What is this and how do I get rid of it

[SomeBollocks]

The red patch under my eye - it's a bit tender but only if I poke it. Also have similar the other side but not as bad. The skin around my eye is quite dry and crepey in general but the redness is new.

I had been using retinol eye cream, but was using it for about a month before this happened, and I've stopped for at least 2 weeks and it hasn't gone so I don't think it can be that...

Also I have hay fever but I'm on antihistamines and not having any other symptoms so I don't think it can be that either...

Any ideas of what caused it or creams etc to make it go? I constantly look like I've been crying and it's a bit embarrassing!

Thanks

Rosacea? Topical steroid cream cleared mine up.

Thanks @sashagabadon

Do I need to see the GP for that?

Could be eczema? If so, topical steroid cream will help clear it up. You can buy it over the counter but maybe ask a pharmacist for advice first.

Has it got at all better since you started using the retinol?

I would see a medic.

You can't buy steroid cream for use on the face. See a GP

@PoppingTomorrow the retinol seemed to make it a bit dry and red, but not in the same way iyswim? So I was just using it every other day. Then I stopped about 2 weeks ago and these red patches developed at a similar time 🤷

I had that after using a retinol eye cream. It was really sore and took a long time to go away. I had to use cream with ceramides to repair the skin barrier.

Peri ocular dermatitis maybe? Steroid cream will make it worse if it is. It comes up when you've compromised your skin barrier. See the GP and get Rozex gel if it is

Really? I've been sold it over the counter many times! Just the very weak stuff mind, but still.

It's the retinol. Go easy on it and don't use it daily. Or use a less concentrated formula.

I would say it was the retinol too. Mine took ages to go and my eyes looked the same. I used a very low % hydrocortisone cream very sparingly to jump-start healing, and Cerave cream. I went back to retinol very cautiously, once my face had totally healed.

Yes I got these using retinol recently, they just went away

It's the retinol. I get exactly the same when I use it. Exactly same location too. I've just stopped using retinol altogether now. My skin seems too sensitive for it

I definitely react to Retinol

Thanks all! Maybe it was the retinol then.

Any recommendations for creams to take address the dryness and hopefully make the red patches go away quickly!?

@Abitlosttoday was the hydrocortisone just from the chemist?

I'd get some La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume. I keep a large pump bottle of it for any skin irritation. It works a treat. I sometimes get a dry patch in the inner corner of my lids from my glasses and it works very quickly.

This. The retinol was too much. Look up how to repair your skin barrier.

It is the retinol. Don't use any actives and get yourself some cicaplast!

It's ancient but I think I bought it over the counter to treat eczema on my feet. Ot worked very fast to help the retinol burn. I took ages to try it though. It's 1%.

Just checking you don’t use wax melts do you?

I don't even know what they are!

I used this on the area morning and night. It really helped. Really cheap too!