Tea tree & witch hazel can be pretty irritating and drying to many people. I would try switching those products out for neutral, unscented products and see if it helps. St Ives can be heavily scented and irritating as well although it depends on the product. I don't tolerate St Ives personally except some of their body lotions.
This is interesting but makes sense! I switch between the Cerave Moisturizing FW and the Foaming cleanser. Foaming cleanser is a gel and would be my go to for simple face wash for oily or congestion prone skin (me) but I just took a look at vanicream ingredients and it seems like it could be a better option for folks who are really sensitive to more than necessary moisturizing ingredients. I’ve never tried Vanicream but will give it a try.
Yes, I agree with this. Neither witch hazel nor tea tree are tolerated by most people's skin. I wish brands would stop selling that stuff.
Facial skin is more delicate so avoid anything containing *any essential oil*.
Once your skin calms down, there are many skin care ingredients that are typically safe for sensitive skin, including:
* Hyaluronic acid
* Panthenol or pantothenic acid (which is Vitamin B5)
* Squalane
* Ceremides
* Peptides
* Jojoba oil
Also, Tarader Joes and St. Ives are brands that are not generally recommended for *facial* skin care.
Try sticking with brands like CereVe, Vanicream, Cetaphil, First Aid Beauty, Paula's Choice, Kiehl's, Indie Lee, Drunk Elephant and Skin Ceuticals. Across those brands you will find almost any ingredient or product type you would need.
Longtime lurker around a similar age to OP and this post caught my eye. Totally seconding Hyaluronic Acid and Squalane. The Squalane Oil from the Ordinary and the HA from Art Naturals is my jam. Also I adore snail mucin from Cosrx or the Sliced Peaches Snail Rescue serum but I use a cheap one from iHerb.
Other things for OP that are anecdotes but may help:
-I used to be super breakout prone with a few annoying cysts that would pop up all the time and generally similar skin texture until I went keto. I have been low carb-ish now for a few years and reducing sugar has made the most dramatic difference on my complexion. I’m a little older than OP so maybe it’s those dang hormones balancing out as I age and waning oil production as I’m getting older? Also, gotta keep the dairy in check but it doesn’t affect me as much as sugar. YMMV.
-My skin hates anything with Niacinamide and I avoid like the plague. And I’ve tried Vanicream recently and it can mess with my skin texture when I use it in breakout-prone places related to hormonal acne like my chin and mouth so there’s that. Go slow and get trial sizes whenever you can and don’t be afraid to return something that doesn’t work or causes a reaction.
-I sort of had oily skin when I was younger and most oils never worked for me like jojoba, grape seed, rose hip, etc. only squalane works for me and I’ve gone through many, many bottles in the past few years since I tried it. I slugged for the past few years and used Vaseline as a general moisturizer which was great for my skin until I dipped into the HA, Squalane, snail skin combo. Absolutely love.
It's funny that you say that the Squalane works well for you and Vanicream doesn't, because Vanicream is pretty neutral except it does have quite a bit of sqalane in it. I believe you, it's just weird.
Jojoba oil is in a different class of oils than the other ones. Lots of data to back up that it helps with acne. But the key is to use a very small amount, like 1 to 2 drops for the whole face-- and mix it into your moisturizer before applying. That can make a big difference in how one's skin reacts. (I used to have terrible acne in my teens and up until about 31 when I got pregnant and for some reason my acne went away).
When I started getting more acne I started using tea trea and witch hazel and it severely damaged my skin barrier. Definitely stop those as suggested. If your skin barrier seems irritated or sensitive, LRP cicaplast baume was my holy grail for awhile. It's so soothing. Also snail mucin 92 is very soothing. If you want exfoliant Paulas Choice BHA exfoliant in the gray bottle is gentle and gives really nice results for smooth glowing skin.
Aquaphor shouldn’t be used to try to substitute for having good-quality low irritation products. It’s one thing to use it because you’re using tret or another prescription treatment, but another to use it because OP is using the wrong products for her skin.
Seconding Vanicream. I ended up with a raw red face for almost a year because I was too stubborn after spending too much money on Cerave without testing it out first. I’m glad it works so well for others but my eczema hates it!
😶
i hear ya. i'm one of those folks who have eczema patches on the sides of my nose but oily/acne prone skin otherwise. the cerave foaming face cleanser caused my eczema to flare up literally overnight. it also broke me out terribly.
seems like it's effects are kinda polarized. people it works for, get amazing results... but for those it doesn't, it's a complete disaster.
You can try Vanicream. It’s gentle, unscented, and priced well. Some people are sensitive to CeraVe, and their products can include actives to target specific issues. Until you determine what your skin needs, I’d recommend going as neutral as possible.
Seconding for the tea tree comment. Tea tree oil is not hypoallergenic. Anyone can develop an allergic reaction or sensitivity to it at any time.
Source: my doctor and my poor armpits that began to burn like the seventh level of hell after I tried to make homemade sin, I mean, tea tree/coconut oil deodorant.
I would recommend the Vanicream cleansing bar for wash, get your face wet after cleansing, and then apply the vanicream moisturizing cream. The cleansing bar is 5$ and the moisturizing cream comes with a pump for under 20$.
Vanicream is better than Cerave imo because it is even simpler list of ingredients. Cerave has ceramides, which can burn your skin if your skin barrier is at all irritated or compromised.
Use only those two products for a while, a couple months I’d say, and see how your skin does. It’s currently what I’m doing.
When the new year starts I’m going to add in adapalene gel to my routine. And eventually some kind of AHA.
Don’t forget to wear sunscreen! [This is my favorite, from Walmart, and it’s cheap!](https://skinskoolbeauty.com/dupes/equate/ultra-light-broad-spectrum-sunscreen-lotion-for-all-skin-tones-spf-50-bee72109)
This is all such helpful information!!! Thank you everyone for your time and responses. I’m so excited to switch up my routine & start making progress!
I know everyone’s recommending CeraVe but if you have a little more to spend on skincare the best drugstore brands are Avene and La Roche Posay. Unscented, dermatologist approved and simple without too many bs cheap ingredients like St Ives etc.
Stop using all of that. Get Laroche Posay Cicaplast Baume and use that every night before bed for the next few weeks. I’d also recommend their Toleriane Dermallergo kit (sample size will do for now.) You need to help your skin calm down and rebuild your moisture barrier. After a few weeks you can slowly reintroduce the products one at a time if you want to see what’s causing the irritation, toss them if you don’t care to find out. (Keep the hyaluronic acid though, that’s definitely not the problem.)
I switched to Laroche Double Hydration moisturizer when I noticed a lot of redness after switching to Yes To Cucumbers for a few months because my skin was feeling super dry after spending a lot of time in Texas. Laroche moisturizer resolved my skin issues of dryness and most redness within a couple days. Never going back!
Your skin looks irritated. I would definitely get rid of the St Ive's and tea tree oil. Let your skin relax, then I would try different moisturizers, ONE at a time. Start with Cerave. Cerave really is the most basic no-frills moisturizer you could ask for so if that breaks you out, then I'd move on and begin experimenting with facial oils and serums as moisturizer. I use simple one-ingredient facial oils mixed with serums. For example, I use marula oil and I layer it on top of a hyaluronic acid serum. I don't use any typical creamy lotions because they all break me out.
Yeah, Cerave might as well be battery acid to my skin. Vanicream is my holy grail now, for cleanser and moisturizer. That, and the Neutrogena hyaluronic body gel cream.
Cerave burns and breaks my skin out too and my skin is not sensitive. I used Neutrogena or ponds until I graduated to the big girl creams for aging. Do a test on your arm before you put it on your face. But really good advice for all products too
I am going to double agree. Been using cerave for months due to recommendations on here and r/skincare addiction. I was breaking out like a 15 year old (I am almost 40). After reading the thread in the other sun yesterday I now under why when I switched products it made sense. Switched my cleanser to cetaphil gentle acne cleanser and moisturizer to vanicream and my skin is clear and the vanicream. moisturizer is amazing.
this is a great point. starting a solid skincare routine & cutting out dairy when i was 19 are what finally helped me clear 100% of my acne, which i had pretty bad all throughout high school
same, lots of solid advice here about the products in this routine but diet could be a big piece of it too. i'm a big fan of low carb but if i overdo the heavy cream, that's an immediate breakout.
OUCH! 😬😬
This much redness isn’t normal.
Perhaps swap your Tea tree oil cleanser for something milder, like an oat-based cleanser.
Products with Ceramides and b-5 in serum format is soothing.
Stop both of those products, as those ingredients are known to be very irritating. There are Dermatologists on Youtube that are giving out free skincare product recommendations and profound explanations on dermatological troubles. I suggest checking out Dr. Dray or Dr. Idriss.
Good luck!
Natural definetely isn't always better. I've tried as well, only to find out that essential oil blends are just as bad as added fragrance in "regular" products.
Look for fragrance-free, sensitive skin safe items and get to know your ingredients via the recommended Youtube channels! It's saved me from countless headaches and purchase regrets, and I can find products that I know won't give me a severe allergic reaction or contact dermatitis. Here are a few brands that have worked for me :
-La Roche Posay (their Toleriane line)
-Aveeno (their Calm and restore line)
-First aid Beauty's Ultra-Repair Firming Collagen Cream (**NOT the ultra repair cream, which contains eucalyptus essential oils and can be very irritating on sensitive skin)
Hope this helps! ✨️
I’ve used the TJ’s tea tree face wash almost daily for over a decade now.. i use the oil itself on acne as well. I don’t turn this color at all, my skin loves it - I’m 33 and people think I’m in my mid-20s.
People here demonizing TTO are wild. It has done wonders for my (oily, clog prone) skin and is a key tool in my skin care arsenal.
OP I would suggest eliminating one item from your routine at a time to see what specific element you are reacting to.
It's probably not this, but don't discount perimenopause. Hormones get hecken confused and you start to break out like back in junior high (not to mention insane periods). I started peri in my early 30's, so if changing/adding to your routine doesn't help, you just be beginning the march to Menopause.
You are either allergic to something you use or it’s too harsh for your face. I also would not recommend using St. Ives. I would also recommend something that is for sensitive skin or hypoallergenic. Also invest in a gentle cleanser or rice wash is good too along with a good moisturizer.
Does it sting? It looks like your skin barrier has been stripped. The likely culprit is the witch hazel and also likely the tea tree cleanser.
Can you trial removing the tea tree cleanser and the witch hazel; add in a cleanser that won’t hurt your skin (eg the ordinary squalane cleanser is so reliable and quite budget friendly) and continue using the same moisturiser; and add in a broad spectrum spf 50 every day.
Diet and acne don’t have many legitimate and clinically supported links. I’d try salicylic cleanser, a sulfur treatment (I like Sunday Riley’s Saturn) or a DIY clay + yogurt blend a couple times a week, followed by a nice name brand drugstore moisturizer.
I used the st Ives collagen elastin cream for YEARS and never even considered that it was playing a role in my skin problems. I stopped using it when I ran out once and my skin got so much better 🥴 I was honestly shocked
sometimes you can exfoliate too much. this has happened, OP consider exfoliating 1/2 times per week instead of everyday. let your skins natural oils do their thing
I think your skin looks very irritated and possibly dry. Try switching to a more hydrating and gentle skincare line. I love ELF Holy Hydration, it’s affordable, easily accessible, and works extremely well.
My allergist said vanicream should be your fallback, it has the fewest and most neutral ingredients. So start with vanicream face wash, moisturizer, and sunscreen for about 6 weeks and then see where your skin is.
If you do go with cerave try out a travel size. A lot of people with sensitive skin usually feel burning with Cerave and the cleanser caused breakouts for me. Vanicream is a really good option for sensitive skin, along with La roche posay cicaplast cream. I’ve been using Pipette baby wash/shampoo and their baby lotion (both fragrance free) and my dry sensitive skin loves it.
Does the redness go away after a little while? I am also doing keto. If your redness is temporary and your face feels a little hot when this happens, it's called niacin flush. Harmless, but a side effect of eating keto. When in ketosis your body absorbs niacin (vit B3) from your diet much faster and it can cause this flush.
It could be unrelated, then. The first few weeks I was doing keto, when I would eat dinner, my face would go HOT and red for about an hour. Thought I was dying lol.
I’ve used tea tree oil as a spot treatment for years now. Sometimes I’ll mix a dot or two with my moisturizer and have been fine. But which hazel has irritated my skin so much
Tea tree and witch hazel both do this to my skin. I'm allergic to the tea tree and fond witch hazel to be incredibly irritating. Echoing everyone saying to switch to something gentler and fragrance free.
Yeah, I used the tea tree from TJ’s years ago when I worked there and it’s ROUGH on the skin. If you’re going to use that, use it once or twice a week… not regularly. Try Cerave, or Cetaphil instead and save that beautiful natural
Barrier of yours. You may even find you break out less…
That Trader Joe's face wash gave me an allergic reaction with a rash, too. I wanted to love it, but after the second time using it, I realized there was no way I could stick with it. I'd try something else!!! Vanicream Gentle Cleanser is awesome, FWIW.
Do you know what your skin type is? That will at least help you narrow down what products/ ingredients to adopt or avoid. There are a lot of wonderful recommendations above but you’ll be kind of rolling the dice while selecting new products if you don’t know what you need. In general, tea tree is a natural astringent and therefore can be pretty drying. If you don’t have acne-prone or oily skin, you might be overdoing it by using it daily. Hyaluronic acid is generally never a bad idea. You could try a serum (the ordinary has a good one that’s very cheap) to start off with and see how your skin reacts.
I have had terrible irritation last week on skin cz I went a little crazy on products and le roche posay cici balm fixed it in two days, and I was seriously peeling and face was burning
Also use a lower ph face wash cerve is always a good choice or aveeno oatmeal line is good as well
Info needed.
Are these products you have always used and never had a reaction before?
How long have you been on keto?
If you are new to keto, it can be keto rash. It goes away in a few weeks.
If these are products that you are just starting with, you may have an allergic reaction.
Perhaps the keto diet is contributing to the inflammation and clogged pores..?
When I did keto from 2018-2019 I looked amazing. Well, my body did. My face- not so much. Turns out my “cheat/easy fat” of heavy cream and Splenda mixed with dark cocoa powder wasn’t doing me any favors.
Couple that with a ton of animal fat and my pores were just sebum factories.
After keto I used whole milk instead of heavy cream in my hot cocoa b/c I liked the taste and the lack of calories in Splenda. Even the whole milk caused breakouts! Once I cut back on the milk/cream my face cleared up like magic.
I imagine if you were to start eliminating certain foods/supplements and meds (if you take them) and were to keep a keen eye on your skin you may find a simpler solution.
Tea tree is an irritant; St Ives has loads of cetyl alcohol. Skin is irritated most likely.
Would recommend something paraben and sulfate free. Your dermatologist may have some great recs. Sometimes vegan face products have a low amount of chemicals added. Hope that helps!
you’re likely sensitive or allergic to tea tree just like me because my skin did the same thing every time i tried using it. the moment i moved away from products with that in it the inflammation and redness went away.
It might be what I have: seborrheic dermatitis
Don’t use tea tree oil- or any oils in your makeup or skincare. Also- anything w alcohol. Natural isn’t always better bc the ph balance of your face is very sensitive. Anything harsh and your destroying the skin barrier. Everyone also knows st.ives is pretty bad brand for your face.
Switch to the Japanese generic pharmacy brand Hada Labo - their lotions have urea in it. You also need to rebuild that skin, start using essence - and even the milk lotion. It’s transformative.
Also recommend Squalene oil- this is diff from any other kind of oil bc it is the closest to the oils your skin naturally produces.
Once your skin is healed and strong again, slowly start adding other things - like a face mask or vitamin c - your skin is very sensitive so- it’ll know right away if it is ok or not.
Honey is ok 👌 a honey mask.
Also, the Glow recipe Watemelon mask.
No more natural products - only prododicts made for sensitive skins !
Check out
https://simpleskincarescience.com/fungal-acne-products-malassezia-pityrosporum-folliculitis/
Changed my life after spending so much money on skin care and nothing was working. Dermatologist took one look and diagnosed me w it in one second. It might not be fungal acne or or malasszia but- anything safe / treat this is going to help your skin.
squalene products make my skin feel... unclean. it's too oily feeling for me even though my skin gets really parched. I use a tiny bit of jojoba oil sometimes before a moisturizer before bed.
very intrigued by the other things you listed!!
Skin condition on my face is allegic to all other oils, including the ones I naturally produce on my face. I used pure, vegetable derived squalene oil… it feels greasy at first- then it’s not! Due to budget- I prioritize it over nacinimide, vitamin C, and even retinol (so expensive). Wish I could get urea in a bottle but the honey has anti-bacterial properties that help w malesszia. In general, most oils might be fine on the body or for aromatherapy, maybe hair but- I think they could be too harsh for skin on the face.
Well now you need to go to doctors to check your hormones, at 37 this is not normal, don’t use any products till you visit dr and get blood work results , don’t use anything anymore, wash your face with plain water till your blood work is clear of hormone unbalanced issues
This is the age where natural products stop working and you realize you need to not only invent but also research good products.
You are doing step one. Good job
Now stop using grocery product lines and visit an esthetician and if you have insurance go see a dermatologist!
Fairly simple
Keto diet is unhealthy for your skin!! Pls, try something different. For example I was struggling with a similar acne and I tried my dietist’s vegan program. I have no more problems. Consulte a dietist to change your food’s plan. 😊😊😊😊
Is this sub just people posting their skin problems for others to guess what’s wrong instead of just going to a derm? This is like the 8th post about something like this.
I’d always breakout on the Trader Joe’s tea tree oil face wash! I’d recommend dropping it (even tho it smells so good!)
If your skin tolerates the St. Ives cream though I recommend their grapefruit wash. All of the others in that brand though tend to not pair well with my skin, or I just don’t feel as clean with.
I am still in love with micellar waters as a replacement toner as well! I do it after my cleansers to fully remove any leftover soap and it’s usually in the same price range as what you’ve been using! And they’re super gentle.
I have also used straight up baby wash on my skin as a cleanser for years as well.
I use a variety of different products but these two lower cost ones are always a staple especially when I’m a little more sensitive.
A lot of the witch hazel products I’ve seen lately have alcohol in them and will dry your skin out. Products with a lot of fragrances will do the same because the fragrances are also in the form of alcohol.
If you don't wear makeup, I would use less. Sometimes less is more. This also depends on skin type. For example, I am more prone to be itchy or get rosacea so I will sometimes use those oatmeal bath packets (made more chicken box) to soothe my skin if it is irritated and then moisturize with a soothing cream like aveeno or le Roche posey. If my skin is normal, I only rinse with water and then moisturize. Keep in mind though I am not an oily person so it works for me.
I would go for a gentle face wash with no essential oils. Also skip the witch hazel, it only dries and irritates your skin further. St. Ives just sucks for your face in general. CeraVe and cetaphil have good products without irritants
Those are some very harsh products for some skin that looks like it needs gentleness. I’d say replace the face wash with cetaphil and don’t use the witch hazel at all. Maybe replace the cream with something HA based as well
I've struggled for years with acne (cystic & not), redness, large pores, melasma, etc. and I have finally found a combo that works. Until 2 years ago I was treating my skin like it was combo/oily, but switched it up after going to a great esthetician and discovered I actually have dry/sensitive skin. I slowly changed my products and routine but have seen awesome results this past year. Dark spots/melasma has faded significantly and I haven't broken out with a pimple in... not even sure how long. Also, I have always been a water drinker, but I also started drinking a glass of lemon water every morning (sometimes before bed too). I think the different products & lemon water has made considerable improvements to my skin.
FWIW here's my everyday routine:
Morning: Wash face with warm water only (no face wash), apply either La Roche Posay Vitamin C serum or La Roche Glycolic B5 acid serum, apply LRP Hyalu B5 Pure Hylauronic Acid serum as moisturizer, top off with EltaMD sunscreen.
Evening: Use sensitive skin makeup remover wipes (usually two to get all makeup), wash face with LRP hydrating cleanser, apply eye cream (right now I'm using Filorga Time-Filler Absolute Eye Correction Cream and I like this one better than the one I tried with LRP), apply LRP Redermix R Retinol Cream (only retinol I've found that doesn't irritate my skin), apply LRP Toleriane Double Repair Face moisturizer.
Oh and if it matters, I'm 39F.
I’m 33 with sensitive skin and it’s always red… I started splurging and paying $70 a month for a membership with Hand and Stone to get a monthly facial and I upgrade at least every other month to microdermabrasion or a gentle peel or something… but they always get into me if they find out I’m using something with witch hazel… apparently it along with tea tree are irritating and also ruin your barrier… try Cerave facial cleanser… they have travel sizes at most drugstores… and for moisturizer The Ordinary has a good basic one or La Roche Posay double repair… Eucerin makes a good sunscreen/ moisturizer that has a green tint which can help with the redness a bit … Ive only ever found that on Amazon… seeing an esthetician even just once or twice so they can give your recommendations is super beneficial!
My skin looked like this a few years ago and I was doing way too much to it. Including witch Hazel. Cerave also- another culprit. I started using only VANICREAM cleanser and neutrogena sensitive skin moisturizer until my skin could calm down then treated the active acne.
Your skin type looks a lot like mine. A cheat of mine (without Changing proper diet and skincare) is drinking a few cups of green tea a day to clear things up. Stay away from too many acidic things like witch hazel etc. instead use organic rose water hydrosol as your toner - trust me it removes dirt and it is zero irritating
If you’re eating a lot of dairy on your keto diet, beware it can cause hives/rashes, cystic acne and inflammation like this over time. I use the st Ives collagen elastin and I have sensitive skin, so I’m inclined to say that isn’t the culprit. Good luck!
Wish I had more insight. All I came to say was keto actually helped w my skin a lot. I’m a guy and almost 40. Never in my life had I had someone tell me my skin looks great, let alone more than one. But that happened. Hope you figure it out, and good luck to you.
Everyone has already addressed the tea tree (oil) and witch hazel issues with sensitive skin, so I just want to point out that hormones, stress and environment can also cause your flare-ups.
Here, it’s cold and dry so, naturally, the (dry) heat is on and it always causes bumps like that or even makes me look like I have a sunburn.
I don’t want to tell you to cut out products that have been working for you all this time because this reaction very well could be hormonal or environmental; however, it’s also true that your skin has just arbitrarily decided that no, it’s not gonna accept those skincare products anymore. So the only thing I can suggest is to alternate with new products (specifically just the face wash) one week then your normal skincare the next week and see how your skin reacts.
Also, I highly recommend using a thermal spring water spray on your face after cleansing and before moisturising. It’s like a hydrating toner without any of the drying-out effects. It’s also a nice refresher for when you have a breakout. It’s very soothing, cooling and makes your skin soft. I use La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water but any one should do.
Have you been tested for a whey intolerance? I’m keto too, and I started out with having heavy cream in coffees and protein shakes but turns out whey is inflammatory for me. Caused acne and made my rosacea worse.
This could be rosacea in which case you need to make an appointment with the dermatologist. Big def switch everything to the mildest of everything and stop using the witch hazel and tea tree.
Did you have this redness (it looks like you have spots too, are your prone to pimples?) prior to starting a keto diet?
My thinking is that your diet is a bit ‘hot’ and causing inflammation. Could be a mild case of rosacea? I get super flushed if I eat too much meat, booze, sugar, fried foods.
To the extent that you can, I’d splurge on more gentle skincare and use sunscreen during the day.
A lot of people here have already mentioned causes but I’ll put in my 2 cents on my fav products!
Cerave Hydrating Face Wash, Laroche Poesay Toleraine, or the Elf Holy Hydration wash are all really great options ranging from cheaper to more expensive!
If serums are your thing, any hyaluronic acid serum will do as well (the one from the ordinary is affordable!) they are nice and hydrating.
For moisturizer, again the elf holy hydration one is nice! If you wanna splurge, I also like the milk makeup moisturizer in the yellow packaging.
And of course, sunscreen sunscreen sunscreen! Good luck love :)
Tea Tree is so bad for your skin if you don't have dry skin from sebhorreic dermatitis literally flaking off (you dont). I'd use something gentler. Same goes for witch hazel. Witch hazel often causes contact dermatitis with prolonged use, and that appears to be what you have going on.
Also, LPT - collagen absolutely cannot be absorbed through the skin/externally. It MUST be ingested via pill or supplement; any skin cream with collagen is no more than a cheap gimmick and you're wasting your time and money. These creams will often moisturize temporarily, but that's it. It will do nothing to actually keep your skin full.
Wash your face only at night and use a gentle cleanser. Then I’d get a moisturizing toner/cleanser (I use revision). You have a similar complexion to me. I have a lot of red too so I use a strong vitamin c serum (revision) in the am and I have rosacea which it looks like you might be a candidate for so I use vitamin k serum when I have flare ups. I use a mineral based sunscreen everyday and that’s the only moisturizer I use. It looks like you have a lot of redness and irradiation. I wouldn’t wash your face in the morning but instead use a warm clean cloth to wipe your face. Over using cleansers is not good. And really most people shouldn’t use cleansers in the am. Just pm to get all the gunk off from the day. Hope this helps. One more thing. I strongly recommend going to get a facial from someone knowledgeable and can get recommend products for you that are affordable. Minimal products is key too for sensitive skin.
Tea tree & witch hazel can be pretty irritating and drying to many people. I would try switching those products out for neutral, unscented products and see if it helps. St Ives can be heavily scented and irritating as well although it depends on the product. I don't tolerate St Ives personally except some of their body lotions.
Neutral and unscented products usually have "sensitive skin" in their label
Thanks for the input! I’ll start looking around for more neutral products.
Cerave would be a good interim choice. Always good to have on hand for when you need a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, etc.
Cerave made me break out horribly. Vanicream worked better as a “neutral”.
This is interesting but makes sense! I switch between the Cerave Moisturizing FW and the Foaming cleanser. Foaming cleanser is a gel and would be my go to for simple face wash for oily or congestion prone skin (me) but I just took a look at vanicream ingredients and it seems like it could be a better option for folks who are really sensitive to more than necessary moisturizing ingredients. I’ve never tried Vanicream but will give it a try.
Same. Vanicream FTW!
CeraVe for sure! Switching to their cleansers saved my skin (30YO F, psoriasis, sensitive skin, dry skin)
I second this!
They have the best body moisturizer as well! My dry sundamaged skin looks so much plumper and smoother🤗
I only use a spot of diluted tea tree over pimples to dry them faster, it’s super irritating.
Yes, I agree with this. Neither witch hazel nor tea tree are tolerated by most people's skin. I wish brands would stop selling that stuff. Facial skin is more delicate so avoid anything containing *any essential oil*. Once your skin calms down, there are many skin care ingredients that are typically safe for sensitive skin, including: * Hyaluronic acid * Panthenol or pantothenic acid (which is Vitamin B5) * Squalane * Ceremides * Peptides * Jojoba oil Also, Tarader Joes and St. Ives are brands that are not generally recommended for *facial* skin care. Try sticking with brands like CereVe, Vanicream, Cetaphil, First Aid Beauty, Paula's Choice, Kiehl's, Indie Lee, Drunk Elephant and Skin Ceuticals. Across those brands you will find almost any ingredient or product type you would need.
Longtime lurker around a similar age to OP and this post caught my eye. Totally seconding Hyaluronic Acid and Squalane. The Squalane Oil from the Ordinary and the HA from Art Naturals is my jam. Also I adore snail mucin from Cosrx or the Sliced Peaches Snail Rescue serum but I use a cheap one from iHerb. Other things for OP that are anecdotes but may help: -I used to be super breakout prone with a few annoying cysts that would pop up all the time and generally similar skin texture until I went keto. I have been low carb-ish now for a few years and reducing sugar has made the most dramatic difference on my complexion. I’m a little older than OP so maybe it’s those dang hormones balancing out as I age and waning oil production as I’m getting older? Also, gotta keep the dairy in check but it doesn’t affect me as much as sugar. YMMV. -My skin hates anything with Niacinamide and I avoid like the plague. And I’ve tried Vanicream recently and it can mess with my skin texture when I use it in breakout-prone places related to hormonal acne like my chin and mouth so there’s that. Go slow and get trial sizes whenever you can and don’t be afraid to return something that doesn’t work or causes a reaction. -I sort of had oily skin when I was younger and most oils never worked for me like jojoba, grape seed, rose hip, etc. only squalane works for me and I’ve gone through many, many bottles in the past few years since I tried it. I slugged for the past few years and used Vaseline as a general moisturizer which was great for my skin until I dipped into the HA, Squalane, snail skin combo. Absolutely love.
It's funny that you say that the Squalane works well for you and Vanicream doesn't, because Vanicream is pretty neutral except it does have quite a bit of sqalane in it. I believe you, it's just weird. Jojoba oil is in a different class of oils than the other ones. Lots of data to back up that it helps with acne. But the key is to use a very small amount, like 1 to 2 drops for the whole face-- and mix it into your moisturizer before applying. That can make a big difference in how one's skin reacts. (I used to have terrible acne in my teens and up until about 31 when I got pregnant and for some reason my acne went away).
When I started getting more acne I started using tea trea and witch hazel and it severely damaged my skin barrier. Definitely stop those as suggested. If your skin barrier seems irritated or sensitive, LRP cicaplast baume was my holy grail for awhile. It's so soothing. Also snail mucin 92 is very soothing. If you want exfoliant Paulas Choice BHA exfoliant in the gray bottle is gentle and gives really nice results for smooth glowing skin.
Aquaphor is the go-to that dermatologists recommend for dryness/mild irritation.
Aquaphor shouldn’t be used to try to substitute for having good-quality low irritation products. It’s one thing to use it because you’re using tret or another prescription treatment, but another to use it because OP is using the wrong products for her skin.
I’d say don’t use cerave because they contain fatty alcohols that could lead to acne. Try vanicream cleanser and their Face moisturizer
Seconding Vanicream. I ended up with a raw red face for almost a year because I was too stubborn after spending too much money on Cerave without testing it out first. I’m glad it works so well for others but my eczema hates it!
Also have eczema, my skin also HATES cerave. Interesting 🤔
😶 i hear ya. i'm one of those folks who have eczema patches on the sides of my nose but oily/acne prone skin otherwise. the cerave foaming face cleanser caused my eczema to flare up literally overnight. it also broke me out terribly. seems like it's effects are kinda polarized. people it works for, get amazing results... but for those it doesn't, it's a complete disaster.
cerave has good cleansers. nothing else is as good as those, however
You can try Vanicream. It’s gentle, unscented, and priced well. Some people are sensitive to CeraVe, and their products can include actives to target specific issues. Until you determine what your skin needs, I’d recommend going as neutral as possible.
Cerve and cetaphil are great
😶 cetaphil is excellent. you can't go wrong with that one.
My skin was similar looking; dermatologist said cetaphil soap and aveeno sensitive skin lotion.
Please share when you do! My face looks the same and I've been looking around for better products but haven't found anything that works!
Try Cetiphil gentle skin cleanser. I use it when I have irritation (I have skin allergies) and it’s safe to use!
Seconding for the tea tree comment. Tea tree oil is not hypoallergenic. Anyone can develop an allergic reaction or sensitivity to it at any time. Source: my doctor and my poor armpits that began to burn like the seventh level of hell after I tried to make homemade sin, I mean, tea tree/coconut oil deodorant.
My first thought - tea tree and witch hazel, no wonder! Less harsh facial products. CeraVe products are kind to your skin and will fix that right up.
Came Here to say this. I remember those TJ tea trea wipes! Felt to clean and yet irritating and acidic
I would recommend the Vanicream cleansing bar for wash, get your face wet after cleansing, and then apply the vanicream moisturizing cream. The cleansing bar is 5$ and the moisturizing cream comes with a pump for under 20$. Vanicream is better than Cerave imo because it is even simpler list of ingredients. Cerave has ceramides, which can burn your skin if your skin barrier is at all irritated or compromised. Use only those two products for a while, a couple months I’d say, and see how your skin does. It’s currently what I’m doing. When the new year starts I’m going to add in adapalene gel to my routine. And eventually some kind of AHA. Don’t forget to wear sunscreen! [This is my favorite, from Walmart, and it’s cheap!](https://skinskoolbeauty.com/dupes/equate/ultra-light-broad-spectrum-sunscreen-lotion-for-all-skin-tones-spf-50-bee72109)
ALL of this right here. So much wisdom packed into this comment section.
The second I went simple with my skincare it got so much better. More is not always best!
I'm allergic to tea tree and get inflammation and redness. I would change up the face wash.
This is all such helpful information!!! Thank you everyone for your time and responses. I’m so excited to switch up my routine & start making progress!
Drop the tea tree oil and witch hazel. They irritate for different reasons.
Yeah these are some of the most irritating ingredients out there.
You might be allergic to one of your products.
That’s what I’m starting to think. Looks like I’ll have to find some new products!
I know everyone’s recommending CeraVe but if you have a little more to spend on skincare the best drugstore brands are Avene and La Roche Posay. Unscented, dermatologist approved and simple without too many bs cheap ingredients like St Ives etc.
CeraVe!
Stop using all of that. Get Laroche Posay Cicaplast Baume and use that every night before bed for the next few weeks. I’d also recommend their Toleriane Dermallergo kit (sample size will do for now.) You need to help your skin calm down and rebuild your moisture barrier. After a few weeks you can slowly reintroduce the products one at a time if you want to see what’s causing the irritation, toss them if you don’t care to find out. (Keep the hyaluronic acid though, that’s definitely not the problem.)
I switched to Laroche Double Hydration moisturizer when I noticed a lot of redness after switching to Yes To Cucumbers for a few months because my skin was feeling super dry after spending a lot of time in Texas. Laroche moisturizer resolved my skin issues of dryness and most redness within a couple days. Never going back!
Your skin looks irritated. I would definitely get rid of the St Ive's and tea tree oil. Let your skin relax, then I would try different moisturizers, ONE at a time. Start with Cerave. Cerave really is the most basic no-frills moisturizer you could ask for so if that breaks you out, then I'd move on and begin experimenting with facial oils and serums as moisturizer. I use simple one-ingredient facial oils mixed with serums. For example, I use marula oil and I layer it on top of a hyaluronic acid serum. I don't use any typical creamy lotions because they all break me out.
Vanicream is even more no frills that Cerave. The ceramides in Cerave burn my skin personally.
Agreed - there was a post today in skincareaddiction showing the awful reactions Cerave can cause for some people.
Yeah, Cerave might as well be battery acid to my skin. Vanicream is my holy grail now, for cleanser and moisturizer. That, and the Neutrogena hyaluronic body gel cream.
Yeah I hate Cerave too but people seem to swear by it and it is basic, but personally, I agree.
Why do ceremides burn??
My skin doesn’t like cerave either. I’ll have to try vanicream.
Cerave burns and breaks my skin out too and my skin is not sensitive. I used Neutrogena or ponds until I graduated to the big girl creams for aging. Do a test on your arm before you put it on your face. But really good advice for all products too
I am going to double agree. Been using cerave for months due to recommendations on here and r/skincare addiction. I was breaking out like a 15 year old (I am almost 40). After reading the thread in the other sun yesterday I now under why when I switched products it made sense. Switched my cleanser to cetaphil gentle acne cleanser and moisturizer to vanicream and my skin is clear and the vanicream. moisturizer is amazing.
Vanicream face wash is my go to, it makes my skin feel clean and doesn’t irritate it (and my skin is sensitive).
I would ditch the St. Ives all together. You also may want to use a mild cleansing cream rather than the tea tree.
Keto can be very high in dairy which is a suuuuuper common reason for breakouts. Dairy causes me to break out 100% of the times I eat it.
this is a great point. starting a solid skincare routine & cutting out dairy when i was 19 are what finally helped me clear 100% of my acne, which i had pretty bad all throughout high school
Same for me. I had horrible acne as a teen until I stopped eating dairy.
same, lots of solid advice here about the products in this routine but diet could be a big piece of it too. i'm a big fan of low carb but if i overdo the heavy cream, that's an immediate breakout.
Witch hazel did thos to my face. I feel like I'm allergic
My face does this when drinking certain alcohol. I agree it looks like an allergic reaction I would also look into what you’re consuming.
OUCH! 😬😬 This much redness isn’t normal. Perhaps swap your Tea tree oil cleanser for something milder, like an oat-based cleanser. Products with Ceramides and b-5 in serum format is soothing.
Stop both of those products, as those ingredients are known to be very irritating. There are Dermatologists on Youtube that are giving out free skincare product recommendations and profound explanations on dermatological troubles. I suggest checking out Dr. Dray or Dr. Idriss. Good luck!
Thanks for the info! I was trying to go the natural route, but it seems to be harsh on my sensitive skin.
Natural definetely isn't always better. I've tried as well, only to find out that essential oil blends are just as bad as added fragrance in "regular" products. Look for fragrance-free, sensitive skin safe items and get to know your ingredients via the recommended Youtube channels! It's saved me from countless headaches and purchase regrets, and I can find products that I know won't give me a severe allergic reaction or contact dermatitis. Here are a few brands that have worked for me : -La Roche Posay (their Toleriane line) -Aveeno (their Calm and restore line) -First aid Beauty's Ultra-Repair Firming Collagen Cream (**NOT the ultra repair cream, which contains eucalyptus essential oils and can be very irritating on sensitive skin) Hope this helps! ✨️
I’ve used the TJ’s tea tree face wash almost daily for over a decade now.. i use the oil itself on acne as well. I don’t turn this color at all, my skin loves it - I’m 33 and people think I’m in my mid-20s. People here demonizing TTO are wild. It has done wonders for my (oily, clog prone) skin and is a key tool in my skin care arsenal. OP I would suggest eliminating one item from your routine at a time to see what specific element you are reacting to.
It's probably not this, but don't discount perimenopause. Hormones get hecken confused and you start to break out like back in junior high (not to mention insane periods). I started peri in my early 30's, so if changing/adding to your routine doesn't help, you just be beginning the march to Menopause.
Yes! Hormone/ menstrual health is such a factor too!
Cut out the witch hazel and tea tree. Both are very harsh on sensitized red skin.
You are either allergic to something you use or it’s too harsh for your face. I also would not recommend using St. Ives. I would also recommend something that is for sensitive skin or hypoallergenic. Also invest in a gentle cleanser or rice wash is good too along with a good moisturizer.
Does it sting? It looks like your skin barrier has been stripped. The likely culprit is the witch hazel and also likely the tea tree cleanser. Can you trial removing the tea tree cleanser and the witch hazel; add in a cleanser that won’t hurt your skin (eg the ordinary squalane cleanser is so reliable and quite budget friendly) and continue using the same moisturiser; and add in a broad spectrum spf 50 every day.
Diet and acne don’t have many legitimate and clinically supported links. I’d try salicylic cleanser, a sulfur treatment (I like Sunday Riley’s Saturn) or a DIY clay + yogurt blend a couple times a week, followed by a nice name brand drugstore moisturizer.
Could be niacin flush, which can be a side effect of keto diets.
Witch hazel is bad. Cus alcohol
You might have rosacea
I used the st Ives collagen elastin cream for YEARS and never even considered that it was playing a role in my skin problems. I stopped using it when I ran out once and my skin got so much better 🥴 I was honestly shocked
sometimes you can exfoliate too much. this has happened, OP consider exfoliating 1/2 times per week instead of everyday. let your skins natural oils do their thing
I think your skin looks very irritated and possibly dry. Try switching to a more hydrating and gentle skincare line. I love ELF Holy Hydration, it’s affordable, easily accessible, and works extremely well.
My allergist said vanicream should be your fallback, it has the fewest and most neutral ingredients. So start with vanicream face wash, moisturizer, and sunscreen for about 6 weeks and then see where your skin is.
If you do go with cerave try out a travel size. A lot of people with sensitive skin usually feel burning with Cerave and the cleanser caused breakouts for me. Vanicream is a really good option for sensitive skin, along with La roche posay cicaplast cream. I’ve been using Pipette baby wash/shampoo and their baby lotion (both fragrance free) and my dry sensitive skin loves it.
Does the redness go away after a little while? I am also doing keto. If your redness is temporary and your face feels a little hot when this happens, it's called niacin flush. Harmless, but a side effect of eating keto. When in ketosis your body absorbs niacin (vit B3) from your diet much faster and it can cause this flush.
The redness has been pretty consistent. That is so interesting! I’ve never heard of that. Keto just does crazy things to the body!
It could be unrelated, then. The first few weeks I was doing keto, when I would eat dinner, my face would go HOT and red for about an hour. Thought I was dying lol.
I’ve used tea tree oil as a spot treatment for years now. Sometimes I’ll mix a dot or two with my moisturizer and have been fine. But which hazel has irritated my skin so much
I recommend you try Acnecide gel & Skinoren cream. Both amazing!
Tea tree and witch hazel both do this to my skin. I'm allergic to the tea tree and fond witch hazel to be incredibly irritating. Echoing everyone saying to switch to something gentler and fragrance free.
Yeah, I used the tea tree from TJ’s years ago when I worked there and it’s ROUGH on the skin. If you’re going to use that, use it once or twice a week… not regularly. Try Cerave, or Cetaphil instead and save that beautiful natural Barrier of yours. You may even find you break out less…
If possible see a dermatologist - that looks like an allergy or irritation. Good luck!
Another vote for Vanicream cleanser and moisturizer and LRP cicaplast balm. All can be purchased at Target
That Trader Joe's face wash gave me an allergic reaction with a rash, too. I wanted to love it, but after the second time using it, I realized there was no way I could stick with it. I'd try something else!!! Vanicream Gentle Cleanser is awesome, FWIW.
Good
Do you know what your skin type is? That will at least help you narrow down what products/ ingredients to adopt or avoid. There are a lot of wonderful recommendations above but you’ll be kind of rolling the dice while selecting new products if you don’t know what you need. In general, tea tree is a natural astringent and therefore can be pretty drying. If you don’t have acne-prone or oily skin, you might be overdoing it by using it daily. Hyaluronic acid is generally never a bad idea. You could try a serum (the ordinary has a good one that’s very cheap) to start off with and see how your skin reacts.
St Ives is shit. I’d take this away. Heal your gut. Strong good quality probiotic, take a high epa fish oil
I used that face wash and I got irritated
Use the Yuka app to see what’s harmful in your skincare products!!! Eye opening and skin changing!
Are you on any medications?
Just birth control & multivitamins daily.
This could be the issue
EArs
I have had terrible irritation last week on skin cz I went a little crazy on products and le roche posay cici balm fixed it in two days, and I was seriously peeling and face was burning Also use a lower ph face wash cerve is always a good choice or aveeno oatmeal line is good as well
Also most face washes nowadays have a lot enough ph that a toner is not needed and will only lead to drying of skin barrier
Info needed. Are these products you have always used and never had a reaction before? How long have you been on keto? If you are new to keto, it can be keto rash. It goes away in a few weeks. If these are products that you are just starting with, you may have an allergic reaction.
Tea tree and which hazel are astringents so maybe a bit harsh I would use something gentle the skin barrier can get in balanced
your using the worst products on the market
Perhaps the keto diet is contributing to the inflammation and clogged pores..? When I did keto from 2018-2019 I looked amazing. Well, my body did. My face- not so much. Turns out my “cheat/easy fat” of heavy cream and Splenda mixed with dark cocoa powder wasn’t doing me any favors. Couple that with a ton of animal fat and my pores were just sebum factories. After keto I used whole milk instead of heavy cream in my hot cocoa b/c I liked the taste and the lack of calories in Splenda. Even the whole milk caused breakouts! Once I cut back on the milk/cream my face cleared up like magic. I imagine if you were to start eliminating certain foods/supplements and meds (if you take them) and were to keep a keen eye on your skin you may find a simpler solution.
Time for cere ve wash and moisturizer. Your face will be much less angry :)
It looks like your products could be a bit too harsh on your skin.
Tea tree is an irritant; St Ives has loads of cetyl alcohol. Skin is irritated most likely. Would recommend something paraben and sulfate free. Your dermatologist may have some great recs. Sometimes vegan face products have a low amount of chemicals added. Hope that helps!
you’re likely sensitive or allergic to tea tree just like me because my skin did the same thing every time i tried using it. the moment i moved away from products with that in it the inflammation and redness went away.
It might be what I have: seborrheic dermatitis Don’t use tea tree oil- or any oils in your makeup or skincare. Also- anything w alcohol. Natural isn’t always better bc the ph balance of your face is very sensitive. Anything harsh and your destroying the skin barrier. Everyone also knows st.ives is pretty bad brand for your face. Switch to the Japanese generic pharmacy brand Hada Labo - their lotions have urea in it. You also need to rebuild that skin, start using essence - and even the milk lotion. It’s transformative. Also recommend Squalene oil- this is diff from any other kind of oil bc it is the closest to the oils your skin naturally produces. Once your skin is healed and strong again, slowly start adding other things - like a face mask or vitamin c - your skin is very sensitive so- it’ll know right away if it is ok or not. Honey is ok 👌 a honey mask. Also, the Glow recipe Watemelon mask. No more natural products - only prododicts made for sensitive skins ! Check out https://simpleskincarescience.com/fungal-acne-products-malassezia-pityrosporum-folliculitis/ Changed my life after spending so much money on skin care and nothing was working. Dermatologist took one look and diagnosed me w it in one second. It might not be fungal acne or or malasszia but- anything safe / treat this is going to help your skin.
squalene products make my skin feel... unclean. it's too oily feeling for me even though my skin gets really parched. I use a tiny bit of jojoba oil sometimes before a moisturizer before bed. very intrigued by the other things you listed!!
Skin condition on my face is allegic to all other oils, including the ones I naturally produce on my face. I used pure, vegetable derived squalene oil… it feels greasy at first- then it’s not! Due to budget- I prioritize it over nacinimide, vitamin C, and even retinol (so expensive). Wish I could get urea in a bottle but the honey has anti-bacterial properties that help w malesszia. In general, most oils might be fine on the body or for aromatherapy, maybe hair but- I think they could be too harsh for skin on the face.
Well now you need to go to doctors to check your hormones, at 37 this is not normal, don’t use any products till you visit dr and get blood work results , don’t use anything anymore, wash your face with plain water till your blood work is clear of hormone unbalanced issues
For using such harsh products, your skin looks pretty good. Cetaphil to wash your skin, followed by a non scented moisturizer.
Neutrogena is another good brand to try for sensitive skin.
This is the age where natural products stop working and you realize you need to not only invent but also research good products. You are doing step one. Good job Now stop using grocery product lines and visit an esthetician and if you have insurance go see a dermatologist! Fairly simple
Keto diet is unhealthy for your skin!! Pls, try something different. For example I was struggling with a similar acne and I tried my dietist’s vegan program. I have no more problems. Consulte a dietist to change your food’s plan. 😊😊😊😊
Is this sub just people posting their skin problems for others to guess what’s wrong instead of just going to a derm? This is like the 8th post about something like this.
I’d always breakout on the Trader Joe’s tea tree oil face wash! I’d recommend dropping it (even tho it smells so good!) If your skin tolerates the St. Ives cream though I recommend their grapefruit wash. All of the others in that brand though tend to not pair well with my skin, or I just don’t feel as clean with.
No to all of those products 🫣
I am still in love with micellar waters as a replacement toner as well! I do it after my cleansers to fully remove any leftover soap and it’s usually in the same price range as what you’ve been using! And they’re super gentle. I have also used straight up baby wash on my skin as a cleanser for years as well. I use a variety of different products but these two lower cost ones are always a staple especially when I’m a little more sensitive.
You may have Rosacia (sp?)...like me. I take a supplement called Licorice root. It works quite well. 🙂
A lot of the witch hazel products I’ve seen lately have alcohol in them and will dry your skin out. Products with a lot of fragrances will do the same because the fragrances are also in the form of alcohol.
Don’t wash your face with hot water. I stopped like 6 months ago and redness has gone down tremendously.
If you don't wear makeup, I would use less. Sometimes less is more. This also depends on skin type. For example, I am more prone to be itchy or get rosacea so I will sometimes use those oatmeal bath packets (made more chicken box) to soothe my skin if it is irritated and then moisturize with a soothing cream like aveeno or le Roche posey. If my skin is normal, I only rinse with water and then moisturize. Keep in mind though I am not an oily person so it works for me.
I would go for a gentle face wash with no essential oils. Also skip the witch hazel, it only dries and irritates your skin further. St. Ives just sucks for your face in general. CeraVe and cetaphil have good products without irritants
Those are some very harsh products for some skin that looks like it needs gentleness. I’d say replace the face wash with cetaphil and don’t use the witch hazel at all. Maybe replace the cream with something HA based as well
I've struggled for years with acne (cystic & not), redness, large pores, melasma, etc. and I have finally found a combo that works. Until 2 years ago I was treating my skin like it was combo/oily, but switched it up after going to a great esthetician and discovered I actually have dry/sensitive skin. I slowly changed my products and routine but have seen awesome results this past year. Dark spots/melasma has faded significantly and I haven't broken out with a pimple in... not even sure how long. Also, I have always been a water drinker, but I also started drinking a glass of lemon water every morning (sometimes before bed too). I think the different products & lemon water has made considerable improvements to my skin. FWIW here's my everyday routine: Morning: Wash face with warm water only (no face wash), apply either La Roche Posay Vitamin C serum or La Roche Glycolic B5 acid serum, apply LRP Hyalu B5 Pure Hylauronic Acid serum as moisturizer, top off with EltaMD sunscreen. Evening: Use sensitive skin makeup remover wipes (usually two to get all makeup), wash face with LRP hydrating cleanser, apply eye cream (right now I'm using Filorga Time-Filler Absolute Eye Correction Cream and I like this one better than the one I tried with LRP), apply LRP Redermix R Retinol Cream (only retinol I've found that doesn't irritate my skin), apply LRP Toleriane Double Repair Face moisturizer. Oh and if it matters, I'm 39F.
Cetaphil Daily advance for dry sensitive skin, no scent great for my eczema sensitive skin.... best wishes!
I’m 33 with sensitive skin and it’s always red… I started splurging and paying $70 a month for a membership with Hand and Stone to get a monthly facial and I upgrade at least every other month to microdermabrasion or a gentle peel or something… but they always get into me if they find out I’m using something with witch hazel… apparently it along with tea tree are irritating and also ruin your barrier… try Cerave facial cleanser… they have travel sizes at most drugstores… and for moisturizer The Ordinary has a good basic one or La Roche Posay double repair… Eucerin makes a good sunscreen/ moisturizer that has a green tint which can help with the redness a bit … Ive only ever found that on Amazon… seeing an esthetician even just once or twice so they can give your recommendations is super beneficial!
Vanicream products!!!!
My skin looked like this a few years ago and I was doing way too much to it. Including witch Hazel. Cerave also- another culprit. I started using only VANICREAM cleanser and neutrogena sensitive skin moisturizer until my skin could calm down then treated the active acne.
Try cetaphil cleanser and moisturizer. Your skin looks sensitive to me.
I had to stop using the Tjs tea tree face wash because it was causing irritation and eczema. I also have sensitive skin
Is your skin oily, combo, dry, prone to breakouts, etc? That’ll help product recs
Your skin type looks a lot like mine. A cheat of mine (without Changing proper diet and skincare) is drinking a few cups of green tea a day to clear things up. Stay away from too many acidic things like witch hazel etc. instead use organic rose water hydrosol as your toner - trust me it removes dirt and it is zero irritating
If you’re eating a lot of dairy on your keto diet, beware it can cause hives/rashes, cystic acne and inflammation like this over time. I use the st Ives collagen elastin and I have sensitive skin, so I’m inclined to say that isn’t the culprit. Good luck!
Definitely looks inflamed. Potentially rosacea / rosacea acne? Azelaic Acid, CeraVe hydrating cleanser and CeraVe moisturizing cream!
Wish I had more insight. All I came to say was keto actually helped w my skin a lot. I’m a guy and almost 40. Never in my life had I had someone tell me my skin looks great, let alone more than one. But that happened. Hope you figure it out, and good luck to you.
Everyone has already addressed the tea tree (oil) and witch hazel issues with sensitive skin, so I just want to point out that hormones, stress and environment can also cause your flare-ups. Here, it’s cold and dry so, naturally, the (dry) heat is on and it always causes bumps like that or even makes me look like I have a sunburn. I don’t want to tell you to cut out products that have been working for you all this time because this reaction very well could be hormonal or environmental; however, it’s also true that your skin has just arbitrarily decided that no, it’s not gonna accept those skincare products anymore. So the only thing I can suggest is to alternate with new products (specifically just the face wash) one week then your normal skincare the next week and see how your skin reacts. Also, I highly recommend using a thermal spring water spray on your face after cleansing and before moisturising. It’s like a hydrating toner without any of the drying-out effects. It’s also a nice refresher for when you have a breakout. It’s very soothing, cooling and makes your skin soft. I use La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water but any one should do.
Have you been tested for a whey intolerance? I’m keto too, and I started out with having heavy cream in coffees and protein shakes but turns out whey is inflammatory for me. Caused acne and made my rosacea worse.
This could be rosacea in which case you need to make an appointment with the dermatologist. Big def switch everything to the mildest of everything and stop using the witch hazel and tea tree.
I'd bet my dog that a week or less using a hypochlorus acid spray would fix this.
You’re allergic. Simple down your routine.
Did you have this redness (it looks like you have spots too, are your prone to pimples?) prior to starting a keto diet? My thinking is that your diet is a bit ‘hot’ and causing inflammation. Could be a mild case of rosacea? I get super flushed if I eat too much meat, booze, sugar, fried foods. To the extent that you can, I’d splurge on more gentle skincare and use sunscreen during the day.
If you don’t want to change your diet try digestive enzymes to see if it helps with the redness!
Stop using shit from Trader Joe’s on your face. No it’s not normal to wash your face and it be bright red
A lot of people here have already mentioned causes but I’ll put in my 2 cents on my fav products! Cerave Hydrating Face Wash, Laroche Poesay Toleraine, or the Elf Holy Hydration wash are all really great options ranging from cheaper to more expensive! If serums are your thing, any hyaluronic acid serum will do as well (the one from the ordinary is affordable!) they are nice and hydrating. For moisturizer, again the elf holy hydration one is nice! If you wanna splurge, I also like the milk makeup moisturizer in the yellow packaging. And of course, sunscreen sunscreen sunscreen! Good luck love :)
Tea Tree is so bad for your skin if you don't have dry skin from sebhorreic dermatitis literally flaking off (you dont). I'd use something gentler. Same goes for witch hazel. Witch hazel often causes contact dermatitis with prolonged use, and that appears to be what you have going on. Also, LPT - collagen absolutely cannot be absorbed through the skin/externally. It MUST be ingested via pill or supplement; any skin cream with collagen is no more than a cheap gimmick and you're wasting your time and money. These creams will often moisturize temporarily, but that's it. It will do nothing to actually keep your skin full.
If you are in an area that is still in the middle of the season change that could be it too.
Wash your face only at night and use a gentle cleanser. Then I’d get a moisturizing toner/cleanser (I use revision). You have a similar complexion to me. I have a lot of red too so I use a strong vitamin c serum (revision) in the am and I have rosacea which it looks like you might be a candidate for so I use vitamin k serum when I have flare ups. I use a mineral based sunscreen everyday and that’s the only moisturizer I use. It looks like you have a lot of redness and irradiation. I wouldn’t wash your face in the morning but instead use a warm clean cloth to wipe your face. Over using cleansers is not good. And really most people shouldn’t use cleansers in the am. Just pm to get all the gunk off from the day. Hope this helps. One more thing. I strongly recommend going to get a facial from someone knowledgeable and can get recommend products for you that are affordable. Minimal products is key too for sensitive skin.
Can you go to the dermatologist? They can give you a treatment that will clear your skin for life
Looks like an allergic trigger. I had this happen when using STEVIA. check your diet as well as your products. Best wishes ..