Why does my face still feel dry even though I moisturise?

[Jemster]

My face never feels properly moisturised & I've tried so many of the moisturisers in Boots. When I put them on they just seem to disappear and my face is left still feeling quite dry & tight.

I am 40 and am starting to look more tired? I used to look ok without make up but wouldn't be seen without it now. I need to make more effort.

My skin care is not great I must admit but I'd like to change this. What sort of moisturiser should I be using? There are so many types & I'm a bit fed up with wasting my money & not seeing any difference. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[ihatethecold]

Try a serum underneath.
I use a cheapo one from Aldi.

[ihatethecold]

Or a facial oil.

[WilLiAmHerschel]

I get this. With me it's usually caused by sleep deprivation or dehydration. Sometimes it's hormonal. Also (and maybe likely this time of year) very cold weather mixed with central heating.

Drink lots of water, try and include 'good' fats in your diet - salmon, avocado, nuts etc. Green tea or white tea can be good too I think. Make sure you're getting enough sleep if you can.

[WilLiAmHerschel]

Also make sure you're not using a harsh soap to wash your face as that could be drying it out more.

[Wolpertinger]

What are you cleansing with? Are you over cleansing or using harsh products that maybe suited your skin when you were a bit younger and oilier?

No wipes, no micellar water, no foaming cleansers, no scrubby particle things and if you are double cleansing think about stopping.

[whatithink]

As WilLiAm mentioned, what are you using to cleanse your face? Maybe too harsh a soap or cleanser and you are stripping out the oil.

Use a separate night cream that is heavier than you could use during the day.

[Jemster]

Wolpertinget I am not good at cleansing properly. Sometimes I just wash my face in the shower with foaming wash or I use a cream cleanser and take it off with a flannel.
I don't feel my face is properly clean if I don't use water.
What are the better alternatives?

[travailtotravel]

With me this is always dehydration. Do drink more. Sadly water, bit do drink !more.

[iciclewinter]

Taking an evening primrose oil supplement might help.

[Wolpertinger]

Do not wash your face in the shower with foaming wash!!!

Can I ask, are you a make up wearer or not?

You don't really need water to wash your face but I know what you mean, it doesn't feel right. I'm largely not a makeup wearer and nice non-foaming bland things that won't upset your skin are Cetaphil, Lush Ultrabland and Avene Gentle Cleanser. I put them on dry and splash off with water.

I wonder if oil cleansing might suit you better if you are a makeup wearer but other people can advise you far better on that than me - not everyone thinks Cetaphil is great for getting makeup off. I like them because its pretty close to wash face in shower which is what I was doing before.

Moving on, what else do you then put on your face? And what sort of things have you tried and failed with??

[beautyadoration]

I'd recommend exfoliating your skin more and you need to start cleansing each day even if you're not wearing makeup. Cleanse when you wake up, apply a moisturiser suitable for dry skin and cleanse during the evening before you go bed and maybe add a serum for deeper penetration to help with your dry bits. When you cleanse, use a warm flannel and use the flannel to gently exfoliate your face (do this by applying a gentle pressure and moving the flannel around in small circles) and I think you'll notice a difference. I'd make sure you are drinking plenty of water and not using any products which contain harsh ingredients.

I've heard foam cleansers are terrible for your skin because most of them contain an ingredient which can really break you out and leave your skin at its worst.

[RaisingSteam]

You could try the red/silver packet anti-aging moisturisers from Aldi - (a day and night cream available). I find them really rich for my dry skin, as good as Olay total effects and way cheaper. If they don't suit you won't have wasted too much money.

[Destinysdaughter]

What's wrong with Micellar water??

[ShmooBooMoo]

Jurlique Moisture Replenishing Day Cream..... Incredible stuff (my skin is insanely dry, dehydrated and sensitive and this is ALL that works!) It's dear but a little goes a long way. Call Jurlique (number on their UK website) and ask for a sample first. You can often buy it more cheaply on lookfantastic.com or naturisimo's site.

[bbpp]

Foaming cleansers are known to be dying, also are you a fan of hot showers? If so, try turning it down a little. Really dries out your skin, should be only slightly warm. Also recommend oil cleansers and a good moisturiser.

[Pupsiecola]

I've just bought some Eucerin anti-redness day cream and wow, my skin feels lovely all day. I use their night cream too (the Hylauron one). I seem to be veering away from LRP to Eucerin of late. I really like their products.

[Naicecuppatea]

My skin is like this at the moment and despite using decent moisturising creams I often have to layer them, like serum, oil, layer of moisturiser, then a second layer of moisturiser. I don't use any harsh cleansers either. I use Aveeno cream and Avene creams.

[OttiliaVonBCup]

It's the weather.

My face was all dry and I even had a spot of eczema so all I use a night now is the Cicalfate B Balm, I think it's called .

It's thick and can sit a bit white on the skin so definitely not a luxurious experience but it sorted out all the tight dry bits.

[bawabod]

My skin is extremely dry even the eyelids are flaky, I am using Nivea in a blue tin and a facial oil I also suffer from eczema on my neck and near my face I am currently using Aveeno and a steroid cream to tackle that, I have never had such dry skin, it just has come on so suddenly. But i am also showering with diprobase I should be like a grease pole by now but the skin just keeps on drinking it all up.

[angelos02]

Drink lots of water. Boring I know but it works. Colleagues at work comment on how much water I drink but I genuinely find it really refreshing and have clear skin. bound to get loads of spots now having said this!

[TheOptimisticPessimist]

Drink more water and try a different moisturiser. What works for me in summer won't work in winter because of the weather change. I bought a huge tub of Cetaphil moisturising cream and it has changed my skin from flaky and dry to beautifully soft in no time at all!

[VerbenaGirl]

I've recently started using Trilogy Rosehip Oil as my moisturiser, and my skin has never been happier. I get it from Bodykind with free postage. I'm 42 and have skin that manages to be both dehydrated and a bit spotty. I cleanse and tone with Liz Earle - which I would also recommend, and it's not too much of a faff.

[Temple1885]

Aloe propolis cream - it's really nourishing. You can try a free sample too first :)

[YesAnastasia]

yes Pupsiecola me too - Eucerin is amazing stuff.

Even my elbows & knees are soft & smooth after using the 10% urea cream.

Best discovery ever.

[EdmundSlackbladder]

Try a gentle exfoliator, St Ives apricot for sensitive skin is great as it's a cream cleanser not foaming. E45 is a fantastic moisturiser for any where in your body and a big tub will last forever. Also look into anything with an oatmeal base, Aveeno is very good.