Sensitivity to face cream question

[L154C0]

I have Sjögren’s syndrome and am finding my usual face cream (Nivea) to be making my eyes sting even more. I don’t put it near my eyes, but it’s still irritating them. My skin is dry so needs a good moisturiser.

Any recommendations?

Thanks.

[Chanpreet_Walia LUPUS UK]

Hi L154C0,

I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing some stinging around your eye area.

Sometimes ingredients such as perfume in creams can aggravate the skin causing it to sting. In the past, we have had people with lupus recommend coconut oil, Aveeno and Bepanthen nappy rash cream to soothe their facial skin. It is important to remember what works for some people may not work for others - discussing new treatments with your doctor is strongly advised. Your doctor can refer you to a dermatologist if required.

The British Sjögren's Syndrome Association website may recommend some products - bssa.uk.net/

Please let us know how you get on, best wishes!

[weathervane]

Hi , i find that clinique eye and face cream works for me , i have quite sensitive skin . I use Aveeno , body wash and body lotion as im prone to rashes on arms and lower legs. Have you tried massaging your eyes morning and night with a warm facecloth, i have found it helps when my eyes are stinging. I hope you find something that helps as we are prone to really dry skin , best wishes 🌸🌸

[L154C0 in reply to weathervane]

Hi. Thanks for your reply. Is that the Clinique Dramatically Different lotion or cream? I’m finding that anything too strong or scented makes me eyes sting, even though I don’t use it around my eyes.

I’ve heard great things about Aveeno so will try this too.

Doesn’t help the dryness with the central heating on now

Best wishes

[weathervane in reply to L154C0]

I use all about eyes rich eye cream and dram diff face lotion , sometimes the richer cream if very dry . Central heating can trigger sting eyes but i find it does level out . Hope this helps , or that you find something else that works 😀😀😀

[Violet9]

I use all natural creams - Evolve is a great brand, and Mossa or REN eye cream.

[MEGS53]

I wash my face and body with donkey milk soap - bought on holiday in the Canaries and Greece and stockpiled, but I think a company in the UK is now producing it - which contains zero colourants or perfume. I swear by it. I use Clinique or Origins products to moisturize face and aloe vera products for body. These work for me, but everyone's different. Good luck.

[CecilyParsley]

Hi I have tried so many but the good news is that there is a super rich, fragrance free cream that is inexpensive and not tested on animals. Believe it or not it is from M&S and called Formula.It costs £6 and a little goes a long way. Don’t be tempted to try the tinted moisturiser though as Amy eyes were streaming and red within twenty minutes of putting it on. I hope you find something that works for you x

[MEGS53 in reply to CecilyParsley]

I also use this - it's very good and I don't react to it either.

[CecilyParsley in reply to MEGS53]

It’s a great find for me. When I was working I used Elemis SOS cream which was a life saver for my facial rash but at £52 for 50 ml I could not afford it on Benefits. I tried so many other creams and all either made me greasy or were not moisturising enough. I won’t use Clinique because they test on animals. Finding such a rich, effective moisturiser for £6 is brilliant x

[MEGS53 in reply to CecilyParsley]

I agree - it's brilliant! How are you? xxx

[CecilyParsley in reply to MEGS53]

I am struggling to be honest. I have been told to restart the Hydroxychloroquine but I am confused and angry. If as this latest Rheumatologist says I have nothing wrong with me why would I take it? No one has come up with a definitive diagnosis for my burning rash which spread from my toes to my hips. I know my CRP, ANA and dsDNA were all raised but am yet to get the copies from my surgery. I feel dreadful, so weak and fatigued and oral, genital ulceration, fever. I had my second urine test for my kidneys yesterday and today the GP rang me stating I have yet another UTI. She asked me to call the Rheumatologist to chase up my so called urgent appointment. Sorry I did not mean to vent but I just feel I am alone with this fight. Thank you for listening xx

[stiff19 in reply to CecilyParsley]

Bless that’s how I feel but you are not alone 🙏💐thinking of you 🤗

[CecilyParsley in reply to stiff19]

Thank you so much xx

[MEGS53 in reply to CecilyParsley]

Hi Cecily. I feel so sad for the awful way the medical pros are treating you. You're going through so much and they just seem to stand by and do nothing. Unbelievable, but we hear similar a lot on this forum. I wish I had answers, but all I can do is send big hugs and to say that we're here for you so rant away anytime you wish! Please feel free to PM me if I can help in any way. xxx

[L154C0 in reply to MEGS53]

I’ve only been diagnosed SS for a year and even now my Rheumy is only 90% sure?? My consultations are always very vague despite me explaining my complex symptoms and no one seems to treat me holistically. The only symptom support I’m getting is from google and forums. Auto-immune disorders are so challenging to quality of life.

[MEGS53 in reply to L154C0]

Hi. The diagnostic road for AI conditions is a very long one, sadly. I presume you're sero-negative for sjorgrens, otherwise you would have a dx by now? If so, please ask for a lip biopsy of the minor salivary glands (it's uncomfortable, rather than painful - honest!) as about 50% of SS sufferers are sero-negative, but lip biopsy positive. Good luck.

[CecilyParsley in reply to MEGS53]

Thank you so much Meg. It means so much. I used to be a fun, smiley person but now I look so miserable because everything is a struggle. It is people like you that keep me fighting xx

[MEGS53 in reply to CecilyParsley]

You will be that person again! xxx

[CecilyParsley in reply to MEGS53]

Oh I hope so Meg thank you so much xx

[MEGS53 in reply to CecilyParsley]

Biggg hugs back to you. xxx

[CecilyParsley in reply to MEGS53]

❤️Xx

[Cas70]

Nivea works for me but so does Aveena - make sure you get the face cream. I joined Brit Sjogren’s Syndrome Assoc and it has really helped. I now run a support group in my area. We meet every few weeks and it is very comforting and we swap remedies. The warm water flannel on the eyes night and day help. I have Sjogrens and Discoid Lupus so all external discomforts ! Do join BSSA.

[Lupiknits]

I’ve recently discovered embryoliss lait-crem concontrante. it’s claimed to be the favourite of make up artists and is gentle enough for babies. You can use it as a cleanser, face mask and good old moisturiser

Not cheap but I buy it when they have one of their 30% offers on French Pharmaeuticals, and try to justify it by taking what I Save on makeup

[L154C0]

Thank you.

I have Anti-Ro (is that what’s called serum positive?) and symptoms. But no lip biopsy yet. Maybe that’s why the 90% diagnosis. It’s a very scary road so without any real explanation, it makes things so much worse. I still don’t understand why the slow diagnoses...

[MEGS53 in reply to L154C0]

Yes, this makes you sero-positive for SS as you also have symptoms, in my book. It is scary, but it seems you do have a diagnosis. Don't think you really need a lip biopsy, but ask your rheumy anyway. Good luck!

[L154C0 in reply to MEGS53]

Thank you. Theyre not sure whether other antibodies might show up in my next bloods which would mean primary or secondary SS. What I’ve read is that anti-Ro on its own (without anti-La) is the pSS indicator? Maybe it’s best not googling, it’s a minefield!

[MEGS53 in reply to L154C0]

I believe that anti-Ro is the marker for pSS (along with relevant symptoms), but others here might have more info. Dr Google is not always helpful!! Please ask your rheumy. xxx

[L154C0 in reply to MEGS53]

I will ask him, but he’s never that forthcoming. He’s definitely in the ‘SS is only about dryness’ camp which, as we all know, is not accurate.