So I have severe eczema and my dermatologist gave me steroid cream which is the only thing that has worked in 10 years. He told me to use cetaphil so I stupidly ran out and got some. Now my entire face is dry, bleeding, broken out and milia has come up.
I am allergic to water so what is the most gentle cleanser out there?
Personally, I like Dr. Bronner's liquid soap, in the almond or unscented, for my face. I dilute it about 50/50 with water so it is less drying. The other thing I have found effective is almond, olive, or jojoba oil - rub a few drops in to dissolve all your makeup
etc. and then remove with a warm washcloth.
I've tried both of those and had a horrible reaction. I need to limit my contact with water and I cannot use a washcloth because it is too harsh for me. Thanks for the advice though.
Wow - that is some super sensitive skin you have! Wish I had some better ideas. I'm still thinking maybe there is an oil you won't react to, if you keep trying? It seems like that would be the most gentle, just one ingredient, after all. And maybe do away with the washcloth? Maybe wipe away the excess with a super soft cotton cloth?
Hope you find something that works! Must be so frustrating.
I use a homemade mixture of extra virgin olive oil and castor oil. I am allergic to everything in the world it seems like, but this doesn't bother my skin at all. The castor oil is drying so if you had normal skin you would use 1/2 of each. If your skin is dry (like it sounds like yours is) you would use 3/4 of olive oil to 1/4 castor oil.
You should check out Salma Hayek's new line at CVS, Nuance! I have very sensitive, acne prone skin and it is does not irritate my skin. In fact, my skin has improved greatly since using products in her line... and the best part, her line does not test on animals! :)
Are you allergic to rosewater? If not, sprout makes an excellent gentle cleanser.
http://sproutskincare.com/collections/frontpage/products/cleanser
However, if cetaphil is the only cleanser that works, don't feel bad about sticking with it. My skin is nowhere as sensitive as yours, and it took me forever to find a vegan cleanser that works for me.
Sorry, in rereading your post I just realized that Cetaphil DIDN'T work for you :(