Well, my first post after buying Dr B's book 2 weeks ago & trying out a couple of products & having allergic skin reaction.  Skin is D=22 S=47 N=18 W 51 & I have mild rosacea. 

Have used Darphin Intral Skin Care Range for a month with no problems evident.  Started following book recommendations, used the Avene Thermal Water & Olay Total Effects Eye Cream for a week with no problems.  Went off & bought L'Occitane Shea Butter Ultra Moisturising SPF15 Sun Care and was given samples of the Shea Butter Ultra Rich Face Cream, Ultra Rich Eye Balm.  Tried the sunscreen one day & noticed cheeks a bit red & tingly but nothing too bad.  A couple of days later applied the two samples in the morning, no problems until outside in late afternoon sun flicking thru a magazine for ten minutes (with a hat on too).  My skin started stinging around the chin area so went in & sprayed Avene water on & a couple of hours later face was red hot, burning, small blisters all over & starting to swell.  Next morning woke up with same symptoms but worse. 

Saw a dermatologist a couple of days later who confirms severe contact allergy to something in the products possibly a fragrance (had a reaction many years ago to one perfume) or preservative.  A week later now and my face is still slightly swollen in the morning, skin peeling/itchy and feels like sandpaper, burning/redness gone now thankfully.  Told not to use anything on face, body or hair except Dove unfragranced soap for 2 months & to do a spot check on arm with L'O samples to see if I get a reaction again. 

I know we are all different but does anyone have any suggestions about what the culprits might be to have caused this sort of reaction?  Not looking forward to the next couple of months with dry, horrible skin & hair from the soap & feeling quite nervous about using anything in the future.