Help! Skin reaction

[Suffolker]

For context I’m 52 (menopausal) and I have never had sensitive skin before. I don’t usually react to any products.

I recently used a Boots micellar water for make up removal, which I noticed was stinging my skin a bit. I then noticed a couple of small red patches on my face which looked and felt a bit like eczema. I stopped using it and bought (expensive) Estée Lauder instant reset concentrate (as recommended by Sali Hughes) and an Avene moisturiser for inflamed skin. It all calmed down in about a week. A couple of days ago I restarted using my previous products, a Body Shop vit C serum and Skin Evangelist Rose moisturiser, both of which I’ve used for several months with no issues. My skin has now flared up again with red and irritated patches.

So I’m a bit flummoxed by what’s going on. My best guess is that the vit C serum has triggered it again, but I’d previously used it for quite a while with no problems. Any ideas what might be causing this? And any recommendations for what I should be using instead?

I have quite reactive, peri skin, and I've got to be really careful about using vitamin C; if my skin is already in a bit of a 'sensitive phase' vitamin C can make it react quite badly. When this happens I strip everything out of my skincare, and just use a really bland cleanser (Aveeno Calm and Restore is good), and wait for things to settle down.

Do you use SPF as well? I try to use it religiously, but after using it for years I found my trusted La Roche Posay SPF 50 now reacts badly with my skin. I've no idea why, as its a range that's usually recommended for reactive, sensitive skin. I'm now using the Biore one, which my skin seems to tolerate much more easily.

Thank you @LucieLuu. I think it must have been the serum setting it off again. I thought it was all healed but obviously it was still very sensitive. Over the winter months I usually just rely on a (low) spf in my moisturiser but use a stronger one in the spring/summer. I am a bit hesitant at the moment though, in case the spf makes it even worse. I’ve honestly never felt anything like this. It feels like my skin is falling off 😕

Yes @Suffolker , it takes months for my skin to settle down again when its been bad, its so frustrating isn't it? When my skin has been really angry I've managed to get a cream on prescription from the doctor which has helped fairly quickly. Maybe try that if it isn't settling down of its own accord?