I know that I’m extremely fortune that trying out a variety of beauty products is part of my job description, but every so often even though I’m relatively discerning about the products I opt to try and the quantities of them I put on my face, I have a bad reaction to a product. The problem is that because I’m always trying out new skin and makeup products and it can sometimes take a few days for a product-induced rash or breakout to manifest it’s impossible for me to ever know what caused a bad reaction. A few weeks ago I went to bed with blemish-free skin and the next day I woke up with a forehead full of little bumps!!! Uch. Nothing worse! Every time this happens it brings back horrible memories of stress-induced breakouts when I was applying to colleges in High School. Back then walking by any mirror would make me cringe, which would only cause more stress, followed by more breakouts…you get the idea…the life of a teenager is not easy!
Needless to say I threw out EVERYTHING. Cleanser, day cream, night cream…anything that could have caused this mess on my forehead was relegated to the poubelle! To replace the products that I tossed I turned to brands that I’ve been using for years and have never had a problem with — Estee Lauder and Vichy. For my night cream I’ve been using Estee Lauder’s new Resilience Lift Night Firming/Sculpting Face and Neck Creme ($80). By day I’ve been using
Vichy Laboratoires Normaderm Triple Action Anti-Acne Hydrating Lotion ($21) and I’ve been cleansing with my Clarisonic using Vichy Laboratoires Normaderm Deep Cleansing Gel
($17). My rash is still not completely gone, but it’s on its way. All of the above products are moisturizing (even the Vichy lotion one, which is rare because most acne products are dehydrating which can create dead skin build-up), and the Estee Lauder one has a light, floral-like refreshing smell and a tightening effect. The Vichy cleanser is great because it doesn’t have a foamy lather so it’s not stripping skin of moisture.
I’ve also cleaned all my makeup brushes and have been making an effort to change my pillow case every night. Rash be gone!
