anyone had a bad reaction to Dermalogica?

[CurlyhairedAssassin]

For the last 6 days I've been using Dermalogica's Special Cleansing Gel, Multi-active toner, and Active Moist. I have very, very sensitive skin. When it's been newly washed it looks very flaky, but even with a moisturiser on, my skin pumps oil out at a rate of knots (I suspect my polycystic ovary syndrome's mostly responsible for that), and so also have lots of blackheads, and by the end of the day my t-zone can be incredibly oily.

My problem has been finding something that will help with the blackheads, but that won't irritate my skin and make it flake. And also a moisturiser that issn't too greasy, or too light.

I was impressed with the Dermalogica stuff for the first 2 days, but yesterday and today I have noticed the dreaded tingling and tightening feeling coming throughout the day - usually a sign with me that something in a product is not suiting my skin. It usually happens about 4 or 5 days after starting to use a new product. I then notice my skin starting to thicken up, redden and get tiny cracks in.

I was wondering whether it might be the Multi-Active Toner, as I've noticed that it makes my face tingle quite a bit when I've sprayed it on (not in a nice way!). Thought it was supposed to do that, seeing as it's got mint in it, but maybe it shouldn't feel like that. Does anyone else use that toner?

I will be gutted if I have to stop using the dermalogica stuff because, as I say, for the first couple of days I thought I'd discovered the Holy Grail of skin care! Can anyone help?

I adore their ultra calming cleanser
I would not use a toner on sensitive skin
I use decleor rose oil and ultra sensitive moisturizer and that has sorted my newly reactive skin out really well

i have tried a couple of thongs but it didnt agree with me either, i cant remember what it was though, but wouldnt try anything form them again.

not thongs things!!

Thongs don't agree with me either, though, Lizandlulu LOL! My butt-crack can do without them!

What do you use instead?

Skin-care wise, I meant. Not the bloody thongs again!

i have sensitive dry skin and use an origins cleansing gel and decleor hydre floral face cream. i will try any face wash though i am not loyal to any one, but always use decleao face cream.

I am thinking of trying the Dermalogica range? Where did you buy it? I was hoping to get some sample sizes before I buy but not sure who stocks it except for ebay and other internet sites

Sounds a bit harsh for sensitive skin. I use their ultra calming cleanser and barrier repair which is quite good.

But try dropping the toner. Also, how much cleanser are you using? You only need a tiny amount - like a 5 p piece....

I have vv sensitive skin and I can't use the toner or the barrier repair. My skin does just what you describe.

Maybe only introduce one new product at a time for a week or so, then you can be sure of that one before trying them all?

I use Dr Hauschka and have never had a reaction from that. (I did react to one of the body oils but not the facial stuff)

Yes utterly grim I used some kind of spf. I think it was a 50+ I heard it was very good applied it for the first time and couldn't leave the house for about 5 days. i looked like a burns victim and my eyes puffed up like little tomatoes.

I won't go near the stuff now and I can even used Aldi moisuriser and have used Clinique in the past which is supposed to be the equilivent to sandpaper and Vodka on a babies bottom !

Dr Hauschka's blurb goes on about using cleansers that do not destroy the "acid mantle" of the skin (whatever that is). I've never had any flakiness since I started using their cleansing cream.

Agree re dropping the toner and using the ultra claming stuff! Your skins sounds the same as mine and I have never had probs with the ultra calming stuff.

If you can strech to it - maybe you should have a profressional Dermalogica facial and that way you will be told which products tó use? Thats how I got started!

I always buy products from The Jersey Beauty Company (they send free samples with orders but not sure if you want to try before you buy) but the Dermalogica website lists local stockists so maybe you could find one and ask for samples???

I have very sensitive skin too, much as you describe, and I used to use, dermal clay cleanser, daily microfoliant (Love it) and multi active toner, with oil control lotion, my skin got very sensitive, and I switched on professional recommnedation to Ultra calming cleanser, daily microfoliant, soothing protection spray (which is lovely) and Barrier Repair for when my skin is particularly playing up, or Active Moist when it is ok. This has been much kinder to my skin tbh, perhaps it could help you?

Bautyflash.co.uk has v good prices for Dermalogica btw.

not as good as these prices though!

a beautician told me clinique has the ph factor of ajax but their exceptionaly soothing cream for upset skin was the only thing that soothed my skin but the discontinued it, then brought it out again ,but i had started to use decleor by then.

I started using dermologica about 2 months ago, but I am using thier medibac range for acne prone skin.

It was great for the first 4 days and then my skin went all dry, red and flaky. So I droppped using one of the products but caaried on with the cleanser and active moist, my skin eventually seemed to adjust and get used to it and I now use the whole medibac range and it really seems to be helping.

So, could be a period of adjustment?

Word of warning. Do not leave any of the moisturizers within reach of toddlers unattended.

Left DD for a minute and she had my brand new tube of barrier repair cream on her tummy!!!! The whole thing!!!

i didnt really know anything about it but my beautician uses it in her salon, thats where i got mine from and she was very surprised i didnt like it, but looks like i am not on my own.

Dermalogica is the only brand that I have ever had a reaction to. It was one of the scrubs I think.

Cheers for the replies, ladies!

MaggsS: I got my stuff from the Jersey Beauty Company - somebody posted the link further up. They do skin kits for different skin types which are travel size versions of cleanser,toner and moisturiser plus a couple of other little things - £15 a pop. Good for trying things out to see if they suit, I thought!

How do you use the ultra calming cleanser? As I wear makeup every day, I really prefer to use makeup remover, then a gentle wash off foaming cleanser type thing. I just don't ever feel really clean using a wipe-off creamy cleanser if I've been wearing makeup.

I think what i'll probably do is leave the toner for a couple of days, and persevere with the other stuff and see how it goes. If I still get problems, I'll try some samples of the ultra calming range and see how they suit.

OlliWolliWoo - not keen on the idea of a facial - the thought of anyone outside my immediate family seeing me without makeup - yuck! Silly, I know.....also not too keen on getting "fussed over" - never been to a beauty salon in my life!

Have heard ggood things about the Daily Microfoliant - dying to order it but have been put off because of this problem. Can all skin types use it?

Oh and by the way, I didn't know Clinique had such a bad reputation on Mumsnet till the other day. I've been using their Dramatically different moisturising gel and some foundation without any adverse effect for a couple of years now. I just thought that my skin could do with better hydration but the Dramatically different moisture lotion seemed TOO greasy, so thought I'd try Dermlogica for a change as heard loads of good things said about it.

I removeeye makeup then cleanse and rinse off with water
Or if in shower I'll use the cleanser alone and it gets eye makeup off ok. I really like the ultra calming one.
Decleor is superb stuff too and in Oz I bought a seaweed cleanser by mario badescu which is excellent Too
I use beauty flash mostly to buy

Thanks CurlyhairedAssassin.
Have emailed the Dermalogica site and asked if they do samples and also found out where my local stockist is so will pop in and have a word.
Will also look on Jersey beauty Company site later today

Hi ladies. Similar experiences here. My skin can be quite oily T zone but flaky at the same time, it's a tricky balance! I don't tend to get many spots but I have big pores and can get lots of blackheads - but generally my problem is skin condition/type. My beautician (who is brilliant and I can't recommend her enough) recommended the dermologic range so I treated myself to the Special cleansing gel, daily microfoiliant and intensive moisturiser. My skin felt so soft and polished - the daily microfoliant was incredible at entirely wiping out my blackheads, I couldn't believe it. A few days in, my skin started itching, and I came up with pimply skin like never before, it was all rough like eczema and felt so sore. I went back in for skin tests with her. Having never had any allergies and being used to using alcohol cleanser to wipe of the make up, I was surprised that such high quality 'gentle' products could cause such a reaction. Looks like I am one of the few people who could react to the talc in the daily microfoliant - it's a great product for giving you skin softer and cleaner than you can imagine, but beware, it could turn on you!

I'm now using the ultra calming cleanser - and I wasn't a fan of these sort of light facial washes but my skin is doing great now and I would recommend this.

CurlyhairedAssassin - I hear you on not wanting to be fussed over, but it has been a relief to see a 'beauty therapist' who really understands skin types and problems and has spent time making sure I find the right products. She has refunded products she recommended that caused reactions etc and it is not a pushy sales or girly girl environment at all - if anyone wants a recommendation in the Notting Hill area I would be happy to pass on details!