Dry skin - please give me your tips!

[Cloud44]

I’m 42 and since the weather has started to change the skin on my face is so dry it’s really starting to make me feel so self conscious. I noticed it a little in the summer when I’d been by the sea that my skin felt tight but it’s now really flaky. I’ve tried changing my face wash to Cerave and have tried their moisturiser, in the last couple of days I’ve tried E45 moisturiser too but it’s making no difference. Nivea cream works temporarily but nothing is fixing it and it makes my make up look so rubbish!
Please give me any tips that may help!

Are there any vitamins that could help?!

I get really dry skin and contact dermatitis and the one thing I find helps is omega 3. I don’t eat much fish so the supplement is the best choice for me. Tried a few but Boots own brand seem to work best for me.

@INeedAnotherAlibi does it make a noticeable difference to your skin?

I love chamomile tea on my face and hands. I’m Irish white and post menopausal . It seems to make the scales of my skin lie smoothly. But this is in addition to my moisturiser (I’m not in the UK so won’t recommend).

You don’t need much, make some and keep it in the fridge. Just dip your fingers in and wipe over. It lasts for a few days that way. I use it whenever I’m handy to it rather than at set times.

I’ve been using Cetraben Moisturising Cream on my face and body. I originally bought it just for my hands (which get chapped in winter) but discovered that my face loves it too. It’s super rich but gentle and unperfumed

Only one thing has worked for me, Curél Deep Moisture Spray for Dry, Sensitive Skin before I apply my normal moisturiser. I've tried cheap and expensive cream.

vitamin c serums or gels
use it under another, richer moisturiser

Thank you all, I’m just getting a bit fed up and feel nothing will work. Sounds stupid I know, it’s just really effecting my confidence.

I’m using Epiconce renewal calming cream as recommended by a dermatologist. It’s divine. Scent free and medical grade level. Costs about £50 for a large tube and lasts me 6 months.

Anymore tips please throw them this way!

Eat more good fat in your diet, treat it from the inside out. My feet are always so much softer and less dry and sore when I am eating more avocado, salmon etc regularly

Body shop Vitamin E face wash - but only use face wash once a day, in the evening I just cleanse with miceller water. Which Cerave moisturiser did you try? I use their intense one for very dry skin, I also use their under eye cream, but another good option is Avene, not cheap but very good for dry sensitive skin.

Celestial moisturiser from Lush is wonderful.

Manuka Honey! Used to have dry flaky skin but eating it has really helped. Not cheap but worth it.

If you can I’d recommend a good facial for the deep exfoliation before starting a new regime of products. I also love the Tropic cleanser gets rid of all my makeup (and I’m a mascara addict) without my skin feeling tight afterwards.

I started using a prescription tretanoin a couple of years ago and it really makes my skin dry and flaky if I don’t put lots of moisture back in and exfoliate regularly. Everything with an * are my absolute must haves, other elements I’ll use different brands from whatever samples / offers I’ve picked up.

For moisture I currently use:
The Ordinary multi-active delivery essence (am & pm)
*The Ordinary hyaluronic acid + B5 (am while still damp from essence)
Cosrx advanced snail all in one cream (am)
*Beauty of Joseon Relief sun aqua fresh rice + B5 SPF 50 (am)
Cosrx advanced snail mucin power essence (pm while still damp from essence)
Boots No7 youthful replenishing facial oil (pm before moisturiser)
*La Roche-Posay cicaplast baume B5 + (pm)
*Elizabeth Arden 8 hour skin protectant on any flaky / sore patches & lips (pm)

For cleansing / exfoliation I use:
Boots ingredients oat cleaning balm (pm)
The Ordinary Glucoside foaming cleanser (am & pm as 2nd cleanse)
flannel / muslin cloth to gently scrub every night when cleansing
Boots No7 microdermabrasion scrub 1-2 x per week

In and amongst I use other actives / peptides / glycolic acid but I’d not recommend those until your skin barrier is happy and healed.

I used to get this when the weather changed but haven't had it for the past few years since I started this routine:

• cleanse face in morning and at night with Garnier oil based micellar water and a cotton wool pad
• I was my face with Sukin gentle exfoliator 2-3 time a week ( I don't wash my face on the other days just cleanse)
• after cleansing I use an eye cream, serum and moisturiser (brands change but currently using Glow Recipe) every morning and night.

To get most of the dry skin off I would use a warm flannel to rub it off (gently) and moisturise after.

Aproderm Ointment, greasy, but keeps in the moisture. Use it before bed. Similarly 5050 emollient is a daily pure, mild greasy emollient. Seal in the moisture and skin become smooth and soft for the daytime 😊

I have the same problem at the moment after a holiday abroad. Sea sun and sun cream wreck my skin.
I am using neat almond oil at the moment it's so bad. Good quality olive oil is a great alternative . Just massage it in twice a day.

I had this problem for years. Everything I tried helped for ten mins at best before the problem returned. I probably spent thousands on moisturisers - I tried everything that was recommended by anyone and bought the most expensive moisturisers I could find in case they made a difference.
then I stumbled on Eucerin Urea Repair 10% Urea Intensive Moisturing Lotin with ceramides and NMF. It’s brilliant, I apply to my face in the morning and it generally helps all day. It’s about £20 for 250ml which last about four months.

Try a biotin and zinc supplement - Nutrition Geeks do a good reasonably priced one. I use it to support my skin due to psoriasis (recommended by a dermatologist). I find it has a beneficial effect on my skin and hair.

Also - I’m sure you already know this - keep hydrated. I can always tell when I haven’t drunk enough water because my skin really dries up. And I’d echo what a PP said about eating lots of healthy fats