I think I ruined my skin!

Well not permanently(I hope).
This weekend I was noticing some breakouts so I used an acne wash that my DH had and followed it up with some rapid clear pads and some benzoyl peroxide cream.
Ummm, not smart.
Yesterday my face was burning and itching and today it's just so DRY!
My makeup looks like cr@p. My skin is NEVER this dry. I really did a number on it.
Everything I put on it seems to irritate it more- even my regular Olay mosturizer.

So question- what do you think I should use on it tonight?
Something heavy but gentle like an Aquafor? (I have plenty of that because I use it on the baby's bottom!)

I'm just nervous to use any kind of lotion for fear of irritating it more.

Re: I think I ruined my skin!

Maybe just wash it with Cetaphil tonight.

If there are any spots worse than others, you can try some aquaphor. I can't use aquaphor though (it burns - go figure) so I'd use my son's Triple Cream on the really dry spots.

Re: I think I ruined my skin!

I'VE DONE THIS BEFORE. JUST WASH W/ A GENTLE CLEANSER AND LEAVE IT ALONE (sorry, caps lock was on) tonight. Continue your olay, makeup routine this week and you'll see it will get better gradually. If you have a clairsonic or scrubber of some kind, I would GENTLY (meant to use caps that time) scrub with a mild cleanser.

If you had a breakout, I would not put aquaphor or any ointment on the face.

So funny you posted this because I used a 10% benzoyl peroxide was followed by Clinique #4 toner on my face a couple of weeks ago and suffered the same fate.

My question is: when the hell do we stop breaking out?

Re: I think I ruined my skin!

Re: I think I ruined my skin!

Use the cetaphil. They make lotion as well.

Re: I think I ruined my skin!

Aquafor wiill help, but mught break you out. I get severe dry skin some winters (like this one) on my hands & it gets red & scaly & gross & Aquafor is the only thing that helps--more so thant Vaseline, which is similar. Regular moisturizers & shea butter make it burn.

Re: I think I ruined my skin!

Stick to Cetaphil and a light oil free/frangrance free moisturizer until it calms down. Also avoid using hot water, don't exfoliate for a few days and drinks tons of water to rehydrate your skin. Feel better

Re: I think I ruined my skin!

Here is what I have done for major skin dryness problems (windburn, etc.) -- wash with the most gentle thing I have at night, and then literally gently rub in vaseline and sleep with it on. You might get a small breakout, but it is preferable to the dry/crackled skin.

Re: I think I ruined my skin!

I would just use water and pat dry with a cotton ball. Let your skin heal itself tonight. Put a super light weight moisturizer on tomorrow i.e. cetaphil, and take off your make up at night.

Re: I think I ruined my skin!

I wouldn't use aquaphor on it - it contains mineral oil and may clog your pores. just a light moisturizer, and don't put anything else on with it, just a light cleanser

Re: I think I ruined my skin!

cortizone cream always helped me.

Re: I think I ruined my skin!

I've done it before too - i was given an rx cream with benzoyl peroxide in it and my skin just couldn't handle it. The derm had me wash with cetaphil, apply a moisturizer often (they rec cerave), and just wait it out - she said no makeup until it calmed down.

Re: I think I ruined my skin!

This is going to sound a little crazy, but it's worked for me.

I used Bio Oil on my face when that happened. It healed it almost overnight.

Re: I think I ruined my skin!

Re: I think I ruined my skin!

If you don't have a good all natural cream in your home...You can put Honey on your face
When applied to the skin it is healing and moisturizing. It helps dead skin cells move from the surface and stimulates renewal and regrowth of skin tissues. It is also antibacterial.

You can also use oatmeal and yogurt or olive oil with a cold compress.

Hope this helps