MEDICAL HELP!! The cold weather is killing the skin around my eyes!

[edbermac]

For the past 2 years when it turns cold my face starts to go to hell, especially the skin around my eyes. Around that area my skin dries up so much it feels like tree bark. One winter it cracked so bad it was like I had a paper cut on both lids. And it's starting up again. I've tried vaseline but it is marginal at best.

Anyone know what I could use? I'm one step away from going to a dermatologist...

:cry:

[notadmblnd]

1. try to find a moisturizer with no alcohol

it will be expensive, but it will be worth it. don't scrub your face with soap either or rub with a towel, pat it try and put the moisturizer on while face is still damp.

[hickman1937]

2. go to a dermatologist

Sounds like the beginning of rosacea to me. I had that, its painful.

[LiberalEsto]

3. Cetaphil liquid soap

This stuff was recommended by a dermatologist and I've used it for years. It removes eye makeup gently, is great for handwashing, and works as a mild moisturizer.

It doesn't cause allergic reactions. I'm so sensitive to soaps that it's the only thing I can wash with, along with the Cetaphil soap bar. But the soap bar is harsher and less moisturizing.

KMart and CVS both sell generic versions of this at about half the price of the brand name. Good luck!

[hlthe2b]

6. Yes... I am suspecting you are using harsh detergent soaps on your face

Cetaphil is a good choice. Rosacea is certainly possible, but if this is fairly recent, and weather associated, it may be nothing more than your skin reacting to the harsh combination of detergent residue, and cold dry environment.

A moist humidifier in your room can be helpful too.

[City of Mills]

4. Try this

http://kinetinplus.com/aboutkinetin.asp

My wife swears by it, she has sensitive combination skin and dry winter skin and this works for her.

[AwakeAtLast]

5. You can also

find a cream made especially for the eyes. Yes, it will probably be found in the makeup section, but at least your eyes won't hurt. I like the stuff that has cucumber extract in it. Makes the skin soft and takes away puffiness, too!

[stellanoir]

7. I've had great luck

with both moisturizers with retinol in them and straight vitamin E oil.

Vaseline doesn't really get absorbed by the tissue so well whereas these other products do.

[Mz Pip]

8. Burt's Bees

has an eye creme that I use that really works well. It's in a tiny little jar but a little goes a long way.

Aveda makes a good product called "Calming Nutrients" that I also use.

I have very sensitive skin and most eye cremes do more harm than good for me. These two haven't given me any bad reactions.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[sandnsea]

10. Burt's Bees is good

My son has very strange skin, acne but most products make his face red and dry it out horribly. He started using Burt's Bees scrub and face cleanser a year ago and his skin is all cleared up.

[liontamer]

9. i use almond oil

hopefully that's enough. Maybe you should be wearing ski goggles and a scarf over your face

[Beaverhausen]

11. also remember to hydrate from the inside. Drink as much water

as you can. We all get dried out in wintertime.

GOod Luck!

[GAspnes]

12. vitamin E and lots of water

My face skin started cracking in winter around my lips and nose in my 20's. Started 400 mg vitamin E daily and at least 1 liter of water a day, and it's never recurred.

[Quakerfriend]

13. If you start drinking 6-8 cups of water

immediately upon awakening (before brushing teeth, or cofee etc) and then wait 20 minutes before eating/drinking anything this will work wonders for your skin. It's not easy, but it does wonders for skin problems!

[amazona]

14. see a dermatologist

I'm sorry to say that I've found no substitute for medical advice. Everyone has a product that worked for them but not for me.

[yellowdogintexas]

15. use a gentle liquid face cleaner, that is formulated for dry skin

use warm, not hot water to wash
drink lots of liquids
MOISTURIZE MOISTURIZE

Humidifier in the house helps big time, or just keep a big kettle of water going on low on the back of the stove whenever you are home.
If you heat w/wood you are adding to the dry out skin factor, and you definitely need a kettle on top of the wood stove.

Sleeping with the thermostat lowered helps a lot too. Better for your sinuse and allergies also.

Clinique makes a couple of dynamite unscented gel based eye formulas, one of which is designed to help heal problem skin. It isn't cheap, but lasts a LONG time.(Advanced Stop Signs for Eyes is the healer and has mild sunscreen. Regular eye cream type is All About Eyes. Plus if you get lucky and the dept store is doing a promotion you get a bag of goodies.) My jar that I am currently using was a freebie. Clinique is a very BLUE company too.

Also, Olay makes some good eye creams and so does Aveeno. In fact, all
Aveeno products are extremely gentle.
Whatever you try, these creams need to be lightweight,in order to be well absorbed, non perfumed and hypoallergenic so as to not add to irritation and USED WITH DEDICATION.

I have heard olive oil is a good emergency moistureizer.

You might also want to check out this company: Windrift Hill in Montana. All their stuff is based on goats milk, shea butter, cocoa butter and is wonderful. I have the body butter which I use as hand cream, but there are other products. I love this stuff.

Some places have testers you can try, or samples. No reason for you to be miserable all winter .

What state are you in? Is it extremely cold/dry?

[Cuban_Liberal]

16. Vitamin E oil.

Just get the real stuff with no additives.

:)

[Lex]

17. Buy some Omega Oil Blend softgels at the drugstore

and start taking 4 per day.

You'll be amazed at the difference.