.

My face looks fine now, but it feels mildly scalded! It's put me off trying new products, but maybe more cautious patch testing is the way forward. Or sticking to "trusted" brands.

I had similar after trying 2 different La Roche Posay products (2 separate occasions) - red rash on my cheek - and would also be very interested to know what the offending ingredient is!

I don't think it's salicylic acid as I have another face wash containing that which I find is great for my skin (first product I've found that actually helps with my acne).