Skin is very troubled. What best to try?

[CharlottesComplicatedWeb]

Just that really. I’m finding creams/skincare I’ve used On my face for years is causing stinging/irritation/dryness. Nothing’s good for me. Even my Nivea and Simple eye cream are aggravating me. And it’s so dry.

Anyone any suggestions? Wondering about Paulas Choice? Or something vegan. I’ve tried some organic stuff in the past but am now at a loss. Am menopausal too.

Try a tube of doublebase gel, very moisturising but very bland.

Thanks @Fluffycloudland77. I’ll have a read up on that.

I posted this thread laste last night after using my CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser and wanting to scratch my face off! I’m pretty flabbergasted that the stuff I’ve used for some time has turned against me, as it were.

My diet’s pretty good. No mean but fish 4/5 times a week. Eggs. Lots of fruit/veg. Could drink more water but, not bad as it is. I don’t understand it. I’m on HRT. Do t go in the sun as not a good “tan” person. Basically, pretty good habits all round.

I had to bin some Vichy day/night creams recently as the stinging was incredible. I’d used the day cream for some time. Then, went back to Nivea Q10. That too is now abandoned. Last night, used Aveeno but in the day, I’ve got to use something with sunscreen (haven’t we all) and am wondering whether I’ve actually “overworked” my skin, in desperately trying different things? 🤷🏻‍♀️

No MEAT 😡😡😡

What about Nivea Soft? That is my go-to calming bland moisturiser.

Vitamin C has really helped me too. CEO by Sunday Riley - not cheap, but has taken my redness down when nothing else worked.

LRP cicaplast baume is very soothing for irritated skin.

Bizarrely lots of people find the Cerave hydrating cleanser can make their face feel itchy. Others of course love it, but you're not alone.

I use Dermalogica gel cleanser which is very kind to my skin and I really love it. Dont be put off by the price as it's quite concentrated so a small drop goes a long way. My 250ml bottle has lasted forever. They also do moisturisers.

Are you using BHA, AHA, retinol or Vit C as part of your skincare?

I would use minimum products until your skin calls down. Nothing with alcohol, perfume etc, definitely avoid vitamin c for now. When my skin reacts to something it gets hyper sensitive and even my normal products aggravate it. Too many products can definitely have that effect.

I really like the Ceramol 311 products designed for people with sensitive/allergic skin generally, and the Ceramol Beta creams for calming and rebalancing skin when you have a reaction. I’m not sure how widely available they are in the U.K. (it’s an Italian brand) but at least some are on amazon.

Ahhh, I’ve been using Pixiglow Glycolic Toner. Wondering whether it’s a bit harsh over time.

Nivea Skin Soft is a no. Love the smell but not for my face.

Have used VitC Serum but not at the moment.

Ok 🤷‍♀️ Just an idea

Thanks @GoingQuietlyInsane I appreciate it. The Aveeno Colloidal Oats cream has helped today. And a hat and sunnies as no spf on today and it’s been 26 degrees!

I can’t use CeraVe or Nivea (or actually anything else mentioned even double base makes my skin crazy)

I use diprobase on body & Eucerin on face - dermatoclean, aquaporin & urea repair.

Huge sympathy it’s very frustrating (& expensive!) having to go through different options. When my skin gets particularly fed up I find a few days of taking antihistamine really helps reset it.

Have you tried vitamin E oil? I found it very good on my sensitive skin that is dry in patches but also prone to spots.

I don't mean products with vit E, but proper vit E oil

Bioderma sensibo range is super gentle- no fragrance etc. It sounds like your skin barrier is compromised. The la roche posay cicaplast balm is a good shout x

Dermalogica Ultracalming gel cleanser would really help you

Pixie Glow Tonic is great but is quite harsh if your skin has sensitized. Would also take a little break from sun protection until your skin is better.

When my skin behaves like yours my go-to is Avene extremely gentle cleanser followed by their skin recovery cream. That's it until it settles and calms back down. I do think some skins just can't tolerate too many products/acids/handling etc so hopefully you can find something to help. I buy a kit in Boots which basically means you pay full price for the recovery cream and get a 100ml cleanser and a water spray included.

Try Clarins SoS. You shouldn’t need it for more than about 5 days.

Wow, lots of options there.

Have binned the CeraVe. Used it last night and it’s definitely not good for me. Just used the Aveeno again. I hate the idea of throwing creams away but I think I have to scrap all of it and get back to basics. Am concerned about being unable to use sunscreen as I’ve always considered it an absolute must.

Years ago, I had a similar thing. Needed steroids and antihistamines in the end as I ended up in hospital after anaphylaxis (taking antibiotics for kidneys). There were a number of drugs which made my face puff up. I couldn’t speak properly and my entire body was covered in wheals. Very scary. So, I have “form” for it, as it were.

Doublebase

After a bad skin time after having my kids I tried using their La Roche Posay cream and it was pretty soothing. Also antibacterial so was great for spots. Not sure if it would work for everyone but I imagine there are fewer things to cause reaction in baby products maybe?

Have you heard of Pai? They’re the only cleanser and moisturiser brand I use these days as everything else makes my skin sore and dry. It’s pricey but I won’t risk my skin flaring up.

When the same happens to me I use hot water and a flannel to wash and maybe coconut oil at night to moisturise. Absolutely nothing else (no make up, no sunscreen, no cleanser), until it’s all calmed down.
It’s horrible going out with angry red skin and feeling quite naked, but for me it’s genuinely the only way to “re-set”.

How often have you been using the glow tonic OP? I would dial it back or stop u till things are feeling better.

When this happens to me I find it very soothing to remove makeup with a plain oil such as jojoba or even just some extra virgin olive if it's all I have. Rub on gently and add some water and it feels lovely. Works a treat on dry hands as well as a wash (obviously after the relevant antibacterial stuff) if my skin is still feeling dry or flaky I use aveeno or glycerin 5%. I find hyaluronic acid helpful, the boots ingredients moisturiser is nice.

Any creams not suitable for my face are often fine for my feet so they get relegated to that to be used up rather than binned.

Re: sunscreen, I struggle to find any that don't cause a reaction on my face, and the same with lip balms containing SPF, which often cause a reaction around the lower half of my face if I've been wearing them.

@dontgobaconmyheart... good idea. Will use on my feet.

The Toner, I’ve been using each night, for about 18 months.