This £11 Balm Saved My Skin From an Allergic Reaction

As someone who has been in the beauty industry for nearly 15 years there are definite pros to my career choice – one of them being an endless supply of products to test and trial. However, every so often this can lead to one of the biggest cons: an allergic reaction. Much like a food critic whose stomach has adapted to various tastes and spices, my skin has hardened and will very rarely react to products, beauty tools or treatments, which was why I was so shocked by this particular experience as I couldn’t quite pinpoint the cause. I’m not sure if it was a high strength vitamin c, powerful facial exfoliant or a dermaplaning tool (or possibly a combination of the three) but I woke up one morning recently with one of the worst skin reactions of my career.

The skin on my cheek was inflamed, swollen and itchy, causing the left hand side of my face to swell. The sensation was extremely uncomfortable in this specific area, but I also felt like the skin on my neck and other cheek was also very sensitive. I searched around my collection of beauty products to try and rectify the situation and decided upon Cerave Advanced Repair Ointment (£11) as the best option. I wanted a brand recommended by dermatologists and also wanted to avoid natural ingredients as these can sometimes cause further allergic reactions.

Cerave is a brand I completely trust when it comes to high street, good quality skincare products, so I was pretty confident that this would do the trick (as well as a couple of antihistamines to reduce the itchiness). However I was blown away by the speed it actually worked. Read on to find out why this £11 wonder-product is now a staple in my collection and why I will be carrying it around in my handbag forevermore.

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About Cerave Advanced Repair Ointment

What I Like About Cerave Advanced Repair Ointment

Quite simply the results. As you can see from the above image after three days of applying a light layer to the affected area the rash and inflammation was completely reduced and my skin had returned to looking clear again. As the skin barrier was compromised it did take a few further days of application before bed to ensure the skin returned to normal again. I also avoided all other products in the affected area, apart from Liz Earle Superskin Advanced Nourishing Cleansing Balm (£39) as it contains cranberry and rosehip seed oil, which both add moisture back into the skin as it clears away any dirt or grime from the day.

It is also so gentle it can be used all over the body and on everyone in the family, My son had a bad fall, which resulted in a large scab and I have used it to help with the healing process once the scab dried out. I also used it on my daughter’s lips and the dry skin around my partner’s fingers and confirm it worked a treat for them all as well.

How to Use Cerave Advanced Repair Ointment

This is a balm texture so a little goes a long way, I would suggest applying a thin layer and adding more if needed. As it is aimed at dry or chapped skin it should be applied to the needed areas rather than all over the face. I also used it on my lips and around my nose as both were suffering from dehydration. I would recommend using it at night if you prefer a matte finish or if you plan to wear a lot of makeup. I stripped back all makeup and skincare during this period, which included SPF so I was very wary of keeping my skin out of the sun until the rash had gone.

What to Consider Before Using Cerave Advanced Repair Ointment

This isn’t a moisturiser or daily use product, this is a targeted balm for dry, chapped or irritated skin. Although it can be used in multiple areas – I have now started using it on the dry patches on my knees and elbows – it is not designed to replace your daily moisturiser. It also has quite a tacky texture at first, so if this bothers you it may not be for you.

Where Can You Buy Cerave Advanced Repair Ointment?

Cerave Advanced Repair Ointment is available from Boots, Superdrug, Sephora and Lookfantastic.

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Lauren Ezekiel is an associate editor at PS UK, where she writes about all things beauty and wellness. With a degree in journalism and 12 years’ experience as a beauty editor at a leading Sunday supplement, she is obsessed with skincare, hair and makeup, and is often found offering advice to innocent bystanders. Her work has been published in Grazia, OK, Health and Beauty, The Sun, ASDA, Dare and Metro.