What if I seem to react to or dry out with every cleanser?

Dr. Irwin
May 3, 2015
Please help! What to do if almost every face wash doesn't react well with your skin?? I've tried cerave foaming, cerave hydrating, olay sensitive skin, paulas choice clear and all of them dry out my face. After a few days of use my skin starts to peel and flake. I can rub my finger across my face and have skin on my finger after washing. I'm fixing to just stop washing my face with a cleanser and just use a cotton round with water!! I'm 32, female, redness, and just plain crazy skin! I'm also prone to blackheads and whiteheads only on the tzone but they are constant. I sometimes wonder if they are mostly caused by cleansing tho. I've tried using the most gentle, like cerave hydrating, but seems like I just got drier. Should I just stop using anything on my face for a while and see if that helps? Thanks for your time!!

Okay ………so I think this problem is more common than all of us think.   Here are several ideas:

  • Read every label –  if it has chemicals, don’t use it;
  • Try just plain water, no cleanser –  see below for ideas on the blackheads;
  • Consider an all organic cleanser –  here’s a nice one and there are others.  Read labels though – many products say “natural” and still contain chemicals;
  • Try a light cleansing oil but it may clog your pores too much.

On the T – Zone acne problem, consider a Clarisonic Mia to help keep the pores cleaned out, the Biore strips for your nose, and a good organically focussed facialist/aesthetician to help you.

Hope this helps,   Dr. I

Dr. Brandith Irwin, MD

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Hi, I’m Dr. Irwin. I believe that consumers deserve a medically trained and unbiased skin care advocate.

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