My facial skin is red and peeling - fake skin lotions?

[simon43]

I always try to look after my facial skin, especially by wearing a high SPF sunblock lotion. I usually use a Nivea brand moisterising lotion.

Recently, I noticed my facial skin becoming red in places, as well as peeling and/or becoming tender. So I applied more 'smoothing' Nivea lotion and the condition became worse!

I thought the reddening might be because I drink 1 glass of red wine each evening. So I stopped the alcohol, but my skin condition didn't recover.

Then I thought that my wet-shaving was the culprit. I switched to an electric shaver, but the irritation remains.

So I went and bought a skin lotion with Aloe Vera (which should be very soothing for inflamed skin). I applied that lotion and my skin went even more red and peeled even more...

My classroom kids are asking why their teacher has a red face - I said I am practising to be Father Christmas!

I'm really confused about this. Now I am considering the possibility that the brand lotions that I'm applying are actually fake, with sub-standard ingredients. This could be the case because I live in Myanmar and am buying these products in the local supermarket. The packaging looks like the real brand product, but hey - that's how fake products are meant to look!

I will be in BKK in a few weeks and want to buy 12 month's supply of a facial moisteriser/sunblock that is suitable for sensitive skin. Any suggestions as to a proven brand?

[faraday]

I stopped using Nivea, as it seemed to make my face red, & didn't seem to moisturise my skin.

 

My sister, who came to visit last month recommended Boots No. 7 'Beautiful Skin' & its very good - 3 for 2 at the moment.

 

My wife uses Eucerin Sun Block Cream, & she says it doesn't irritate her skin & keeps her face a lovely colour.

[BobHG46]

Have you tried using the aloe plant itself for moisturizing?

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[Sheryl]

Stop applying anything until all the redness and peeling has resolved.

 

Fake product is possible but so is allergy/hypersensitivity if you have not used these products before

 

Suggest Clinique products, hypoallergenic - their Moisture Surge is very good, I use it myself

 

If you arrive/leave by plane can get it in the duty free, otherwise department stores

[jacko45k]

Sounds like an allergic reaction to the lotions.

Do any of these products include 'whitening agents', they are harsh?

 

See a dermatologist.

 

 

[OmarZaid]

alternate between pure Aloe Vera (straight from the plant), and high quality Olive oil (after showering)

 

inflammation likely caused by chemical additives in commercial products

[The Deerhunter]

31 minutes ago, OmarZaid said:

alternate between pure Aloe Vera (straight from the plant), and high quality Olive oil (after showering)

 

inflammation likely caused by chemical additives in commercial products

There is of course a problem knowing what is a high quality Olive oil with even many of the most respected brands being found guity off adulteration with substandard oils that never knew an olive. Google for more information.  It has been going on for years.

[tonray]

I use Aloe Vera gel which is available just about everywhere in Bkk for a large tub (300 ml)  for less than 150 baht. 

 

 

[12DrinkMore]

- Stop using creams.

 

- Change to a mild soap.

 

- Check for any dietary changes that may cause it.

 

- Wait.

 

- If not resolved, see a good dermatologist. If all you get given is a little tube of hydrocortisone then you have probably found a quack.

 

-- It may also be an age related issue. Over the last few years I have become flakier and oilier. 

[Enoon]

 

 

 

[norbra]

From my experience Thai dermatologists don't have a clue about farang skin issues,first off, cut the commercial creams and lotions and as previously mentioned Aloe Vera is a good option as is olive oil and if you can find it macadamia nut cream.

[SiSePuede419]

Also, try stopping eating ocean shrimp and shrimp paste.  My face has got red from both of those, also skin hives.  If it's only your face then good chance it's an allergic reaction to some chemical in the lotion.

 

If you're from America, stop by Trader Joe's and load up on these products and bring back.  All excellent for your skin...

 

 

 

 

[Toscano]

I have had facial skin problems over many years .  Eventually my dermatologist advised not to use any over the counter creams , only those prescribed . 

I do use Nivea moisturizing cream on my lower legs , ankles and feet , it may contain some alcohol which isn't good for one's face .  Many creams contain a whitener that could be Lead or Cadmium based and bad for the skin , also carcinogenic .  Unless you are very fair skinned there is no need to us sun block creams , it isn't creams that moisturize your face , it is water that you drink and food that you eat .  Sunshine is good for you and a little tan will be more skin protecting that sun block creams .  

[jak2002003]

Hello OP.

 

I speak from experience.  I have had skin problems since a child... and am now 40.  My best advise is to stop moisturising your face.. and stop putting anything on it!

 

Your skin needs to breath and heal up naturally.  

 

That will mean you might look worse for a while, but then it will get better and you won't need to put chemicals or plants on your face, unless you have some serious food allergy, or allergy to fabric detergents on your bedding (which I doubt as you say its only the skin on your face that is a problem).

 

Here are my tips that really helped me after I tried most things over the years, when creams from doctors, natural remedies, cosmetics, diet changes etc all failed in the long run.  

 

1.  Use normal anti bacterial soap bars to clean your body / face, and always before you go to bed.......

{ Shower before you go to bed, so during the night the skin has time to produce the natural oils and recover, so in the morning it is in better condition). Shower with cool or tepid water.. not HOT!!!

 

4.  Wear a hat when out in the sun.

 

5. Don't pick, scratch or rub at your face.

 

A really good thing that helped me was using Talc powder after I dried myself off after a shower.  It actually works to make the skin softer, stops itching from dryness, covers up any redness to you face / skin looks better, and makes the skin smoother.. so no flaky itchy bits.

 

You can use any Talc... but the extra fine ones are the best. I put this on after my evening shower.. and that stops any itching or tight skin at night.

 

Try giving this all a try for a week and see what happens.  If the skin is not getting any better I suggest you go to get it looked at by a doctor.  

 

NOTE

Air conditioning will also dry your skin out... so have just a fan on at night if you can.  

One glass of red wine is not enough to cause this much damage to your skin... but a lot of alcohol every day will likely cause skin problems.... 

Being dehydrated will make you skin dry... drink plenty of water!!!

 

[geisha]

I never  use any facial creams that are made in Thailand, you do not know what’s in them, and how they are stocked. I once opened an expensive cream only to find that it had turned into a sort of rancid butter that stank ! I bring all my creams with me from Europe where there’ are strict manufacturing laws and hygiene. You are living here, so , I would stop all creams for the moment, if you are coming to bangkok, buy at the airport duty free well known products, see where they are made ! Cheaper ones are L Oreal , Clinique very good, use sparingly, and Eucerin  too. Keep out of the sun, wear a hat. Boots in Thailand do have some good products, their suntan protections should be ok, tho you don’t need to wear that every day , only on the beach, pool , or doing sports. 

[xylophone]

I have very fair skin and need to watch out for the sun, esp on my face and the usual sunscreens seem too greasy.

 

Discovered a great range in Boots........Cucumber Moisturising Lotion (with SPF 15) and they also have a fragrance-free facial wash with added vitamins.

 

Tried these when had a facial skin "rash" and noticed more solar keratosis appearing. The rash cleared up and hopefully the effects of the sun have been reduced. So far, so good and not expensive.

[Stevemercer]

It is hard to get quality sun block lotions at a cheap price in Thailand. Many of them are copy cats or, if genuine, old stock that is no longer effective.

 

I always stock when I visit Australia, and bring back a year or two supply. A name brand cream costing 75 Baht in Australia is closer to 500 Baht in Thailand.

[csabo]

Lay off all moisturizers until you skin returns to its natural balance. Clean gently with this. Amazing stuff, you will feel the difference the first use. 

 

[ujayujay]

Visit a Dermatologist. This Forum can not give you an serious Answer. There are a wide spread probably cause your Problems. 

[Sumarianson]

No creams. Just use aloe vera after everthing has cleared up. I find very basic Johnsons baby lotion mixed with real aloe does the trick. 

Aloe vera gel only 45B when you get off the Chopraya boat to Siri Raj where the hospital is the natural products shop is on your right before you hit the main street. So still on the Pier or close to it. Take vitamin C a lot for your skin. Available by the kilo as Ascorbic Acid from Chemipan find them online. A teaspoonful a day with a half spoon of Bicarbonate of soda ( cheap in the supermarket) with a little water put some juice for tase when fizzing stops. Fresh lemon or lime is preferable. 

[OmarZaid]

On 12/15/2017 at 8:40 AM, The Deerhunter said:

There is of course a problem knowing what is a high quality Olive oil with even many of the most respected brands being found guity off adulteration with substandard oils that never knew an olive. Google for more information.  It has been going on for years.

Yes ... am aware ---- certification exists, one has to scrutinize the labels -- test is does it congeal in cooler temps ( same for coconut oil )

[lopburi3]

23 hours ago, Toscano said:

I have had facial skin problems over many years .  Eventually my dermatologist advised not to use any over the counter creams , only those prescribed . 

I do use Nivea moisturizing cream on my lower legs , ankles and feet , it may contain some alcohol which isn't good for one's face .  Many creams contain a whitener that could be Lead or Cadmium based and bad for the skin , also carcinogenic .  Unless you are very fair skinned there is no need to us sun block creams , it isn't creams that moisturize your face , it is water that you drink and food that you eat .  Sunshine is good for you and a little tan will be more skin protecting that sun block creams .  

It is not moisture that most of us use sun block for - and you do not have to be whiter than white to have SCC/BCC issues develop.  The sun is not your skin's friend.

 

Quote

 

Changes in the skin related to sun exposure:

• Precancerous (actinic keratosis) and cancerous (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma) skin lesions caused by loss of the skin's immune function
• Benign tumors
• Fine and coarse wrinkles
• Freckles
• Discolored areas of the skin, called mottled pigmentation
• Sallowness: a yellow discoloration of the skin
• Telangiectasias: the dilation of small blood vessels under the skin
• Elastosis: the destruction of the elastic tissue causing lines and wrinkles

 

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10985-sun-exposure--skin-cancer

•  

[mikiea]

On 12/14/2017 at 5:04 PM, Sheryl said:

Stop applying anything until all the redness and peeling has resolved.

 

Fake product is possible but so is allergy/hypersensitivity if you have not used these products before

 

Suggest Clinique products, hypoallergenic - their Moisture Surge is very good, I use it myself

 

If you arrive/leave by plane can get it in the duty free, otherwise department stores

true words spoken , only buy from upscale dept stores or DF , 8 years ago i visited a   cosmetic factory in shenzhen to look at their stock (past life wholesaler). 5 gal vats of crisco shortening and glycerin were blended together with pimp oil fragrance and injected into small tubes .  all the major brands were on these tubes  , same garbage in all of them . to the eye looked good .

[The Deerhunter]

On 16/12/2017 at 10:19 AM, OmarZaid said:

Yes ... am aware ---- certification exists, one has to scrutinize the labels -- test is does it congeal in cooler temps ( same for coconut oil )

Passing off cheap oil and wine as expensive ones is politely called "sophistication."  Some of the practitioners are very sophisticated with good laboratory skills.

[simon43]

An update to my post:

I stopped using the Nivea moisteriser and the peeling skin cleared up and the redness reduced somewhat. But even without any moisteriser, the tinge of the redness varies in intensity each few weeks.

Furthermore, this redness is not all over my face, but in some specific areas, such as either side of my nose, in the middle of my chin and a 1 cm x 4 cm block on one cheek.

The redness area either side of my nose crosses over my nasio folds, but importantly, the skin colour in that fold is normal. That suggests to me that this redness is nothing to do with food allergy or lotion allergy, but is an environmental allergy or exposure (since the nasio fold is protected somewhat from exposure to sunlight, wind, rain and air pollution).

The lotions that I use have are SPF50, and I'm careful to avoid excessive sun exposure.

When I ride my motorcycle, I always wear a face covering from just below my eyes, so I can't think that wind exposure is causing the pinkness.

It's very strange. Right now, my skin is not at all sore, but it is still pink in the described regions.

Also, aloe vera lotions and raw (fresh from the plant) aloe vera cause my skin to smart and go even more red...

[Sheryl]

Could it be irritation fro mthe face covering you wear on the bike?

[simon43]

Could it be irritation from the face covering you wear on the bike?

Anything is possible! I will try a different material and see .....

[banjoe]

Could it be irritation from the face covering you wear on the bike?

Anything is possible! I will try a different material and see .....Google Rosacea. Sounds like you have it

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[simon43]

Google Rosacea. Sounds like you have it

Of course Rosacea was the first thing that I thought about many months ago. However, there are no sign of blood vessels or spider veins.

But I will visit a skin specialist in Bangkok on my next trip from Myanmar.

[geisha]

Some pain killers like ibuprofen can make your face red , anyhow, see a dermatologist soon.