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Original poster

Allergic to all moisturisers, what can I use?

128 replies

bellropes · 22/04/2021 21:32

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.

OP posts:
Original poster
bellropes · 22/04/2021 22:28

@Beansbitch I've tried those but can't use them Sad I don't like using oils, but I can't seem to find a cream or lotion which is okay. My Cerave is okay on the body, but not the face.

OP posts:
APurpleSquirrel · 22/04/2021 22:30

Jojoba oil might be good for you too - it has a structure similar to human sebum.

Original poster
bellropes · 22/04/2021 22:31

I haven't asked to see a dermatologist. I just try to handle things myself. My main concern is my eyes reacting to things. I can clean my body with Healpsorin body wash and use Cerave cream on arms and legs. It's just my face I'm struggling with because of the eyes.

OP posts:
Original poster
bellropes · 22/04/2021 22:34

The optician told me to do eyelid cleansing and hot compresses, which I do, but didn't have any advice about eyes reacting to facial products. I tried anti histamine eye drops, but they didn't help. My eyes are ultra dry and I have to use eyedrops and ointment overnight in them.

OP posts:
bubbleteatea · 22/04/2021 22:39

E45? Or I wondered about something like sudocrem? I think it can be used for newborns so might be ok?

Crystal2000 · 22/04/2021 22:50

I had this exact problem two years ago. The product that worked for me is Eucerin 5% urea face cream, it's about £8. It has saved my skin and has cleared the problem completely.

NowWhatUsernameShallIHave · 22/04/2021 22:51

Have you tried jojoba oil or sweet almond oil?

RampantIvy · 22/04/2021 22:52

Gosh, that sounds hard for you. My daughter also struggles. she has eczema around her eyes as well, a damaged right eye and can't wear make up.

She uses Simple moisturiser but ends up reapplying it several times a day.

Cipot · 22/04/2021 22:56

Cetraben? It's very plain. I'm ok with that and Simple stuff. I also use Palmers cocoa butter.

zippyswife · 22/04/2021 23:01

Almond oil saved me when I couldn't use anything else due to severe rosacea. My skin was so dehydrated red sore and irritable. Almond oil worked a treat for me. I don't mix it with anything. Anything scented or perfumed and my skin reacts.
I thought oil would feel greasy but it doesn't st all and has really changed it from being dry to normal. I can't recommend it enough. Good luck.

IsFuzzyBeagMise · 22/04/2021 23:05

@NowWhatUsernameShallIHave

Have you tried jojoba oil or sweet almond oil?
I was just going to suggest these oils.
Original poster
bellropes · 22/04/2021 23:05

I haven't tried jojoba or almond oil. I could try those, yes.

OP posts:
User65412 · 22/04/2021 23:24

When was the last time you tried nothing? I had awful dry skin on my face since childhood, especially my eyes as well as eczema on my feet. After years of trying things my gp suggested just stopping everything for 6 months. It's now completely gone and I only use water. Saved a fortune. All those products were juat contributing to the problem and my skin was constantly trying to over compensate. Apologies if you've already tried this!

NuzzleandScratch · 22/04/2021 23:35

Sounds really difficult for you. I would push for a referral to a dermatologist, as you need specialist advice by the sound of it. I developed eczema on my face and neck for the first time last year, never had anything like that before. Saw a dermatologist, who cleared it all up with various creams, and also recommended patch testing. I nearly didn't bother, as I've never been allergic to anything, turns out I'm allergic/sensitive to cobalt, chromium and nickel. Which doesn't seem like a huge problem, until I discovered that pigments derived from nickel are basically in all make up! Chromium also often in mascara. I also found some of the pigments in my decleor face products.

I now use only CerVe or La Roche Possay toleriane products, and Epaderm cream on my face. Dermol 500 is good as a non soap cleanser, I was recommended this by the derm, and still use it.

leekandpotsoup · 22/04/2021 23:57

Poor you, that sounds terrible. I have trouble with oils, beeswax and coconut oil etc
I use products from either of these depending on how much I can afford at the time
Handmade naturals https://www.handmadenaturals.co.uk/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwvYSEBhDjARIsAJMn0lh2wHaTFNdEXJnjBx6AgYUESqyp4kjFSjW0JvtyXYUhYey-nx2pNAaApbCEALww_wcB
Purenuffstuff www.purenuffstuff.co.uk/
Or elenasnaturecollection.co.uk/ pricey but made for excema sufferers - elena explain who to get it on prescription from you gp

leekandpotsoup · 22/04/2021 23:59

Elena explains how you can.... on my iPhone and late 😀

SirenSays · 23/04/2021 00:03

Can you use something really basic like cocoa butter or shea butter?

sweetclems · 23/04/2021 00:29

Hey op I've got very similar skin and tried a load of things and all the ones in your first list. My skin is very dry and sensitive I have terrible eczema but I have found some products that work a treat

  1. Garnier hemp cream and you can also get the oil... blooming incredible even from the first use, no stinging at all and it's not pricey

www.boots.com/garnier-organic-hemp-multi-restore-gel-cream-50ml-10279995

  1. Liz Earl
  1. Child's farm was also good
ElizabethTudor · 23/04/2021 00:35

I was going to suggest Argan Oil. As I often use that as moisturiser.
But I see you say that’s ok.

ShangPie · 23/04/2021 03:17

If you’re looking for moisture (as in adding water / hydration) rather than soothing dry skin (as in adding oil), you can always try a facial mist.

They are easy to make with a fine spray bottle (I use a small plant mister!) and some mineral water. I add a few drops of oil too, then shake to mix the oil into the liquid and spray lightly over my face.

You can also try applying whatever oil suits you immediately after the bath / shower when your skin is damp.

DonLewis · 23/04/2021 03:25

Get a GP appointment, because this isn't ok.

Also, try taking an antihistamine. If OTC one's don't work, there's fexofenadine, prescription only. But ideally, you need to find out what you're allergic to so that you can avoid it.

Private allergy testing?

Re the right stuff to use to moisturise, I was going to suggest LA Roche Posay Toleriane, but see you've not reacted well to that?

violetbunny · 23/04/2021 06:10

No suggestions really, but just wanted to make you aware that lavender oil is highly irritating to the skin. Just because an ingredient is natural doesn't mean it won't irritate. (Think of chilli peppers for example...!)

SionnachRua · 23/04/2021 06:46

I was dealing with some extreme irritation on my hands this week from all the sanitizing going on atm. Any moisturiser was just causing it to flare and hurt. Someone on here recommended Lansinoh nipple cream and it was amazing, has cleared it right up. It seems moisturising too so I'm keeping it on as a hand cream now.

I'd look into that in more detail if you decide to try it though because of course, skin on the hands is very different to the face!

NotOnMute · 23/04/2021 06:53

I react to most face creams (including some prescribed ones) but have found a goats milk based one designed for eczema which is soothing. You can get a travel size one cheaply, or if you email and ask they’ll usually send a tester pot for just the cost of postage. It’s this one:
www.natural-skin-care.com/product/goats-milk-moisturising-cream

sweetclems · 23/04/2021 09:06

@sweetclems

Hey op I've got very similar skin and tried a load of things and all the ones in your first list. My skin is very dry and sensitive I have terrible eczema but I have found some products that work a treat
  1. Garnier hemp cream and you can also get the oil... blooming incredible even from the first use, no stinging at all and it's not pricey

www.boots.com/garnier-organic-hemp-multi-restore-gel-cream-50ml-10279995

  1. Liz Earl
  1. Child's farm was also good
Sorry to quote myself but I just wanted to ask if you're using steroid creams? I was prescribed them for years and they're awful. They make everything a million times worse! I had to wean my skin off them, I used hydrocortisone (yes I know it's not to be used on the face but it was very mild and a means to an end) to slowly wean my skin off steroids and as soon as my skin was good I switched to testing out moisturisers...

For Everyone who has eczema and irritated skin please give that garnier gel hemp cream a try as I've honestly never known anything that has irritated my skin less and my skin hates everything! It's fantastic