Skincare questions

[Puppet]

Okay, so I've been struggling with skin issues for almost a year now and it's only gotten worse, so now I'm reaching out. Since even consulting with a skincare doctor costs money, I'm trying the free way first, in case it works out; asking you guys 🙂

I'm adding some pictures below - I've cropped myself as much as possible so you can't see what I look like 😉 - of the condition of both my skin on my face (which is much worse than it looks in the picture, a lot redder, too) and the skin of my scalp as I just shaved the sides today; it's frightening and if you are easily grossed out, don't open the spoiler boxes 🙁

Any help you can give, even if you don't know and are just guessing, is appreciated because I can't keep up this way; my scalp burns and my face is falling off and it's not comfortable...

Spoiler: Face

Spoiler: Scalp

 

[nightshade]

I know that my skin looks worse when I eat badly and don't drink enough water. Could it be a reaction to what you're eating? Another is if you're using a product that doesn't agree with you.

Also remember hormones play a part too

 

[Taake]

Is it rosacea?

I think alcohol, hot drinks and spicy foods make it worse, also things like stress and warm weather.

I feel like its one of those skin things that get worse with acne creams, at least strong ones, I know a friend of my told me it got like 10x worse when she tried stuff like that.

Maybe Google some budget options for rosacea specifically? Otherwise maybe mild, non-perfumed skincare/soaps/moisturizers may help

On a personal note, I’ve found that blueberries in my diet makes a marked difference in skinhealth, but that may be just a me thing 🙂

 

[Skanky Vamp]

Is it rosacea?

I was thinking eczema but more than likely rosacea. Does oatmeal help? Wearing, not eating.

 

[HowiMetdaSlayer]

Maybe try going make up free and don't dye/put anything in yer hair?

 

[Taake]

I was thinking eczema but more than likely rosacea. Does oatmeal help? Wearing, not eating.

Possibly, in the spring I get very sensitive and red skin, then I use creams with oats in it because it is supposed to be a calming factor. Works for me, so I’m sure regular oatmeal as a homemade mask could probably work as well.

 

[Puppet]

Is it rosacea?

I think alcohol, hot drinks and spicy foods make it worse, also things like stress and warm weather.

I feel like its one of those skin things that get worse with acne creams, at least strong ones, I know a friend of my told me it got like 10x worse when she tried stuff like that.

Maybe Google some budget options for rosacea specifically? Otherwise maybe mild, non-perfumed skincare/soaps/moisturizers may help

On a personal note, I’ve found that blueberries in my diet makes a marked difference in skinhealth, but that may be just a me thing 🙂

I drink alcohol, like, once every 2 years, I rarely drink anything hot and the slightest of spices (like paprika) makes my throat burn so I tend to steer clear of spicy foods. However, the stress could be a part of it and definitely the heat of these two past summers, which have been the hottest in recorded history in Denmark.

I'm not currently using products because I wanted to wait until I had a better idea of what type of products I would need to use, specifically because I didn't want to risk making it worse.

Maybe try going make up free and don't dye/put anything in yer hair?

I don't wear makeup but I dye my hair a lot. I already decided to stop the dyeing but I may need to shave my whole head because my hair is super unhealthy but I need to think about that first, last time I was bald was when I was 19 and I don't miss it.

I might Google that oatmeal thing, so thanks for that @Spanky and @Taake!

 

[brinkster130]

What do you currently use on your skin?

 

[Puppet]

What do you currently use on your skin?

Nothing. But I have something my mom recommended that I need to remember to use morning and night, one that I wash off, followed by a cream that stays on. I'm not sure exactly what it is, though, or whether it'll work.

Edit: It's a cleansing gel and a conditioner toxin by Nimue.

 

[DeadlyDuo]

@Puppet I would say that it looks like Rosacea on your face (is it bumpy?) and definitely eczema on your head.

In regards to the eczema, stopping the dyeing will definitely help as the chemicals are probably irritating it, especially if you're doing it a lot. Also try a sensitive scalp shampoo. I suffer from eczema so have to be careful what I put on my skin. I'm currently using Natura Siberica anti-dandruff shampoo which is sensitive scalp and it has done wonders for my hair. I don't need to use conditioner because my hair is soft and fluffy without it thanks to the shampoo plus it doesn't irritate my skin. Even when I had really bad eczema on my hands, the shampoo didn't make it worse when I had to wash my hair and actually stopped it hurting for a bit (even when plain water seemed to irritate it).

Also I had to get a really strong steroid cream for the eczema on my hands to get it under control (one of the stronger ones they could prescribe because if that didn't work, It was going to be a referral to a dermatologist) so it might be a case of you having to go to a doctor for some steroid cream (make sure you get a cream rather than ointment).

I'm currently using Garnier's rose water botanical day cream on my face. It suits my skin, it's not overly expensive (£6 full price but I always bulk buy when it's half price) and will last for quite a while even though it's just a 50ml tube.

One thing I suggest is also checking the ingredients on products your are using/planning to use. My skin can't stand lanolin despite it being a "natural" product and it could be a specific ingredient your skin is reacting with or just the amount of "ingredients in a product.

I try to use stuff with the least amount of ingredients and avoid certain things like PEGS, triethanolamine, Parabens etc. It's trial and error really because what works for someone might not work for you and vice versa.

Hope this helps. 🙂

 

[Puppet]

@DeadlyDuo thanks so much for all that information, I'm definitely gonna return to that post in the future. For right now, I finally bought my favorite anti-dandruff shampoo last week - in the past, it has worked miracles, but I haven't used it in years - so hopefully I'll start to see results soon. However, since my skin has never been this bad before, if it doesn't work I'm gonna try the one you mentioned.

 

[nightshade]

How are you doing now?

 

[November]

Rosehip oil. Only 3 or 4 drops, yes, tiny tiny drops on damp skin after a shower.

I learnt this tip from a forum post not meant for me, so if you dont use it, maybe someone else will! My skin produces excess oil because it is too dry. Washes, toners and fragrant moisturises only dry it out further. The oil routine tells it to stop producing cos I got it covered. Oatmeal, as mentioned above, is great for me too.

My skin got stupidly photosensitive when I was medicated. I had no idea it was a side effect. I used to tan so quick as a kid and suddenly I was like, allergic to sun despite spending most of my life in it. I still burn now even med free but I dont break out in hives/rashes anymore from being in sunlight. Its a real relief.

I hope it clears up soon for you.

 

[Puppet]

It hasn't spread any further but hasn't gotten any better, either. So I'm planning a trip to the doctor soon so that he/she can send me on to a skin-doctor and I can get some clear-cut answers and, hopefully, the right medication/creams.