allergic to highlighter, how else to 'glow'?

[LefttoherownDevizes]

My skin has been looking v dull recently so have been using highlighter, either cream or powder.

I've broken out in sore red lumps where I've been using it, get exactly the same with mineral foundation and my beloved orgasm so it's clearly the shimmer (suspect mica).

Do I just need to smear my face in vaseline? Any other suggestions (or fellow allergies)? Can't use glow foundations as same thing happens

If your skin can tolerate skincare (big "if", I realise), try going for a product that will increase "glow", so that your actual skin will be more luminous, vs needing to add it in with makeup. What's your base routine?

Focus on skincare that gives your skin's glow

So, can't tolerate dermatica or skin and me, tried for over a year but currently going through health investigations after years of illness so think I need to be gentle for the time being. Also on hrt and painkilling patches, have a tendency to be allergic to adhesives so being careful not to annoy my skin as if it then reacts to patches I'm buggered.

Current routine is cleanse with either squalane cleanser or cerave hydrating, then ceramide emulsion then cicaplast or bioderma moisturiser, then lrp or Clinique mineral spf.

Had to cut out acids, vitamin c, tret and azaelaic acid as skin just so sore.

Ordered some goats products from chuckling goat out of desperation, although inspired by the other thread put blue Nivea on last night and skin looked calmest for weeks.

Sorry pressed send too early.

Focus on a good skincare routine that makes your skin healthy and glow naturally.

Ensure good exfoliation with lactic acid, hydration with hyaluronic acid, retinol for skin turnover and sunscreen of course.

While it's still breaking out, be gentle with your skin and use some soothing ingredients to help your skin barrier

@LefttoherownDevizes Your description actually makes me wonder if it could be related to your health issues. Would you feel comfortable sharing about that at all? Obviously no pressure whatsoever if you don't want to!

I know that for me (also masses of medical stuff, unfortunately), how my skin looks is very much bound up with what's going on physically. Without boring you with too much detail, among other things I tend to get malabsorption / malnutrition type issues which can lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Also, it's very unscientific but the more I am in pain, sleepless, etc, the more I feel like it shows in my skin!

Just for me personally, niacinamide is proving really good. But I truly know where you're coming from with allergies and sensitivity (lol, this is also a problem I share!), so I'm not trying to push this specifically on you.

After years of thinking I was just mad I'm awaiting to see a rheumatologist for suspected EDS diagnosis. And surgery for ankle ligament resection.

Have chronic migraine/sinus issues/constipation/ibs/allergies/pain/sleep issues. Currently gluten free whilst waiting for gut follow up.

I literally tick every box, didn't even occur that it may affect my skin until writing this thread . . .

A lot of highlighters and glowy foundations contain Bismouth Oxychloride. It is what gives the glowy/light reflective effect. This can cause itchy skin. I can't use products with this ingredient in.

@LefttoherownDevizes Oh, it definitely could be affecting your skin. Among my ridiculous issues, I have EDS, so unfortunately way too familiar with it! You may possibly also have some malabsorption going on, then, as it's pretty common with EDS due to how it affects the gut. I'm so sorry you're dealing with all this! It's a lot to handle.

@LefttoherownDevizes It's definitely worth asking to be treated as much as you can be for the symptoms even while the official diagnosis has yet to be established. The more symptom control you can get, the more comfortable you're likely to be.

Have a look at westman atelier highlighter stick in nectar. The best highlighter I’ve ever used. No sparkly bits. It’s expensive ‘clean beauty’ but might be worth a go.

@BradleyCooperwillbemine genius!! Just looked and bismuth is common to everything I react to, at least I know what I'm looking out for.

@Innocenta thanks for the assurance, at the moment my priority is just to calm things down, it's bonkers the random things that actually seem to be related.

@Kaftankween on the Westman website now, ouch but lovely. Not sure whether to go for blush or highlighter but will definitely try myself to something!

@LefttoherownDevizes Yeah, it's truly bonkers how weird collagen seems to end up affecting everything!

@LefttoherownDevizes I found the blush didn’t last but others like it. The highlighter in a compact is also lovely.

I use No 7 and it's good. Their highlighters aren't great but better than nothing. Glad you posted as I now realise that's what I was allergic to in the sun yesterday as I wasn't wearing no 7.

You are welcome!