Idk if this belongs here or in off-topic, trust that it’ll be moved if necessary.

While some people are working to clear out samples, I’m collecting them. I’m looking for moisturizer for my face. I’ve never used anything like this, but am old enough I should probably start.

I’ve been very hesitant, because I’m prone to zits along my jawline, chin, and on my temples, don’t need more. The skin on my face doesn’t feel particularly oily or dry to me, but I’ve got laugh lines for sure, plus whatever those lines around the mouth are called. Does the moisturizer just go on the wrinkly parts, or everywhere?

I also hesitate because I have so many allergies/sensitivities that I usually draw a huge circle around cosmetics & stay away. I sunburn easily. The last time I had an allergy prick test, I reacted significantly to every single serum except the control. Gluten sometimes can be bad for me, and when things get really crazy, even corn & rice can make me throw up. I usually drink a lot of milk, but right now, even lactose free low-fat milk offends my stomach (& my son’s nose, if I drink it anyway). Sorry if that’s tmi. It’s just my usual life.

Advice on what ingredients of moisturizers tend to cause reactions in people with sensitivities would be much appreciated, because idk anything about this. I use dye-free, unscented shampoo & conditioner, laundry detergent (no fabric softener please), and cleaners. The Dr Bronners I use on my face (& everywhere) is pure Castile soap with very simple fragrance that is ok for me so far. Most fragrances are products of plants that sound lovely, but once they are extracted, concentrated, and otherwise processed, some of them can become things I’d rather avoid. To be responsible, I should look up everything on these lists. I’m hoping some of you have done that homework already and will (ahem) “share” your work. Any knowledge you’ve gained on specifics of this stuff or where to look it up would be awesome.

Here’s the story so far.

1 & 2 Inexpensive moisturizer from the drug store. Felt surprisingly light going on, but after a couple days, there was an unpleasant tingle. I think continued use would’ve led to a bad reaction. It’s out.

3 & 4 Now I’m trying Weleda Almond Creme. If I eat too many almonds, I react negatively, but this seems ok so far. Only a couple ingredients, but I’m not sure where/how to use it. I started out smearing it all over my face (except for forehead, chin, nose). I started getting a couple pimples on one cheek, am now just putting it on the laugh lines & cheekbones. Is that enough? I don’t want wrinkly cheeks when I’m old, but don’t want pimples now either.

5 & 6 products the pharmacist recommends, from the same company as my son’s dermatologist recommended acne cream.

7-10 masks I plan to try out on a poolside “spa day” with my family.

11 I tried to get a sample of this yesterday, at a store their website says carries it. Cat2 recommended it. The store says they don’t carry it. I may try again in the US, but the long list of ingredients is intimidating. Most sound harmless, but if I didn’t know better, I’d think “high fructose corn syrup” was natural too. List of ingredients from Kiehls website: Aqua/Water PVP, Propanediol, Behenyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isoamyl Laurate, Mangifera Indica Seed Butter/Mango Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter/Shea Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii Oil/Shea Oil, Pullulan, Arachidyl Alcohol, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera/Candelilla Wax, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Coco-Glucoside, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil/Sweet Almond Oil, Hibiscus Esculentus Seed Extract, Sodium Polyacrylate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arachidyl Glucoside, Ethylhexylglycerin, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Alpinia Galanga Leaf Extract, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Adenosine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens Oil/Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Faex Extract/Yeast Extract, Citronellol, Xanthan Gum, Citrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/twig Oil - Bitter Orange Leaf/Twig Oil, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Geraniol, Linalool, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil/Lavender Oil, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract/Turmeric Root Extract, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Oil, Salvia Sclarea Extract/Clary Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract - Basil Flower/Leaf Extract, Dipteryx Odorata Seed Extract, Cistus Ladaniferus Leaf/Stem Extract, Coumarin, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Citral, Rosa Damascena Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Citric Acid. Fmla 942086 1 F.I.L. Code D210719/1

Note: product names often include “Feuchtigkeit” which means “moisture”; the ingredient lists are in English.

Thanks for your help!

PS The young & acne-prone will not be left out of spa day; #12 is for them.