Any advice please re Cetaphil?

[freakydeaky]

My DS (almost 14) has had increasingly bad skin for about a year now, not big spots, but lots of pimples and tiny bumps under the skin surface.
He was given a face/body wash by our GP, who thinks the problem is eczema related. It seemed to help a bit, but certainly didn't clear it, so when it ran out I got him some Cetaphil because I'd read lots of brilliant reviews for it.
Unfortunately, after a week of using it morning and evening, his skin is worse than ever, the pimples seem to be turning to proper spots, and his whole face is affected now, whereas before it wasn't so extensive.
I'm tempted to tell him to stop using it, as it really seems to be making it worse, but just wondered if anyone else had had a similar experience...does it just take a while to get used to, so worth persevering, maybe his skin would have taken a turn for the worse anyway and it's nothing to do with the Cetaphil, or should we stop it and go back to the GP?
Normally I'd take the view that it clearly isn't working, therefore stop using it, but I've seen so many positive reviews - and not a single negative one - that I'm reluctant to make another change after just a few days.
Any suggestions/advice from anyone whose teenagers have used it would be most welcome!

TIA, and sorry this is so long :)

Hi

I came across this thread as I was searching for comments on Cetaphil.

I am no teenager - but have acne and v oily skin. I was at the Dermatologist yesterday - who in addition to the gel and anti b he prescribed recommended that I use Cetaphil as a facial wash. He gave me a couple of little sample pots.

I have only tried it once - last night - so can't comment on whether it works or not - but reading acne message boards it does seem to be popular due to it's non-irritating the skin?

Hi Shrimp

Thanks for your reply. My DS has actually stopped using the Cetaphil now as his skin was becoming more and more irritated.

I must admit, I'd been rather influenced by all the glowing reviews for it, and their website makes it look vaguely 'medical', but when I actually read the ingredients list it's made with lots of harsh chemicals which are presumably stripping the oil and making the skin worse.

Have done some further research and now bought Soap and Glory's hot cloth pore treatment. He wasn't keen on the packaging (!) but is desperate enough to give it a try. 3 days in, his skin is looking much better, less oily but not completely dried out. I was tempted to try the Oil Cleansing Method, but don't think he'd have the patience to do it properly, so this seemed like a good compromise IYSWIM.

It's not cheap, but I so want to help him with this - and all SandG products are on 3 for 2 in Boots at the moment.

So far, so good! Sounds as though you're all sorted with your Dermatologist :) Just thought I'd share DS's experience in case it's any help.

Have a look here.

www.wellandgoodnyc.com/2010/07/20/cetaphil-why-the-popular-cleanser-isn%E2%80%99t-doing-your-skin-any-favors/#

Thanks firebird

yes, I have decided that it won't be suitable. I have bene using the free samples, but generally try and buy toiletries which are more organic than that.

I like GreenPeople stuff - so may restock on that instead.

freaky Hope your DS gets sorted out. it's a PITA isn't it. My DS has bad skin, but not all the time. Yesterday it looked reallly clear, then today he has quite a number of pimples. I think school stress makes a huge difference to him.

Thanks firebird, that's an interesting article. I do feel a bit embarrassed by having been swept up in the marketing hype for Cetaphil

shrimp it really is a PITA, and I agree that stress seems to make things worse. I've noticed that if DS 'does' his face really thoroughly it makes a huge difference compared to when he just does it with less attention to detail! No surprises there, of course :)

DS 16 uses the Lush Dark Angel facial scrub and his face has really cleared up

Have a look at the Oil Cleansing Method.