Oops… I’ve done it again!

[Whatsthestorymorningglory95]

I have wrecked my skin barrier for the umpteenth time!
I have disillusioned myself by looking at peoples ’glass skin’ on Instagram and wrecked my skin in the process.
This time it was Vitamin C that caused havoc. Back to basics again!
Has anyone else had this problem where their skin goes crazy with any active skincare. I’ve tried AHA, BHA, PHA, Tretinoin and now Vitmain C.
Any insights appreciated!
Thanks!

Never been able to use much more than soap and water on my skin

A bit of nivea if im out in the sun too long or wind burn. Body shops very old sage and comfrey spot cream when I was a teenager.

Anything else brings me out in spots

Hi OP, I’m having similar issues myself. Since the start of the year my skin has been reacting to everything I use and I’m so fed up. I decided to throw my hat in to the Tret ring and 5 weeks ago I ordered Monderma based on positive comments on here. Tonight, I’m throwing in the towel. My skin is red and inflamed in places I’ve never had an issue. I have never felt so ugly and down about the way I look as I do at the moment. So I’m turning over a new leaf, using simple products and learning to love my ageing face.

I keep it simple and have found face theory to be great for simple, effective skincare. I started with just their calming serum. Then once my skin was sorted, I added in in their peptide serum in the morning and low dose retinol in evening. A very simple (though pricey) cleanser from Jordan Samuel skin care and a basic spf. I think sometimes it can be the formula. I’ve tried a few bits from the likes of L’Oréal etc that weren’t even actives and they ruined my skin.

I had the problem, but got into Korean skincare and only used calming and barrier reparing cosmetics for a while. And now my skin tolerates tret and acids just fine, and I do have glass skin.

I use nip and fab products particularly salicylic acid and bio oil and nivea for moisture.44 v good skin.

Yes it’s so disheartening to look in the mirror and see new acne popping up on the daily! I forgot to mention I don’t have an issue with Azelaic Acid - using this at the moment to calm down the inflammation.
I have also bought Nip & Fab Ceramide Serum. Apparently very good at helping to repair damaged skin barriers - which is definitely what is going on with my pizza face at the moment!
I think I will just stick to moisturising skincare and go back to manual exfoliation! I might just have a skin type that will never tolerate actives.

@mrschocolatte Sorry this is happening to your skin - it will calm down, I’ve done this to myself so many times now and it does heal. It is just horrible to deal with initially. No more actives for me!

Im a teen of the 70's, when we were bombarded with adverts for Clearasil, witch hazel, tea tree, scrubs etc- skin was totally wrecked for most of my life

Then I found out, once the internet had been invented, that the harsher you treat your skin, the more problem you will create

Ive now gone from an oil slick to normal/combi ( t zone can still let me down but I also have seb derm ) . I now need to use a moisturiser - well a serum at least. I can wear cosmetics - use to split, clog, settle, slide clean off.

The harshest thing I use on my skin now is Hyaluronic acid, which is as mild as it comes/ I use water and a muslin cloth to cleanse, finish with the hyaluronic acid, and a serum, and if needed, a tiny amount of moisturiser ( usually above the eyebrows and temples - seb derm )

Do I get tempted to use the new big thing - sure, Im a woman who wants to not look a hag, but what happens is I damage my skin

So I keep it totally simple and let my skin find its own way

Yes I am absolutely going to keep it simple - treat my skin kindly from now on!

I suffer from sensitive skin / skin barrier issues. Also Rocasea. After trying different products for years and years I just use Simple face wash and moisturiser (apply when face is damp) morning and night. SPF ( fragrance free) every day without fail.

My skin has never looked as good. The fragrances, chemicals etc,..,in many products damages the skin barrier and is not good for the skin long term so keeping it simple can really help sensitive skin. Continual use of SPF is a game changer - it takes about a year to fully see the change but it stops incremental damage to the skin. My skin is more dewy at 40 than it was in my 20s. Hope it recovers soon x x

I recently damaged my skin barrier with retinol and used aveno oat serum to calm it down - my GP recommends aveeno for damaged skin

@SoulSearcher13 Thanks! I actually found a fragrance free facial SPF50 in Aldi recently - I am going to ensure that I use this every day!
I have an Avene moisturiser at the moment that feels quite soothing. My face has been burning so much recently that I’ve had the urge to dunk my full face in an ice bath it’s been that painful!
I have only myself to blame - my skin just can’t tolerate what other people can.
I have actually recently started supplementing with Omega 3 Fish Oil. Will see if this helps hydrate the skin from within!

@mumalummum will you try again with retinol? Or call it quits?

@Whatsthestorymorningglory95 - I’ll keep going with the retinol. I’ve been using prescription tretenoin from dermatica and skin an d me for 5 years. I did build it up slowly initially but I can’t now use it nightly without redness or peeling, so I was not expecting to react to retinal in L’Oréal revitalift, perhaps there was something else in there which I’m sensitive too

@Whatsthestorymorningglory95 my prescription is for tretenoin, niacindie snd azelic acid are- the later 2 are easily available over the counter but the tret is prescription only. Dermatica are doing an offer currently where the first month is £2.90 instead of £29. I still find it reasonable at £29 as a tube lasts me 6 to 8 weeks and that’s the only real “ product” I’m spending on - I otherwise use face wash, eye cream and spf from Lidl. If you are interested in trying dermatica this referral code will get you £10 off and me £10 off. Skin and. Me is very similar and has good introductory offers too.
https://www.dermatica.co.uk/referrer/CYEV

@Whatsthestorymorningglory95 I have this for use after laser hair removal which is great for allergic reactions
Perfect Remedy Ice Pack Cold Face... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BQMFLCDW?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Oh wow thanks for sending the link for the fave mask - perfect and just what I need!
I have been looking at red light therapy masks aswell….