Skin Cleanser

[SecondLife]

Up until now I have been cleansing my skin with Simple products but over this month my skin has been playing up so I wondered if there is something else that I could use or something you have all used successfully.

[harmony2]

I have Sjogren’s and am going through menopause. My super-itchy skin requires mometasone (steroid ointment) many times a day on various body parts. Now the itchiness also includes my face. (Cannot use steroid cream on face - leaflet says not to.) So for the last few years I literally have not used any cleansers on my face. I just scrub gently with a face flannel and water. Because of my Sjogrens I haven’t been able to wear make-up for a number of years—not a tiny drop of it, so removal of cosmetics is not an issue. I haven’t gotten acne or any similar problems with my skin. I do use Simple brand heavy moisturiser currently a couple times a day.

I thought I’d reply because I hadn’t seen any response as yet and can relate to skin can’t tolerate any chemicals.

I’ll be eager to read other replies to your message but unless you wear make-up, does this help at all?

Oh, yes, when I used to wear mascara my mother taught me a technique she used all her life. She would coat the tip of her pinky finger (most gentle finger) with a little baby oil and pat that on lashes with her eyes closed eyes. It would melt the mascara. Wipe away the mess with cotton wool pad. Rinse with warm water.

[SecondLife in reply to harmony2]

what a fabulous idea from your Mum. I have steroid cream for my neck and chest and a different one for my face. Really I was just wondering, saw an advert on tv for a cleanser but when I checked it said for normal-dry skin or those with psoriasis. Looks like it water or the Simple range. Thank you for your input

[Carcrashgal in reply to harmony2]

I had a massive outbreak of The Itch on the lower half of my face and neck in April and again in June. The first dermatologist I saw (by phone) suggested I use Aveena lotion and take Fexofenadine, an antihistamine I already use daily! They did nothing, but eventually it went away, but it was pretty unbearable for a month or more and it came back. The next dermatologist I saw (in Zoom) went the steroid route: he gave me a hydrocortisone cream for the face (once a day and thinly) and a stronger one for the neck, and that calmed it down in a few days; it still took a while to go, but it was bearable. He recommended using micellar water at most, so I invested in a couple of microfibre makeup remover cloths - the sort where you just use water - and that has also helped a bit (although it hasn't stopped me getting maskne, it has unclogged pores). And great idea about the baby oil!

[Foggyme]

My dermatologist recommended something called Epimax. It can be used as a facial cleanser, in place of soap for the body, and also as moisturiser for the face and body.

It can be bought over the counter (about £5 for 500mls), and last for ages.

Works brilliantly for me...it’s the only thing I now use on my face, which has been much less prone to 'outbreaks' since I started using it.

So tough finding just the right thing that works for you...so hope you find a solution soon. x

[SecondLife in reply to Foggyme]

thank you for that, will have a look at it

[MEGS53]

Hi. I can't wear face make-up as I sweat as soon as I encounter a change in temperature. I wash with Donkey Milk soap (no additives) which also helps to moisturise my skin, but I guess it may not remove make-up effectively. We all have different needs!

[SecondLife in reply to MEGS53]

that's interesting, I had forgotten that I used to buy goat's milk products for my late husband. Makeup - I think I have forgotten how to put it on lol

[MEGS53 in reply to SecondLife]

I swear by goat's milk products! Worth a try, good luck!

[Bobbydoodle]

Hi my dermatologist recommended Cetaphil cleanser and their moisturiser with factor 50 and I am fine with both of them so might be worth a try.

[SecondLife in reply to Bobbydoodle]

Thank you, will look into it

[Kell12]

I use balance me products it’s the only thing that has calmed my

Skin down I only get patches soreness. Good luck with your search.

[SecondLife in reply to Kell12]

Thank you, will look into those also

[CecilyParsley]

Hi there, I despaired when I first got the butterfly rash as I loved the Decleor products I had used for years but it stung and the rash became even more virulent. I tried so many different brands and all irritated my skin badly. I ended up putting Diprobase on my face which made me look and feel greasy but at least calmed the rash. When the rash faded I thought I could go back to the Decleor but my skin reacted badly. Then I discovered a hero product. It is not cheap but for me it helped so much I was relieved and delighted. Elemis SOS cream. I now only use it when my skin flares and in between I use Formula extra rich moisturiser from M&S. It is not tested on animals and there are no additives. To get make up off ! which I wear rarely, I use Elemis micellar cleanser, so gentle I can use it on my eyes too. I wash my face generally with Body Shop Shea butter soap. I hope you find something to suit you xx

[SecondLife in reply to CecilyParsley]

Thank you, I will those to the list of things to look into - think I will be spending a small fortune in trying to find out what is right for me

[CecilyParsley]

I know. I will send you a tip in chat 😉

[Hamptons]

I had a similar issue. I now use aldi curb moisturiser and have had no issues but many compliments about my skin.

[Hamptons]

CIEN products. No scent and very gentle

[Spotty-ewe]

Hi SecondLife,

I’ve had terrible rashes from Lupus extremely itchy and lumpy. A retired nurse recommended Aqueous Cream which costs £1 for s big tub from most chemists. It can be used as a moisturiser or as a cleansing cream in the shower. I use it on my face too and it is great. My GP was so impressed with it she now prescribes it for me, but it is so cheap it is worth giving it a try to see if you find it as helpful. Take care. 🤗

[SecondLife in reply to Spotty-ewe]

another one I had forgotten I used to get for my husband. The GP I saw recently insisted that I buy E45 as "it is the only thing to use" and while I agree it is has been really good for the rest of me my face and neck have reacted badly

[rosebud52]

I use Aveeno moisturising cream for face and body and it works for me, when I first was diagnosed with lupus last year I used Diprobase but only on my body as I had the rash quite badly all over but now i use Aveeno.

[RachelD1972]

Hi, I’ve just seen this. I use la Roche posay toleriane cleanser. I’ve got discoid lupus and ra. When first diagnosed with discoid my skin was a nightmare and I then reacted to hydroxychloroquine which made it even worse. La Roche Posay and altruist spf 50 both made it bearable x