My skin doesn't like water--what skin care routine should I use? - YouLookFab Forum

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My skin doesn't like water--what skin care routine should I use?

Anonymous

I ate up Angie's skin care post the other day, because I'm at the point now where I'd really like to start taking better care of my skin.

I'm very scared of using products, especially a cleanser! The reason is because everything seems to make my skin red. Not all the time, but quite often I have redness after applying a product, even if it's designed for sensitive skin. For example, Neutrogena Sensitive Skin moisturizer still leaves me a bit red sometimes. And actually, even rubbing my face with water in the shower causes redness.

My body is different story and I can wear any old moisturizer and it's fine. It's really just my face that's the problem. Oh, and also my eyes, which get red (the eyeball, specifically :-)) when wearing mascara.

Do you have any recommendations for cleansers, moisturizers and sunscreens for sensitive (but not dry) skin? Also mascaras?

I purchased the Angie-recommended Ponds cold cream to remove eye makeup, so I'll give that a go.

I also read on one of the replies that La Roche-Posay sunscreen might be a good thing to try because it has a different set of ingredients.

Anyway, would be interested to hear your thoughts.

General

29 replies

Latest reply was from

Peri

Veteran

I know you can "wash" your face with micellar water and not have to rinse it off. You do have to use a cotton pad to wipe the micellar water though. Simple brand is a very good, inexpensive one. I have used this, but experience tiny pimples after I use it, that pop up the second day and are gone by the third. Odd, because it gets great reviews. Maybe it would work for you.

Best cleanser for me...CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser. Better than Cetaphil, but I have heard that you can tissue off Cetaphil and not have to rinse. Maybe it's the same for CeraVe. I totally recommend both the CeraVe moisturizing lotion and cream. The original ones, not the night or day versions...those contain anti-aging ingredients that it sounds like you should avoid for now.

My allergy FB group recommends these products. I have bought them but haven't used long enough to tell. The first day of use was okay though. I bought the Hydrate, Correct and Perfect, and the Ceramide Plus cream.

https://cherylleemd.com

Anonymous

Smittie - I didn't read all of Angie's post, but I did notice she washes in the am with water only, which I also do. I also use the ponds cold cream. the green one. I struggle with redness and use as few products on my face as possible. Both redness and breakouts ensue when I use almost any moisturizer.

Like Peri, I use cerave hydrating cleanser at night. This has been wonderful for me, and I find it soothing and non irritating on my skin, as well as non drying. I especially need non drying because I struggle with moisturizers that will work.

A couple times a week I will use a Philosophy microdelivery exfoliating wash and fresh seabury moisturizing face oil (which does cause me some temporary redness, but not too bad). I don't necessarily use those the same days. I got the small size oil from Sephora. I can't stand to spend tons of money on things I use once or twice and ditch because they don't work for me.

I can't use most purple eyeliners, which would be a good color on me, because there is a dye in them that makes my eyes bloodshot. Some eye shadows make my eyelids itch and almost peel. I am considering making a switch in my foundation (currently using bare minerals, but may try their liquid foundation options). If I switch, I will have them put some on me to try out before I purchase. And Ulta has been good about taking something back too. Clinique eye shadows and mascara have worked for me most of the time. I use a benefit stay don't stray primer on my eyes and urban decay eye liner. I usually don't use eyeliner on the bottom of my eye, which causes more sensitivity than on the top.

It's also important for me to make only one change at a time or try one product at a time so I can evaluate what the results are, or what is causing the problem.

Peri

Veteran

This might be another good resource..this Dr is on a campaign against methylisothiazolinone, which is the preservative I'm allergic to. Have you had patch testing? I can promise you'll never work out what you are reacting to on your own! Needle in a haystack. My patch test was 78 ingredients! MI is a growing allergy though, especially since you said cleansers...most common place to find it. It may not be water at all...my primary exposure was hair products, shampoo running down my face in the shower. Rinse out the hair product, rub your face to brush off the water, easy to blame it on rubbing your face under water!

Anyway, here's the link. Look under provider resources. They have a list "simple and free" of products cleared of MI and many other common allergens.

https://www.dermatitisacademy.com

Suz

(website)

Veteran

As Delurked says, it's really important to test one thing at a time and if you don't figure out the issue quickly Peri is probably right that it's wise to have it checked. I hope you get to the bottom of it soon.

My skin is quite sensitive, too, and doesn't like a lot of products that supposedly are okay. Neutrogena moisturizer, I'm looking at you. I've also developed allergies to products that I'd worn successfully for years, particularly mascara and eye pencil but moisturizer once as well. For a while, this happened whenever I went in a plane. I'd get a weird skin reaction and then have to stop using whatever product I'd (successfully) been using in the past! I had an awful reaction once on the flight to England. Thank goodness the chemists there were super helpful and found me something over the counter that truly soothed the redness and pain (as well as an anti-histamine to bring down redness and swelling.)

I wash with water only in the AM and usually Cetaphil at night. I have a Clarisonic now and use the Clinique foam wash with that but I only do this every couple of days. I use the CeraVe moisturizer. I don't wear foundation, avoid a lot of sunscreens (evil on my skin), and stick to Clinique for mascara and blush. The current eye pencil is Lise Watier and it seems to be okay, but I never know when that might change.

I'm going to check out that sunscreen you mentioned -- thank you!

Gigi

Veteran

I would recommend trying micellar water too. I have a friend who gets lots of breakouts, and she recently tried the Caudalie micellar water and is very pleased with it. I've never used it myself.

I have found the Dr. Hauschka line to be very gentle, so it may be worth a try. Intelligent Nutrients also has a skincare line, though I haven't tried it myself.

Another thought would be using thermal spring water. I think that this was a French thing years ago, back when French tap water was not suitable for washing one's face. I don't know exactly how it's used, maybe as a toner? Anyway, this would be something else to look at.

SandyG

Veteran

This will be too much information but I love skin care so must share. I have super sensitive Celtic skin and even gentle products burn and cause rosacea, which is a genetic glitch that's hard to control. Think W. C. Fields and his cauliflower nose, irritated lumpy tissue that's unhealthy and unsightly). Showering makes my face red too, and I get red rosacea around my eyes from many makeup products, the pigments and fragrance. In addition, I can't wear cosmetics with the red pigment, so purples and even some taupes are out. Lipsticks can make me break out because I touch my lips and transfer the ingredients by rubbing my eyes. Prescription eyedrops are a must or else I look like a vampire.

There's a famous model with sensitive skin who only washes her face with moisturizer, never water, so you're not the only one. I use a cleansing oil that rinses off and seems to buffer any irritation, and I'm triple gentle with my skin and never scrub. Micellar water works fine in the morning as a freshening rinse. I buffer my face with a gentle sunblock (Dior One Essential City Block) and a pinch of powdered zinc before applying cosmetics and this helps a lot. I literally never use an exfoliant or get facials because each leaves me burning and red for days. Less is more!

After spending a small fortune for 'personal research' on cleansers, skin care and cosmetics, I've learned that French products have fewer ingredients and fragrance allowed than US products, so even though it's expensive, my skin stays calmer with some of the top French lines.

Remember that facial skin is only 3 layers totaling 1/10" thick, all that protects you from the elements. It's worth it to baby your face and keep it healthy. Find what works for you and keep it simple.

rabbit

Veteran

Trader Joes sells micellar water facial cleansing wipes now. I found they take off my eye makeup much better than oil based sensitive skin makeup removers, and one wipe is good for cleaning the whole face, no rinsing needed.

Style Fan

Veteran

I have struggled with sensitive skin all my life. The skin on my body is usually okay with Aveeno products. For my face I have found the following works best: (this is for me but for others it is probably different)

Cetaphil for sensitive skin to wash my face. There are 2 types of Cetaphil so I have to be careful not to buy the oily skin version. I can't buy the generic version either. I wash my face in am and pm. I tried just the pm but that didn't work for me.

I splash water on my face but you can tissue off Cetaphil. Cetaphil also removes make up. Let it sit for awhile.

I did not find CeraVa cleanser worked so well for me.

LaRoche sunscreen is good but it has to be the mineral one. The chemical one makes my skin itchy.

I like Avene moisturizer for redness. I use this when my skin feels very irritated.

I use CeraVa moisturizer PM. The one without sunscreen.

I would never use a Clairisonic or anything that scrubs my skin.

I have never had success with Neutrogena products.

Make up is MAC for eye shadow (no reactions), Lancome mascara and Laura Mercier eyeliner. I don't wear face make up.

Some people like Jane Iredale for make up. I haven't tried that line. I am sticking with what works for me.

Staysfit

Veteran

I have sensitive skin/rosacea. I use either Cerave or Cetaphil. The versions that Peri mentioned above. For makeup I use Jane Iredale and have had no reactions. I also use Elea Blake which is another line of mineral makeup. To remove makeup, I use Cetaphil and just wipe it away. No water needed. For the shower I use dove sensitive skin body wash or Cetaphil eczema calming body wash. The dove has some scent so I prefer the Cetaphil. The Cetaphil is more expensive.

Thin White Duchess

At night I do a water-free cleanse with Albolene. It's similar to cold cream, but has a different texture and appearance. I gently rub that on-- it will also easily remove all makeup the same way ponds will- and gently wipe off with cotton squares. Some cotton rounds or squares can be scratchy- I've been using squares from Muji that I get on amazon.

Anonymous

Thanks all!
I'm going to tackle the skin care 1 step at a time - that seems like the best bet. I think I'll start with a cleanser first, and also get some face-specific sunscreen as I don't have any right now.

All - I really would like to do a little experimenting on my own before going to see a dermatologist. The thing is that my skin *generally* is good (no breakouts, blackheads, dry patches, or redness etc.) as long as I don't mess with it.

Peri and others - I'm going to try the CeraVe Moisturizing Cleanser. Yes, you can tissue it off, so that's my plan.

Delurked - I tried the Ponds and it was a fail! Lots of tearing and redness. I also have major issues with bloodshot eyes. I really can't wear eye pencil. Anything that can be rubbed into my eyes is bad. I love to wear mascara and try not to touch my eyes, but it's hard. I'm going to try and find a mascara that is hypoallergenic and see if that works better.

Staysfit - As you suggest, I'm going to try using the CeraVe to wash off eye makeup and see how that goes for now.

SandyG - It seems like we are Celtic skin twins! ...although my reactions aren't nearly as severe as yours, I find that 'messing' with my skin (touching, rubbing) even in a gentle way, leads to the redness problems. Thank you for all the info. I loved reading about your experience. What I'm trying to say is: by all means, go on and on, because I find the skincare topic interesting too.

Suz - I think I'll try that Clinique mascara. I have had good luck with other Clinic products.

==========
I did a bit of experimenting last night and this morning.

Last night, I tried washing my face with water and a facecloth for the first time in years --- terrible results. My skin was very tight, and the moisturizer stung when I put it on. A morning Google leads me to believe the problem might be than I let my skin dry before putting on the moisturizer. So...

This am, I used a facecloth again and immediately applied moisturizer to a wet face. Way better results but again, some stinging. I think the facecloth and abrasion is the problem. I'm going to try just my hands from now on.

I also tried the Pond cold cream on my eyes ---- terrible results. My eyes are still tearing this morning, and one of my lids is puffy. I'm going to try one more time with just my fingers (I was using a Kleenex last night) and if I still have a bad reaction I'll let the Ponds go.

kkards

Veteran

i recommend seeing a dermatologist? some skin conditions are best treated with medication

Anonymous

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser--I've used it for years, even back when my face was peeling from eczema. My dermatologist told me I could also use it as a moisturizer.

Anonymous

kkards - I do think that going to see the doctor is the easiest way to figure out what's going on, but I just want to do a small amount of experimenting first, to at least say that I've tried.

BC - thanks for the recommendation. The Cetaphil is definitely on my radar.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Good luck, Smittie! I hope the Clinique will work for you. I tried it in desperation and doubt when I'd suddenly developed allergies to several other mascaras and I really like it. The one I use is removable with warm water, though -- so I hope it will be possible for you to use it.

Anonymous

The frustration is that what works well for one often doesn't work for another. I guess that's why we all try so many products. And then even when something works for a while, sometimes it stops working and we have to look for relief all over again.

Anonymous

haha, delurked, so true. Really, the drug stores would make a lot of money on sample packs of various products. Wouldn't that be great?!

Peri

Veteran

That's why I still recommend testing. I used those shampoo products for years with no problems. Ditto my laundry detergent and dishwashing liquid. You can develop an allergy to anything at any time. Also, in ways I don't at all understand, an allergy is different from a sensitivity.

Things that make all their claims on being gentle (I'm looking at you, Dove) can still contain the thing you are allergic to. Maybe the Ponds has your problem thing in it. Methylisothiazolinone is in tons of products sold as gentle and hypoallergenic. Even baby products. Even though it is a common and rapidly increasing allergen, companies get away with it.

Good luck figuring this all out! I'm still struggling and I got my diagnosis in November! I think I must have some sensitivities that aren't true allergies...too hard to understand! My recent flare up? When it turned hot I got out and started wearing the clothes I put away last Fall...that were washed in the old detergent before I knew. Didn't even think of that! That's how complicated all this can get.

Anonymous

Sounds like you may be off water altogether but if not, never, ever, hot, only lukewarm or cool, not cold.

Fragrance free products with the shortest ingredient lists and mildest preservatives, mineral base sunscreen, Avene daytime moisturizer can be good, no sulfates in any body products including toothpaste.. and before you take someone's advice, if possible, find out if they're also taking medication to treat their skin.
In my case, I have, but not in the past ten years.

Neelie

Veteran

Can you add a filter to your water source to take away some of the minerals?

Instead of mascara you can have your eyelashes tinted using natural vegetable dye, should last 2 - 4 weeks...doesn't thicken the lashes but if the tips are fair it helps quite a bit.

Good luck!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

My dear, Smittie. Get thee to a Dermie, asap. A professional opinion is the best starting point.

I tried to sort out my insane facial dryness on my own about six or seven years ago with suggestions from here and there - and it was to no avail. As soon as I went to a Dermie, he said that the alpha hydroxys in the products I was using were the problem. He was dead right. My only regret is that I didn't see a professional sooner. We simplified my regime with very inexpensive products, and I'm pleased to report that my skin has been in a very happy place since then.

Style Fan

Veteran

Angie has a good point. I forgot to mention in my reply that I started going to a Dermatologist in my teens. I see one now when I have a problem. They were the one that gave me the suggestions for my skin care routine. We are practically best friends.

Anonymous

Ok, Angie, Style Fan, KKards and others --- I'll try and get into see a 'dermie' as the whole water-stinging-my -face thing doesn't sound normal.

I bought some ceraVe today, applied it with hands only. While it was lathering up, it felt fine on my face but as soon as I washed it off, my skin started feeling prickly! I then applied moisturizer which really soothed it.

It does sound like I've got tap water issues and maybe a derm will have some ideas about that. Our water is actually soft, but maybe there's stuff in it.

Hallie Patton

Member

So many replies. Good to have this all and thanks for starting this conversation.

Vildy

Veteran

There's no MI allowed in my house anymore. Son had beyond awful rash on his buttocks, to the point he developed open sores and saw 3 doctors including dermatologist. Nobody figured it out until he came home from a few days at girlfriend's house and it was somewhat better. I asked what was different there. He said they had no toilet wipes. Right after that I read an article about how MI was in so many products, including baby wipes. Sure enough. And also his hands would swell mysteriously. Everything fine now that all products folks here clean or wash or shampoo with is free of this.

Kristin L

Veteran

Please forgive me for being blunt, but you really, really need to get to a dermatologist. I'm not a physician or a nurse, but that reaction is neither a normal nor good. It could something as simple as an allergy to your laundry detergent, but if you don't know the problem, you can't start fixing it.

Anonymous

This thread is 2 months old. I'm booked in with the derm next week. There's a two-month wait time for dermatologists in my town!

Marilyn

Veteran

Smittie......Take a look at the Cliniderm line. It's available at Shoppers and Rexall / Pharma Plus. I use the Gentle Cleanser and it's great.
http://www.cliniderm.ca/

My daughter has had severe eczema since birth and her skin is very easily irritated. She can use the Cliniderm products. She also likes the Cetaphil Eczema line.

Anonymous

Thanks Marilyn.
Sorry if I was short Kristin. I just fired off a quick reply without thinking about cordialities. I DO think a dermatologist will help and hopefully I'll get to the bottom of things. It would be great to get a patch test.