Emollients topical and Redness: What Users Say

• Rob...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 28, 2020

For Dry Skin "I used CeraVe moisturizers for 8 months to treat dryness on my face. In that time, my skin became increasingly red, inflamed, itchy, and dry—so dry, in fact, that it would crack and bleed at times. I'm over 40, and I have never had eczema, but now I had it all over my face, and soon spots were popping up all over my back, arms, and legs. CeraVe was always recommended as being 'safe,' so I trusted it, but the day I stopped using CeraVe products completely, my symptoms improved. In lieu of a patch test, I have a reason to believe I am allergic to 'tocopherol' (Vitamin E) found in every CeraVe product I used. (Not surprisingly, many foods that caused marked flare-ups also contained tocopherols) I am now using another moisturizer that does not contain tocopherol but uses oatmeal instead. My skin is slowly getting better, but it will be weeks if not months before I am fully recovered. I hope this information can help someone."

• Dry...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 24, 2020

For Dry Skin "I was told to use this by my dermatologist. It’s been about a month, and it was working great! The last couple of days, my cheeks have been red and splotchy, my chin is getting eczema spots, and tonight my cheeks felt like they were on fire. I thought it was because I was in the cold today, so I put more on, it was instant stinging and heat on my cheeks. I washed it off, and it relieved the feeling almost 99%. So disappointed!"

• Max...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 27, 2020

For Vaginal Dryness "First time user. I just got done inserting Replens and immediately experienced severe burning and redness. Three days later, after cornstarch sitz baths, I called my gynecologist, and she said I may be the 1% that is severely allergic to some ingredients in the gel. I am still burning, but it is severe when urinating. I now have red irritation on the insides of my labia. If you have any resolution to my pain, I would appreciate it."

• Jul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 21, 2018

"Replens was recommended to me by my gynecologist for vaginal dryness/atrophy. Although it provided relief, the day after inserting it, I developed this very strange white, tissue-like vaginal discharge, together with burning and redness. The doctor said that my symptoms were not from the Replens, so I continued using it, but the side effects continued. I have since learned that the tissue discharge is a common side effect for many women."

• Jea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 15, 2023

For Dry Skin "Experienced bad facial redness and itching 2 days after CeraVe products. This product may be advertised as developed with dermatologists, but it doesn't mean it is any good! I have written to the company and asked for a refund. I will wait and see if they reply."

• Cee...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 16, 2021

For Dry Skin "I’ve used Raspberry Lemonade Blistex for a year now with no problem. Two months ago, I developed raw skin around my lips (on my skin) plus chapped lips. They cracked and burned for three weeks. I didn’t make the connection to the Blistex as I was also using other lip balms. I finally stopped all products, and they healed in a week. Just today, I applied the raspberry Blistex, and in one hour, I had bright red skin around my mouth. I found my allergy trigger! I love the taste, and I’m pretty bummed. I’m curious to know which ingredient is giving me the reaction in case it’s in other products."

• Itc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 20, 2019

For Dry Skin "I used CeraVe Moisturizing Cream for Normal to Dry Skin on my face on the 18th of April, and by the 19th, I had dry, itchy, red patches all over my face. It is now the 20th, and the red rash has calmed somewhat but is still there, and it's still itchy. Taking Benadryl until I can see my doctor. I had heard great things about this cream and am extremely disappointed. Hoping the drugstore I bought it at will take it back. I used it once!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 9, 2021

For Dry Skin "Used CeraVe Daily PM moisturizer. Beyond terrible!! It’s crazy, after reading so many negative reviews, that this is still recommended as a 'low allergen' 'non-comedogenic' product. A bit of backstory - I'm 34 years old, have mildly sensitive skin but never suffer from pimples or pigmentation issues as I am very strict with my diet: i.e., no sugar, no vegetable oils, no grains, no dairy, etc. Have been using this product for 3 weeks, and every day my skin is getting worse and worse! My face has become incredibly red on my forehead and cheeks and have developed quite severe pimples all over my forehead. Absolute disaster of a product."

• Rub...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 11, 2020

For Dry Skin "As a recent (1 yr) below-the-knee amputee, the sweating I suffer between my residual limb and my gel liner is a constant struggle. Constant washing off my stump causes severe dry skin issues. Used Eucerin after cleansing, this would cause a minor burning sensation, leading to my stump becoming red and irritated, looking like a strawberry. Stopped using Eucerin, applied 'Sween 24' from Coloplast, redness subsided."

• Mur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 2, 2018

For Dry Skin "I seem to be the rare exception, but I used Mederma for approximately five days, and by day five, I had a golf ball-size round area that looks like millions of raised, angry red bumps. They are very rough to the touch, and so far, after stopping all product application, have not reduced in size, but the redness is more of a bright pink now."

• Bru...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 21, 2020

For Dry Skin "My cheeks became puffy and bright red. Maybe it was the hyaluronic acid. Checked out online ratings, this product is very low: 1.4/10. Disappointing that CeraVe would put this product on the market. Look for something else to use on my face after shaving and shower to keep face from drying out."

• sue...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 2, 2019

For Dry Skin "I bought this product because it was on my dermatologist's list of non-comedogenic cleansers she approved of. I used it, and I felt this weird burning sensation, and afterwards, my skin itched. I thought it was just because I was using a new cleanser. Every day, I would notice my skin texture was getting rougher than before. I thought it was my prescribed medicine. On the fifth day, my face broke out in hives and redness, and it itched so bad, and it began to peel off at my chin. I then knew it was the cleanser because my medicine I'd been using a month prior never had side effects on my skin like this. Luckily, I caught it in less than a week and not months."

• Ale...
• February 7, 2020

For Dry Skin "I bought Blistex orange mango blast while going into work because it was on sale for $1.99, and now I guess I know why. I used this product at work about 2 times over 3 hours, and my lips started to burn and turned bright red. I put some ice on them and nothing. Now this morning, I woke up with lips that are super swollen and hives at the bottom! I’m very angry that this has happened to so many people, and you can still buy this product."

• glo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 7, 2012

For Dry Skin "I had two facial skin biopsies performed by a dermatologist who gave me several packets of Polysporin to aid in wound healing. I had a horrible reaction to this salve (itching, redness, draining). I went back to this doctor who looked at the wounds and told me I had an allergic reaction, discontinued it, and substituted it with Vaseline. After several days of using Vaseline, this also didn't help at all. I went to another dermatologist who examined my wounds and gave me two sample tubes of Biafine. Within two days, I was so much better. Redness, itching, and wound weeping were down considerably. I firmly believe that if I had Biafine right away, I would not have suffered as I did."

• Zah...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 31, 2020

For Dry Skin "I used this product for about 2 weeks, eventually stopped because I experienced more redness of the skin and what seemed like breakouts that were inflamed. I decided to try it back a few days ago, thinking maybe it gets bad before it gets good, again, the same issues. Really thought this product was best for my skin since it's made up of mostly everything to use for dry or dehydrated skin."

• Rea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 1, 2018

For Dry Skin "My daughter tried this per her dermatologist. First 2 times it didn’t bother her, except she thought another product for blackheads might be causing some stinging. The third time she used it (it was the only thing put on her face after showering with products she has used for years), she went to class, and by 4-5 hours later, she had horrible, awful redness, especially around and under her eyes, and it feels like a sunburn. Washed face, has splashed it several times, and waiting to see if an ER visit will be necessary. Wish I could post a pic of what this stuff caused - it is very scary, and she is away at college. Thank God there is a roommate there who could help in an emergency. Internet research reveals quite a few irritation reactions and a number affecting eyes."

• Hoa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 31, 2018

For Dry Skin "For five minutes a day, five days a week, seven weeks, I had radiation therapy on my vocal cords. Redness quickly developed. The last week, I had gruesome, raw-looking, painful gouges on my neck. The medicine from my caretakers was painful on these. My sister, Sheri, reminded me of 'Bag Balm.' As a family, we have used this product for several generations. I put some on liberally. Pain was minimized and healing started. The visual difference before and after is startling. Great goop!"

• She...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2022

For Dry Skin "I used Eucerin Christmas Eve for the first time and again on Christmas Day for dry skin on my hands. Both hands turned red, swelled up terribly, became hot to the touch, and itched badly, and I got weird bumps on the back of my hands around my wrists and up toward my forearms. I threw the bottle away. I am still experiencing the symptoms, but they are becoming milder on the 3rd day."

• Arl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 10, 2023

For Dry Skin "I started taking CeraVe, and I developed full face itching, burning, and peeling in spots. The skin around my eyes became red and swollen as well. I don't have sensitive skin and was surprised at this reaction. I stopped using the medication and applied pure aloe vera gel daily and cortisone cream for itching. It’s been a few days now, and the redness is nearly gone, but my skin is still peeling in spots."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 20, 2022

For Dry Skin "I used this on my hands tonight for the first time ever. Within five minutes, I had intense itching, redness, swelling, and bumps. I had to wash my hands twice and rinse them under cold water. The itching has subsided, but my hands are still swollen, red, and have bumps. I threw the rest away, never again."

• mlt...
• January 25, 2014

For Dry Skin "Used CeraVe moisturizer lotion on face and neck. Within 20 minutes, skin extremely red and burning. I believe the ingredient 'niacinamide' is the culprit. I have used retinoids for years without any problems."

• Spy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 3, 2023

For Dry Skin "My doctor recommended Eucerin for dry skin on my lower leg. Eucerin caused an immediate redness that did not subside for several hours. I threw the remaining Eucerin in the garbage. I do not recommend it."

• Jea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 29, 2021

For Dry Skin "I decided to try CeraVe because I suffer from eczema on my face and I tend to have dry patches of skin. I used this product the morning I got it, and my face immediately became irritated. I had red, itchy patches all over my face, especially on my eyelids, that felt hot to the touch. It's like my face was burning, and it actually made it more dry. I finally decided to wash my face a couple of times with my normal cleanser and use my normal moisturizer. It felt a little better after that, but is still itchy and red, my only relief right now is an ice pack. I am hoping within a couple of days it will subside. Horrible product."

• Sea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2022

For Dry Skin "I hadn’t used CeraVe Facial Moisturizer before, however, I was traveling (left my preferred cream behind) and was recommended this by a family member! I do suffer from psoriasis (areas of the head, face, torso), however, I’m pretty good at managing it. I applied this cream on my face, head after a shower, and instantly, I had a HUGE flare-up. It was immediate, angry, my body temperature went high, my eyes dilated, and the redness was all over my face, head where I had patches of psoriasis. After 5 to 10 minutes, things settled down, however, it was a scary experience! In 20 years of having psoriasis, I had never experienced such an instant, intense reaction to anything! Thought I’d share my experience."

• Ouc...
• September 14, 2022

For Dry Skin "Left my Carmex at home, so I picked up some Blistex medicated lip balm. Within an hour of applying, my lips were drier than when I applied, they itched, were red, and swollen. Went to the doctor, turned out I got a chemical burn from the product. All I could do was apply aloe vera and burn gel. Took a few weeks, and now I'm left with scarring around my lips."