Thread: Question about dry/sensitive skin

I've been battling off an on with irritated skin on my face for years now. My straight technique has reached the point where I'm not irritating my face anymore, but I'm still having some problems with my skin.

Here's what's been happening lately:

I'll do my normal two-pass shave, and everything feels great as I rinse off the rest of the lather. The alum block feels pretty good--maybe a slight tingle or two in a couple of places. I rinse off again, gently towel dry, then apply a moisturizer. This stuff is supposed to be for sensitive skin, but it burns as I apply it. It's just a Nivea lotion from Wal-Mart, but I get the same burning effect from Proraso ASB, aloe gel, or Coral Skin Food.

The burning subsides, and my skin feels pretty good for most of the day. But around late afternoon, it starts to feel irritated again. My cheeks and chin look rashy--like those itchy heat burns you sometimes get during the summer.

If I apply more lotion at this point, it burns again. Eventually the burning goes away, but the irritation stays to some extent.

I'm frustrated with trying to pinpoint what's causing this. I'm thinking maybe it's just severely dry, chapped skin.

Has anyone else experienced anything similar?

Josh

Yes; unfortunately.

Try some of this:

http://www.emsplace.com/grooming/lot...nd_creams.aspx

EXOTIC BUTTER CREAM - This thick, rich exotic cream is perfect for all skin types - filled with shea, cocoa and mango butter. What makes this so great for the skin is its high content of natural butters that are high in fatty acids (comprised mostly of stearic and oleic.) These fatty acids are indispensable for moisturizing and retaining the elasticity of the skin. By making up for lipid (fat) deficiency in the epidermal cells, exotic butters provide the skin with all the essential elements it needs for good balance. Smooth on face, hands, and body. Especially nice as an under eye and lip cream. And those dry patches will "drink it up". Has a very light aroma from the essential oils. The ultimate! If you have normal, dry or very dry facial skin this is for you. #fc-sc
Ingredients: Aloe barbadensis (Aloe) Juice, Rosa damascena (Rose) Distillate, Butyrospermun parkii (Shea) Butter, Emulsifying Wax NF, Kosher Vegetable Glycerin, Hamamelis virginiana (Witch Hazel), Theobroma cacao (Natural Cocoa) Butter, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Phenoxyethanol, Palm Stearic Acid, Mangifera indica (Mango) Butter, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citrus sinensis (Sweet Orange) Essential Oil, Xanthan Gum (Polysaccharide Gum), Lavandula officinalis (Lavender) Essential Oil, Mannan, Salix nigra (Organic Black Willow Bark) Extract, Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) Oleoresin, Azadirachta indica (Neem), Citric Acid Select Size and Price 4 oz. $17.85 - SALE $14.85
2 oz. $8.95 - SALE $5.95

What soap or cream do you generally use?

Josh, have you tried anything like the Trumper's Skin Food yet?

Lynn

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. Lynn, I have tried the Trumper's Skin Food, and I'm not sure about it. I actually just used it yesterday, and my skin acted about the same as it has been. It did burn when applied, but felt soothing after about 15 minutes. About eight hours later, the irritation surfaced as it often does.

The shea butter isn't something I've tried. I'll have to give that a shot.

Right now I'm using D.R. Harris Lavender soap. I am sensitive to some soaps. Proraso irritates my skin. Trufitt & Hill Luxury burns like fire when I lather up with it, as do some of Colleen's soaps.

D.R. Harris almond seems to be fine. I'm in my first week with the lavender, and it seems to be fine for my skin. There's no burning as the lather sits on my skin.

The burning from the various lotions actually reminds me of the feeling I got from the Luxury and other soaps. But I need to moisturize, or my skin gets very dry and tight.

Thanks for the suggestions--keep 'em coming.

Josh

I've got similar skin.

I use Dermalogica Active Moist moisturiser. It's very expensive but it has rave reviews and is used by most of the glamour celebs. (not that this counts for much)

Maybe see if you can grab a sample from somewhere before you buy.

Almond does irritate my skin...especially the pre-shave oils.

Lavender is also irritating to some. Safest for me has been the Lime and Mints.

Hope you find some relief. This winter dryness is especially tough.

Hate that electric heat!

Originally Posted by JoshEarl

Thanks for the suggestions--keep 'em coming.

I don't know how much you're willing to try to fix it, but I would suggest you try "method shaving," or really just using Hydrolast products. I've switched to that, and all my skin problems have disappeared. No more blemishes, no more dry skin, no more oily skin, etc. Now, I don't have to wash my face or moisturize -- and I've always suffered from dry, cracked skin too.

You'd be shocked how good it is. I definitely recommend you give it a try. Method shaving has a bad rap because it seems complicated, but it's really no different than using the traditional soaps/creams and doesn't take any longer.

Most everything will irritate your skin when it's raw Josh.

There's some very good suggestions here and I would add just one: Ask a dermatologist.

Your irritation could have progressed from irritation to infection very easily and a professional opinion wouldn't hurt.

I'm not trying to be an alarmist, just eliminating possibilities.

Take care,
Randy

I get this with all moisturisers I have tried except Kiehl's. This is a pain as in the UK you get half as much for twice the price.

They have "nourishing face cream" for everyday use, or if you have very dry skin they do an ultra facial moisturizer, which I use when I go skiing or to dry climates. I know they do sample packs as last time I purchased some they threw them in.