This morning my email inbox greeted me with this:
Umm…what a coincidence since this was the exact product I was going to post about. I mentioned in a previous post that I had accidentally purchased the above product instead of my beloved La Roche Posay Targeted Breakout Corrector acne treatment (that I use preventatively if I feel a pimple coming on.) Note the differences:
The one on the left is my beloved “Targeted Breakout Corrector” and the one on the right is the enemy!
I purchased the new acne treatment last Friday. I decided to try it out on an area on my chin where I thought I might have a pimple thinking it was similar to the other formula. I was wrong. So very very wrong.
I knew something wasn’t right when my skin was unusually red and splotchy the next morning, but I brushed it off. I didn’t ever imagine it would get as bad as it is.
I continued to use the product and by Monday I had a large pimple develop. I squeezed it (I know, I know) and put this cream over it. Worst idea ever. Now my entire chin area (both left and right sides) is peeling so badly that even my makeup just peels right off throughout the day. I have slept with Eucerin Calming Cream 
slathered onto my skin and it’s not getting better. (HELP!)
slathered onto my skin and it’s not getting better. (HELP!)Here’s what it looks like with makeup on: (gross, peeling)
This is after using my Clarisonic brush to try and slough off the dry, peeling skin (my skin hasn’t looked this horrible in years! why oh why did I switch my routine?)
…and here’s what my skin is like now, slathered with Eucerin (I am also peeling anywhere else the cream touched my skin:)
Sooo attractive, I know. My husband loves this look!
I’m not really sure what else I can do to stop this peeling. I am using the richest cream I own but it just seems to continue to peel and be super dry every day. If anyone has any tips, please for the love of God tell me! (I might try Aquaphor next- let me know if you think that might help!)
Before I go on, I want to say I LOVE LA ROCHE POSAY PRODUCTS! Their face wash, sunscreen and the other acne treatment I use are my HOLY GRAIL products, but this one is just too strong for my sensitive skin and didn’t work for me. Like completely destroyed my skin (thank God I only used in in my chin area.) I do love everything else from their line that I’ve tried, so this is NOT a product-bashing post, just a warning.
I wanted to warn you ladies because I talked about the product when I bought it and I don’t want anyone else with sensitive skin to go out and get it and hurt their skin like I have (and yes, it actually hurts from being so dry, peeling and cracking.)
In other news, I had an event last night and I wore my tried and true Club Monaco Dress:
and here’s some shots of Candice and I at the actual event (thank goodness the lighting in these pics is hiding the peeling!)
funny how in the darker photo our hair looks completely different (darker):
Thank you so much for reading! Have you ever used a product that messed up your skin or hair? Let me know in the comments below…
and, as always, ask me anything- on formspring!
xoxo,
Veronika.
I've actually been having this problem with my skin for a while – I can't seem to get my acne to clear up! Everytime I go to the dermatologist they give me a different cream that makes my skin all peely (exactly like yours), yet I always end up really greasy by the end of the day (and still peeling). Right now I'm using Retin-A gel which is keeping the icky zits away, but nothing has worked yet on my blackheads. Any advice? Even with the little bit of peeling you have excellent skin! I'm jealous!
Lindsay- I so feel blessed that my skin is usually good. For blackheads I like using the Clarisonic on my nose and the Origins "clear improvement" treatment mask 🙂 it's like dark gray and has charcoal. Looks a little weird on but worth it!
Hey Veronika,
I feel your pain when I used the Clarisonic my whole face looked like your chin!!!! I didn't want anyone to look it at me it was awful. It took about a month for my skin to calm down too!!! I did want to say you look beautiful in your pictures!! Your hair looks awesome and sooo healthy!!
Amy xoxox
I have very sensitive and acne-prone skin…I've been "burned" a lot by products either being too harsh or me being too agressive. Honestly, the best thing I've found to help with that dry, peely skin is Neosporin, the ointment, not the cream. Usually it'll get any "burned" area back to normal in a few days. And it doesn't make me breakout at all, I promise. Good luck!
thanks amy 🙂 I don't know about healthy but I did just get that trim!
charlene- thanks for the great advice. I have neosporin ointment! *runs to bathroom to slather face!*
oh no that is too bad! You look gorgeous at the event though!
veronika! oh my gosh, your poor skin!! don't know how useful this will be, but here's my advice – my mom told me that anything with mineral oil in it doesn't help moisturize but acts as a moisture barrier, so it keeps moisture out. so whatever you're putting on your face, make sure it doesn't list mineral oil as one of its top ingredients because that could be why it's not moisturizing you enough? good luck!
thanks for the tip meghan 🙂
Your hair looks awesome! I would use a very gentle cream and not use the clarisonic so your skin can heal. Any time I try a new face wash I break out! Stick to the routine that works – hope you heal fast!
Thanks for the heads up on this! I have been looking into switching my skin care system and was going to go to CVS this weekend to check out this line. I'll make sure to pay close attention to the two products so that I grab the right one.
Oh my gosh…one time I put Clearasil's spot treatment on my skin and woke up to a huge BURN instead of a zit! My skin is too sensitive for those types of treatments for sure. Have you tried pure aloe vera? That may help with the pain and peeling.
As a side note…I hate to bring this up but I feel like I have to say it. I frequent the Nest for the decorating, cooking and fashion boards (which is how I found your blog) to browse ideas. I don't post but I do read every now and then. I did see that awful post the other day in which you were basically attacked! I am sure you already know this but don't give such cruel people the time of day. I just feel like I have to stick up for you and tell you that you seem like you are a smart, beautiful and successful woman. I enjoy reading your blog very much and I really believe those mean comments come from a few women who must be jealous. I admire you for staying classy in your responses and staying above their level. I hope you never allow such immature women to get to you!
– Jennifer
jennifer- don't worry they don't "get to me." I'm actually amused at how much of their personal time they spend discussing me! what a waste 🙂 they should spend their time more productively, like talking about things that interest them…instead of uhh…me.
Good I'm glad! And I'm sorry for dragging it over to your personal blog. I just wanted to let you know that your readers appreciate you!
thanks Jennifer 🙂 you know, i'm just not a negative, critical and hateful person. I could make comments back that are just as mean, but it's not in my nature and it's not part of who I am. If someone doesn't like me, what I wear, how I look etc, that's fine. The fact that people feel the need to comment on it on a nearly weekly basis astounds me, but hey, some people just have nothing better to discuss I suppose.
Since its an acne treatment you can only use it after a pimple is there. It probably had too much salicylic acid which will dry out your skin wherever it touches. Continue to apply moisture to it and it will go back to normal. I would advise you to stop using the clarisonic though because you don't want to aggravate the skin anymore.
Good luck!
lula- good call 🙂 I only used it to try and get the dead skin off! In retrospect, it might have cause more irritation (thus the redness in photos)
First off let me say that you and your friend are gorgeous! I also like your hair in those pictures with the simple do.
Okay so, I tried this one skin treatment called Clean and Clear Advantage Acne Spot treatment, [supposedly it clears a pimple "overnight"]. It was 2 days before a friend's graduation and I needed help big time for this one pimple and I thought I'd give it a whirl… BIG MISTAKE. That thing smells like vodka and it stings a lot. I thought maybe the stinging meant it was taking charge, but no, it completely turned red and dried out my skin. So now I'm stuck with a dry pimple which I'm sure will leave a nasty scar. Just horrible.
thanks Corinna 🙂
I've used that treatment and it is super-drying!!! It wasn't as bad as the La Roche Posay one though (for me at least)
I typically have good skin and only suffer from blackheads and the odd pimple occasionally. I really enjoy using Yves Rocher products, they're so calming and natural and i've never broken out from them! You just need to leave that area alone (thank god it's just on your chin) and try not to put alot of makeup on it and it will slowly but surely heal on it's own. I also wanted to say that your hair looks absolutely gorgeous in the first picture – I am growing my hair out from a short bob so this gives me some inspiration! 🙂
SARA- it took me 3 years to grow it that long but I did it 🙂
Ha! I still have a long way to go. Luckily, I'm past that awkward stage and can now wear it up!
sara- my advice:
1. take biotin or prenatal vitamins
2. wash it only 2-3 times a week (use dry shampoo in between)
3. deep condition every other time you wash
4. don't wear your hair up in tight ponys for long periods of time
good luck 🙂
Thanks! I do everything except for #1 – I can never seem to commit to a routine of taking pills every day. Will definitely give it a try though!
Oh no! I'm really sorry to hear about the negative effects of that La Roche Posay product. I've had bad skin off and on for years, so I know how sort of frustrated and helpless it can make you feel, even if it's just a once-in-a-while thing like this. As a previous poster said, probably the best thing you can do at this point is to just leave that area alone as much as possible. Maybe just a thin layer of neosporin, or nothing at all. Just let it get back to being balanced.
You and Candice look so pretty at your event!
Oh my, I am so sorry about that. You might want to see a dermatologist if it dosen't clear up soon. I had a similar thing happen to me once and I tried Aveeno and it helped so much. good luck 🙂
I also think La Roche Posay is great. Sorry to see such a poor result for you. I agree w/no Clarisonic for awhile. Personally, I would put fresh aloe on it to heal the skin and then see what happens. I've had good luck w/that. That Mario Badescu stuff works that you see in the backs of magazines. I also just got My Zeno and that seemed to help a couple of pimples I had even though I didn't get to the them when they first started. No chemicals in that one.
This is probably somewhere else on your blog…but where are the shoes from? They're GREAT!
I'd recommend dabbing some regular Polysporin on the 'burned' areas before you go to bed. I have sensitive skin as well and this has really helped me in similar situations AND if I can't help myself from popping a pimple now and then *guilty face* It makes it heal faster. Good luck!
I am so sorry about your skin! I had a similar thing happen to me last week! I was using Kiehls facewash and toner and my eyelids got dry and started peeling(After reading product reviews I think it was the toner.) I have just not been wearing eye makeup and using Cetaphil facewash and lotion and it took about 5 days but now my skin is back to normal. I have super sensitive skin too.
Sorry to hear about this! I HIGHLY recommend that you use Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment. It is very, very thick and works so well on extremely dry skin. I have psoriasis around my hairline and a little on my cheeks, and I use Aquaphor every night and let it absorb so I don't have any flakiness (sorry for the gross-ness) in the morning. In the morning I use regular moisturizer because the Aquaphor is just too thick and literally takes hours to absorb.
I hope this helps!!
XO
too bad for you! 🙁 anyways, i will be posting something soon in our blog about the best acne ointment ever (in my opinion) given that i have sensitive skin and my forehead is the only part of my face prone to pimples.
xoxo,
ghetto gurls
oh no! What a mess, sorry V. I had a really awful eczema outbreak on my arm last Fall, it left a scar and everything, it was very deep. Anyways, CeraVe cream from the drugstore worked wonders for that! It's so rich and healing. I would recommend that.
On another note, your dress is amazing. Your hair is insanely perfect and C's hair looks so great that color!
xoxo
OMG that is horrible! It must hurt so much. I hate when I break out like that! If you would like to know…I use a company called DHC and I use their olive oil regimen. My skin is looking pretty good.
Love the outfit and love your friends hair! Its such a pretty color!
Another vote here for Neosporin… whenever I have open skin I use that instead of moisturizer and it heals much faster.
You looked great at your event!
thanks everyone for your "healing" comments and advice 🙂
I used a mixture of aquaphor and eucerin last night and it looks like it's getting a bit better peeling wise. I think by Monday it will be back to normal 🙂
I hate when my skin gets like that! I like Mario Badescu Herbal Hydrating Serum…it really soothes my skin so I'm able to buff away the peely parts.
My Dermatologist recommends CeraVe too. I really like it!
I had a patch just like that which started on my chin and it spread all around my mouth. The derm told me it was perioral dermatitis and prescribed Klaron lotion to get rid of it and an antibiotic. It worked, but it took several months and I was miserable in the meantime.
amy- that sounds awful! I do feel fortunate that I know mine is a result of the acne cream, but that is scary to have your skin peel all of a sudden and you don't know why! sorry that happened to you!
What a total bummer! I'm so sorry for that! I hope it heels quickly
Hey V,
I was just reading some of your previous comments about the haters (on previous posts), good for you for ignoring them! I can't believe some of the things people do- if they don't like your blog why do they read it LET ALONE leave you hateful comments. That's so horrible! I love your blog, you look great in your clothes, and appreciate your reviews and thoughts. Don't let those rude people bother you and shrug them off. Have a great weekend!
I am curious if the cvs (walgreens?) is actually a 'certified' carrier of that product? it's really common that professional products sold in drugstores or grocery stores are 'hot.' i.e. basically sold 'fell off the truck' style..sometimes the products are old or switched out with other products…i wonder if it was old or tampered with?
anon- CVS is one of th eonly certified retailers in the USA that carries the line. You can see that on the LRP website. The products have a special in-store display near the pharmacy and have special stickers on them to ensure they are not to be sold anywhere but CVS.
It hasn't ruined my hair (because I stopped using it almost immediately) but I was VERY disappointed in the Nexus Dualiste line. I had high hopes for the Color Protection + Anti-Breakage shampoo and conditioner but both actually dried out my hair. The conditioner is very weak and diluted. Their leave in conditioner made my hair sticky and lackluster. So I'm back to my beloved Biolage products:)
My skin is very sensitive too so if I apply acne cream I only leave it on for about an hour. Have you tried Retin-A-Micro? I found it to be pretty gentle on the skin if it is used very sparingly plus you get the anti-aging benefits!
Oh, I have a question for Candice too! I also dye my hair red but my shade is a bit darker. Did she have her hair bleached first before the color was applied? What products does she use to keep the color so vibrant?
I love her hair and also Marcia Cross's from Desperate Housewives. Mine always fades between treatments which is really annoying.
Hi Julie,
Thank you so much for the compliment! I love your hair color as well. I did not have my hair bleached before the color was applied, however, I was a really light blonde prior.
I also always love Marcia Cross's hair from DH as well as Poppy Montgomery from Without a Trace. Mine also fades in between treatments if I don't use restorative products. Two products that I love are Davines alchemic conditioner for natural and colored hair in Copper. I have to order this because I haven't found a place in houston that sells it. The second product is Riflessi color renewal mask in copper. This one is intense color. You actually need to wear gloves to apply and use very little as it's almost like having your hair dyed. I love it. You can get this at beauty first for under $20. Hope this helps:)
thanks Candice 🙂 <3
Thanks Candice:) I found those products online and they look fantastic. I'm really excited to use the Riflessi mask between salon treatments. And it's so affordable-yea!
As you probably know, red is SO hard to maintain (but so worth it!).
Hey veronica! I had the exact same reaction and for me its my cheek( sobs in the corner) . Please let me know what you tried and how it got better. I am only pure aloevera at the moment
Omg so i just started using la rouche brand i bought a 3 step kit they had with that spot treatment ur talking about in it. I have oily prone skin and this stuff has dried out my face to the point that everything is peeling amd itching and painful. I have slathered and covered my face in cetaphil to try to relieve it but its still pretty uncomfortable. Im not sure if its the acne spot treatment doing it or the effaclare gel facewash. I decided to stop using the spot treatment a few days ago. And today decided to just use the face wash at night so see if it helps. Its making me wonder if im using the wrong cleanser maybe i need to get one for normal skin not oily prone. Or if the weather is effecting it. Were on day 3 of this snow storm in texas and us texans arent uses to this weather. Especially our skin. Thank you for posting this. I thought i was the only one. Definitely gonna keep giving this brand a chance and just switch the facewash and see how it does because ive seen nothing but really amazing reviews about it. Just havent had those amazing results on my face yet.
So I have been having something similar my whole face is feeling and it didn’t start happening until i used this brand.
I am having the EXACT same issue- I got it in a sample size from my dermatologist so I figured it would be safe right? WRONG. My skin is peeling and my under eye area feels like it’s constantly burning. NEVER AGAIN. Let me know what worked for you because I can not get rid of this