Hi. I finally got my confirmation email so I can post!
I am a forty something female with DSNW skin. I bought Dr. B's book a few weeks ago because of the recommendation given by Paula Begoun. I have been a Paula fan for a long time.
Here's my skin history. I was born with eczema - no not quite but within the first year of life it developed. I suffered with eczema on my body and sometimes my face until puberty at which time it miraculously cleared (Mom always reassured me I would grow out of it - and at that time it appeared she was correct). However my childhood was marred by constant itching, trips to the allergist and nasty ointment smells (I remember something called Mazon that smelled like the goat pen after Dad disinfected it!).
My skin was very good until I had my first child at 29. My only concern through my teens and 20's was keratosis pilaris on my upper arms and thighs. With child birth came acne (and I assumed "oily skin")! Not terrible just annoying. That's when I discovered Paula Begoun and began following her reccomendations (part of the time anyway). That said sometimes in the summer (when my skin was more oily) I would go to Clinique and their 3 step which seemed to work for me!
Strangely enough the thing that cured my keratosis pilaris was sun. About two years ago I got a tan - the first one in years and the k.p. dissappered and has not returned.
However, my face skin has gone nuts. Since turning forty (and losing 50 lbs) my skin is increasingly dryer and more sensitive. This past winter has been a bad one for me. I have had to discontinue everything I was using for the last few years and start over. I have had burning, stinging, flushing; eczema on right eyelid, neck and ears; flaking, itchy scalp (just in one spot-also on the right side!).
My current regime consists of Cliniderm (Free and Clear to you in the US) shampoo and hairspray - my hair is not as "styling" as I'd like it to be. Dove Sentive Skin Non-foaming Cleanser (which has settled me down quite a bit in the burning/redness department) and I just added Evian facial water and Neutrogena Visibly Firm SPF 20 yesterday. I also bought Revlon cream eyeshadow yesterday - I have been unable to wear any makeup for the last several months without my lid swelling up and flaking.
My biggest concern outside keeping the burning/redness under control is the eczema on my right eyelid. Does anyone have any suggestions for managment? I also have alot of clogged pores but no pustules at this time - would a sulfur mask applied in just those areas of trouble help with this?
