Rose water spritz and chemical burn?!?!

[meadowbird]

So my package arrived today (YAY!) and I had a sample of the rose water spritz. After putting on my makeup I gave my face one spray. Everything was fine for about a minute and a half, I was actually thinking "wow this is great!". My skin is normal/combo and my t'zone gets pretty oily, especially my nose. My face felt "set" and quite soft and matte like it was going to help my makeup last a lot longer.
Aaaaanyway, after that minute I felt a little flushed, bit hot, ignored it, then felt hotter. Checked in the mirror - yep, bit overly pink in the cheeks. Left it for another minute and then thought, actually this is kind of hurting now. So I got my virgin coconut oil out and took of the makeup - and yeah, chemical burn all over my cheeks, especially my right one, and all over my nose. It's hurting so bad! Is this normal?
Could it have reacted with my blush or PP or something? Or my skin care? I've been using a basic Nivea cleanser, a witch hazel toner and the VCO as a moisturiser.

[Xarata]

i don't have that problem with hydrosols but i have had that problem with a few of the serums as they dry and pull the skin taut.

I don't know what would interact, but i'm sure jen or karen will chime in soon on any reactions.

[JenW]

As with any cosmetic product, there is always a possibility of reaction. After some of the sensitivities I have heard about to what I thought were universally benign ingredients, I know it is never a good thing to assume our products are for everyone. I don't know what the problem might be, and it makes sense to email Karen on this one. She will be able to ask the right questions and figure it out specifically to you.

This is a reminder to all of us (including me!). It is always a good idea to make sure you spot test products to be sure there are no initial reactions. I know sometimes different areas of skin react differently than others, but a spot test might save you from a larger area of reaction at the most inconvenient of times.

[tardis]

Almost the exact same thing happened to me this week with the Rose serum. My cheeks have been so dry this winter so I got a sample of the serum.

The first three days I used it, I patch tested it on one spot on my cheek so if I reacted, it wouldn't be catastrophic. Since that was okay, I started using it everywhere. The first day was fine. The second day, my cheeks tingled a little but they're dry so I didn't think much of it. The third day, it burned like fire. My face turned tomato red. I immediately washed it off with a cream cleanser and cool water and held an ice pack on my cheeks. Within an hour, the redness and burning was gone but the stinging hung around for another two days but it's much better now.

I'm very careful about what I put on my skin and never use anything without patch testing yet — even though I've never actually had a breakout and my only "allergy" issues are with Celiac Disease. I'm disappointed because the reaction happened after I'd ordered the full size. I'll have to find someone to give it to or save it for a time of year when my skin isn't so dry, I guess. This winter has been unusually harsh and my humidifiers are barely keeping the house above Sahara-dry conditions. But, man, that serum combined with my dry cheeks: ouch!

I've spent the past few days babying my skin and apologizing profusely to it.

[JenW]

Almost the exact same thing happened to me this week with the Rose serum. My cheeks have been so dry this winter so I got a sample of the serum.

The first three days I used it, I patch tested it on one spot on my cheek so if I reacted, it wouldn't be catastrophic. Since that was okay, I started using it everywhere. The first day was fine. The second day, my cheeks tingled a little but they're dry so I didn't think much of it. The third day, it burned like fire. My face turned tomato red. I immediately washed it off with a cream cleanser and cool water and held an ice pack on my cheeks. Within an hour, the redness and burning was gone but the stinging hung around for another two days but it's much better now.

I'm very careful about what I put on my skin and never use anything without patch testing yet — even though I've never actually had a breakout and my only "allergy" issues are with Celiac Disease. I'm disappointed because the reaction happened after I'd ordered the full size. I'll have to find someone to give it to or save it for a time of year when my skin isn't so dry, I guess. This winter has been unusually harsh and my humidifiers are barely keeping the house above Sahara-dry conditions. But, man, that serum combined with my dry cheeks: ouch!

I've spent the past few days babying my skin and apologizing profusely to it.

Aren't we lucky to have such sensitive skin? I know that there are some things I won't try again in the Winter as my skin is just a little on the angry side on any Winter day, but I have no trouble using them in the Spring or Summer. But then my skin has always been 'moody' like that. It gets so confusing because something works for a while, and then all of a sudden.... Anyway, I hope you are able to use the Rose serum at another time of the year.

Very important: If you do have a reaction to a product, please send an email. It is the best way to keep track of possible patterns and causes and help you with your issue.

[meadowbird]

Ok, so I don't think it was the Spritz afterall. As I mentioned in my haul thread I also bought AHA toner, which leaked a little and was packaged in the same bag as the Spritz. I first sprayed it on my arm with no reaction and then on my face, which reacted. I used the AHA toner today and had the EXACT reaction, except all over my face of course. I also spilt it on my hands and fingers and they didn't react, just as my arm didn't yesterday. So I'm pretty sure the Spritz will be safe for me. I'll clean the nozzle well and try again in a few days to be sure. It makes more sense if this is the case because I by no means have sensitive skin, when I researched the ingredients of the Spritz (which are all benign and from natural sources) it seemed strange to me that I would react to them. This is the first time I've ever used hydroxy acids. Does anyone know if the BHA is more gentle?
Thanks for your advice though, I'm going to email Karen to see what is the best way to maybe dilute and build up the AHA, because now that the burn has settled down I can't believe how soft my skin is (I purchased it to improve skin texture, not wrinkles), even though it was only on for a couple of minutes before I flushed my face with water.

[JenW]

Ok, so I don't think it was the Spritz afterall. As I mentioned in my haul thread I also bought AHA toner, which leaked a little and was packaged in the same bag as the Spritz. I first sprayed it on my arm with no reaction and then on my face, which reacted. I used the AHA toner today and had the EXACT reaction, except all over my face of course. I also spilt it on my hands and fingers and they didn't react, just as my arm didn't yesterday. So I'm pretty sure the Spritz will be safe for me. I'll clean the nozzle well and try again in a few days to be sure. It makes more sense if this is the case because I by no means have sensitive skin, when I researched the ingredients of the Spritz (which are all benign and from natural sources) it seemed strange to me that I would react to them. This is the first time I've ever used hydroxy acids. Does anyone know if the BHA is more gentle?
Thanks for your advice though, I'm going to email Karen to see what is the best way to maybe dilute and build up the AHA, because now that the burn has settled down I can't believe how soft my skin is (I purchased it to improve skin texture, not wrinkles), even though it was only on for a couple of minutes before I flushed my face with water.

With chemical exfoliators (AHA and BHA), the general process is to start using them about twice a week and work up to 3 or 4. Cleanse, then use the AHA Toner and let it sit on the for around 15 minutes. If it starts to burn in that time, rinse it off.

How did you use the AHA?

[meadowbird]

I basically cleansed in the shower and then towel dried my face (wondering now if I was supposed to leave it wet - oops!), then applied the AHA using a cotton makeup remover thingy. It started burning and everywhere I'd put it turned tomato within about 3 - 5 seconds.
I emailed Karen, and she replied pretty much straight away (hello 5 star service!) and said I can dilute it, or wet my hands to apply it. It was the first time I've used it. I'm going to try putting 1/4 tea spoon in a dish with 1/4 teaspoon of water, mixing and then put it on my face with the cotton pad (in about 3 days time) - see how a 50/50 dilution works, and then gradually over weeks/months build up. I have to say though, even though I started rinsing after about 30 secs I can't believe how soft and smooth my skin feels at the moment. I'm pretty impressed.