I had just finished a long term course of antibiotics from the doctor, because of problematic skin, my skin was the best it had been for a long time and I wanted to keep it that way. So, off I went to Boots to "suss out" the different types of skincare on offer. Clinique is a brand that I had heard loads about from friends and read loads about in magazines. It has always had a high profile as far as I was concerned so because of that, that was the choice I made.

I went over the Clinique counter and was greeted by a nice looking girl with lovely skin. She sat me down, asked me questions about my skin, I answered her questions and explained about the antibiotics that I had been on and eventually she suggested the liquid facial soap, mild, along with a toner and moisturiser.

That evening, I couldn't wait to try it out, so I dispensed a blob onto my hand using the pump dispenser. This is a really good feature as it gives you a measured dose so it controls the amount you use - so you don't squeeze out too much and waste it. It is a clear, fragrence free gel, which lathers up easily with a small amount of water. I applied it to my cheeks and over my eyes. It removed my make up easily and did feel quite nice to rub over my skin.

I dried my face and then my skin started to tighten up. It really felt like it was drying out. I always tone and moisturise after washing my face anyway so I did so, using my usual brands. After appyling the moisturiser my skin felt alot better. I continued to use the facial wash twice a day for 2-3 days, then the next morning I noticed my eyelids were both swollen up and red. On closer inspection I could see the skin was dry and flaky aswell. I have never suffered with excema before but my 2 year old son does so I can recogise what excema looks like - and this was excema.

I stopped using the face wash and went back to my old brand. I also used some of my sons excema cream which cleared it up after a few days. I know it was this face soap that caused it as I hadn't used anything else different on my face.

I can't see how this facial soap can be mild, if it brings excema up on my eyes like that, when I have never had excema before from any other brand I have used (and believe me, I have used a lot of brands).