No acids or actives please

[Wiii]

Any recommendations for skin care products and sunblock for a sensitive broken skin barrier with eczema rosacea 🥺

[SamanthaRaeCamp]

As far as sunscreen, the one I use is not at Sephora. It’s called Prequel, and it’s on its own website. Good thing is that it’s not super expensive and it’s certified by the National Rosacea Society. It a mineral sunscreen, it’s slightly hydrating and it leaves a nice glow. So far so good 🫶🏼 hope you give it a try and enjoy it. 

[JoSometimes]

Hi @Wiii! All the other eczema and skin at experts have already given great advice. The only thing I’ll add is this thread: What works? 💜 Eczema, Rosacea, Psoriasis and Redness Support 

Feel free to shop through it or add to it to help build it up as a resource for those of us with sensitive skin. 

[WinglessOne]

@Wiii  I’m sorry your skin barrier’s broken. I know firsthand how painful that can feel. ☹️ 

Since your dermatologist told you to go back to basics, I’ll recommend basics that don’t contain common irritants like essential oils, fragrance components, or strong actives. I can’t restrict my list to K-beauty; instead I’ll focus on things you can easily find (if you’re in the US). 

Here’s how I roll my routine back to basics when my skin throws a painful tantrum: 

PM

1. Start with The INKEY List Oat Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm 5 oz/ 150 mL ; let it sit on skin for 5-10 minutes as a soothing oat mask, then rinse off. If I need (and can tolerate) a second cleanse, I’ll either apply CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser Bar right atop the oat cleansing balm while it’s still on my face and rinse everything off together; or I’ll rinse the oat cleansing balm off and then follow with Bioderma Sensibo H2O Micellar Water. 
2. While skin’s still damp, apply a basic moisturizer like Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion, Vanicream Moisturizing Cream, CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, or even a petroleum-based balm like CeraVe Healing Ointment, Aquaphor Ointment, or plain ol’ Vaseline. (Note: if you’re sensitive to lanolin, avoid Aquaphor.) A petroleum balm will provide maximum moisturization and promote skin healing. 
   
   

AM

1. Gently wipe my face with a wet plush microfiber cloth, or just splash water on my face. 
2. Sometimes I skip this moisturizer step if my sunscreen’s moisturizing. But when my skin’s damaged, I usually need a separate moisturizer from my PM list. Apply to damp skin. 
3. Sunscreen is hard to recommend because it depends a lot on your personal preferences. My current favorite skin tantrum sunscreen is Native Unscented Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30, available at Target. 
   
   

During this basic routine, I put all my actives on hold, including my nightly retinaldehyde and twice-daily azelaic acid. I resume those products once my skin’s in better shape. I also return to my usual PM gentle cleansers (either Abib Heartleaf Stone or e.l.f. Pure Skin Cleanser) and rotate all my other fave sunscreens back into my routine. 

You should check in with your derm about all of this though. None of us on BIC are doctors who can give you medical advice… I feel obligated to say that in case any of our suggestions conflict with your doctor’s instructions. Trust your doctor first. 🙂 I hope your skin heels soon! 

[Wiii]

Thank you so much!! I appreciate all the love and gold info you guys have shared with me 🫶🏼

[itsfi]

Hi there @Wiii! I have combination skin this time of year (oily lower T-zone, dry cheeks, normal forehead) with underlying dehydration all over. I have mild rosacea and a compromised skin barrier is something I deal with more often than I would like to. It's good that you are seeing a doctor as you can discuss with your doctor what works best for your skin. I've found that keeping to a simple skincare routine has been the best approach for me for happy, healthy skin - in the evenings, it's cleanser and a moisturizer or oil depending on what my skin needs (when it's dry or very dry in the cooler months, I'll go with an oil) and in the morning, it's cleanser (if I need it), moisturizer and SPF. Here are a few recommendations by category, price in parens, with Kbeauty products marked with an *. 

Cleanser:

• Skinfix Barrier+ Foaming Oil Hydrating Cleanser 6 oz/ 177 mL ($30)
• The INKEY List Oat Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm 5 oz/ 150 mL ($11.99) - there's a mini version available as well The INKEY List Mini Oat Cleansing Balm 1.7 oz/ 50 mL ($5.00)
• Tatcha The Indigo Cleansing Balm Moisturizing Makeup Remover 1.9 oz / 54 g is my new favorite, gentle but effective cleanser - The Indigo line is great for senstive and/or compromised skin
• Banila Co.* makes lovely cleansing balms for various skin types and concerns. The pink jar is the original, and most popular version. That could be something your skin likes. They recently put out one containing ceramides which are great for dry skin as well as compromised skin - that comes in a light grey-taupe jar, I believe. The brand is not available at Sephora, but you can find the brand online. Ulta carries all but the ceramide version. Kbeauty online retailers like YesStyle, Olive Young and Stylevana will carry Banila Co. as well.
• Micellar water - using a micellar water to cleanse your skin can be a gentle and effective way of doing so. My favorite micellar water is from Bioderma - the one with the pink cap but there are different versions available for different skin types.

Moisturizer:

• Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin™ Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream 1.7 oz / 50 mL* ($48) or the mini size Dr. Jart+ Mini Ceramidin™ Skin Barrier Moisturizing Cream 0.5 oz / 15 ml ($20) - this is a Kbeauty brand and this line in particular (a favorite of mine) is great for addressing a compromised skin barrier
• OLEHENRIKSEN Skin Barrier Strengthening Moisturizer with Peptides and Niacinamide 1.7 oz/ 50 mL ($51) and the mini version OLEHENRIKSEN Mini Skin Barrier Strengthening Moisturizer with Peptides and Niacinamide 0.5 oz / 15 m... ($20)
• The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil 1 oz/ 30 mL - I love this oil all year round but especially in the cooler months when my skin is prone to being dry and compromised. It can be worn alone or layered under a moisturizer.

Sunblock (mineral):

• Summer Fridays ShadeDrops Mineral Milk Sunscreen SPF 30 1.7 oz / 50 mL ($36)
• Kosas DreamBeam Silicone-Free Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40 with Ceramides and Peptides DreamBeam ($40)
• Dr. Jart+ Every Sun Day™ Mineral Face Sunscreen SPF 50+ 1.69 oz / 50 mL * ($40) - this has an initial white cast but it will dissipate as you work the product into your skin. There's another mineral version, available at online Kbeauty stores that leaves less of a white cast.
• Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Color Correcting Treatment SPF 30 1.7 oz/ 50 mL * ($52) or the mini version Dr. Jart+ Mini Cicapair Color Correcting Treatment SPF 30 15 mL/ .50 fl oz  ($21) - is good for neturalizing the look of redness while offering sun protection. This entire Cicapair line is good for redness as it contains cica (centella asiatica). 
• Etude House * makes some great sunblocks, including the ones from their Soon Jung line which is geared towards sensitive skin

Sunblock (chemical😞

• Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen Invisible Broad Spectrum SPF 40 PA +++ 2.5 oz / 73.9 mL ($48); also comes in a mini size Supergoop! Mini Unseen Sunscreen Invisible Broad Spectrum SPF 40 PA +++ 20 mL ($22)

Currently my skincare routine looks like this when my skin is sensitive and/or compromised (often) - 

Evening:

• First Cleanse - either the Tatcha cleanser or the Skin Fix cleanser
• Second Cleanse - Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Water 
• Moisturizer - either Dr. Jart Ceramidin or the OleHenriksen moisturizer

Morning:

• Cleanser - usually lukewarm water and a microfiber washcloth, but if I feel my skin needs a cleanser, I'll reach for the Bioderma Micellar Water
• Moisturizer - Dr. Jart or Olehenrisen
• SPF - it varies for me but I've been reaching for one from Saint Jane or the Summer Fridays recently

[Wiii]

Omg!! Thank you so much for the details. I do have the inky oat cleanser, tatcha, and a few other products you mentioned, so I guess I’m on the right path.

[CynthieLu]

I'd recommend checking in with your doctor or dermatologist before trying to many new items @Wiii 

What are you using right now if I can ask?

I do like SkinFix when my eczema is flaring up but your family doctor will know your skin best and what it might need. 

💙🩵

During a flare up I go basics, just the Skinfix face wash and moisturizer. I apply the moisturizer while my face is damp to help give it extra moisture. 

Skinfix barrier+ Strengthening and Moisturizing Triple Lipid-Peptide Refillable Cream with B-L3 

Skinfix Barrier+ Foaming Clay Cleanser 5 oz/ 148 mL 

[Wiii]

Because my skin is so bad right now, even the derm MD told me to go back to basics (water). I got two cycles of steroids and acids for rosacea, but it made it worse, so another round of steroids and water

[CynthieLu]

I'm so glad you're getting help from professionals. I would follow your Derms advice right now and give yourself time to heal @Wiii 💙 I know it's a long and slow process but hopefully you see improvements soon. 

[CynthieLu]

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