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Can A Damaged Moisture Barrier On My Face Cause Such
Question: Can a damaged moisture barrier on my face cause such pain? I didn’t overexfoliate or use any harsh products. For a couple years, I was using La Roche Posay Foaming cleanser and their Double Reapair Moisturizer (both containing niancinimde and from their Toleraine line). The moisturizer I used for about 6 months.
I noticed my face becoming more and more sensitive this past April. I thought it was due to the indoor heat. I noticed my face becoming sensitive to the heat when I was cooking. I discontinued my face products and went to a very basic moisturizer and Emu oil the end of April so my moisture barrier could heal.
I still have so much pain in my face especially my lower cheeks. My skin feels very hypersensitive (stings and burns with water and my basic moisturizer). I also was at a BBQ On 5/27 and he smoke made my face so tight and burn.
But my question is that can a damaged moisture barrier cause hypersensitivity of the actual nerves? When I’m in the shower, I can’t put my face in the direct flow of the water because my face will hurt from the direct hit of the water. When I dry my face, I have to ever so gently XXXXXXX my lower cheeks with a cloth. I can’t run and even the gentle pats have to be extremely gentle or it hurts. And I can’t lay my face on my pillow. The friction hurts it. Also, I can’t wear a face mask because the friction from the cloth hurts my skin, so i wear a face shield so it’s not directly on my face.
When I’m at work, when I walk under these certain lights, I can feel the heat on my face.
All of this seems to be excessive to me to be from a damaged moisture barrier. Maybe I’m wrong but I just want to know can a damaged moisture barrier set off a hypersensitivity of nerves?
Thank you.
I noticed my face becoming more and more sensitive this past April. I thought it was due to the indoor heat. I noticed my face becoming sensitive to the heat when I was cooking. I discontinued my face products and went to a very basic moisturizer and Emu oil the end of April so my moisture barrier could heal.
I still have so much pain in my face especially my lower cheeks. My skin feels very hypersensitive (stings and burns with water and my basic moisturizer). I also was at a BBQ On 5/27 and he smoke made my face so tight and burn.
But my question is that can a damaged moisture barrier cause hypersensitivity of the actual nerves? When I’m in the shower, I can’t put my face in the direct flow of the water because my face will hurt from the direct hit of the water. When I dry my face, I have to ever so gently XXXXXXX my lower cheeks with a cloth. I can’t run and even the gentle pats have to be extremely gentle or it hurts. And I can’t lay my face on my pillow. The friction hurts it. Also, I can’t wear a face mask because the friction from the cloth hurts my skin, so i wear a face shield so it’s not directly on my face.
When I’m at work, when I walk under these certain lights, I can feel the heat on my face.
All of this seems to be excessive to me to be from a damaged moisture barrier. Maybe I’m wrong but I just want to know can a damaged moisture barrier set off a hypersensitivity of nerves?
Thank you.
Can a damaged moisture barrier on my face cause such pain? I didn’t overexfoliate or use any harsh products. For a couple years, I was using La Roche Posay Foaming cleanser and their Double Reapair Moisturizer (both containing niancinimde and from their Toleraine line). The moisturizer I used for about 6 months.
I noticed my face becoming more and more sensitive this past April. I thought it was due to the indoor heat. I noticed my face becoming sensitive to the heat when I was cooking. I discontinued my face products and went to a very basic moisturizer and Emu oil the end of April so my moisture barrier could heal.
I still have so much pain in my face especially my lower cheeks. My skin feels very hypersensitive (stings and burns with water and my basic moisturizer). I also was at a BBQ On 5/27 and he smoke made my face so tight and burn.
But my question is that can a damaged moisture barrier cause hypersensitivity of the actual nerves? When I’m in the shower, I can’t put my face in the direct flow of the water because my face will hurt from the direct hit of the water. When I dry my face, I have to ever so gently XXXXXXX my lower cheeks with a cloth. I can’t run and even the gentle pats have to be extremely gentle or it hurts. And I can’t lay my face on my pillow. The friction hurts it. Also, I can’t wear a face mask because the friction from the cloth hurts my skin, so i wear a face shield so it’s not directly on my face.
When I’m at work, when I walk under these certain lights, I can feel the heat on my face.
All of this seems to be excessive to me to be from a damaged moisture barrier. Maybe I’m wrong but I just want to know can a damaged moisture barrier set off a hypersensitivity of nerves?
Thank you.
I noticed my face becoming more and more sensitive this past April. I thought it was due to the indoor heat. I noticed my face becoming sensitive to the heat when I was cooking. I discontinued my face products and went to a very basic moisturizer and Emu oil the end of April so my moisture barrier could heal.
I still have so much pain in my face especially my lower cheeks. My skin feels very hypersensitive (stings and burns with water and my basic moisturizer). I also was at a BBQ On 5/27 and he smoke made my face so tight and burn.
But my question is that can a damaged moisture barrier cause hypersensitivity of the actual nerves? When I’m in the shower, I can’t put my face in the direct flow of the water because my face will hurt from the direct hit of the water. When I dry my face, I have to ever so gently XXXXXXX my lower cheeks with a cloth. I can’t run and even the gentle pats have to be extremely gentle or it hurts. And I can’t lay my face on my pillow. The friction hurts it. Also, I can’t wear a face mask because the friction from the cloth hurts my skin, so i wear a face shield so it’s not directly on my face.
When I’m at work, when I walk under these certain lights, I can feel the heat on my face.
All of this seems to be excessive to me to be from a damaged moisture barrier. Maybe I’m wrong but I just want to know can a damaged moisture barrier set off a hypersensitivity of nerves?
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Regarding sensitive skin
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to ask a doctor service. I have gone through your query and noted your concern.
You seem to have sensitive skin which is often due to impaired barrier. Burning, itching, smarting sensation and extreme reactivity to external stimuli are some of the signs and symptoms of sensitive skin.
Whether the products that you used were entirely responsible for your sensitive skin is a possibility if your skin was sensitive to one or more of its ingredients or perhaps they were too harsh or used excessively.
Sensitive skin can also be due to coexisting conditions like Acne and Rosacea, which itself makes the skin react to almost everything available under the sun.
Hence, you must come down to the basics like avoiding everything you have been using till now, including sunscreens and exfoliating moisturizers. Use just a gentle cleanser for face wash, twice daily like Cetaphil gentle cleansing lotion and nothing else. You may use a bland moisturizer like Cetaphil Restoraderm lotion for moisturization.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if you need any more assistance.
Regarding sensitive skin
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to ask a doctor service. I have gone through your query and noted your concern.
You seem to have sensitive skin which is often due to impaired barrier. Burning, itching, smarting sensation and extreme reactivity to external stimuli are some of the signs and symptoms of sensitive skin.
Whether the products that you used were entirely responsible for your sensitive skin is a possibility if your skin was sensitive to one or more of its ingredients or perhaps they were too harsh or used excessively.
Sensitive skin can also be due to coexisting conditions like Acne and Rosacea, which itself makes the skin react to almost everything available under the sun.
Hence, you must come down to the basics like avoiding everything you have been using till now, including sunscreens and exfoliating moisturizers. Use just a gentle cleanser for face wash, twice daily like Cetaphil gentle cleansing lotion and nothing else. You may use a bland moisturizer like Cetaphil Restoraderm lotion for moisturization.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if you need any more assistance.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Brief Answer:
Regarding sensitive skin
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to ask a doctor service. I have gone through your query and noted your concern.
You seem to have sensitive skin which is often due to impaired barrier. Burning, itching, smarting sensation and extreme reactivity to external stimuli are some of the signs and symptoms of sensitive skin.
Whether the products that you used were entirely responsible for your sensitive skin is a possibility if your skin was sensitive to one or more of its ingredients or perhaps they were too harsh or used excessively.
Sensitive skin can also be due to coexisting conditions like Acne and Rosacea, which itself makes the skin react to almost everything available under the sun.
Hence, you must come down to the basics like avoiding everything you have been using till now, including sunscreens and exfoliating moisturizers. Use just a gentle cleanser for face wash, twice daily like Cetaphil gentle cleansing lotion and nothing else. You may use a bland moisturizer like Cetaphil Restoraderm lotion for moisturization.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if you need any more assistance.
Regarding sensitive skin
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to ask a doctor service. I have gone through your query and noted your concern.
You seem to have sensitive skin which is often due to impaired barrier. Burning, itching, smarting sensation and extreme reactivity to external stimuli are some of the signs and symptoms of sensitive skin.
Whether the products that you used were entirely responsible for your sensitive skin is a possibility if your skin was sensitive to one or more of its ingredients or perhaps they were too harsh or used excessively.
Sensitive skin can also be due to coexisting conditions like Acne and Rosacea, which itself makes the skin react to almost everything available under the sun.
Hence, you must come down to the basics like avoiding everything you have been using till now, including sunscreens and exfoliating moisturizers. Use just a gentle cleanser for face wash, twice daily like Cetaphil gentle cleansing lotion and nothing else. You may use a bland moisturizer like Cetaphil Restoraderm lotion for moisturization.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if you need any more assistance.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Hi Doctor,
I have been using just plain water to wash with just once in the evening and moisturize with LRP Toleraine Ulta which is a very basic moisturizer. I don’t wear sunscreen and I try to avoid the sun as much a possible (I don’t go to beach or worship the sun). Would it have start to feel better because it’s been 2 months already. Or does it take time for the moisture barrier to heal?
Also, does a a damaged moisture barrier really set off hypersensitive nerves?
This happened to me in 2014 and I used this site and I believe you helped me then. But I knew what I did then. I over exfoliated so much and my skin was so hypersensitive and burning from March 2014 and it gradually healed in October 2014. This time around I didn’t exfoliate or over exfoliate or nothing like that to have caused a damaged moisture barrier. So I’m lost as to where this hypersensitivity sensation is coming from.
You said not to use anything...if so just wash with water, won’t my face become excessively dry and even more irritated?
And my face healed before from excessive exfoliation...do you think it can heal again even though I somehow damaged it (though I’m not sure how I did this time)? Thank you!
I have been using just plain water to wash with just once in the evening and moisturize with LRP Toleraine Ulta which is a very basic moisturizer. I don’t wear sunscreen and I try to avoid the sun as much a possible (I don’t go to beach or worship the sun). Would it have start to feel better because it’s been 2 months already. Or does it take time for the moisture barrier to heal?
Also, does a a damaged moisture barrier really set off hypersensitive nerves?
This happened to me in 2014 and I used this site and I believe you helped me then. But I knew what I did then. I over exfoliated so much and my skin was so hypersensitive and burning from March 2014 and it gradually healed in October 2014. This time around I didn’t exfoliate or over exfoliate or nothing like that to have caused a damaged moisture barrier. So I’m lost as to where this hypersensitivity sensation is coming from.
You said not to use anything...if so just wash with water, won’t my face become excessively dry and even more irritated?
And my face healed before from excessive exfoliation...do you think it can heal again even though I somehow damaged it (though I’m not sure how I did this time)? Thank you!
Hi Doctor,
I have been using just plain water to wash with just once in the evening and moisturize with LRP Toleraine Ulta which is a very basic moisturizer. I don’t wear sunscreen and I try to avoid the sun as much a possible (I don’t go to beach or worship the sun). Would it have start to feel better because it’s been 2 months already. Or does it take time for the moisture barrier to heal?
Also, does a a damaged moisture barrier really set off hypersensitive nerves?
This happened to me in 2014 and I used this site and I believe you helped me then. But I knew what I did then. I over exfoliated so much and my skin was so hypersensitive and burning from March 2014 and it gradually healed in October 2014. This time around I didn’t exfoliate or over exfoliate or nothing like that to have caused a damaged moisture barrier. So I’m lost as to where this hypersensitivity sensation is coming from.
You said not to use anything...if so just wash with water, won’t my face become excessively dry and even more irritated?
And my face healed before from excessive exfoliation...do you think it can heal again even though I somehow damaged it (though I’m not sure how I did this time)? Thank you!
I have been using just plain water to wash with just once in the evening and moisturize with LRP Toleraine Ulta which is a very basic moisturizer. I don’t wear sunscreen and I try to avoid the sun as much a possible (I don’t go to beach or worship the sun). Would it have start to feel better because it’s been 2 months already. Or does it take time for the moisture barrier to heal?
Also, does a a damaged moisture barrier really set off hypersensitive nerves?
This happened to me in 2014 and I used this site and I believe you helped me then. But I knew what I did then. I over exfoliated so much and my skin was so hypersensitive and burning from March 2014 and it gradually healed in October 2014. This time around I didn’t exfoliate or over exfoliate or nothing like that to have caused a damaged moisture barrier. So I’m lost as to where this hypersensitivity sensation is coming from.
You said not to use anything...if so just wash with water, won’t my face become excessively dry and even more irritated?
And my face healed before from excessive exfoliation...do you think it can heal again even though I somehow damaged it (though I’m not sure how I did this time)? Thank you!
Also, when I research online about restoring the barrier moisture, people layer like 5 different products. Like a humectant and an occlusive. I couldn’t even imagine using 6 different products right now.
Please tell me the hypersensitivity sensation will normalize eventually. J just have to tell myself it did once, it can do it again right ? I’m so nervous.
Please tell me the hypersensitivity sensation will normalize eventually. J just have to tell myself it did once, it can do it again right ? I’m so nervous.
Also, when I research online about restoring the barrier moisture, people layer like 5 different products. Like a humectant and an occlusive. I couldn’t even imagine using 6 different products right now.
Please tell me the hypersensitivity sensation will normalize eventually. J just have to tell myself it did once, it can do it again right ? I’m so nervous.
Please tell me the hypersensitivity sensation will normalize eventually. J just have to tell myself it did once, it can do it again right ? I’m so nervous.
Brief Answer:
Regarding sensitive skin
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
A damaged moisture barrier can cause symptoms as in your case but those are usually transient and reverse within a few days, if the underlying cause is no more the factor. So, in most cases discontinuing products with possible irritants is all that is necessary along with using a bland or light fragrance free moisturizer. I don't think it is due to persisting nerve hypersensitivity except in underlying conditions like Rosacea and part of spectrum of menopausal symptoms. It is mostly some extraneous factor which can be avoided.
Washing face with just plain water would not dry your skin, if you do it only twice a day. On the other hand washing repeatedly can strip off essential moisture and make the skin dry. You can use a gentle cleanser like Cetaphil gentle cleaning lotion, twice daily.
You can try a mild topical steroid cream e.g Cortisone cream (1% hydrocortisone cream), twice daily, for a few days, over the areas that are problematic like cheeks and around mouth. It would help suppress any underlying sub-clinical inflammation and may prove useful in your case.
Take care. Let me knoiw if you need any more assistaance
Regarding sensitive skin
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
A damaged moisture barrier can cause symptoms as in your case but those are usually transient and reverse within a few days, if the underlying cause is no more the factor. So, in most cases discontinuing products with possible irritants is all that is necessary along with using a bland or light fragrance free moisturizer. I don't think it is due to persisting nerve hypersensitivity except in underlying conditions like Rosacea and part of spectrum of menopausal symptoms. It is mostly some extraneous factor which can be avoided.
Washing face with just plain water would not dry your skin, if you do it only twice a day. On the other hand washing repeatedly can strip off essential moisture and make the skin dry. You can use a gentle cleanser like Cetaphil gentle cleaning lotion, twice daily.
You can try a mild topical steroid cream e.g Cortisone cream (1% hydrocortisone cream), twice daily, for a few days, over the areas that are problematic like cheeks and around mouth. It would help suppress any underlying sub-clinical inflammation and may prove useful in your case.
Take care. Let me knoiw if you need any more assistaance
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
Regarding sensitive skin
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
A damaged moisture barrier can cause symptoms as in your case but those are usually transient and reverse within a few days, if the underlying cause is no more the factor. So, in most cases discontinuing products with possible irritants is all that is necessary along with using a bland or light fragrance free moisturizer. I don't think it is due to persisting nerve hypersensitivity except in underlying conditions like Rosacea and part of spectrum of menopausal symptoms. It is mostly some extraneous factor which can be avoided.
Washing face with just plain water would not dry your skin, if you do it only twice a day. On the other hand washing repeatedly can strip off essential moisture and make the skin dry. You can use a gentle cleanser like Cetaphil gentle cleaning lotion, twice daily.
You can try a mild topical steroid cream e.g Cortisone cream (1% hydrocortisone cream), twice daily, for a few days, over the areas that are problematic like cheeks and around mouth. It would help suppress any underlying sub-clinical inflammation and may prove useful in your case.
Take care. Let me knoiw if you need any more assistaance
Regarding sensitive skin
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
A damaged moisture barrier can cause symptoms as in your case but those are usually transient and reverse within a few days, if the underlying cause is no more the factor. So, in most cases discontinuing products with possible irritants is all that is necessary along with using a bland or light fragrance free moisturizer. I don't think it is due to persisting nerve hypersensitivity except in underlying conditions like Rosacea and part of spectrum of menopausal symptoms. It is mostly some extraneous factor which can be avoided.
Washing face with just plain water would not dry your skin, if you do it only twice a day. On the other hand washing repeatedly can strip off essential moisture and make the skin dry. You can use a gentle cleanser like Cetaphil gentle cleaning lotion, twice daily.
You can try a mild topical steroid cream e.g Cortisone cream (1% hydrocortisone cream), twice daily, for a few days, over the areas that are problematic like cheeks and around mouth. It would help suppress any underlying sub-clinical inflammation and may prove useful in your case.
Take care. Let me knoiw if you need any more assistaance
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Could a biopsy of the skin show what’s going on?
Also, you previously mention Cosmetic Intolerance Syndrome. I’m going to try to just wash with plain water and discontinue my moisturizer for a week and see if that helps.
Also, you previously mention Cosmetic Intolerance Syndrome. I’m going to try to just wash with plain water and discontinue my moisturizer for a week and see if that helps.
Could a biopsy of the skin show what’s going on?
Also, you previously mention Cosmetic Intolerance Syndrome. I’m going to try to just wash with plain water and discontinue my moisturizer for a week and see if that helps.
Also, you previously mention Cosmetic Intolerance Syndrome. I’m going to try to just wash with plain water and discontinue my moisturizer for a week and see if that helps.
My derm just prescribed me with Epiceram rx prescription. Are you familiar with this cream?
My derm just prescribed me with Epiceram rx prescription. Are you familiar with this cream?
Brief Answer:
Regarding skin sensitivity
Detailed Answer:
hi.
I won't advice biopsy in such cases. It won't show any changes. Epiceram as I read is a skin barrier repair cream with essential lipids and ceramides which are normally present in healthy skin and depletion of which may be the reason for skin sensitivity. It is worth a try in your case. Moreover it is non steroidal.
Take care
Regarding skin sensitivity
Detailed Answer:
hi.
I won't advice biopsy in such cases. It won't show any changes. Epiceram as I read is a skin barrier repair cream with essential lipids and ceramides which are normally present in healthy skin and depletion of which may be the reason for skin sensitivity. It is worth a try in your case. Moreover it is non steroidal.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Brief Answer:
Regarding skin sensitivity
Detailed Answer:
hi.
I won't advice biopsy in such cases. It won't show any changes. Epiceram as I read is a skin barrier repair cream with essential lipids and ceramides which are normally present in healthy skin and depletion of which may be the reason for skin sensitivity. It is worth a try in your case. Moreover it is non steroidal.
Take care
Regarding skin sensitivity
Detailed Answer:
hi.
I won't advice biopsy in such cases. It won't show any changes. Epiceram as I read is a skin barrier repair cream with essential lipids and ceramides which are normally present in healthy skin and depletion of which may be the reason for skin sensitivity. It is worth a try in your case. Moreover it is non steroidal.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Hi, I appreciate your information. Just one more question regarding Cosmetic Intolerance Syndrome. Does it seem to come and go? Similar to a relapse?
I feel like I experienced this in 2014 and again in 2020.
Does CIS seem to relapse (come and go)?
And then you can introduce other products (cleanser, sunblock, nothing harsh) after some time of using nothing and letting the skin settle or reset.
Thank you!
I feel like I experienced this in 2014 and again in 2020.
Does CIS seem to relapse (come and go)?
And then you can introduce other products (cleanser, sunblock, nothing harsh) after some time of using nothing and letting the skin settle or reset.
Thank you!
Hi, I appreciate your information. Just one more question regarding Cosmetic Intolerance Syndrome. Does it seem to come and go? Similar to a relapse?
I feel like I experienced this in 2014 and again in 2020.
Does CIS seem to relapse (come and go)?
And then you can introduce other products (cleanser, sunblock, nothing harsh) after some time of using nothing and letting the skin settle or reset.
Thank you!
I feel like I experienced this in 2014 and again in 2020.
Does CIS seem to relapse (come and go)?
And then you can introduce other products (cleanser, sunblock, nothing harsh) after some time of using nothing and letting the skin settle or reset.
Thank you!
Brief Answer:
Regarding sensitive skin
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Yes, its kind of like that. You first take yourself off everything in case of a suspected cosmetic intolerance syndrome and later once the skin is back to normal, carefully introduce product(s) unlikely to have cause it and keep them to minimum.
Take care
Regarding sensitive skin
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Yes, its kind of like that. You first take yourself off everything in case of a suspected cosmetic intolerance syndrome and later once the skin is back to normal, carefully introduce product(s) unlikely to have cause it and keep them to minimum.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Brief Answer:
Regarding sensitive skin
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Yes, its kind of like that. You first take yourself off everything in case of a suspected cosmetic intolerance syndrome and later once the skin is back to normal, carefully introduce product(s) unlikely to have cause it and keep them to minimum.
Take care
Regarding sensitive skin
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Yes, its kind of like that. You first take yourself off everything in case of a suspected cosmetic intolerance syndrome and later once the skin is back to normal, carefully introduce product(s) unlikely to have cause it and keep them to minimum.
Take care
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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