clear face gel - #15826
I am super confused and kind of worried about my skin lately. For the past month, I’ve been trying to use this new clear face gel that I thought would help with my breakouts. I’ve always had some acne, but this gel was suppose to be good for it. At first, my skin felt okay, but after a week I started noticing really dry patches and my breakouts didn't really improve. I thought maybe it needed some time, ya know? But now it's been almost four weeks, and my face is more irritated than ever! I don’t know if I’m allergic to this clear face gel or if it just isn’t working for me at all. I mean, is it normal for a product to make things worse like this? I also read about how some clear face gels can clog pores instead of clearing them out. Do you think I should stop using it right away? Or maybe try something different like a moisturizer with it? I just feel lost! Like, using this clear face gel was suppose to be a game changer for me, but now I don’t know what to do. Has anyone else experienced this kind of reaction? What would you recommend?
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Doctors’ responses
It looks like the clear face gel might not be the best fit for your skin right now, especially since you’re experiencing increased irritation and dryness. It’s not unusual for certain skincare products to cause adverse reactions like dryness, particularly if the gel contains active ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, which can be drying and irritating to sensitive skin if overused. Also, some formulations may indeed risk clogging pores, contrary to their intent. Allergic reactions are also possible, characterized by symptoms such as redness, itching, or more pronounced irritation. Given the persistent and worsening nature of your symptoms, the most immediate action would be to stop using the gel to see if your skin starts to improve. Continuing its use unnecessarily might escalate the irritation. If you’re having dry patches, integrating a non-comedogenic moisturizer could be beneficial to help restore your skin’s barrier function and reduce irritation. It’s also advisable to simplify your skincare routine for now — use a gentle cleanser, moisturize as needed, and apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect your skin. If there’s no improvement or if symptoms worsen, that might be a signal to see a dermatologist, who can offer tailored advice or could prescribe something more suitable for your acne concerns. They can help identify whether the clear face gel or another factor might be at play in the reaction you’re experiencing. Also, ensure it’s not the only cause by considering other recent changes in your routine, because sometimes multiple products interact poorly with each other. If at any point your skin feels painful or is excessively inflamed, those could be signs of a more severe reaction or infection, and seeking medical advice sooner rather than later would be wise. Overall, changing your approach sooner rather than sticking with something that’s not helping seems prudent.
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