Allergic to all moisturisers, what can I use?

[bellropes]

My skin, including face, is very dry, but I seem to have become allergic to everything I try. My skin becomes itchy with a rash and my eyes water and become dry and itchy. I have a damaged right cornea and can't let it be affected so I've given up trying different products.

I've tried all the hypoallergenic stuff to no avail. I'm even allergic to Avene stuff and the ultra hypoallergenic creams from Boots. I can't use Diprobase, Aveeno, prescribed eczema stuff etc. I can't wear any makeup as it affects my eyes. I can use Cerave moisturising cream on my body, but not my face.

I've been putting organic coconut oil on my skin, including face, but it's not that moisturising. I'm absolutely at my wits end. I can't afford to waste money on products that I try once then they end up in the bin.

Please can anybody recommend something? My husband made me an ointment from olive oil, beeswax and lavender which is okay, but I don't think you're meant to use olive oil or coconut oil on the face all the time.

Olive oil on its own would be less astringent than mixing it with lavender, and easier to apply than when mixed with beeswax. I don't know why you couldn't use it as often as any other moisturiser.

Is olive oil moisturising for the skin? I thought oils aren't moisturising in themselves, they just seal in moisture. I keep reading stuff and getting confused because it's contradictory.

Have you tried Epaderm. I use the ointment for awful hands etc overnight and the cream for my face. It’s literally the only thing I can tolerate and it was recommended to me by a dermatologist.

Go into a store with various skincare counters who will allow you to trial their moisturisers. Don't put moisturiser on your eyes though lol. It will go into your eyes!

Aloe Vera gel. It isn't even that expensive - you can buy a huge bottle for about £7 of the highest purity. That would last months!

Have you been to your GP? You mentioned prescribed eczema stuff but perhaps you have a different skin condition, not eczema, and you should see a dermatologist? I just wondered about rosacea.

La Roche Posay Toleriane range?

How do you clean your face?

The two I use are La Roche Posay (I get the Lipikar Baume one) and childs farm

Both have been really gentle for me so you could see if you could give those a go, maybe you can get testers

@bellropes I would suggest looking at the ingredients of the moisturisers you have tried & reacted to. Do they all have a component in common? If several you will have to do a process of elimination with other products. A very common ingredient is paraffin in some form. It could be that. Also beware of lanolin/hydantoin/allatoin. All very common in toiletries but can be allergy triggers.

The one and only moisturiser I can use is Eucerin Aquaporin for Dry Skin. I can’t even use the other version of the same cream, or the one with spf!

Also, is it definitely the creams you’re reacting to? I had a demodex mite allergy that I was absolutely clueless about for years. It can cause sore eyes and rosacea symptoms.

It was the eyes that made me think of rosacea too.

I'm allergic to aloe vera.

I don't put the moisturiser onto my eyes, it goes onto my face skin, but my eyes still react

Ive had similar issues and recently started using body shop oils of life. Its an oil but its brilliant for my dry skin and it doesnt irritate me. If you know somebody who does body shop at home they should be able to make you a sample up.
The la roche posey stuff didn't work me unfortunately.
The aloe vera range from body shop didn't irritate but it just wasnt moisturing enough for me.

I can't wash my face with anything. I just massage the oil in then remove with a damp flannel by patting it onto the skin. I can't use any face cleansers.

I tried la Roche posay and my eyes reacted.

I use blepharitis tea tree gel to help the eyelids and I'm okay with that.

I assume you have tried the child’s farm baby moisturiser? I’m allergic to most things (including my own hair and get hives and horrible eczema- but this really works on my scaly neck

I used to get something similar. Everything would make my skin angry. The only thing I’ve found that doesn’t irritate + hydrates and calms my dry skin is squalane oil! I use one from Inkey List and it’s cheap.

I'd recommend the Neal's Yard Beauty Book - it has information about oils & butters, what they're good for etc as well as recipes for making your own products so you can control the ingredients.

I haven't tried the child's farm baby moisturiser as I've given up on mainstream products tbh. I could try it I guess. I'll look at the ingredients.

Try rose hip oil op.

I’m watching this with interest. I’m currently on immunosuppressants because my eczema is so bad and I can’t find anything to put on my face that does not turn it very red. I was told to stick to ointments rather than creams so I’m struggling!

The squalene oil looks interesting. I'll look at the Neals Yard book as well.

Dermatology told meto stay away from any old based products and cleaning your fave with just water is very drying!! Go to doc get dermol for washing face and cetrabam moisturizer. This has made a huge difference to my skin, similar symptoms to you x

*oil based products

I used rose hip oil some years ago, I was okay with that. Argan oil as well.

I was also wondering if shea butter is okay for the face.

OP if your skin allergies are that bad, have you asked your GP to refer you to see a specialist, either in allergies or a dermatologist?