Help! New serum and my face is on fire!

[NeedWineNow]

I ordered a serum set by SBC gels from QVC and tried one this morning - it's called Bakuchiol. I'm usually a great fan of SBC but this serum definitely didn't like me. DH noticed I was a bit flushed but thought it was just a result of my exertions cleaning the bathroom. However was having lunch and my face, neck and decollete suddenly felt really hot and itchy. When I looked it was bright red. I've got some Aloe Vera gel but was wondering if anyone can suggest something else which might help

Have you tried taking an antihistamine? I believe ones that contain chlorphenamine are best types for skin allergies.

@Figroll16 Thank you. I hadn't thought about that. We haven't got any but I'll pop to the chemist tomorrow and I'll also try and see the pharmacist to see if he can recommend a cream. I've never known anything like it. It's a natural retinol I understand, so I'm wondering if it's a reaction to me being in the sun over the weekend.

Funnily enough my skin hates bacukiol-can tolerate low levels of retinol though.

This happened to me, again some sort of natural retinol .
I took antihistamines for a week, and it took at least 10 days to go back to normal.

I had something similar 12-15 years ago. Annoyingly my skin was actually fine but I'd read too much anti ageing doom mongering and was experimenting with various new products, including retinol based (over-the-counter only so pretty weak, or so you'd have thought). It probably wasn't as bad as your experience - less redness but my face itched like hell. I'd never had any problems before them.

I found olive oil eased it - random discovery, I was desperate and just grabbed some from the kitchen.

I never got to the bottom of what caused it but I've been very, very careful ever since and use as few products with as few ingredients as I can. If I do try any new products, I introduce them one at a time. Occasionally something will cause a mini flare up, in which case it goes straight in the bin.

Thanks @Floisme Likewise my skin is normally fine but I just felt it needed a little boost. I do have to be careful as I’ve got increased sensitivity as I’ve got older but this reaction was off the scale. Thankfully it’s calmed down a bit overnight but I shall be more careful in future.