Cetaphil cleanser irritated skin

[IAmNotALoon]

I'm so depressed. Over the past few months I have developed rosacea (always had sensitive skin). Last year I got some nice compliments on my skin which made me feel good (I have BDD) but this year my skin started to go downhill. It was gradual at first - my skin started to look blotchy and then became increasingly reactive and irritated and my left eye streamed constantly. The flushing caused a lot of broken veins which appeared suddenly. I started a to take a daily anti-histamine which helped and paid to see a private dermatologist. He prescribed soolantra and advised laser for the veins. I daren't use the soolantra as my skin is so sensitive at the moment. All this time I was using my usual cleanser, Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser which I have used for more than 20 years as it was the only cleanser that didn't make my skin a bit pink. Yesterday the penny dropped - they have completely changed the formulation and the new version is what is causing the severe skin reaction. I feel so stupid that I didn't realise earlier but I was not reacting to the cleanser straight away. A residue gets left on the skin which was causing a delayed reaction. It now has niacinamide in which has caused issues with my skin in the past. Can anyone recommend a ultra gentle cleanser?

I have sensitive skin and I use the cleanser and moisturiser from Haeckels and I find they're amazing for my skin.

Over the last few years, my skin seems to react to everything (including my own sweat!). I've noticed if I don't use Haeckels, I get inflammation etc but as soon as I start using Haeckels again my skin settles down and is completely fine.

This is the cleanser I use:
https://haeckels.co.uk/product/marine-facial-cleanser/
And the moisturiser:
https://haeckels.co.uk/product/eco-marine-cream/

You only need a little of each so they last for ages.

Thank you! I will check those out. I think I need to repair my skin barrier.

My skin has started to settle after I stopped using cetaphil cleanser, but the damage it has done is crazy - a ton of broken veins, rough skin texture and enlarged pores. I have also found out that niacinamide may increase the release of histamine in the body which is probably why I have suddenly started to be sensitive to everything. Looking on Reddit a lot of people have problems with niacinamide and they are putting it in everything. I am going to email the dermatologist and tell him I think I have found the trigger for the rosacea. I woke up this morning without a hot face for the first time in ages. My is BDD is dreadful though, should probably post this in the mental health section. Who would have thought that a cleanser for sensitive skin would cause such damage?

I can see your reasoning about not using the Soolantra but you have it back to front.

Your skin won't stop being sensitive until you use the Soolantra as that is the treatment for your roseacea.

I don't think I have rosacea. I had a severe reaction to cetaphil gentle skin cleanser that looked like rosacea. I've been reading reviews and I'm not the only one. Someone else suffered for 5 months with bright red skin before they realised the cleanser had been reformulated after they had been using if for years. I have stopped using it now and my skin is returning to normal but it's left with broken veins. I do feel foolish because I didn't realise sooner.

Well several weeks since I stopped using the cetaphil cleanser and there has been continued improvement in my skin - skin texture looks a lot smoother and apart from the broken veins left by the cleanser my skin is looking less red (usually). However I now have severe heat and sun sensitivity which means that I can't go out in the sun, even with sunblock without my skin going red and really hurting. This started when I was using the cleanser (first time I sat in the spring sunshine I remember) and has not gone away. I had no problems before with the sun although I was always obsessive about applying sunblock. I now have to be very careful and when it's warm and sunny I am confined to the house. I think this is rosacea and has been triggered by the inflammatory response in the skin to the cleanser. The effect on my mental health has been severe and I am horrified that a product marketed for sensitive skin could cause such damage. I am looking for a private dermatologist who is an expert in rosacea to help. I think this is neurogenic rosacea which is difficult to treat but medication that stops the nerves in the skin overreacting to stimuli such as heat and UV rays can help (some antidepressants, beta blockers). I am hoping my GP will prescribe but waiting for the weather to get cooler before I make an appointment as even a short trip in the car when it's warm makes me uncomfortable. The here is also a surgical option (sympathectomy) which cuts the nerve under the armpit which can stop you flushing. It is expensive and can be risky but I am desperate to get my life back at this point.

I don't like Cetaphil cleanser as I find it very harsh, CeraVe hydration cleanser is lovely.

I'd give yourself some more time to heal, it takes a long time for the skin barrier to heal.

I'm sorry to hear that you such an awful reaction to the Cetaphil. I remember having such a bad reaction to a deodorant (ingredients changed, but I hadn't realised) that I couldn't put my arms fully down for weeks. The GP said it was most extreme reaction to a product he'd ever seen. It actually burnt my skin! Obviously, that's nothing compared to it being on your face and I really hope you manage to find a way to manage the ongoing symptoms and the impact on your mental health.
My mum had bad rosacea flare up out of nowhere. The only product she can use on her face now is Bioderma Sensibio cleansing micellar water sensitive skin (pink top). It really helped get it under control and if she stops using it, or tries anything else the rosacea returns.

Hopefully time will start to heal, as your skin renews itself. Best wishes.

It just takes ages OP. I use Avene (extremely gentle cleanser, mineral spray, tolerance balm, sunscreen for sensitive skin. But what also made a huge difference was hrt.

Thank you everyone for your kind product suggestions. I will be looking at all of those. Apileofballyhoo I am on hrt, but I suspect it needs tweaking, maybe not enough oestrogen or too much? Shufflebumnessie that sounds like an awful reaction to the deodorant, I dread to think what they put in it, I bet you weren't the only one unfortunately. There doesn't seem to be much accountability on the part of cosmetic companies for the safety of their products. MrsPellino I a hoping the skin barrier will improve some more, I know it can take time. The texture is better now, the weird bumps, blisters and under-the-skin spots seem to have gone. Just got the odd hormonal spot (still at my age!). At least it is nice and cool and cloudy at the moment where I am so I will try and drag DH on a walk (along with my trusty straw hat in case the sun comes out).

Maybe needs tweaking, my face was great for a long time and it's a bit sensitive now along with a host of other symptoms. I haven't done anything new to mine so I'm fairly sure it's the hrt dose.

Histamine and oestrogen feed each other somehow, just to be aware of that.

About 3 1/2 months on and I am still struggling. I definitely have rosacea and it was definitely caused by the cleanser. I have done a lot of research, the cleanser caused inflammation which caused angiogenesis In the skin ( creation of new blood vessels). This creation of new blood vessels is key to the development of rosacea and is present in all subtypes. The broken blood vessels are part of this - they are not actually broken, just new blood vessels close to the surface if the skin so they show up. All the new blood vessels make the skin flush more. I've removed the main source of the inflammation, the cleanser, but the new blood vessels remain so the rosacea won't go away. It's a lot better but I still have to be really careful. I am considering getting the veins lasered off but sometimes that can make things worse. Laser us not a gentle procedure and can cause further inflammation in the skin which can actually cause more broken veins, if you're unlucky. I'm so angry about this as it really has been life-changing and a skincare product shouldn't do this. Has anyone had any experience with laser?

We could of been twins I'm exactly in the same boat as you were and I have bdd and red veins from cetaphil and dermatologist recommend laser and I'm depressed with my face x