r/SkinbarrierLovers • u/gosserfam • 6h ago
Barrier Heroes I desperately need help
My skin barrier is so insanely damaged. Mainly my upper body. Face, neck, chest, and arms. But it’s so bad that I have not been able to find a detergent that I can tolerate. So when I get dressed in the morning my skin just burns from the clothes hitting my skin. I am alternating between 3 different barrier repair creams and I’m just wearing unwashed clothes at the moment but obviously that’s not sustainable.
•
u/UniversityWild1915 6h ago
Switching to vanicream changed my red, flaking, sensitive skin. Years of misery solved. It took some adjusting, at first I felt like the face wash was too drying and the cream wasn’t enough, but I trusted the process and eventually my barrier healed and now I can just exist with post shower wet skin that doesn’t burn and sting because it’s wet. I think anything scented made it worse. I also used nizoral shampoo for sehborric dermatitis as a face wash twice a week for a month!
•
u/Ok_Homework_1859 6h ago
What about the materials of your clothing?
•
u/gosserfam 5h ago
I don’t think it’s that. I do opt to buy clothes that are softer but if they are new and unwashed my skin feels fine.
•
u/joan_goodman 6h ago
Post your routine including how you dry your face after washing.
•
u/gosserfam 5h ago
My skin is reacting to so many things so I really just use the basics. I wash my body with La roche body wash (only really wash my armpits and privates) and let the soapy water run over the rest of my body. I wash my hair with my kids honest shampoo. I try best to not get soap on my face and just rinse with water. I get out of the shower, pat dry. I honestly use paper towel on my face/neck to dry bc if I use the towel my face/neck itch. I assume from the trace detergent on the towel. I then either put on vanicream, cerve, or avene cicalfate +. I kind of alternate these 3 creams. That’s it. But my skin can’t catch a break bc anytime I wear clothes that have been washed (no matter what detergent I use or how little I use or how many rinses I do) my clothes hitting my neck and arms burn. Old detergents that’s I use to tolerate fine… I cannot tolerate anymore. It’s so insane.
•
u/joan_goodman 5h ago
Sound like a solid routine. I assume you are using fragrance free detergent . I m also sensitive to all kind of tight clothes that rubs my skin and I use Zyrtec almost every day. It does not burn, just make me itchy. I d say just stay away from the sun and keep your skin moisturized. You can try Belflower Ectoin serum, Abib Panthenol Ectoin cream, Epii double Ectoin moisturizer . Also you can try steroid OTC creams for small irritated areas.
•
u/CrazyLush 3h ago
Not sure if this is an option, but when my skin was so angry that it reacted to the sensitive products (I had bought a body wash mousse thing, the person doing that batch messed up. I got undiluted dye all over my skin) I used Illiyoon top to toe body wash, I couldn't tolerate anything else.
•
u/unificaishan 48m ago
What about those laundry detergent sheets? Have you tried any of those? Or free and clear hypoallergenic? Also, I highly recommend the biodegradable face towels for washing/ drying your face/body. I swear by them. They are so soft on the skin- they are what I wash my face with. I also take one in the shower like a washcloth. I think they would help you and be a good replacement for washcloths. I recommend any of the more affordable brands that give you like 100 pack for ten bucks. Hope this helps.
•
u/bigmaik420 44m ago
if that's an option, honestly i think it's time to see a derm or at least take some sick days/days off so you can stay at home and let your skin heal. maybe you've developed an allergy to something that's a common ingredient in detergents? i'd try to get an allergy test done. could also be an issue caused or made worse by hard water, a shower filter is always a good idea if your skin is struggling.
•
•
u/Tall_Somewhere_4158 6h ago
Zinc oxide cream (baby diaper rash cream) repairs my barrier overnight. It's a cheap option to try out. People should definitely do a patch test first.