buggered skin barrier and Covid basics please

[Matchingcollarandcuffs]

Since having Covid (and then every cold going) my skin barrier had been shite. I'm trying to use my 0.009% skin and Mr and stupidly added in a morning vitamin c serum (inkey list egf) and my skin is wrecked.

I'm having to use it cosmetics cc cream to hide worst of redness but my face is bright red and stings, even using a flannel hurts.

What is your back to basics make up remove/cleanse/moisturise and most importantly SPF routine when in crisis?

Cleanser and la roche posay cicplast baume. Dr Jart ceramidin mist is lovely as well

Stop using anything active, La Roche Posay Cicaplast and a gentle non fragranced oil cleanser to take make up off. Only wear SPF if you can stand it, I think the IT cosmetic is SPF50, it's not what I'd recommend for normal use to rely on as your SPF but I would in this case when your skin has gone to pot it's best to leave it alone as much as possible.

Agree with cicaplast Baumé, I think you need to go back to basics - the most gentle cleanser you have, cicaplast and SPF if you have to leave the house. Nothing else for a few days.

Vaseline over the top of moisturiser.

jojoba oil

these are the only things that don’t burn when I fuck my barrier.

I empathise!!

Thanks, Vaseline gives me blackheads but I'll just stick with the make up remove, wash and cicaplast. I reckon the UV is too low for needing SPF? That's the bit I struggle with

For the risk of sunburn, yes, UV rays are probably too low at the moment. But as you've essentially given yourself a chemical version of a sun burn you are a lot more prone to further damage from the sun but if you're not outdoors much or sitting by windows all day you'll probably be okay ignoring SPF needs rather than risking an overreaction to SPF until your skin is back to health and as mentioned above the it cosmetics cc cream will give some protection.

You can wear a hat with a rim (baseball cap would probably work too) out if you're worried about protection. There is a SPF version of Cicaplast but it's very dependent on person on how well they tolerate it (it has chemical filters) so I'm always reluctant to recommend that one.

Thank you, totally forgot I bought the cicaplast with SPF for allergic child so will try that if I go out, tbh it is wall to wall dreich here so think I'm probably safe

In this order:

1. Damp skin (with plain water or Cicaplast Spray)

1. Hyaluronic Acid

1. Cicabaume or glycerin rich cream

1. (Optional) Skin Slugging (Vaseline or Aquaphor to seal moisture before bed)

My choice used to be the Avene extremely gentle cleanser followed by Skin Recovery Cream but I think they've changed the formulas and I haven't used it in a long while. Currently, I use almond oil and a warm cloth to cleanse followed by Aveeno cream when my skin is upset.

When my skin was bad after covid the only thing that sorted it out was Cerave cleanser and moisturiser.

Good recommendations so far - I have really sensitive skin and use coconut oil as my first cleanse to remove make up (dirt cheap) and find this to be really gentle and soothing

Ceramides really help me. Dr Jart is great.

I also put my skincare on straight out of the shower and after I cleanse so it never feels tight.

I found LRP and even cerave a bit stingy when my face went red and sore. Eucerin was nice though and didn't hurt.

When my skin was bad once even La Roche Posay one mentioned hurt, the only thing that didn't was Dermatalogica Barrier repair. I barely cleansed and just used that. Then eventually on day 4 I could use the LRP baume and it took about 2 weeks to settle down. Inky List Oat Milk is a good Cleanser when you're over the worst. Very mild.

all of the above.

Dermalogica do an ultra calming range, including a barrier repair moisturiser

You can also book an appointment with them for a facial, and I believe any products you buy, then comes off the cost of the facial

I was also going to suggest Dermalogica Ultra Calming range and Barrier Repair!

You could try a yogurt mask (natural or greek, live cultures, no added sugar) - the bacteria is helpful for the skin biome. Or a gentle probiotic serum.

Also a warmish (not hot) bath with table salt or bath salts (plain, unfragranced) and rinse over your face - also calming, good for the skin biome, but don't overdo the heat, salt level or length of time in the bath - about 15 mins is good.

If la roche posay or cerave work for cleansing and moisturiser that's great, but as a PP said everyone has different skin so if they sting, stop immediately and try something else - don't persevere. As another PP said you can also try a straight oil for cleansing and/or moisturising eg coconut or almond. Jojoba is a lovely gentle moisturiser for me but I don't get on at all with avocado oil whereas others swear by it.

Generally the fewer products the better atm, and stop if whatever you are using stings or dries you out. Best of luck OP, I hope you get some relief soon.

Thank you, I’ve ordered some bits from beauty bay and have decided just to sack off the tret, this is the fifth time Ive tried it and this has happened, ive been on it for 4 months and I’m still only on 0.009% every other night buffered first and I have permanent redness and reactive skin, swollen, gritty eyes despite Vaseline goggles and the vit c was just the final straw.

Whole family has eczema/allergies which always shows up in skin so have decided to focus on healthy skin and hope that will look better than being permanently reactive, even if I may have a wrinkle or two more!

Really appreciate your help though, maybe set up a separate support thread for those of us who can’t tolerate tret!

I tried the ordinary powder vit c without a clue how much I should use, ended up having to put a local anesthetic on my cheeks to numb the pain!

Find the cereve cream excellent. I've been spraying with elenis apricot calming toner then hyaluronic acid, repeat both then the cereve cream. Surprisingly effective and no stinging.

I started on 0.025 tret a week ago, absolutely no reaction. Very strange. Waiting for it to floor me.

Good luck with your alternatives.

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