Is there a way to work out what I'm sensitive to? My skin doesn't like many elemis products for example or the josh rosebrook hydrating mist. When I looked them up, there's loads of ingredients that could cause irritation. Do I just avoid all of them?
2
Log in or sign up to leave a comment
That's definitely a challenge when there are many potential skin triggering ingredients in a product. But I noticed that the Josh Rosebrook hydrating mist and MANY of the Elemis products all contain almond oil. I know some folks have issues with that, so if you have a nut allergy then perhaps almond oil is the potential culprit - ?
As others have suggested, comparing ingredients is a good place to start. I figured out I was allergic to propylene glycol when several products that were giving me problems all had just that one ingredient in common. But pinpointing the cause isn't always be so straightforward. For example, I recently had a severe reaction to a new (to me) spray sunscreen that I used only once. I had no idea which ingredient was the problem, so haven't used the product since. But about 3 months later, I was cleaning out my old product graveyard and came across a BB cream I'd forgotten about that caused me to have a similar reaction 6-7 years ago. Comparing the ingredients in both products, I found they both had just ONE ingredient in common...denatured alcohol. So I finally figured out what probably caused the issue with both the spray sunscreen and BB cream, but it took nearly a decade and another nasty skin reaction to finally pinpoint the problem ingredient.
Beyond those ideas, just avoiding the products altogether or finding a good allergist who can help you identify your skin triggers are the only other solutions I can think to suggest. Best of luck!
2
Yes, I've stripped back my routine and will add things 1 by one, paying particular attention to fragrance and almond oil. And start my avoid list from there. Thanks all of you for taking the time to reply x
1
Stay away from products that include 1. Fragrance 2. Essential Oils · 3. Chemical sunscreens · 4. Harsh exfoliants · 5. Sodium Lauryl Sulfates · 6. Alcohol. Wash your face with cleansers explicitly made for sensitive skin. Check your sunscreen for chemicals like avobenzone, octinoxate, and oxybenzone. I, too, struggle with reactive, sensitive skin. I don't know what your budget is or if you have insurance. Visit a dermatologist for their suggestions. It will save you a lot of time and money. La Roche Posay is a skincare brand made specifically for compromised and sensitive skin.
1
Mama - I've found many good answers in quality YouTube vids by dermatologists.
Here are a couple that may help you get started
5 Tips for Sensitive Skin From A Derm! | Dr. Shereene Idriss https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac3M4KQ9lMg
7 MUST KNOW tips for sensitive skin| Dr Dray https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjR9rJYuiFE
Also see the "product elimination diet" available right here on WIMJ: https://whatsinmyjar.com/product-elimination-diet
I would go back to basics. Chose a low irritant cleanser, moisturiser, sunscreen. Stick to that for a month. Then start adding things one at a time. Give them 3 days to see if you react.then add or substitute another. Good luck!
1
I would see what ingredients the products have in common and avoid those in particular. Also, take note of what active ingredients they have in common because those can irritate your skin. Always make sure to do a patch test on your arm or something to make sure that you'll react well. Hope this helps!