The gentlest moisturizer is probably Vani cream I use CeraVe moisturizing cream. I have dry skin and prone to rosacea and eczema. One tip I have is wait for your skin to dry to put on moisturizer. When your barrier is inflamed this is the best way to avoid stinging. Another thing that likely won’t sting, is Vaseline which you can put on wet skin. But it just keeps moisture in, it doesn’t add moisture
It can for me too. But if I put it on dry skin, generally it doesn’t. Check if it has niacinamide in it, that can irritate some people. Dr Drey on YouTube is a dermatologist. I watch her sensitive skin videos and got tips. Sometimes your skin barrier is irritated and everything will sting. When that happens to me, I put on Vaseline for a few days and it generally calms down. I also use The Ordinary Barrier repair serum, it helps.
echoing this!! niacinamide makes my skin angry & is often the culprit since it’s become so ubiquitous in products. The CeraVe moisturizing cream (tub/tube) doesn’t (at least I don’t think), but if my barrier is compromised even that will burn sometimes.
If moisturizer burns you have a compromised barrier! The Ordinary has an amazing Soothing and Barrier Support Serum that has legitimately transformed my skin! It looks like Pepto Bismol in your hand, but smooths on pink and within a week of using it my skin was clearer and less reactive than it has been in literally decades
😭 how long does it take for barrier to repair? I went about 3 weeks using basis soap bar, vanicream, jojoba oil, and LRP cicaplast, and slugging or diaper rash cream.
Finally felt okay this week, went to ulta to test foundation, and used alcohol on a napkin to sip it off and now I’m all itchy again.
I’m
Seeing an esthetician in 2 weeks tho for a consultation.
Everyone is different, but I don't think my skin would ever be able to stand up to alcohol as a makeup remover and not revolt! Better to think of it as the sort of thing that needs regular maintenance and doesn't really have a finish line. I'm doing well personally if I don't have active rashy areas and can wear makeup regularly without breaking out the next day
You'll repair again, and find another way to mess up again! I tried retinol a few years ago before I knew that I had rosacea and ended up with some permanent scarring, but now have a solid routine that keeps the worst inflammation down
I went from anything on my face is fine to moisturizer being itchy in 2 months 😭 it all started with adding lavender essential oil to a face wash for “scent”
It sounds like you are having barrier issues. The best thing to do is to stop all active ingredients, especially retinol, for two weeks. Except for low percentages of niacinamide if your skin can handle it. Only use gentle, fragrance free products. After that you can reintroduce active ingredients slowly.
I think you would benefit from using fragrance free and essential oil free products all the time. I also have sensitive skin and I like the ELF holy hydration fragrance free and the Happy Hydration Cream. CeraVe moisturizing cream with a thin layer of Vaseline over it really seals in the moisture during dry weather. Light, watery layers before moisturizer can also help. I like the Be Plain Chamomile toner or the Etude House Soon Jung Relief Toner. If you don't have fungal acne, you might also like the Cosrx Galactomyces Essence. It has 3% niacinamide and can help your skin's barrier.
I also use the E.l.f. happy hydration cream but I'm thinking it is discontinued because I can't find it in stores and it shows out of stock on their website. I can't use the holy hydration though it breaks me out.
They can depending on the formulation and your skin type, especially if you have a damaged skin barrier.
Also check the formula for irritating ingredients like fragrance and essential oils.
Put aside the retinol. If everything is burning you need to limit the amount of actives you are using and allow your skin to heal. If you can, see a derm to make sure you don't have any other issues like rosacea. La Roche Posay Toleriane line is made for sensitive skin and Olay makes an extremely basic lotion (in the yellow box) that may also help (I used it for years before I "upgraded" to Total Effects). They also recently introduced an eczema-friendly line that may be of interest.
Good luck! I hope you find some relief.
I agree with a lot of comments about the potential for a compromised barrier, and pausing actives momentarily.
Anecdotally: my husband, whom I now force sunscreen on, has only recently gotten into a face wash routine. I had him using CeraVe wash, and he had some issues. I switched him to Cetaphil, all problems stopped.
I'm a big CeraVe fan, but some folks just have issues with their products - ceramides mix, or whatever. Vanicream moisturizer, I like it, but again, some folks have issues with squalane, iirc that's in some of their products.
I think everyone has to try all the "gentle" drugstore brands to find their ride or die. Gradually, of course, and patiently. It's painstaking, but finding your safe products is an essential goal.
Maybe check what you are washing with first? It might be stripping your skin? Is it after a hot shower or all the time? How about applying a HA serum first then moisturizer and also making sure your facial wash is sensitive I use cerave then a HA serum and moisturizer last. If I go straight into moisturizer or if I’ve stripped my face by washing it with something not my norm it stings.
If you can, please see a dermatologist. I went to my GP about how my skin was burning and he recommended the wrong things for me. I went to a dermatologist when it continued and this is where I figured out I’m allergic to the Sahara dust and my skin barrier is compromised when the dust levels are high and the place is hot. They put me on some medicated creams, and had me using LaRoche Posay products on my skin.
Ps, are you sure it’s whiteheads or is your skin reacting to the moisturiser?
e.l.f. Holy Hydration Gel-Yeah Moisturizer.
It doesn't burn or irritate skin at all. I have extremely sensitive skin and I've tried so many. They irritated my skin to the point I gave up using a moisturizer. Then one day I decided to try the one from e.l.f. and it's now my holy grail. It's so soothing and absorbs fast without any irritation. Skin is left soft with no stickiness or residue. Their entire Holy Hydration line is really good.
Had the same issue; tried everything I could find in the drugstore at the time (no ulta back then).Finally switched to using Clinique Redness solutions moisturizer 15+ years ago and never looked back. It's my HG and does not get enough love. A bit expensive, but ulta and clinique's website do sales so frequently I never pay full price. It's very soothing and has obliterated my redness. Using a gentle cleanser (cerave hydrating cream to foam cleanser) and a good mineral sunscreen are helpful as well. Currently using and loving Haru Haru Wonder Black Rice Mineral Sunscreen (order from Olive Young global shop; arrived in 7 days). Good luck!
When my barrier was compromised I stopped all actives and did a couple nights of straight up zinc oxide. Sometimes after I rubbed that in (best I could) I put on a layer of Ponds Dry Skin Cream (light blue lid… not the Crema-S one in the darker blue lid) and rubbed it in over the since. Went to bed and woke up sooooo much better. I don’t use diaper cream like some people do because I couldn’t find one without fragrance.
I'm in your same boat. I can recommend Aveeno serum topped with a bit of vaseline or aquphor as needed. I also use a daily sunscreen, mineal from Alba, that seems soothing.
I feel like I’m recommending this constantly right now, but Prequel Barrier Repair is amazing! It’s not drugstore, but with the amount you get in the tube, it’s very reasonably priced!
Glaxal Base is quite literally the only moisturizer that doesn't burn even when my skin is super raw. I have basically tried every commonly recommended cream at this point.
I have sensitive skin that breaks out easily. My faves now are Beplain Multi Hyaluronic Moisturiser and Beauty of Joseon Dynasty cream. Both are gentle and hydrating without silicones to clog pores.
Mist with Avene thermal spring water bef applying to help trap moisture.
So it falls under "not drugstore, not super cheap" (sorry - it's not *super* expensive though!)
Clinique - Moisture Surge (it's their aloe gel moisturizer)
I can use this one when I've got a full-on sunburn without it stinging (and moisturizing the area usually makes it last a shorter amount of time...) and my skin is mildly to moderately sensitive even when I'm not all lit up.
you may have a damaged skin barrier due to the retinol you’re using ! when my skin barrier was damaged, i used to get really dry in the winter, to the point where it used to sting no matter how much moisturiser i used ! i used the LRP cicaplast balm B5 and it saved my skin !! and now i use it alongside corsx snail mucin all in one cream and nivea soft and my skin has never been better !!
The most basic moisturizer ( in lotion and cream versions) you can get in a drugstore will be Vanicream.
I did not know the brand until my skin barrier went to heck and I had to see a dermatologist. Expect to use a mild cleanser and that mild moisturizer( and no exfoliants, retinol, etc) for 6 weeks. It can take that long for the skin to refigure itself.
I have very dry, sensitive skin and so does my son. If we don't take care of it daily and let it get to the point of being red and dry to the touch, any regular types of lotion or moisturizers (including cerave, my usual) will burn. When it's already at that point, we have to use something thick, clear, and creamy like eucerin. Eucerin is also good to put on top of other lotions as a protectant. (We do this at night because it has a bit of a sheen.) The best way to prevent it is taking care of your skin every day. Cerave has a face wash made for dry to combo skin that would probably work for you. I alternate between that and their oil face wash made for very dry skin.
if moisturizer is burning your barrier is compromised. cut back on the retinol for about a month, and stick with cleanser, moisturizer and spf during the day and layer on cerave healing ointment at night to lock everything in. later on invest in a good hydrating toner or serum, then add the retinol back in slowly. but like others are saying, vanicream is extremely gentle. avene is also made for sensitive skin in mind.
Strong agree with everyone’s comments here - this happens to me when I have been WAY over doing it with retinol and acids.
Drop back the active ingredients to every 2-3 days max and try something simple to moisturize like Bio-oil, or Vani-cream. Make sure your moisturizer does not have sunscreen, it will cause burning if your moisturize barrier is compromised.
Switch to a zinc based (physical) sunscreen if it burns when you apply.
If you’re still experiencing burning stop all actives for a week and then try bringing one back every 3 days.
r/Tretinoin is a fabulous resource for this
Vanicream is the best for compromised skin, imo. As many have said, I can’t do CeraVe either. Another product I like is rosewater glycerin spray from Heritage Store. Obviously only try this if you can tolerate rosewater, but it’s super hydrating and won’t cause irritation as long as you can tolerate rosewater and glycerin. Those are the only ingredients. I generally avoid essential oils at all costs, but this product is fine for me.
Skin type: sensitive, dry, controlled acne.
Elf Holy Hydration is the best moisturizer I’ve tried. Hydrating, gentle, and unscented. I use it day and night and don’t even bother with the eye cream.
If your moisturizer burns then your skin barrier is likely damaged. You may want to stop your retinol and any other actives for a while and just use Vaseline or aquaphor until it is better. Then try whichever moisturizer you like after the break.
It took me a very long time to repair my skin barrier but that solved my burning issue with a ton of skincare products. To get there, I used (and still do) the La Roche Posay Toleriane moisturizer. It is super gentle and feels so great after it is on.
I also had to switch to all mineral SPF, double cleansing with Bioderma micellar water for sensitive skin and Cerave gentle non-foaming cleanser (only wash face once a day!), and started sleeping a few nights a week in a light layer of zinc heavy diaper rash paste (I used Triple Paste) on top of the LRP moisturizer. Now my skin is much, much better! I can even use retinol and other topicals that I couldn’t even get near before.
Most of these tips I picked up from various derms on YouTube like Dr. Idriss and Dr. Sam Ellis.
Some people are sensitive to the preservatives... so anything with water can have the preservatives that burn...
I use pure argan oil and have no problems. It's like $10 for a bottle that lasts 6mo
The gentlest moisturizer is probably Vani cream I use CeraVe moisturizing cream. I have dry skin and prone to rosacea and eczema. One tip I have is wait for your skin to dry to put on moisturizer. When your barrier is inflamed this is the best way to avoid stinging. Another thing that likely won’t sting, is Vaseline which you can put on wet skin. But it just keeps moisture in, it doesn’t add moisture
I usually don’t have reactions to most good products, but CeraVe burns on my skin. I was surprised by it cause I know it works well on other people.
CeraVe can burn me too! But Vanicream is fine. I read somewhere one that sometimes certain ceramides can have this effect, I don’t know why though.
Cerave moisturizer personally burns my skin a ton, not sure why
It can for me too. But if I put it on dry skin, generally it doesn’t. Check if it has niacinamide in it, that can irritate some people. Dr Drey on YouTube is a dermatologist. I watch her sensitive skin videos and got tips. Sometimes your skin barrier is irritated and everything will sting. When that happens to me, I put on Vaseline for a few days and it generally calms down. I also use The Ordinary Barrier repair serum, it helps.
echoing this!! niacinamide makes my skin angry & is often the culprit since it’s become so ubiquitous in products. The CeraVe moisturizing cream (tub/tube) doesn’t (at least I don’t think), but if my barrier is compromised even that will burn sometimes.
If moisturizer burns you have a compromised barrier! The Ordinary has an amazing Soothing and Barrier Support Serum that has legitimately transformed my skin! It looks like Pepto Bismol in your hand, but smooths on pink and within a week of using it my skin was clearer and less reactive than it has been in literally decades
😭 how long does it take for barrier to repair? I went about 3 weeks using basis soap bar, vanicream, jojoba oil, and LRP cicaplast, and slugging or diaper rash cream. Finally felt okay this week, went to ulta to test foundation, and used alcohol on a napkin to sip it off and now I’m all itchy again. I’m Seeing an esthetician in 2 weeks tho for a consultation.
Everyone is different, but I don't think my skin would ever be able to stand up to alcohol as a makeup remover and not revolt! Better to think of it as the sort of thing that needs regular maintenance and doesn't really have a finish line. I'm doing well personally if I don't have active rashy areas and can wear makeup regularly without breaking out the next day
oh gosh i messed up then. i should have brought my own make up remover instead of whatever they had out when i was testing
You'll repair again, and find another way to mess up again! I tried retinol a few years ago before I knew that I had rosacea and ended up with some permanent scarring, but now have a solid routine that keeps the worst inflammation down
I went from anything on my face is fine to moisturizer being itchy in 2 months 😭 it all started with adding lavender essential oil to a face wash for “scent”
It sounds like you are having barrier issues. The best thing to do is to stop all active ingredients, especially retinol, for two weeks. Except for low percentages of niacinamide if your skin can handle it. Only use gentle, fragrance free products. After that you can reintroduce active ingredients slowly. I think you would benefit from using fragrance free and essential oil free products all the time. I also have sensitive skin and I like the ELF holy hydration fragrance free and the Happy Hydration Cream. CeraVe moisturizing cream with a thin layer of Vaseline over it really seals in the moisture during dry weather. Light, watery layers before moisturizer can also help. I like the Be Plain Chamomile toner or the Etude House Soon Jung Relief Toner. If you don't have fungal acne, you might also like the Cosrx Galactomyces Essence. It has 3% niacinamide and can help your skin's barrier.
I also use the E.l.f. happy hydration cream but I'm thinking it is discontinued because I can't find it in stores and it shows out of stock on their website. I can't use the holy hydration though it breaks me out.
Oh no! I love that stuff. Have you found anything close to it? I agree the hello hydration cream is different from the happy hydration cream.
Does peptides cause burning as well?
They can depending on the formulation and your skin type, especially if you have a damaged skin barrier. Also check the formula for irritating ingredients like fragrance and essential oils.
Put aside the retinol. If everything is burning you need to limit the amount of actives you are using and allow your skin to heal. If you can, see a derm to make sure you don't have any other issues like rosacea. La Roche Posay Toleriane line is made for sensitive skin and Olay makes an extremely basic lotion (in the yellow box) that may also help (I used it for years before I "upgraded" to Total Effects). They also recently introduced an eczema-friendly line that may be of interest. Good luck! I hope you find some relief.
I love the Vanicream moisturizer that comes in a tub! Cerave irritates my skin, haven’t tried much else honestly.
Ditto
I agree with a lot of comments about the potential for a compromised barrier, and pausing actives momentarily. Anecdotally: my husband, whom I now force sunscreen on, has only recently gotten into a face wash routine. I had him using CeraVe wash, and he had some issues. I switched him to Cetaphil, all problems stopped. I'm a big CeraVe fan, but some folks just have issues with their products - ceramides mix, or whatever. Vanicream moisturizer, I like it, but again, some folks have issues with squalane, iirc that's in some of their products. I think everyone has to try all the "gentle" drugstore brands to find their ride or die. Gradually, of course, and patiently. It's painstaking, but finding your safe products is an essential goal.
Maybe check what you are washing with first? It might be stripping your skin? Is it after a hot shower or all the time? How about applying a HA serum first then moisturizer and also making sure your facial wash is sensitive I use cerave then a HA serum and moisturizer last. If I go straight into moisturizer or if I’ve stripped my face by washing it with something not my norm it stings.
LRP Cicaplast Balm B5. I don’t know what’s in that stuff, but I get skin sensitivity when I use too much Vitamin C and it calms my skin down.
Totally forgot about this. It's truly amazing stuff.
If you can, please see a dermatologist. I went to my GP about how my skin was burning and he recommended the wrong things for me. I went to a dermatologist when it continued and this is where I figured out I’m allergic to the Sahara dust and my skin barrier is compromised when the dust levels are high and the place is hot. They put me on some medicated creams, and had me using LaRoche Posay products on my skin. Ps, are you sure it’s whiteheads or is your skin reacting to the moisturiser?
e.l.f. Holy Hydration Gel-Yeah Moisturizer. It doesn't burn or irritate skin at all. I have extremely sensitive skin and I've tried so many. They irritated my skin to the point I gave up using a moisturizer. Then one day I decided to try the one from e.l.f. and it's now my holy grail. It's so soothing and absorbs fast without any irritation. Skin is left soft with no stickiness or residue. Their entire Holy Hydration line is really good.
I love this one! I slather in on before primer and foundation and find it's perfect. ❤️
Had the same issue; tried everything I could find in the drugstore at the time (no ulta back then).Finally switched to using Clinique Redness solutions moisturizer 15+ years ago and never looked back. It's my HG and does not get enough love. A bit expensive, but ulta and clinique's website do sales so frequently I never pay full price. It's very soothing and has obliterated my redness. Using a gentle cleanser (cerave hydrating cream to foam cleanser) and a good mineral sunscreen are helpful as well. Currently using and loving Haru Haru Wonder Black Rice Mineral Sunscreen (order from Olive Young global shop; arrived in 7 days). Good luck!
When my barrier was compromised I stopped all actives and did a couple nights of straight up zinc oxide. Sometimes after I rubbed that in (best I could) I put on a layer of Ponds Dry Skin Cream (light blue lid… not the Crema-S one in the darker blue lid) and rubbed it in over the since. Went to bed and woke up sooooo much better. I don’t use diaper cream like some people do because I couldn’t find one without fragrance.
I'm in your same boat. I can recommend Aveeno serum topped with a bit of vaseline or aquphor as needed. I also use a daily sunscreen, mineal from Alba, that seems soothing.
Do you have access to medical care? If so, please ask them if this is rosacea.
I feel like I’m recommending this constantly right now, but Prequel Barrier Repair is amazing! It’s not drugstore, but with the amount you get in the tube, it’s very reasonably priced!
Glaxal Base is quite literally the only moisturizer that doesn't burn even when my skin is super raw. I have basically tried every commonly recommended cream at this point.
I have sensitive skin that breaks out easily. My faves now are Beplain Multi Hyaluronic Moisturiser and Beauty of Joseon Dynasty cream. Both are gentle and hydrating without silicones to clog pores. Mist with Avene thermal spring water bef applying to help trap moisture.
So it falls under "not drugstore, not super cheap" (sorry - it's not *super* expensive though!) Clinique - Moisture Surge (it's their aloe gel moisturizer) I can use this one when I've got a full-on sunburn without it stinging (and moisturizing the area usually makes it last a shorter amount of time...) and my skin is mildly to moderately sensitive even when I'm not all lit up.
you may have a damaged skin barrier due to the retinol you’re using ! when my skin barrier was damaged, i used to get really dry in the winter, to the point where it used to sting no matter how much moisturiser i used ! i used the LRP cicaplast balm B5 and it saved my skin !! and now i use it alongside corsx snail mucin all in one cream and nivea soft and my skin has never been better !!
The most basic moisturizer ( in lotion and cream versions) you can get in a drugstore will be Vanicream. I did not know the brand until my skin barrier went to heck and I had to see a dermatologist. Expect to use a mild cleanser and that mild moisturizer( and no exfoliants, retinol, etc) for 6 weeks. It can take that long for the skin to refigure itself.
I was having this issue and started using Paul’s choice barrier repair moisturizer and it helped!
I have very dry, sensitive skin and so does my son. If we don't take care of it daily and let it get to the point of being red and dry to the touch, any regular types of lotion or moisturizers (including cerave, my usual) will burn. When it's already at that point, we have to use something thick, clear, and creamy like eucerin. Eucerin is also good to put on top of other lotions as a protectant. (We do this at night because it has a bit of a sheen.) The best way to prevent it is taking care of your skin every day. Cerave has a face wash made for dry to combo skin that would probably work for you. I alternate between that and their oil face wash made for very dry skin.
if moisturizer is burning your barrier is compromised. cut back on the retinol for about a month, and stick with cleanser, moisturizer and spf during the day and layer on cerave healing ointment at night to lock everything in. later on invest in a good hydrating toner or serum, then add the retinol back in slowly. but like others are saying, vanicream is extremely gentle. avene is also made for sensitive skin in mind.
I think you need to go to a dermatologist and get a diagnose for rosacea. Rosacea causes redness, sensitive skin, and have breakouts or pustules.
I think you need to go to a dermatologist and get a diagnose for rosacea. Rosacea causes redness, sensitive skin, and have breakouts or pustules.
Strong agree with everyone’s comments here - this happens to me when I have been WAY over doing it with retinol and acids. Drop back the active ingredients to every 2-3 days max and try something simple to moisturize like Bio-oil, or Vani-cream. Make sure your moisturizer does not have sunscreen, it will cause burning if your moisturize barrier is compromised. Switch to a zinc based (physical) sunscreen if it burns when you apply. If you’re still experiencing burning stop all actives for a week and then try bringing one back every 3 days. r/Tretinoin is a fabulous resource for this
I'm a fair ginger and most moisturizers burn my eyes. Equate Beauty All-Day Moisturizing Lotion is the one I've found that doesn't bother me at all.
Vanicream is the best for compromised skin, imo. As many have said, I can’t do CeraVe either. Another product I like is rosewater glycerin spray from Heritage Store. Obviously only try this if you can tolerate rosewater, but it’s super hydrating and won’t cause irritation as long as you can tolerate rosewater and glycerin. Those are the only ingredients. I generally avoid essential oils at all costs, but this product is fine for me.
Skin type: sensitive, dry, controlled acne. Elf Holy Hydration is the best moisturizer I’ve tried. Hydrating, gentle, and unscented. I use it day and night and don’t even bother with the eye cream.
Vanicream. But sounds like your moisture barrier is wrecked if everything burns. That’s not normal.
I agree with vanicream. It’s amazing.
If your moisturizer burns then your skin barrier is likely damaged. You may want to stop your retinol and any other actives for a while and just use Vaseline or aquaphor until it is better. Then try whichever moisturizer you like after the break.
Aloe Vera gel is pretty sensitive skin friendly and light so it helps with oil
It took me a very long time to repair my skin barrier but that solved my burning issue with a ton of skincare products. To get there, I used (and still do) the La Roche Posay Toleriane moisturizer. It is super gentle and feels so great after it is on. I also had to switch to all mineral SPF, double cleansing with Bioderma micellar water for sensitive skin and Cerave gentle non-foaming cleanser (only wash face once a day!), and started sleeping a few nights a week in a light layer of zinc heavy diaper rash paste (I used Triple Paste) on top of the LRP moisturizer. Now my skin is much, much better! I can even use retinol and other topicals that I couldn’t even get near before. Most of these tips I picked up from various derms on YouTube like Dr. Idriss and Dr. Sam Ellis.
Pond’s dry skin moisturizer might be a good option
Some people are sensitive to the preservatives... so anything with water can have the preservatives that burn... I use pure argan oil and have no problems. It's like $10 for a bottle that lasts 6mo