Make-up caking and flaking especially on nose

[SomewhereNow]

Sounds lovely I know but it's really bugging me. I have a decent skincare regime and am using good quality make-up including a primer but I still get this - it's worst on my nose but not great on any area. What am I doing wrong?

[Softkitty2]

Do you exfoliate the dead skin off?

[FrustratedFrugal]

I sometimes get this, particularly from powder based products. Acid exfoliation pads (glycolic + sunscreen or salicylic acid) and occasionally applied Eucerin 5% urea cream sort this out in 24 hours!

[SomewhereNow]

I use Nip&Fab glycolic pads a couple of times a week and a scrub now and then. I have had good results with Eucerin in the past so maybe need to try that again.

[taytotayto111]

Exfoliate and moisturise well plus a primer. I get this in the winter.

[BusterGonad]

I get this and exfoliating is your best bet, you need a nice creamy cream based cleanser and some thick creamy moisturizer. If it gets really bad I tend to apply lip balm on the area too! I'm currently using a oil cleanser and I like it a lot. It's the DHC one.

[SomewhereNow]

Thanks, I'm currently trying an oil cleanser so fingers crossed that will help. Also just bought some more Eucerin 5%.

I need it, my skin looks awful at the moment - had a big meeting today and felt really self conscious because I wanted to wear make-up but was aware of it going patchy and cakey no matter how carefully I applied it :(.

[QueenMortificado]

I get this too, the best exfoliater EVER is a rough towel / wash cloth.

Then put loads of coconut oil on. Works like a dream for me.

[MinnieF1]

I also get this all year round. I really like the Paula's choice BHA and AHA gels (chemical exfoliators). I also love the freedom glow tonic (supposed to be a dupe for the pixi one, but I've not tried the real thing).

Do you suffer wth dry skin generally? I can't recommend the No7 beautiful skin range enough. I use the dry-very dry range. Day and night creams, and the mask which I use once or twice a week and leave for 20 mins. I also use a facial oil twice a week as well as the moisturiser. However I do have very dry skin.

[SomewhereNow]

I'm not sure what my skin is tbh! I'd have said oily because I get shiny quite quickly and make-up doesn't last but the flakiness suggests dry.

It's hard to know what to use because products that address one issue seem to trigger another e.g. I've started using a facial oil to help with the flaking etc and for the first time in months I've got two massive spots .

[Mabelface]

I clean my face with coconut oil and a rough flannel with hot water, with an extra scrub around the flaky areas. I then put on a mix of coconut oil, almond oil and shea butter overnight and it sorts it out.

[SomewhereNow]

I'm wondering actually if I'm using too much make-up. Just read the thread about getting too old for foundation and they've got a point - my skin looks fresher and less cakey when I wear BB cream but when I want the coverage of foundation it doesn't look as good.

[CurlsLDN]

There's lots of different tips to try with your make up on YouTube as the nose thing is v common

To me it sounds like oil rather than dry skin, but I would suggest trying the tip in that video, and watching some of the related ones YouTube suggests, until you find something that works for your skin

[Oscha]

There's a paintpot by Mac called Painterly (Groundwork is good for slightly darker skins, and there's a whole host of shades, but Painterly's what I use!) which is meant to be used as an eye shadow primer but which works amazingly as a primer on very porous and/or flaky bits. It works v well around my nose.

[EnidButton]

It's sounds like you have dehydrated skin rather than dry. Your skin could be soaking up the moisture from your foundation which leads to the patchiness and flaking. Try a hydrating serum (one contains hyluronic acid) under your moisturiser and a primer under your make up.

Superdrug to a cheap as chips hydrating serum that gets lots of good reviews from the beauty experts. www.superdrug.com/Skin/Face/Serums/Superdrug-Simply-Pure-Hydrating-Serum-50ml/p/342700

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/fashion/2016/feb/13/beauty-superdrug-serum?client=safari

Avoid scrubbing at the area too much as this will cause your skin to produce too much oil to compensate which will make it worse. It's a vicious circle.

I get flakiness on my nose (combo, dehydrated skin) so have been using a bha acid toner followed by Vichy serum m.boots.com/h5/cat_hub?unCountry=uk&path=%2Fen%2FVichy-Aqualia-Thermal-Dynamic-Serum-30ml_1457239%2F%3Faffwin%26awc%3D2041_1439221013_1c72389c231f879dc6926d47535e8061 and a layer of la Roche Posay cicaplast B5 at night, just on my nose as it's meant to be for damaged skin not an all over moisturiser. During the day I use an ordinary light moisturiser over the serum and a primer on my t zone. This has got rid of the flaking and peeling,

[EnidButton]

Oscha Will try some of that myself, it sounds good.

[MistressMaisie]

I read somewhere that flakiness can be similar to dandruff so I wash hair with a dandruff shampoo and let it run over my face when rinsing - flakiness has gone.

[Itdidnottastegood]

Sometimes when I get this before putting foundation on I get a piece of sellotape and use it to lift the dead skin off...can be a good quick fix

[Beautifullymixed]

OP, Enid sounds absolutely spot on, regarding the dehydrated skin rather than dry. Your skin can be extra oily, yet flaky and rough at the same time.
This is my problem, and drives me insane.

I believe you need to layer your products, as well as exfoliate the skin first. Gentle exfoliation, not scrubbing.
Nip and fab glycolic pads are a fab start, and inexpensive. Then a serum is definitely the way to go under your moisturiser.
I love the bodyshop vitamin E, or the Ordinary hyaluronic acid amongst others.
Then apply your moisturiser, maybe adding a couple of drops of jojoba oil (my favourite) to your cream.
I bet your skin will drink it up.
Also, remember to drink lots of water.

[Beautifullymixed]

Sorry OP. Just saw you already use nip and fab - can you up the usage at all?
I use daily

Maybe change your primer. Make sure it's not a mattifying one - sure to cause me to flake and cake in seconds.
Also, use a non drying foundation. My skin is awful at the moment, and it's loving no7 stay perfect, and stay perfect light. Applied with a damp beauty sponge. Gives just enough moisture.
On really dry days, I add a couple of drops of jojoba oil or hyaluronic serum to the foundation. Works a treat, without adding too much oil, and gives good coverage without a cakey look.
Also, go easy on the powder, avoiding extra drying matt ones like the plague.
You could finish off with a facial mist, the Asian beauty ones sound great. Adds an extra boost of moisture.

[SomewhereNow]

Thanks all, there's loads of great advice here and lots I can try. I do think my skin could be dehydrated - I'm terrible at drinking enough water .