Skin stresses

[CoffeeMamma]

Hey guys
I’m hoping someone can help. I’ve come out in the weirdest rash all over my face, it’s red and lumpy, sore to touch, with whiteheads all over. It’s also down my neck. I’ve spent so much time in the doctor’s surgery lately I think if I make an appointment I’ll be struck off, so I went to see a pharmacist who said it’s an allergic reaction, to stop all skincare and use the absolute basics from someone like Simple.
Well, it’s gotten worse and I just feel really miserable about it, I don’t know what’s set it off but I’m getting married in 3 months and can’t risk it happening again any advice on how to clear it up quickly or narrow down the culprit??

 

[heretoreaditall2019]

Hey guys
I’m hoping someone can help. I’ve come out in the weirdest rash all over my face, it’s red and lumpy, sore to touch, with whiteheads all over. It’s also down my neck. I’ve spent so much time in the doctor’s surgery lately I think if I make an appointment I’ll be struck off, so I went to see a pharmacist who said it’s an allergic reaction, to stop all skincare and use the absolute basics from someone like Simple.
Well, it’s gotten worse and I just feel really miserable about it, I don’t know what’s set it off but I’m getting married in 3 months and can’t risk it happening again any advice on how to clear it up quickly or narrow down the culprit??

Omg you poor thing - it might help if you list all your skincare products that you’re using? Are you using too many acids/exfoliants…?!

 

[CoffeeMamma]

Omg you poor thing - it might help if you list all your skincare products that you’re using? Are you using too many acids/exfoliants…?!

Ooh okay good point thank you!

I’ve been using:
Body shop cleansing balm (to take make up off when I wear it)
Body Shop Lemon Face wash
Then a 5% glycolic acid toner- currently Superdrug’s own brand
I then alternate between 12.5%Vitamin C and Drops of Youth throughout the week. Once a week I use Hyaloronic Acid. Superdrug own brand night cream.

in the morning I just use Micellar water and then Olay Day Cream and SPF. Usually Vichy but depends if I’m wearing make up- if I’m not I just whack anything on

 

[mcfeez]

Hey guys
I’m hoping someone can help. I’ve come out in the weirdest rash all over my face, it’s red and lumpy, sore to touch, with whiteheads all over. It’s also down my neck. I’ve spent so much time in the doctor’s surgery lately I think if I make an appointment I’ll be struck off, so I went to see a pharmacist who said it’s an allergic reaction, to stop all skincare and use the absolute basics from someone like Simple.
Well, it’s gotten worse and I just feel really miserable about it, I don’t know what’s set it off but I’m getting married in 3 months and can’t risk it happening again any advice on how to clear it up quickly or narrow down the culprit??

Oof reactions are dreadful.

Honestly you need to take everything out of your routine and introduce things one at a time to see what is causing it. Its how I found out I was allergic to chemical spf.

 

[CoffeeMamma]

Oof reactions are dreadful.

Honestly you need to take everything out of your routine and introduce things one at a time to see what is causing it. Its how I found out I was allergic to chemical spf.

I’ve dropped everything and picked up a basic cleanser, face wash, toner and moisturiser from the “Simple” range (as recommended by the pharmacist). Not a serum or acid in sight! I think I’ll wait on the reintroduction until after the wedding if I can just get my skin cleared

 

[mcfeez]

I’ve dropped everything and picked up a basic cleanser, face wash, toner and moisturiser from the “Simple” range (as recommended by the pharmacist). Not a serum or acid in sight! I think I’ll wait on the reintroduction until after the wedding if I can just get my skin cleared

Simple is good. Usually the french brands too tend to be nice and gentle - la roche posay or avene. Even stuff like moisturiser use sparingly intially as your skin might be hyper sensitized.

 

[CoffeeMamma]

Simple is good. Usually the french brands too tend to be nice and gentle - la roche posay or avene. Even stuff like moisturiser use sparingly intially as your skin might be hyper sensitized.

Ooh thank you. I’ve been tempted to pile it on so I will try not to! I’m conscious of not drying it out too much.

 

[heretoreaditall2019]

Ooh okay good point thank you!

I’ve been using:
Body shop cleansing balm (to take make up off when I wear it)
Body Shop Lemon Face wash
Then a 5% glycolic acid toner- currently Superdrug’s own brand
I then alternate between 12.5%Vitamin C and Drops of Youth throughout the week. Once a week I use Hyaloronic Acid. Superdrug own brand night cream.

in the morning I just use Micellar water and then Olay Day Cream and SPF. Usually Vichy but depends if I’m wearing make up- if I’m not I just whack anything on

Obvs to caveat this I’m not a medical or skincare professional so please seek proper help, but this feels like far too much acid. You shouldn’t mix vit c with other acids, also daily use of glycolic acid feels a lot and quite an easy way to cause irritation. Like you could do with switching once a week hyaluronic acid to daily & daily glycolic to weekly (but wait until your skin isn’t broken/sore).

I’d be tempted to pause everything apart from a really natural moisturiser like Lush’s dream cream until your skin is totally healed. I’d first re-intro hyaluronic acid back in and see how it goes for a few weeks, then test a once a week glycolic. Lots of brands do free consultations so you could always make use of that!

 

[Snippysnips]

It might be best to just drop absolutely everything an just go with warm water, if it starts to clear up then slowly introduce completly natural stuff in one at a time an see how you get on

Have you changed diet, sleep pattern etc? Alot of things can cause it, I'd probably try an clean eat as well and up the water intake

My skin is insanly sensitive an even a bad night's sleep can cause my face to break out badly or a day of junk eating, I limit what I use as well with cleaning so it's not too much all at once an also use as natural as I can find

 

[heretoreaditall2019]

Oh also are you using an SPF? You’ve mentioned a looooot of acid so your skin is going to be really sensitive to the sun too. A daily SPF 50 (rain or shine) is essential else your skincare routine may actually make your skin worse long term. Sorry for second comment just hadn’t thought!

 

[CoffeeMamma]

Obvs to caveat this I’m not a medical or skincare professional so please seek proper help, but this feels like far too much acid. You shouldn’t mix vit c with other acids, also daily use of glycolic acid feels a lot and quite an easy way to cause irritation. Like you could do with switching once a week hyaluronic acid to daily & daily glycolic to weekly (but wait until your skin isn’t broken/sore).

I’d be tempted to pause everything apart from a really natural moisturiser like Lush’s dream cream until your skin is totally healed. I’d first re-intro hyaluronic acid back in and see how it goes for a few weeks, then test a once a week glycolic. Lots of brands do free consultations so you could always make use of that!

That makes a lot of sense, I’m not using anything at the moment except a simple moisturiser so I think once it’s better I’ll get some proper advice, thank you

It might be best to just drop absolutely everything an just go with warm water, if it starts to clear up then slowly introduce completly natural stuff in one at a time an see how you get on

Have you changed diet, sleep pattern etc? Alot of things can cause it, I'd probably try an clean eat as well and up the water intake

My skin is insanly sensitive an even a bad night's sleep can cause my face to break out badly or a day of junk eating, I limit what I use as well with cleaning so it's not too much all at once an also use as natural as I can find

I’ve stopped everything now, just a super basic cleanse/tone/moisture routine to make sure my make up is off and skin is clean! Weirdly enough it’s come as I’m eating better, sleeping better and taking more exercise so o was pretty mad about that however you make a good point about water- that I probably have slacked off on now it’s not as warm. Thank you

 

[TinyDancer2602]

Just wondering, it sounds a bit like something I get occasionally (when stressed ) seborrahaic dermatitis? Maybe Google and see if it looks similar? I used a tiny amount of hydrocortisone on it. Usually clears it up. Obvs I also am not a doctor either etc etc and this is just how I deal with it. And it might not be that.

 

[HoGi]

I would go to your doctor.

It could have a fungal element (not as gross as it sounds!) And some prescribed anti fungal cream will clear it up.

Especially as you see getting married you don't want it to drag out and get worse.

 

[follyol]

Look into getting a prescription from Dermatica or skin + me that includes retinol or tretinoin. Use a really simple face wash, vitamin c and spf in the morning and then whatever you’re prescribed from Dermatica or skin + me in the evening followed by a simple moisturiser (I use one from eucerin).

 

[CoffeeMamma]

Just want to say thank you to everyone for their replies I’m slowly seeing an improvement! Going to wait until post wedding to introduce anything new at all