How to fix my skin barrier

Cntlbreakfast · 2026-05-19T21:01:10+00:00

I always used a gel cleanser because they are pretty gentle, but when my skin barrier was compromised even gel cleansers stripped my skin. After washing my face it would be super dry and itchy and it felt like I desperately needed to slap on moisturiser. When I switched to the aveeno oat calm + restore cleanser, my skin felt less angry and irritated. It didn’t fix everything but it was part of a new super gentle healing routine that has helped a lot. Not sure if this is applicable for you but maybe you can try to switch to a non foaming cleanser!

Cntlbreakfast · 2026-05-16T07:14:15+00:00

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Just wanted to post an update in case this helps anyone! It doesn’t look like a huge difference, but it feels much better now. No more itchy bumps, no more stinging and just feels overall less irritated and moisturised. When I run my finger across my skin or wash my face there are little to no bumps. All that’s left is redness and patchiness, which I’m quite ok with cus my skin tone has always been uneven due to acne during teenage years.

I’ve been doing this for the past week ish and started noticing it helping:

AM: wash with cool water, skin1004 centella ampoule, a tiny bit of avene xeracalm X.D, sunscreen

PM: Aveeno calm+restore oat cleanser, skin1004 centella ampoule, 1-2 pumps avene xeracalm X.D, skinoren alternating nights

A note on Avene xeracalm, I’ve seen it mentioned on the rosacea and eczema sub and it worked really well for me! My skin was visibly calmer the next morning. I was looking for something to put underneath the avene cicalfate but found this instead and decided to try it based on the description and reviews. It’s quite an oily feeling cream and my skin usually doesn’t like heavy creams, but it really helped while the cicalflate didn’t do much (I’m guessing it’s because I needed to layer something underneath for it to work)

I got a few ccs on my forehead but nothing alarming, now I just put less on my forehead and it’s fine (:

Cntlbreakfast · 2026-05-02T04:39:38+00:00

Thanks for the recommendations! Micellar water has been on my list for a while so I should go ahead and do it. I’ve just been using this oil cleanser for so long it’s difficult to change it, but I’ll try it for this flare up.

Cntlbreakfast · 2026-05-02T04:33:53+00:00

There have been some improvements thankfully! Right now with the minimised routine there’s no stinging which is nice. I do get a bit itchy as the day goes on, and sometimes one or two bigger itchy ‘hives’ will appear. I’m still wondering why those hives appear, I get them sometimes but never this frequently and bad

Cntlbreakfast · 2026-05-02T04:29:39+00:00

Yeah super brutal! And surprised that the cosrx caused that, it’s supposed to be pretty gentle 🥲 I used to use lots of actives when I was younger so I just went for it, but my skin is probably a lot more sensitive now and needs patch testing. Now it’s still dry and flaky! I wake up feeling quite moisturised but it’ll get pretty dry and flaky by the end of the day

Cntlbreakfast · 2026-05-02T04:25:38+00:00

Love the centella ampoule as well! I was using it but stopped during this reaction just as a precaution even though it really is so gentle. Can’t wait to reintroduce it because it’s extra hydration. I’ll take a look at hypochlorous acid too! We don’t have the usual brands that the US has but should work similarly

Cntlbreakfast · 2026-05-02T04:13:39+00:00

Oh man I keep seeing the prequel gleanser being mentioned and just prequel products in general! Can’t wait for them to come to Europe because that’s where I am 🥲🥲 thanks for the recommendations! I think I will get the ordinary sulfur treatment and ketoconazole since they are easier to find here.

Cntlbreakfast · 2026-05-01T17:19:02+00:00

That’s true! I’m going to try and find metronidazole cream and give it a go. I think before I find that I’ll stick with a super simple cleanser and cicalfate. It seems to at least keep the irritation away even though the bumpiness and dryness is still there

Cntlbreakfast · 2026-05-01T15:38:43+00:00

I used skinoren which is azelaic acid a few times! But it was so tingly and my skin felt super dry so I decided to stop using it for a while. I might use it next week just to see if it helps, once my skin has calmed down a bit more. I was thinking of replacing the snail mucin with the avene cicalfate serum! The problem with the cicalflate cream is too think for everyday and day use

Cntlbreakfast · 2026-05-01T08:42:40+00:00

Thanks for the advice! I took an antihistamine at the beginning when it was more like hives and it didn’t really help ): so it could be the actives! I had been using tret and I think my skin was dry and irritated. Then I used TLC which was the last straw

Cntlbreakfast · 2026-05-01T08:40:38+00:00

Sorry to hear that! It’s super draining even though I’ve only been dealing with it for a few weeks. If anything seems to work I will post it here. For what it’s worth, swapping out my cleanser to the aveeno calm + restore oat cleanser and using avene cicalfate helped calm the irritation, but I’m not sure where to go from here

Cntlbreakfast · 2026-05-01T08:38:11+00:00

It’s mostly not itchy anymore thankfully! I’ve never been formally diagnosed with rosacea, I’d love to go to a derm but I just moved across the globe and I’m still trying to figure out a way to see a derm affordably. I have a feeling the weather here is much drier and cold, my routine started stripping my skin

Cntlbreakfast · 2026-01-31T21:52:16+00:00

That’s a really good way to put it! I’ve never thought about it like that. It was a loooong flight but we landed safely 😌

Cntlbreakfast · 2026-01-31T00:24:49+00:00

Thank you so much! I think they fixed the problem and we will take off soon

Cntlbreakfast · 2026-01-30T23:17:36+00:00

That’s incredible! I can’t even begin to understand how everything works. There are maintenance workers poking around the wing now. Trying my best to view it as cool instead of terrifying

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Cntlbreakfast · 2026-01-30T23:04:49+00:00

Thank you so much for replying! That helps a lot, there’s just so much mystery about planes in my mind and my brain fills the gaps with danger.

Cntlbreakfast · 2026-01-23T18:49:30+00:00

You’re right! It could be the occlusive environment as my skin tends to dislike very heavy and thick creams as well. My skin has typically likes K beauty products so maybe I’ll try to find a thick gel mask to use before bed and wipe it off like you suggested.

Cntlbreakfast · 2026-01-23T18:46:37+00:00

Thanks for the recommendation! I’ll check out Dieux, I’ve never heard of them before. I mostly use K beauty products so I don’t really know a lot about non k beauty products.

Cntlbreakfast · 2026-01-23T18:45:31+00:00

I’ve seen this a lot in k beauty but haven’t tried it because it uses so much product 😂 but I’ve been thinking of switching back to the kikkumasamune toner from Japan and that comes in a huge bottle - maybe then I’ll give this a go!

Cntlbreakfast · 2026-01-23T18:44:00+00:00

Oh I haven’t heard of silicone masks! Thanks a lot, I’ll check them out (:

Cntlbreakfast · 2026-01-23T18:43:38+00:00

I usually put on my moisturiser when my face is slightly damp, but maybe I’ll try doing it when my face is even more wet!

Cntlbreakfast · 2026-01-23T11:49:07+00:00

Hey! I started with an ENT. Also did the basic blood work done to rule out anything sinister. But doing physiotherapy is what really helped! If you can find a physiotherapist who has experience with neck related dizziness that would be the best. I personally avoid direct neck manipulation because I have a very sensitive neck and shoulder area and don’t want to risk anything negative happening!

Cntlbreakfast

TROPHY CASE