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.

This is a beautifully comforting cream. It is actually for babies but I use it as my daily moisturizer. It is not perfumed, my skin stays very hydrated, and it feels calming. I’ve had eczema all my life and it’s the best thing for me. I don’t but anything with perfume or lanolin in it. This contains sunflower and avocado oil.

m.feelunique.com/p/Mustela-Stelatopia-Emollient-Balm-200ml

If the problem is alcohol (I've also tried all the emollients) then it's worth trying Cuderm

The elena stuff is good. What I like is that you can ring up and speak to elena or one of her colleagues and they will listen and advise you on what is beat for you. You can get samples too before you commit to buying. I know it's expensive but compare it what you spend on stuff that you then reject. I think it's worth it to get something that is right for you and your skin

I have really dry sensitive skin and eczema - I've found that taking sea buckthorn capsules daily has helped generally (although, as you know, everyone's skin is different)
I would avoid anything fragranced (e.g. lavender) and stick to bland emollients. I use Cetraben on my face as well as on my body, and find that 100% rosehip oil doesn't make my skin react:
www.boots.com/the-ordinary-100-organic-cold-pressed-rose-hip-seed-oil-10267770

OP you poor thing this sounds really tricky. To everyone saying ‘go to a dermatologist’ waiting lists are often lengthy and NHS is often reluctant to send people for patch testing - I had really severe eyelid and facial dermatitis and was still told no on several occasions. So finding a product that could work in the mean time would be a massive help.

www.briaorganics.com/skin-prone-to-eczema-c1/bria-organics-relief-repair-replenish-skin-cream-p43?gclid=Cj0KCQjw4ImEBhDFARIsAGOTMj8gDeEjStcXNtR9xXwn3dZf6Gd8MVyUOYkoZrWy3ptRusat_5td2agaAkuYEALw_wcB

This works for me!

I would also suggest sea buckthorn tablets

@bellropes this is the ingredient list for the ‘lightly fragrances’ one (I assume the parfum is the only addition) but I would probably recommend getting the child’s farm no fragrance moisturiser as it’s even more gentle

Aqua (Water), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isopropyl Myristate, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Polyglyceryl-3 Dicitrate/Stearate, Stearic Acid, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Benzyl Alcohol, Parfum (Fragrance), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Dehydroacetic Acid, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citric Acid, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Limonene, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone.

And if it didn’t work it only costs £3

Glycerin can be very problematic parabens and SLS are a no go too for sensitive skin 😕

@TheGirlWhoLived almost every ingredient listed after Parfum in that is a fragrance. Limonene and linalool can be particularly problematic

Have you tried Ren Evercalm range? It’s very gentle and nourishing. It’s also Cruelty Free and Vegan, with responsible packaging.
www.renskincare.com/collections/evercalm-tm

I think you need to see a dermatologist too. Ask GP for a referral. They can check the cause (as others have said could be allergy but could also be rosacea or something else) and organise patch testing for allergens so you can nail down the exact causes.

Have you tried plain Vaseline ? The best moisturiser. Can leave on the worst patches overnight.

How about honey? Use as a cleanser/face mask, (perhaps with some oats or oil mixed in) - it can be very soothing.

Does sound like gp/dermatology appointment would be a good idea though.

Moogoo are a range that specialise in skin conditions, could you contact them for samples? I know you said no to avene but avene skin recovery cream is their only product that hasn't reacted with my skin (I have rosacea). Crossing everything there's something in this thread that helps you

Keep away from olive oil. It is highly irritating on dry skin, etc. Have you tried baby products? I'd recommend the Weleda Calendula range and they also do another range (lilac and white in colour) for highly reactive skin.

www.weleda.co.uk/white-mallow-face-cream-50ml-105802?returnurl=%2fdry-skin-eczema%2f

Found a link.

I've not used this but it's meant to be good:

www.weleda.co.uk/skin-food-30ml-106056?returnurl=%2fsearch%3fq%3dskin%2bfood

Olive oil can actually make eczema/very dry skin conditions worse:

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22995032/

I am on Dermol which I use as a moisturiser after my latest allergic reaction

It has cleared up a lot and my skin is looking a bit like it used to look.
About a month ago it looked like someone had thrown acid or a kettle of boiling water in my face because I used something that had hylaurinic acid in it.

I also find E45 and all the supposedly hyper allergenic creams all sting.

Waiting for my dermatologist appointment in June. Finally getting one after my mother asked when I was a few days old and continually throughout my childhood. I have been back at least 2 times per year asking about allergic reactions I get to various things all my adult life. Last year my doctor got annoyed with me for asking about an allergy test and told me that none existed snd anyone who said they had been for one was lying or I wasn’t understanding what they meant.
Only got one because I got a locum to refer me.
Should add my doctors surgery is so bad that there is a campaign to have it closed down. People would rather be without a surgery than the completely useless bunch of doctors and receptionists we have at the moment.

My skin likes Vichy Mineral 89 serum. It only has 11 ingredients and a £20 bottle lasts several months. I'd carry on with the home made moisturizer if it helps you. I use Lanvin face oil twice daily and that has lavender in it. Have also used sweet almond oil instead in the past when I can get hold of it, just a few drops rubbed on my palms and patted onto my face. Olay basic moisturisers seems to help as a barrier to lock all the moisture from serum and oil in to my skin. You can make a moisturising face mask out of avocado, oatmeal and honey.

I have oat baths and find it very soothing for my skin. I literally put a handful of oats in the cut-off toe of an old pair of tights and put it in the bath like a teabag. Then I rub the teabag all over my body and on my face too. It settles my skin enough so I can get away with using gentle face creams.

Was gonna say Vaseline too. DD has very sensitive skin, she'll only tolerate Vaseline

My friend has the same problem and actually uses this suncream it's so delicate on her skin she says it works for her.

I discovered that pigments derived from nickel are basically in all make up!

That’s very interesting, thanks.

another strongly recommending vaseline. My dermatologist recommended it when I had severe eczema. You can use it as a cleanser (smear on and wipe off with a face cloth and warm water). Then use as a moisturiser. I think this is your best bet, but am another recommending you try and see a dermatologist.