A Reader Writes in: Help! My Skin is Itchy From a New Cleanser

Today I got an email from a 25-year-old with combination skin who is new to skincare and tried Purpose Cleanser (on my best cleanser list). She also tried Ponds at the same time (also a "best" cleanser). She's allergic to one of them or the combination of them because shortly after trying these products, her skin became red and itchy and stings when she tries to calm her skin down with moisturizer.

My advice to this reader is to stop using both products. While sometimes your skin needs a few days to become acclimated to a new skincare routine and a bit of redness is OK, itchiness and peeling is not OK. Both Purpose and Ponds are wonderful products and the choice of millions of people worldwide. But unfortunately, this reader is likely allergic to an ingredient in one of the products or reacted to a combination of both of them.

I advised her to consider a sensitive skin product, like Olay's Foaming Face Wash for Sensitive Skin. I also told her the big secret to great skin is sunscreen. She should use it every day rain or shine. She'll thank me in 10 years when people tell her she looks 25, not 35.