Please help me with my skin!!

[EffundoPreculam]

I'm mid 30s and my facial skin is terrible.

I seem to have all sorts of problems with it.

It's sensitive and stings and burns and goes red for ages with all kinds of moisturisers - tried Simple, Cerave, natural oils etc. Basically acts like it's being attacked by the moisturiser!! Even hot water hurts. I've no idea what's going on and why it's like this.

I am pale and burn badly so need SPF of at least 25. However all spf ones leave a greasy white cast which makes my make up slide off and also make me break out in spots. Which leads to ..

I still get acne, on my chin especially. I try to moisturise because my skin seems dehydrated and for wrinkles, but then it goes red hot and break outs.

MY skin is all big pores too and leathery.

I used to deal with it when younger by just not using anything, but I feel I need something now and certainly spf, but no idea what to do.

I really have to be clear here that I do not have much money at all. I'm on a low income so I can only afford 1 cleanser and 1 moisturiser (with spf).

I had a 'curel' one which didn't hurt at least, but it didn't have an spf.

Does anyone have any ideas please??

Much of what you've written describes how my skin used to be, it's got a little better.

Firstly, you should see a gp. Acne is totally treatable but you may also have a different skin condition that can also be treated. If a gp is unable to help, you are entitled to push for a dermatology referral.

When my skin gets so reactive even water stings, I do what you do and just leave it be. It needs time to recover a bit and it's so easy to use too many products that end up stripping the skin.

So, less is very much more.

When my skin isn't as bad as that but desperately needs moisturising, I use Rosehip Oil and Lush Dream Cream. I find the combination really helps, but if you can only afford one and are wary about Dream Cream, try Rosehip Oil. I use the inkey list.

Oils are great for dehydrated skin, even those prone to breakouts.

When my skin is sore, I warm sudacrem between my palms and gently stroke it onto my face before bed.

My skin tolerates Clarins UV Plus for sun protection, it has a slight white cast but doesn't irritate my skin or make me breakout.

However, when your skin is so fragile, I'd focus on just repairing the skin barrier first and use hats to shield it from the sun.

La Roche Posay sensitive range - I use their cream cleanser to remove makeup with cool water and a flannel and then I use Garnier Micellar Water with Oil to remove last traces of eye make up. I also love Niacinamide for keeping my skin calm and redness free (the Ordinary do a good one).

But - I really think you need to see a doctor first. Certain skin conditions are made worse by ingredients that can be found in some skincare products (like alcohol) so you need to know what you're dealing with first. Until I got my skin medically treated, like you I was just in an expensive cycle of trying so many different products. With medical treatment, I was able to find that the products I've mentioned really help me keep my skin in good condition.

On that note avoid anything with alcohols or active ingredients like retinol or salicylic acid.
Hyaluronic acid though is a great moisturiser and helps to repair the skin barrier.

P.s. you might find a natural, organic, nothing added aloe vero gel helps as a moisturiser. I started using it when I got sunburnt last year and loved it, just trying to find a replacement because the one I had has been discontinued.

Alternatively, buy an aloe plant and squeeze the gel from the leaves.

I'd recommend a really gentle cleanser and a Hyaluronic serum instead of a moisturiser. (For example https://www.simple.co.uk/products/serums/simple-booster-serum-hyaluronic.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIroKX9vnY-AIV2NtCh2uawAMEAAYAyAAEgKw5PDD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds)

That will keep your skin hydrated without making it oily.

It sounds like your skin is really sensitive and reducing products is actually a good idea in that situation.

To a cleanser and serum I would simply add some Vaseline for your lips.

Re: sunscreen I have sensitive skin and react badly to any products with SPF in them, but interestingly not a good sunscreen.

I love this one:

www.boots.com/ambre-solaire-sensitive-hydrating-face-sun-cream-mist-spf50-75ml-10225139--

You can spray it on over make up and I keep it in my handbag so I can re-apply.

Hope that helps!

Sorry re: cleanser I'd just look at this - really gentle but will remove make up without drying your skin:

https://www.boots.com/garnier-micellar-water-facial-cleanser-for-sensitive-skin-200ml-10291528?cmmmc=bmm-buk-google-ppccPLAsAsHeroCompareareCatchAll---UKSmarttShoppingCatchhAll&gbraid=0AAAAADrIajU4Cu22qboz5dnGN5izLlkf&gbraid=0AAAAADrIajU4CCu22qboz5dnGN5izLlkf&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsfuc3zY-AIV02DmCh1JAAInEAQYASABEgKX1vDD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Thanks for taking the time to reply to me.

I think maybe it's some kind of rosacea, but I just can't afford the proper products. I've been to the GP a couple times but they couldn't be less interested. Gave me benzol peroxide for the chin acne which helped that but caused huge chemical burns all over my face!!

My face skin feels dry ("eats" or sucks in moisturiser in minutes)-but-also-greasy-on-the-chin, red hot, itchy, tight, and it seems to burn with MOST moisturisers, and also it gets white film greasy and broken out i spots with anything containing SPF.

A lot of even 'sensitive' moisturisers leave my skin feeling chemical-burnt!!

Can we really go without spf??

Curel Moisture Milk did at least moisturise without causing irritation. Also La Roche Toleraince (??) but don't know if they have spf.

Asda's own sensitive cleanser seems okay to remove make up as long as I only use lukewarm water.

My grandmother had issues too - she couldn't even wear make up or jewellery.

It seems to be something specifically in "moisturisers" which triggers this reaction in my skin, but my skin does need moisture!!

Hi OP,

There's a big difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin. I suspect yours is the latter, hence why moisturisers make you break out but don't address the "dryness".

That's why I recommended a HYALURONIC serum which traps moisture (not oil) in your skin rather than a moisturiser.

Don't go without SPF - check out the link I sent. It's great stuff and everything I've posted is budget friendly.

My skin is super sensitive and one other recommendation is anti-histamine tablets.

I buy non-branded ones (no difference just cheaper) and I notice a massive difference if I don't take them re: my skin.

Thanks. It does seem to be specifically some ingredient in the following causing the problems -

SPFs, OR
Moisturisers of all kinds

and also Benzol Peroxide acne cream

Face washes, cleansers, toners don't seem to cause it. It's moisturisers!!

I have to try. My recent routine has been a make up remover I know doesn't cause the problem, and then sometimes a vitamin c serum (facetheory my sister gave me), and Cerave for sensitive skin (also my sister gave me), and simple spf 30 cream for day. Put some acnecide cream only on some spots on my chin.

My whole face skin is a reactive, red, chin-spotty, itchy, burning dry, stingy, mess!! Added to wrinkles starting..

Thanks @BreadInCaptivity I will have a look. Yes, on certain parts of my face even really thick moisturiser soaks up straight away, it's crazy fast!! But quite severe 'dehydration' remains, and I eat and drink healthy.

I will take a look at trying the spf spray etc and antihistamines. I do have hayfever and allergies .

Stop the moisturisers.

As my pp your skin isn't likely dry, it's dehydrated.

A good HYALURONIC serum (doesn't have to be pricy) will address that.

Sounds to me that your skin re: moisturisers is being overwhelmed by oil/ingredients etc it doesn't need and you're in a vicious circle.

I'll stand by my product recommendations but I'd also echo a pp in going back to your GP.

Could it be worth looking at a skincare subscription such as skin and me or dermatica? I think you can send them pictures of skin and let them know the problems and they will make a cream to treat it. I'm sure one of them has an offer where you can have a month's trial for £1.99 so you could see if it was worthwhile before spending a fortune.
On a different note, you say you can only afford 2 products, I find I use less of each product if I layer them up. So by using a rosewater spray toner and a serum, I use less moisturiser so although its expensive having more products, they last longer.

Have you stopped and given your skin a break recently? I know it's hard when you feel your skin is dry but it sounds to me like it needs a good few months off any products if you can before you reintroduce things.

You need to push for a dermatology referral, op.

It will be the single best thing you can do for your skin.

Of course you need spf, but while your skin is hyper reactive, if you don't have one that you can tolerate then I would keep your face in the shade instead for a week while you let your skin settle. Once it's settled a bit you can try a new spf. Notice I'm not advocating sun exposure, especially if you have rosacea.

Also don't try too many new products at once, give your skin time to adjust to each new thing.

Our skin can get excessively oily at times because our skin is attempting to protect it when it's been stripped, which is often why modern oil based products work well for acne prone skin.

Go back to your gp.

I agree with a GP referral, but:

Your SPF needs to be higher than 25 and it needs to be separate from your moisturizer.

Simple isn't. Never has been.
Check out La Roche Posay Toleriane range, or, if you like the Curel, stick with that.

Benzoyl peroxide is lethal and will probably irritate your skin- that's how it works against acne unfortunately. If you can cope with it, a gentle moisturizer as a buffer might help.

Neither cleanser nor moisturizer need to be expensive. Cleansers go down the plughole after 30 seconds. Moisturizer just needs to do that. Many moisturizers have hyaluronic in them these days and the jury is out anyway on whether their topical application makes much difference. I do use HA sometimes. If you go down the micellar route as a make up remover, you then need to cleanse afterwards as it leaves a film on the skin.

If you think it's definitely the moisturizer you are using that's the main irritant, check the ingredients on the INCI decoder website. Are there any actives in it? My DD had a dermalogica range reputedly for sensitive skin and it had ginger oil in it which damaged her skin no end.

Have you tried skin and me, it's only £3.50 for a trail with cleanser/moisturer included

For transparency that is a referral link, but I genuinely love it, been using it about 6 months and had transformed my skin so I do recommend it so I can keep using it 😂

Stop using the sun cream for a while,get a big hat and stay in the shade.

Stop using everything else and see what happens.

You get a daily doder that lasts a month and a cleanser and moisturiser (make sure you tick them, it's still same price)

Don't suffer - go to the GP.

My skin gets like this whenever I'm tempted to use anything with benzoyl peroxide in it, so I'd cut that out completely OP as it's clearly irritating your skin. I agree with the others who say that less is more, my basic routine when my skin is reacting to anything and everything is plain almond oil to cleanse, a spritz of rosewater and Aveeno cream. You may need something for spots but given how your skin reacts, definitely avoid anything with benzoyl peroxide in it.

My skin gets like yours with sunscreens I'm allergic to or makeup I'm allergic to (particularly foundation like NARS).
Ever since I started wearing a mask I've had to change sunscreen too because I was getting zits. I've pondered on this and I think it's because the sunscreen creates this layer that won't let the screen breathe well, with an efficient mask hot hair will get trapped and it's like a localised sort of greenhouse effect under the mask which my skin doesn't like. My skin's worse off when I use FF2 masks instead of surgical ones too.
I would try an Avène Thermal Water spray (I won't recommend other brands because they don't work for me), a CICA cream at home or a good Aloe Vera one, and then I'd say change to a new sunscreen see how you feel and if need be change to another foundation or avoid it for a while and just use a good concealer and spot-conceal instead for a while (the Shape Tape one is very light but with fab coverage).

Cetaphil is a life saver for me as my skin is really sensitive. I use the sensitive cleanser, spf50 day cream and night cream. I also use the ordinary HA and that's everything I use.
I will exfoliate occasionally with the body shop vitamin C peeling stuff(can't remember the exact name)

Have you ever tried Avene Tolerance range?

It might be worth watching Trinny Woodall online too as she puts lots of info in about all times of skin and skin issues etc

Do you think it’s fungal? I had the most horrific fungal skin infection on my face recently but Daktarin gold is helping massively.

At the moment any sunblock etc causes burning sensations.

I'd missed you were using Benzoyl peroxide! It can cause sunburns so you need extra care with the sun (I never use it in summer). SPF50 is probably better when you're on it.
I would avoid the Vitamin C for the moment as it too needs proper SPF. Your issue might be too many actives put together, along with low SPF, sensitive skin and wearing a mask. Go back to basics and then start adding things one by one to test how it goes.
What I came back to suggest was the Toleriane moisturising mist.

@Fluffycloudland77 Interesting you say that as my DP has fungal dermatitis with much the same symptoms as me and uses that cream. Do you have the same thing?

My skin started breaking out after wearing a mask all day with mineral sunblock and I got spots with pus and 100s of what looked like blocked pores. The skin on my nose felt rough like it wasn’t my skin at all. Anti bac stuff wasn’t working so I slapped some Daktarin on and it looked better from the first application.

Fungal things take ages to resolve though so I’m still ploughing on.