Why does every moisturiser burn my face??

[flintstonewall]

I've tried lots of moisturisers and they all burn my face.

It's like a tight, sunburnt, angry, itchy feeling and my skin actually hurts and is red for days after.

It can very from very mild to full on symptoms like the above. I think it's my skin causing the variation in symptoms, not the moisturisers themselves. As sometimes the same bottle can cause minimal symptoms and sometimes really bad reaction.

I've tried all different kinds of moisturiser, even sensitive skin types, so called hypoallergenic etc. Have tried about maybe 15 different brands.

I'm 34 and getting fine lines and my skin is drier and definitely in need of hydration so I feel I need moisturiser, but how do I use it when it feels and looks like a chemical peel gone wrong?? At least right now anyway, it's at it's worst.

I don't have much money to waste on constantly trying products.

Does anyone have any advice..

My skin reacted like this to the sunscreen in certain brands of moisturiser.

Don't bother with moisturiser? I tried a few many years ago and none agreed with me. I can't say my skin looks noticeably worse than any of my age group and looks better than a lot of them.
Which leads me to believe that other things are more important to skin health than moisturiser.

Eucerin hypersensitive is the only moisturiser my DSis can use without that intense burning feeling. She also uses their cleansing gel which she says is cool and soothing.

I've tried both with sunscreen and without any sunscreen. Thanks though. There must be something in them causing it.

It's a catch 22. When I was younger, I'd just not use moisturiser. I really need it now though, my skin is way drier than it used to be. Yet, I cannot wear any without looking (and feeling) like my face is about to peel off!!

I thought alcohol, but it happens with non alcohol types.

My daughter thought nicotinamides, but it also happens with ones without this ingredient.

Happens with "sensitive", no alcohol, colours or fragrances or perfumes types too.

Try coconut oil

I get this with lots of moisturisers, I've never understood it.

The one that works for me is Clinique's dramatically different moisturiser (the yellow one).

I have easily troubled skin. I use rosehip oil.

Aveeno everyday body lotion (you can use on face) is the only moisterer I haven't had a reaction to. I have extremely dry, sensitive skin too

I haven't tried Eucerin hypersensitive yet, I will try that thanks.

It's so bad at the moment. My face has been burning and stinging intensely for days after trying cerave for sensitive type. Nothing against cerave, it happens with literally all types I have ever tried to some extent. La Roche was less burny but it did still happen and all these are quite expensive.

@oviraptor21 I didn't used to need it, but I do now. Without it, my face is really dry and flaky. With it, it's not dry and flaky anymore but tight and burning alot!!

Ditto to Eucerin. It is the only thing I can use owing to hypersensitivity after trying retinol some time back (which burned me)

It will most likely be an ingredient they will all have in common that your skin is reacting to.

Thanks for the other suggestions too. I am going to have to try until I find something which doesn't burn.

I don't have any other allergies to speak of, it just seems to be creams on my face.

The only one I can use is oil of olay.

Don’t try coconut oil. It sounds like you have VERY reactive skin and a damaged or very thin acid mantle (skin barrier.). You need very calming, lipid-based products over the top of nothing more active than a glycerine-based hydrating serum or spray. I would recommend Curel Moisture Milk for the glycerine layer and then a really emollient, occlusive layer like Dr Jart Ceramidin cream. (Very thick, need a little bit warmed up in hands then patted onto face. Extremely soothing, but very easy to use too much!)

Yes it does seem damaged. It feels like little cuts stingy although there are no visible cuts.

The backs of my hands and my chest are slightly similar but not as bad. It's where my skin is thinnest.

Boots own brand Vitamin c. They do a day and night cream. The night version is the only moisturiser I've tried in 35 years that doesn't burn my skin. It's labelled as a night mask but works perfectly as a daily moisturiser.

This will sound bonkers but extra virgin olive oil... you'd think it would be greasy and awful but if you use a small amount and work it in, and leave it to sit for a few minutes it's amazing, so silky and lasts all day. I've never had an issue with my skin but recently had an awful bout of eczema brought on by stress (didn't even know it was a thing) and every single cream was agony!! My skin was so dry it was peeling. 3 days of using the olive oil and its back to being fabulous

CeraVe or Eucerin

If you PM me I have a 20% off one use code for look fantastic… might make trying one a bit cheaper.
I honestly think all skincare should come in a trial size for £1!

I've used E45 cream on my face for decades. Skin looks and feels good and no stinging. And it's so much cheaper than expensive moisturisers that I've tried in the past only to find they sting.

I had eczema and couldn't tolerate much at all on my skin for many years. Definitely not Aveeno for example. I managed with E45 mainly, aquaeus cream and emulsifier and later Clinique.

A pharmacist friend told me e45 is as bees said, super and cheap. Also as puddleboatding mama says, olive oil is great.

Has your GP never referred you to a dermatologist? I think seeing one could be very beneficial to you.

Have you ever used steroid creams?

I would try jojoba oil. It’s very suitable for sensitive skin and normally doesn’t cause any issues, also doesn’t clog pores.