So I have noticed that lately my blog has been all about challenges and not much else. While the challenges help me in may ways, I miss sharing the day to day stuff. Today I'm switching it up with a subject that I hope I'm not alone in experiencing.
Thanks to my dad, I have very fair, sensitive skin. When I was a kid I was always itching, but back in the 1960's, and with our family having no medical insurance, 'itching' wasn't a thing you went to the doctor for. Fast forward to adulthood, experimenting with the latest greatest makeup and cleansers coming out at warp speed, my skin was a mess; red, itchy and loaded with pimples and splotchy patches. Even then I never thought to see a dermatologist. It was about 10 years ago around the age of 40 when I had enough of wasting money on products that made me miserable. I bit the bullet and saw a dermatologist who put me through an allergy test. The results were an allergy to fragrance and several other ingredients, plus I was diagnosed with rosacea. Her answer was to throw away every product and start new using the products you see in the photo.
At first I wasn't thrilled with this at all. The Free & Clear and Vanicream products are expensive and have no scent at all, and until recently I couldn't get them at my local pharmacy. I'll admit there was a time where I was feeling a bit sorry for myself. But soon I realized these were actually working and I was no longer itching, plus with a prescription for rosacea my skin was looking better and better, and I no longer agonized in the cosmetics aisles on what will or won't work for me. I will never be able to wear perfume or have wonderful smelling hair or skin, and I still have issues with sunscreen and haven't found makeup that works for me, but that's OK.
But what I really want to share is why these products work. They are formulated without dyes, lanolin, fragrance, parabens and formaldehyde.....FORMALDEHYDE?? Check the labels on all your makeup and toiletries. Look them up on the web. Some are very frightening.
Besides the products above I use Tide Free laundry detergent. If you have a similar story and found safe cosmetics and toiletry brands please share them with us here in the comments.
6 comments:
Hi Alice! Sorry you're dealing with skin sensitivity, I can relate! I've used the Free and Clear before, it worked great for me (FYI you can order it on Amazon at a great price) but I was able to switch to the Neutrogena Naturals face wash recently without any problems and I can get it at the drugstore or Target so it's much easier. I'm lucky that I don't need much in the way of makeup but I have found that Ulta's mineral powder foundation works great to cover up allergic red spots and doesn't make me break out.
If you want to send me an email I'll share my crazy allergic reaction story with you :)
ME TOO! I figured it out in my early twenties when my eyes would swell up so bad I couldn't see.
I have always, always, used Clinique with very good success as long as I stay away from their products with sun screen. I am allergic to that as well. But, it was expensive.
I tried Mary Kay and can use it too, with only a couple of exceptions. It was the fragrance that caused problems for me too. But, it was hard to get because you can't just buy it at the store. I now use very little makeup and use only the Cetaphil cleaner and moisturizer. So far, no problems.
Alice, I guess we are just delicate little flowers. Fortunately, for me, it is just my face and scalp that cause me problems, I can handle about anything on my body.
I can relate dear! Now that I have psoriasis, I have to choose certain shampoos, and use glycerin soap. (which is actually quite nice, but doesn't lather very well). Glad to know you've found some things that work.
I too feel like my blog is only used for when I post Focus on Life shots but hey that's because I'm out busy focusing on life!
Interesting, Alice! I have allergic asthma, and work with the public~nuff said, I'm sure. Sometimes when I have had a customer that has been marinated for 20 years in their fragrance, I wheeze for hours. So believe me....I appreciate you!
Interesting post. I'm glad you found things that work for you. I also have sensitive skin and rosacea. My dermatologist recommended the products you use and similar brands like Neutrogena (which is what I ended up using.) I also have chronic migraines and scents are one of my major triggers, so I try to buy all products unscented and use the scent free version of Seventh Generation laundry detergent.
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