Skincare and Allergy Update, Peeling/Acne, Glycolic Acid

So I went through a rough time when my face and neck were peeling like crazy, skin was burning, red and irritated.  I couldn't figure out where it was coming from other than possibly an allergy to my chemical sunscreens, I eliminated anything new from the routine.  I swapped out all of my products for physical sunscreens instead, which I have to say mostly are such a hassle to deal with.  And then things flared up again, my neck was still having residual peeling.  A friend aptly called it neck dandruff, isn't that a pleasant thought!

Well, I didn't want to believe it but I'm 99% sure now that it was my Juicy Couture (original) perfume.  It was the one item I had taken out but put back in.  Once I stopped using it completely, the peeling/burning/redness went away for good.  What a bummer, it was the first floral perfume I've liked and the scent will always hold a spot for the summer of this year in my heart.
I'm still trying to figure out getting the right moisture balance while handling my acne.  I'm using gentle Aveeno cleansers in the hope it won't dry my skin out too much, I've incorporated a lotion with 10% Glycolic Acid (Alpha Hydrox Anti-Wrinkle Enhanced Lotion) for exfoliation (and if it helps some fine lines, that's great!) in the evening.  I tried out a week of using it every other night, I'm going to start using it nightly and scale back if necessary.  So far I haven't felt any tingling or burning type effects.

In the morning, I'm using an antioxidant SPF 25 CVS brand version of a Neutrogena moisturizer.  It's fairly thick and feels like a sunscreen, but does absorb well.  I will be repurchasing.  I am still using the prescription topical antibiotic and sulfacetamide/sulfur topical goo.  I found it interesting when I heard Salma Hayek's Nuance line has a sulfur acne treatment, not something I've seen over the counter.

I'm also continuing to use the L'Oreal Age Perfect Golden Balm Eye, I don't feel strongly either way about it and wouldn't repurchase.  Now that my skin is less dry and peely, it's moisturizing decently - still have some dry spots occasionally but it's tolerable (hate when concealer catches on dryness).
My acne is a bit lessened from before going to the dermatologist, and I do think the sulfur topical is pretty great at reducing a sore and inflamed blemish overnight which I never had much luck with other treatments.  I usually have a couple inflamed blemishes on my chin all of the time.  Other minor breakouts on nose/forehead are fairly uncommon and resolved overnight.

So, that's about it!  It's always a learning experience trying to make my skin happy.

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