Sensitive spotty skin help!

[bettertocryinamercedes]

My skin is very sensitive and until recently was doing fairly ok, a bit clogged though.

I've been going for facials once every two weeks and it was starting to really glow and look fab! I bought the dernalociga products, pre cleanse, cleansing gel and scrub and for a few days it looked great.

Then overnight I got a rash, my skin dried out and now I have red, sore skin with lumps underneath. The spots are really sore and keep appearing! My face is now all clogged up again from having to pile on serum and moisture to combat the dry flakiness!

I've stopped using all the products and gone back to a plain cleanser and toner and moisturiser but it's not really helping.

I'm so gutted, it feels like all the money I have spent has been wasted (£80 a month on facials) and now I don't know what to do.

Can anyone recommend a good cleanser and toner for sensitive spot prone skin please? And Anything else that may help?

Thank you

Hopeful bump

I've got oily but sensitive skin. I love la Roche posay. My skin has never been better since using this

https://www.superdrug.com/Skin/Face-Skin-Care/Expert-Skin/Blemish-Prone-Skin-Care/La-Roche-Posay-Effaclar-Anti-Blemish-3-Step-Kit/p/805513?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9MfHmPvv9gIVDbbtCh3qTgiCEAQYAiABEgJ4PDD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

It’s probably the scrub. I break out if I use a scrub or too much tretonoin.

Sounds like you've compromised your skin's barrier which can cause a rash and breakouts. The dermalogica products may have been too much for your skin. I'd suggest using Avene Tolerance cleanser and moisturiser for a bit to get your skin to calm down. They do a three step kit which is good. I also rate the hydrating cera ve cleanser and their hydrating lotion can also double up as a cleanser which can be rinsed off using a muslin. I'd use that over a flannel as will be too harsh for your skin.

Once settled, I'd suggest gradually introducing a retinol into routine. My recommendation would be Medik8 Crystal Retinal 0. This is a great formulation which is specifically for sensitive skin. Retinol is a great all rounder for skin, helps with acne and can help to strengthen a sensitive skin. Go low and start slow, using a couple of nights a week. Aim to increase use gradually so that you're using every night / other night (depending on tolerance). When you finish the tube, go up to strength 3. Go low and slow with that too to introduce to your routine.

Ensure you're using a minimum of 30 SPF daily as retinol use makes your skin more photosensitive. It's also a great habit to get into as preserves collagen.

My daughter has very sensitive skin and she also uses La Roche Posay products , she also uses a Tilli facial cleansing brush on a lowish setting .

@Icecreamqueen8

Sounds like you've compromised your skin's barrier which can cause a rash and breakouts. The dermalogica products may have been too much for your skin. I'd suggest using Avene Tolerance cleanser and moisturiser for a bit to get your skin to calm down. They do a three step kit which is good. I also rate the hydrating cera ve cleanser and their hydrating lotion can also double up as a cleanser which can be rinsed off using a muslin. I'd use that over a flannel as will be too harsh for your skin.

Once settled, I'd suggest gradually introducing a retinol into routine. My recommendation would be Medik8 Crystal Retinal 0. This is a great formulation which is specifically for sensitive skin. Retinol is a great all rounder for skin, helps with acne and can help to strengthen a sensitive skin. Go low and start slow, using a couple of nights a week. Aim to increase use gradually so that you're using every night / other night (depending on tolerance). When you finish the tube, go up to strength 3. Go low and slow with that too to introduce to your routine.

Ensure you're using a minimum of 30 SPF daily as retinol use makes your skin more photosensitive. It's also a great habit to get into as preserves collagen.

Thank you very much. Agree about the barrier - my skin feels burnt - it's red and so coarse feeling.

I'll get the avene- thank you very much for the recommendation

@Fluffycloudland77

It’s probably the scrub. I break out if I use a scrub or too much tretonoin.

I think so too! I'm kicking myself for the mess I've made.

I will start the retinol routine too once im sorted.

Thanks for all the advice

We’ve all done it. My mums the same as us and I never listened to her when I was slapping apricot scrubs on with abandon 🤷🏻‍♀️

Dermalogica stuff is really good usually.

It could well be that you have compromised the barrier, as others have suggested. However, it also may well be perioral dermatitis. I get this if I use too many products (including retinoids - fantastic if what you have is acne, but if what you have is actually perioral dermatitis, it will really inflame it). Perioral dermatitis doesn't only cluster around the mouth - I also get it on my chin, nose, and eyes, plus in the marionette lines. It is red and sore and bumpy, acne-like pustules, but they don't often come to a head.
Going back to very gentle basics will help either way, whatever the diagnosis, but if it stays see a dermatologist as sometimes a prescription of antibiotics is needed.

Probably need to repair the barrier. Only wash with water and use a pure night cream for a while. Nothing else.

Hope your skin calms down. Let us know how you get on. X

Have you had COVID?
My skin is a mess, just as you describe and with open burn like sores.

The dermatologist has said that COVID has destroyed the barrier. Been like this for weeks. ☹️