Skin Care SOS!

[Kayaksoup]

Okay, I need help. I have always had reasonably good skin, but very sensitive. I have yet to find a face cream that doesn't cause breakouts (pimples occasionally but mostly angry red rashes/dry skin). I could get away without moisturizer in the past, but my skin is getting drier (with more angry red patches) as I get older. Last year, I launched a desperate bid to find something that worked, sampling Aveeno, Vichy, SKII (good results from this, but WAY out of my price range), a local skin care company that produces a " sensitive" skin care line, etc. nothing worked. I can't even wear foundation (or haven't found one that works).
I wash my face with cetaphil and have heard that they make moisturizers, but have never seen them in the store..
Any suggestions? Is there something that works really well for you?

[leebee]

Could it possibly be rosacea? I'm seeing my doctor soon because I think I may be developing it (my mother has it, which makes it more likely, and I'm in the throes of perimenopause, which is also a trigger). I have pimply, red swaths across my cheeks that defy treatment. It was my mom who finally suggested rosacea as a possible cause.

[Kayaksoup]

Could it possibly be rosacea? I'm seeing my doctor soon because I think I may be developing it (my mother has it, which makes it more likely, and I'm in the throes of perimenopause, which is also a trigger). I have pimply, red swaths across my cheeks that defy treatment. It was my mom who finally suggested rosacea as a possible cause.

Not sure.. it isn't usually pimply and it goes away if I don't put anything on my face. It feels kind of hot (temperature) when I get the breakouts. And they are very dry flaky red patches.

[leebee]

Not sure.. it isn't usually pimply and it goes away if I don't put anything on my face. It feels kind of hot (temperature) when I get the breakouts. And they are very dry flaky red patches.

There are a lot of different incarnations. Mom's got some flushing to the skin, but her big problem is ocular rosacea, which gives her painful, red eyes. The heat thing is a red flag to me--that's a classic sign. I get flushed after exercise & in the heat. You might want to look into it.

[SugarNSpice]

Not sure.. it isn't usually pimply and it goes away if I don't put anything on my face. It feels kind of hot (temperature) when I get the breakouts. And they are very dry flaky red patches.

This is exactly what would happen when I used a product with alcohol as the main ingredient. Does this only happen with certain products? If so, I would check the ingredient list.

[aggie94]

Linda,

I have used Cetaphil moisturizing cream religiously for years, and it's the only thing I put on my face (every time after I wash it). It does wonders for my sensitive skin in this very dry climate.

Looks like this:



If you can't find it and want to try it, I'll happily send you some. Just let me know.

[Robyn1007]

Cetaphil lotion is what I use. It's sold in drugstores, often on the bottom shelf. Their products are often reccommended by dermatologists for those with sensitive skin.

[Kayaksoup]

Robyn & Eva, I will keep my eyes peeled for Cetaphil moisturizer. I haven't seen it here before, but I was looking for something that was the same colour etc as my face wash, which is a pale blue label. Thank you both for the recommendation.
SugarandSpice, I do try to avoid alcohol, scents etc in products, but I will read carefully.
Leebee, I do get flushed easily, but I am so fair, I would be surprised if I didn't. Also, the flush goes away as soon as I cool down. But I will investigate the rosacea suggestion more fully.

[lindrusso]

I have sensitive skin and I use the Cetaphil moisturizer that Eva posted. And their hand cream and face wash, etc. I also like that it's not scented - my nose is also sensitive and lots of products make me sneeze or make my nose itch.

[PurplePotato]

I used to have the same problem. The only thing I have found is this:

Sage Skin Care

They have a rosacea trial pack. You fill out a long skin profile before you order so they send you stuff that should work with your issues.

[Shugness]

If you can't find that Cetaphil in a local store, try online. I recently figured out that if I can't find something or if a store quits selling a product I like I can go to Amazon and search it, and have always found what I was looking for.

Try here....

http://www.amazon.com/Cetaphil-Fragr...3425102&sr=8-3

Sometimes they even have better prices on stuff you buy anyways and they offer free shipping deals a lot.

Even better you can look at others reviews on stuff - which is very helpful.

[Jasmine-Rose]

Thanks to Linda for starting this thread and to all who recommended Cetaphil. I've noticed that my skin is changing as I'm aging and I've tried several moisturizers but nothing has done the trick. I found Cetaphil moisturizing lotion at my grocery store today and I bought it. It's lotion in a pump dispenser rather than the moisturizing cream, and it has SPF 15 in it.

Moisturizer is the only thing I put on my face so I know the problem is just my skin and not other cosmetic products. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this will result in some improvement.

Thanks again!

[ChrisVA]

I have had very dry, sensitive skin for years. In the last few, I've developed a mild form of rosacea with flushing and, depending on what products I use, angry red patches that hurt.

I will tell you, I have tried EVERYTHING. The one product I always come back to is pure Vaseline. I know, I know--it sounds absolutely gross. But I use it twice a day and I never flake, never get angry red patches, etc. I wash with Dove for Sensitive Skin. I have tried the Cetaphil. My face actually starts to bother me after two days of it. The liquid cleanser is worse than the bar. I found out that the liquid cleanser has alchohol in it. Go figure. I do use the tub moisturizer on my legs and it keeps them from itching. It does NOT do the trick on my face though.

My routine is that after I wash my face, while my skin is still wet, I put Vaseline all over my face and let it sit for 10 minutes. I then tissue off the excess and then I'm good to go. This is the evening. In the morning, I don't have time for the full 10 minutes, but close. I wipe more off in the morning. I then add some under eye cream if I think I need it.

This is the only stuff that works for me. I recently bought some of the new, highly rated cream from Clinique called Comfort on Call. It is a nice cream but still left my face dry. There was a wasted $38!

I use mineral makeup and that has really helped with my skin. I tried using a few different brands of makeup primer (Laura Mercier, Bare Escentuals) and my face got "mad" again, so none of that for me.

Good luck!