Please, fix my skin

[Excelsior! Academy]

I have always had oily skin and adult acne unless I was pregnant.  After turning 40 it was like my body hit a switch and I now have dry, clear skin, with a patch of something under one eye and next to my nose.  Eczema?  Really dry skin?  Something else?

 

I am washing with Cera Ve, switching between oily to dry to normal depending on what seems the most logical.  My eye make-up remover is Almay.  (Timing of starting Almay does correlate to when my skin problems started, but I'm not sure if it actually is causing them.)  I got a sample of Cetaphil face wash and used and liked it, but mistakenly purchased Cetaphil cleanser that doesn't specify "face".  Could this be it?  I just recently purchased Ponds dry skin cream.  I know this didn't cause the original problem, but could it be exacerbating it?

 

No big make-up or shampoo changes.

 

Any ideas?

Edited February 11, 2016 by Excelsior! Academy

[Guest]

Try Cslifornia Baby calendula cream. It's not cheap. Target has best prices for a store.

 

The product you mentioned have petrochemicals in them, as well as fragrances OR the chemical they use to mask fragrances.

 

There are other options that you can try if CBaby isn't it. I can't use Shea butter but there are a lot of good creams out there that do.

[UncleEJ]

I got a sample of Cetaphil face wash and used and liked it, but mistakenly purchased Cetaphil cleanser that doesn't specify "face". Could this be it?

I have used Cetaphil face wash for a long time and love it and I've accidentally bought the skin cleanser, also. It is definitely not the same. I used it a few time and ditched it. I'm not sure if it is causing your problem, but just wanted to share that little tidbit.

[fdrinca]

Have you heard of or tried oil cleaning? I find it to be very gentle and nourishing for my skin. It sometimes even looks "dewy," which I assure you is not something I hear often ;)

 

http://www.crunchybetty.com/nitty-gritty-on-the-oil-cleansing-method

[Mom-ninja.]

Just throwing it out there but it could be an infection of some kind: virus, fungus, bacteria. So if changing your face products (fragrance is usually #1 culprit) doesn't help then go to a derm just to rule out infection. 

[Barb_]

My eczema prone daughter can't use cetaphil. She's had much better results with the vani-cream line.

 

Also, I've just discovered avocado oil for my skin. I use I alone during the day under a Bb cream and as a serum under my favorite nighttime moisturizer. It's not greasy like you'd think and it has actually cut down on breakouts. Even my teen daughters are using it with great results. I poured out a cheap vitamin c serum that I bought and hated and put the oil in there so I can pump it out. You only need the tiniest bit.

[PinkyandtheBrains.]

Just throwing it out there but it could be an infection of some kind: virus, fungus, bacteria. So if changing your face products (fragrance is usually #1 culprit) doesn't help then go to a derm just to rule out infection.

 

I was thinking the same thing.

[Seasider]

Might want to rule out rosacea before putting anything oily on it.

 

http://www.rosacea.org/patients/allaboutrosacea.php

[Reefgazer]

I have really dry skin; it's always been that way.  Here's what I do to keep skin moist and flakey dryness at bay:

 

1.  Wash everyday with Clinique mild face soap

2.  Scrub once/week with Clinique scrub

3.  Olay facial oil morning and night.

 

The scrubbing once a week gets rid of flakes and dead skin that aren't turning over, and the facial keeps skin soft.

[Carrie12345]

In our house, we now swear by genuine cold press soap for both body and face.  It took me a while to convert the rest of the family. We're all using different recipes from the same maker, but the results are consistent for all of us.  The kids aren't itchy, my psoriasis (elbow) is improved, and dh's eczema (face) is gone.

 

I do still use Aveeno face moisturizer and sometimes Aveeno body lotion, but everyone else just goes as-is.

[ikslo]

You probably don't want to hear this, but my first thought was skin cancer. :(

[bolt.]

Stop wearing makeup. Stop removing makeup. Stop using facial creams or cleansers. Stop washing your face -- except with hands-and-water in the shower, or if you get chocolate on it.

 

Near the pharmacy buy a small tube of hydrocortisone (0.5% or maybe less) cream or ointment; and a larger tube or bottle of any medical-style cream or lotion that contains urea. (Not anything with a scent, or a consumer claim, or a beauty brand: something super plain.) The hydrocortisone is for healing the dry patches. The lotion is for any moisturizing needs. Apply either or both as needed (mind the instructions on the hydrocortisone) being careful of your eyes.

 

If you get a pimple, spot treat it with a strong salyic (sp?) acid treatment (a simple, medical brand, intended for spot treatment) dab on, wait, wipe off. Don't use it on your whole face.

 

ETA: this is a short-term "fix" to end the irritation and strengthen your skin.you should be able to return to makeup (for sensitive skin) and good quality beauty products, cleansers, etc. in a few weeks.

Edited February 11, 2016 by bolt.

[Alexigail]

Stop wearing makeup. Stop removing makeup. Stop using facial creams or cleansers. Stop washing your face -- except with hands-and-water in the shower, or if you get chocolate on it.

 

 

I agree with this.  Before trying anything new, I'd try nothing at all for a week and see if it gets better.  I can only wash my face very rarely or I break out terribly.  

[sixpence1978]

I have very sensitive skin.  It can't handle any fragrance or essential oils (which eliminates most natural brands for me).

 

I find that if I've had a period where I am trying too many new things, I get a nice flare-up of my skin.  In the past this would lead to me trying even more new things to try to "fix" my skin.

 

Now I've found that I have much better luck returning to products that have worked in the past and keeping it simple.  Using a cleanser and moisturizer that I've had past luck with for a few weeks usually calms things down.  I also try to keep my makeup pretty light. Tinted moisturizer and non-waterproof mascara.  That way I don't have to use any special make-up remover in the evenings (my eye area also didn't like the Almay remover).  My basic cleanser does fine getting rid of it.

[Acadie]

Similar skin history here, and like previous posters I need to use more natural, unscented products. I loooooove Grandma's Lye Soap. It's very gentle and there are tons of amazon reviews on how it helped people with sensitive skin or acne. My local Ace hardware has it cheaper than I found on amazon. It's expensive per bar but a bar lasts a long time. To moisturize I use plain jojoba oil. You can also use it as an eye makeup remover if you put a little bit on tissue or eye pads.

 

I had some patches of eczema below my eyes and our allergist said it was a contact allergy, and to stop touching my face. I stopped (or at least made sure I washed my hands beforehand) and it went away. Later I did discover what the allergy was, but not touching my face made the under-eye rash go away even before I sorted it all out.

 

If you try a few things like this with no change I do think it makes sense to see a dermatologist to rule out any other skin issues. 

 

Amy

Edited February 11, 2016 by Acadie

[ktgrok]

You probably don't want to hear this, but my first thought was skin cancer. :(

 

More likely pre-cancer....sounds like actinic keratitis, but it could absolutely be skin cancer. A dry, rough spot that doesn't go away is a major major major red flag. Go the dermatologist.