I think the most frustrating thing with allergies and wearing makeup is reacting to an unknown part of a product.
I don't get hives on my face but a beautiful red rash, sometimes called a "butterfly mask", because of the way it covers the cheeks and nose.
This rash is not only red but burning hot, even with 5 layers of makeup on the heat can be felt.
So I've tried various things to cool it down, apart from physically putting an icepack on my face. That cools it down, but does not treat the damage done to my skin.
An old fashioned remedy is Calamine lotion. I always have a bottle of this around for when I'm ridiculously itchy and creams just irritate it more.
Especially in summer - high body heat+eczema+cream = unbearable night.
Calamine lotion soothes the itch but also drys out the already dry skin so it has to followed up the next morning with heavy moisturisation.
Creams that contain Zinc Oxide are also very good for helping with hives. I have a large tub of SudoCrem which I use on an as-needed basis. Its great as a mask on hot hives and will soothe and cool the hives. A little bit goes a long way and a thick layer wont actually completely sink into the skin, and it makes a barrier.
I recently got a sample of Paulas Choice Skin Recovery Hydrating Treatment Mask. I got two uses out of the 3ml sample. I used it once at night and left it on as a sleeping mask and the next day underneath my maskeup as a primer. It did work well, but it has to be ordered online and is $30AUD for 113ml. It was very thick when I applied it and did not sting my poor skin. That in itself was promising.
I have five full sized masks that I am trying out and I put in a huge order of samples from RoseRoseShop which arrived recently and includes a few masks - sheet and cream types. So I won't make a decision about purchasing the Paula's Choice one until all of my testing is complete. I seem to be on the search for the Holy Grail of masks for my skin.
Recent in store purchases
Palmers Cocoa Butter Purifying Enzyme Mask. I bought this from Chemist Warehouse, but I've also seen it in Priceline. Retails for under $10. Not sure about this one - this was from a "freak-out-shop" after going to the Doctors. Thinking was not occurring in my brain.
Quick Fix Facials Calming Clay Mask - For Red and Sensitive Skin. I picked this up at Coles Supermarket, but its also available in Woolworths and Target. Retails under $10. Review coming soon.
Quick Fix Facials Mega Moisture Gel Mask - For Dry and Thirsty Skin. I picked this up at Coles Supermarket, but its also available in Woolworths and Target. It's under $10.
Dirty Works Rose & Glow Moisture Mask - With Rose and Vitamin E (and hyaluronic acid). This I found at Target for $12.95. Review here!.
Dirty Works Vitamin C Brightening Mask. I picked this up also at Target for $12.95.
I don't expect a mask to perform absolute miracles, so what I expect from a mask is to remove a goodly amount of the redness and put some moisture back into my skin. These are not regular treatments for my skin - in the case of calamine, its a last ditch effort before I turn to Prednisolone and corticosteroid creams. I will go to these medications when the hives and inflammation start to spread down my body because that is indicative of a greater systematic problem. Your skin's "turnover" can be anywhere from two to four weeks (*science time* technically a skin cell is around for 28 days before you shed the cell - going from the bottom of the epidermis to the top of the epidermis, but up to 48 days to replace the entire epidermis). So it will take time for skin to recover from any trauma. Skin will not recover overnight,
Corticosteroid creams/ointments will thin your skin over time, so avoiding these is a priority. Also your skin can become used to these products and have a rebound if the corticosteroid cream is not used, which is just not fun. Prednisolone has a plethora of side-effects which build up over time and mess with the immune system. I have enough troubles with my immune system so I don't want to damage it needlessly. I have also been taking Phenergan at night instead, but that also causes drowsiness and makes it hard to get going in the mornings.
It's really important to read labels to know what you are putting on your skin when you have allergies. What do you avoid in your skincare products?
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