I'm currently experiencing rather extreme reactions from my skin: redness (especially on both cheeks and jawline), very dry, painful to touch and flaring up when I attempt to put on moisturizer (Neutrogena oil-free, at that), and slight swelling all around, especially underneath my eyes.
The thing is, I don't know exactly why this is happening.
A few weeks ago, I was advised to use a salicylic acid cleanser to help with my sensitive, heavily acne-prone and scarred face; I did. Extreme dryness ensued after less than a week and I quickly switched back to my Neutrogena Visibly Even cleanser and moisturizer with additional honey/cinnamon/nutmeg masks to help my skin heal. It just /barely/ returned to it's original state. The sequence of events:
Week 1) salicylic acid cleanser, extreme dryness, stopped using immediately.
Week 2) back to original regimen of Neutrogena; decide to focus on the natural 'honey' solution. Skin returns to normal.
Week 3) /Two days/ of just using Neutrogena regimen, notice increased dryness and redness, extremely itchy. Third day--itchiness, swelling, the works.
This morning, I washed with just honey (instead of Neutrogena), and there was very little itching all day. My skin starts to feel hot and extremely dry by the time I get off work. I decided to use the honey facial mask I've been using prior, /tonight/, and lo and behold my skin can't bear to have it on for more than ten minutes (when previously, I'd been able to wear it for over thirty, no itching whatsoever). Took a shower right after washing off the mask--my face /burned/ while I tried to put on the same Neutrogena moisturizer that I /had/ been using.
What is going on? I don't believe I'm allergic to honey, cinnamon, or nutmeg (I've only used the facial mask a total of 5 times, perhaps, with no allergic reaction up until now; I've also been using raw honey most this time), my Neutrogena cleanser and moisturizer were used /daily/ until I switched out for the salicylic acid cleanser (for those few days) and appeared to be helping me heal the past week, and I haven't made any dramatic changes in my diet.
Any idea? For now, I'm going to try taking an antihistamine before I fall asleep tonight and see how my face looks in the morning. It's extremely painful right now, but I can't leave it as it is without any moisturizer... (I live in a desert climate--low humidity and extremely dry; it's also very, very cold at the moment--hurray for winter.)