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..

Go and see your GP and get referred to a dermatologist. It sounds like you could have eczema or rosacea or some other skin condition, and no amount of cheap or expensive cream is going to fix that on its own. So don’t waste your money and the health of your skin by experimenting on it. Go and get a proper diagnosis.

Chemists where I live (Australia) can sell you pure sorbelene (no scents, etc) which are used to make up prescription creams. Maybe this is an option as it sounds like you’re reacting to something in the moisturisers, you need something as plain as possible.

@Cheesewiz

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 second this. It's brilliant. Also, are you wishing you face first? Maybe the cleanser or soap is irritating?

@HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime

The only one I can use is oil of olay.

Same here. I can't use any moisturiser apart from oil of olay. Also I can get away with e45 if desperate.

Or E45.

This sounds like the kind of rosacea I have so I’d definitely recommend going to the GP. Vaseline can help if it is really painful.

Another vote for Eucerin - the one with 5% urea. Can't seem to tolerate anything else.

Look at it from the other direction too... what is causing the dryness?

Are you drinking enough water, eating enough oily fish, protecting your face from wind and changes in temperature? Are you washing too much, too high a temperature? Do you have central heating on/too high? Is the air too drying, do you need a humidifier... etc... etc... are you getting enough vitamins in your diet?

Try things from all angles.

I'd suggest going to see a dermatologist to check that it isn't a skin condition causing the issues.

What cleanser do you use?

It might be that you are damaging your skin barrier with a harsh cleanser/exfoliater and that in turn is causing the issues with your moisturisers. I'd suggest using a very mild cleanser and then something like the Eucerin moisturiser suggested by others but then putting La Roche Posay Cicaplast over the moisturiser. Cicaplast is honestly a magical product that is great for so many things and it will help heal your skin.

Do not try coconut oil, it absolutely wrecked my face!

@Fingerbobs

This sounds like the kind of rosacea I have so I’d definitely recommend going to the GP. Vaseline can help if it is really painful.

I agree, CeraVe repairs the skin barrier. My Rosacea has improved probably by 80% since using it,it's amazing stuff. Apparently it contains lipids ...or something...which are in expensive creams and that's why it works so well. I also use the face wash too. Wish I'd discovered it years ago.

**I meant to say, vaseline helps when it's really sore.

Have you tried Cetaphil? It’s in the health bit of boots rather than the moisturiser bit.

I might get that feeling slightly when I first use it after a while if my skin is very dry but only the first time. It’s not super cheap sorry but is what my dermatologist recommended when I had a course of roaccutane and I’ve continued with it as my skin is drier than it was before and it’s always been sensitive

Same here OP.
The only moisturiser I can use is No7 Essential Moisture Day Cream.
It’s Hypo-allergenic, Dermatologically tested & Fragrance free.

I stockpiled it when they did their disastrous product rebrand last year & hoping that when I run out & buy more, the formula is the same.

Other than that, a basic Emollient from the chemist is quite good. Not very luxurious though!

Lanolin initially as the barrier repairs and then something hypoallergenic - E45 works for me when my skin barrier is okay but when it's damaged it burns. Aveeno or shea butter could also be options.

Moisturisers all stung my face too. I also had dry skin, particularly near my ears. I didn’t wash my face, use make up and even had to skip sunscreen except when absolutely unavoidable. I was prescribed various creams and regimes but anything on my face made it much worse.

Mine turned out to be seborrheic dermatitis(!) No idea why it suddenly appeared on my face as I’ve never had dandruff!

I now use a cream called Sebclair daily, plus Nizoral dandruff shampoo (active ingredient ketoconazole) twice a week as a face wash. Two years later, no more itching and my skin looks great. I can even tolerate sunscreens now - although only mineral (barrier) ones.

I hope you find out what is causing your skin to be so dry and sensitive. I know how miserable it is.

I should have added that I noticed a positive change immediately after starting on the Nizoral and Sebclair, which makes my suspicious of the previous advice I’d been given to push on with the stingy creams for 12 weeks and “it’ll get worse before it gets better” type advice.

The sensitive skin balm and MSM moisturiser by Moo Goo is great. My skin is much less red and sensitive after using their products.

Coconut oil on damp skin. Pat off the excess.

Second Eucerin! I can't use anything with perfume or lanolin so maybe you're the same?

It's this one that works - https://www.chemistdirect.co.uk/eucerin-q10-active-anti-wrinkle-night-cream/prd-0144885?glCountry=GB&glCurrency=GBP&gclid=Cj0KCQiAjJOQBhCkARIsAEKMtO0I7YDMWmqHnGNaW5Rdpn8zY7ypH2dsRzBjXja6QEQCOye-uOwwhUaAvFlEALwwcB

There's another one that sounds the same with a pump - also fragrance free - but that makes my skin burn for some reason.

Simple (the brand) face cream in a pickle

My suggestion is Udderly - recommended by a lot of doctors when people are going through chemotherapy which can damage the skin. You can get it on Amazon (and other places)

Olive oil. I remember the midwives recommending it for babies with dry skin.

@PineForestsAndSunshine

Moisturisers all stung my face too. I also had dry skin, particularly near my ears. I didn’t wash my face, use make up and even had to skip sunscreen except when absolutely unavoidable. I was prescribed various creams and regimes but anything on my face made it much worse.

Mine turned out to be seborrheic dermatitis(!) No idea why it suddenly appeared on my face as I’ve never had dandruff!

I now use a cream called ]] daily, plus ]] dandruff shampoo (active ingredient ketoconazole) twice a week as a face wash. Two years later, no more itching and my skin looks great. I can even tolerate sunscreens now - although only mineral (barrier) ones.

I hope you find out what is causing your skin to be so dry and sensitive. I know how miserable it is.

I've been reading about Sebclair shampoo and cream. I might get some to try.

Kiehls Ultra Facial Cream is my recommendation, it’s incredible. If you go to a kiehls counter or store they should be able to go through your skin needs and will test it with you and give you some samples to try before you buy.

Get an allergy skin test. Best thing I ever did. I'm allergic to a v common skincare ingredient. And can now avoid products that contain it. It's all almost all brand and I never would have known without the test.