Flaking skin on DDs face - teen - help please!

[Mykittensmittens]

Prom in a couple of weeks and she’s not happy. She is autistic which also means the prospect of taking her to someone to do make-up (or for a facial etc) is an absolute no.

she currently has blotchy red acne, diagnosed, and is using prescription gel. It’s been almost a year and it’s not only effective periodically and right now she’s having another bad patch.

she wears no makeup at home, uses the gel and a light moisturizer, but insists on covering her whole face with concealer for school (an ELF one, with a wand). Within 2-3 hours it’s flaking - badly - but she will not go to school without it on. She says she is using a primer under the concealer and exfoliating regularly.

she’s getting more and more self conscious and with prom looming I don’t know what to suggest. Without the concealer all over her skin doesn’t look flaky at all. Is the concealer causing it? Or the primer? I don’t know much about makeup at all but it’s really getting her down if anyone has any ideas?

Her routine products are:

after school removes makeup with micellar water then washes with simple face wash, uses REN ready steady glow tonic and then skin saints moisturiser.

uses prescription treclin gel at bedtime.

skin saints moisturiser, primer and concealer in the morning.

Is she using strong SPF as she must do if using treclin - assuming moisturizer has it in.

Sounds like the make up is flaking rather than her skin maybe?

Is it balling up i.e. pilling?

It could be incompatible with her skincare. Even the primer. Silicone primers can react.

Or she maybe needs more moisture. Treclin will result in flaky skin.

I would try applying the make up with a damp makeup sponge instead of fingers / wand and see if that helps. I like my ecotools sponge.

Thanks @Chungai - I’ve just looked now and there is some flaking without the makeup on - she’s only just started with the REN AHA toner so I’ve told her to focus on the flaking areas with that and moisturise immediately after.

It’s creases of nose and upper lip especially. She’s using a blending sponge but I’ve suggested she dampens in first

the moisturiser is SPF30 too.

it’s just so, so red and angry and with extremes of spots and dryness it’s so hard to know what balance to strike.

The elf sticky primer helps when my skin is flaky, power grip I think it’s called

a foundation would be better if she would try one? Maybe the elf camo cream if she likes that range and concealer then just on spots

Thanks @spikefaithbuffyangel I’ve just directed her to the camo CC cream. The primer is the blue ELF one which I think is the ‘sticky’ one - I do wonder if all these layers of products are blocking her pores more?

DD has just been diagnosed with Seborrhoeic dermatitis - does this sound like it might fit? I think the stress of GCSEs might be exacerbating it.

www.bupa.co.uk/health-information/healthy-skin/seborrhoeic-dermatitis

Miccelair water really dries me out. I use the Elf Holy Hydration balm which is much better.

Doesn't look like any impetigo I've ever seen. Impetigo is crusty and sore looking.

Sorry, wrong thread!!!

Not as long as she’s removing it properly

It could be a reaction to one of the products has caused eczema or dermatitis? I’d take her to the GP for a review.

And as well as that the make up products are also separating and flaking?

@LoafofSellotape is that the holy hydration make up melting balm?

Can you get her an appt with a private dermatologist? I think it is possible she is using too many different products that are clashing and making her skin worse.

I agree - but waiting time for a non-urgent appt is 2 weeks and she’d really like to try and improve it a little before prom.

it doesn’t look reactive - she has acne on her cheeks and forehead (not flaking there) but flaking on her nose creases and upper lip.
I’ve advised not to use the acne gel on those areas for a couple of days for a start.

the autism is a factor here - she delivers the problem to me to help but isn’t that receptive to changing much. She just wants it to ‘go away’. And I don’t want to change loads and make it worse either. Poor kid she’s had a rough year with bullying and sparse friendships - she’d just like her skin to be vaguely okay for one night (or at least concealable without it looking like a flaky mask!)

Totally agree and would happily do this but she won’t let anyone near her face (autism). I will continue to gently suggest as sometimes she comes round after thinking about things.

Try and convince her as this is a doctor, not a spa facial. Most derms will just look at your skin, maybe use a magnifying glass or light. All she may have to do is wash her face for the derm to see with no make up on. If you take all the products she is using that will help too.

If she doesn’t want her face touched, a good dermatologist can stick to that.

It could be the AHA exfoliator - they can be quite fierce. Maybe try using it every other night rather then every day?

Yes, it's lovely and great for sensitive skin . I'd get her to ditch the toner too.

Definitely

Right okay - plan….

keep persuading for a dermatologist appt, book GP appt.

ditch the REN AHA toner

wash make up off with ELF balm (ordering now) followed by light moisturiser.

keep using the prescription gel but avoid the very dry areas that are not spot prone anyway

moisturise before and after the gel, and in the morning before makeup

swap the all over concealer to the CC cream and have as much ‘clean skin’ time as possible

I am hoping this makes a difference!

The prescription gel made my skin flake off. Fixed the spots though!

I would not moisturise so often! 3x a day is overkill.

Do all of this but honestly she needs clean skin as much as possible if she only has 2 weeks to "heal" for prom. Also, the gel is good but ask GP for a prescription of tablets for the spots. They're faster and more effective and you only need a mild dose. Fixed mine straight away. You could ask for the prescription over the phone if this is an ongoing issue the doc will be aware of it.

Is there an in,ine form you the GP website? You might be able to upload a photo and get something prescribed?

Honestly not, but I could see if one of the nurse practitioners is free - that would be quicker, but she has exams every day this week so I’d need to be a bit flexible. I’ll try first thing.