Hello,
I've tried everything Liz Earle, Decleor, SBC, Elemis and more recently Kiehls Centella range etc and my skin is reacting to everything. Is there anything anyone can recommend? I was going to go to one of the counters in town, but know they'll push product onto on me. I was hoping you could help.
Thank you!
Long answer - sorry - don't go buying anything new immediately!
Liz Earle, Decleor and Elemis use essential oils extensively, SBC use alcohol in their gels.
If you can't pinpoint what it is you might be best to get to your GP and get referred to a dermatologist.
In the meantime, you should use as little as possible on your skin
and hair. Avoid known irritants including sodium laureth sulfate (present in a lot of foaming cleansers, bath and shower products, shampoos, handwashes), sodium lauryl sulfate (present in aqueous cream and often prescribed), alcohol, essential oils, menthol, caffeine, scrubs, lanolin...
When you wash your hair, keep your hair away from your face and don't let the water or wet hair hit your face.
Wear rubber or vinyl gloves when doing any cleaning or washing as any chemical traces could transfer to your face when you touch it.
Boil wash any flannels, cloths and towels as well as bedlinen you put near your skin - and use the mildest unperfumed washing soap you can find.
Remember that it's not only what you actively put on your skin that could be upsetting it, but all the other things your skin comes into contact with indirectly.
Also, have a look at your diet. Are you eating or drinking anything which could be causing your skin to react.
You should also look carefully at any makeup you use... for example the mineral-based foundations may contain compounds that cause problems.
For the time being you should keep your routine as simple as possible and using as few products as possible, just to keep your skin clean and comfortable. I'd suggest just a cleanser and a moisturiser for now.
A friend of mine experienced similar problems after years of using Liz Earle and Elemis without any problems, and was advised to try this approach. If you're only using 2 products, you can see if they are reaction-free before trying anything else.
You might find ranges like Avene, Alpha-H or Radical could help you... but don't be pursuaded to buy anything unless you've trialled them. Ask for samples, then patch test them in an inconspicuous area. Side of neck below ear is good (close to face and the skin will be more similar to your face skin). Test for 24 - 48 hours and don't wash that area during testing (obviously remove it if it causes a reaction).
Keep a note of what you've tried, and make sure you also list the ones you don't get on with (including current products) as well as the ones you do. Do your research about the ingredients - including contacting the brand if you can't find the information you need. You're looking for patterns - common ingredients that are consistently giving you a reaction.
Don't forget to do your homework on all the products which regularly come in contact with your skin - shampoos, conditioners and other hair treatments (sprays, mousses, waxes etc); bath oils, foams, shower gels, scrubs; your washing powder/liquid and conditioner for your laundry; handwashes and hand creams; body lotions; deodorants... anything at all, basically.
At this stage you can't rule anything out as the potential culprit.
It could equally be what you eat/drink as unfortunately we can all develop allergies at any age, some of which can make your skin far more reactive than you are used to.
Hope some of this helps - it's utterly miserable having your skin misbehave.
