My skin is so dry

[ReginaPhalangee]

Since hitting my mid-late 40s I've found that my skin is suddenly so dry, particularly my face but also my scalp and even inside my ears. My arms and legs look dry and scaly too.

I can't even seem to be able to hold any foundation/powder any more without it cracking, especially on my nose. I've been trying various CC creams and BB creams instead of foundation but to no avail. I've been trying different moisturisers too, such as the Tropic ones, taken advice from consultants in Boots etc but just can't seem to find anything that will retain moisture.

I itch all over and am trying so hard not to scratch as it ultimately makes it worse.

Could anyone recommend something they've tried which will help my parched skin or scalp? I can't use HRT currently due to recent surgery and medication.

MooGoo for scalp.

Aveeno for body.

I use Eucerin too.

I have eczema so have honed this over the years but these brands all help. A lot.

cismyfatarse thank you for your reply - much appreciated and I'll check that all out. Can I use Aveena that on the face too?

Aveeno I meant!

They have a face one now but I have used the large pump bottle on my face when it is really bad.

I have found the same thing. I use bio oil as a moisturiser. It's a dry oil so not greasy but it allows me to put foundation on without it becoming clumpy etc.

FluffyPJs thank you, I have some Bio Oil for my surgery scars so I'll try that. I'll also have a look at the Aveeno face stuff. I feel embarrassed to get to the end of the day and notice that my face has dried out so much as in the morning I look acceptable before work!

I use the normal aveeno on my face. My skin is incredibly dry too, I'm using probably twice as much as I was 10 years ago!

Thanks SpotOnMyBot, it's so frustrating isn't it. The ear thing is bizarre, they're so dry and itchy! The doc doesn't have any answers either so I'm just sticking moisture inside them but can't understand it.

You could try an eczema shampoo to help with the dry scalp, I use the one from www.skinsalve.co.uk, I think Neutrogena do a specialist eczema shampoo too.

LouS84 thank you, good idea. Nobody has diagnosed eczema but perhaps it'd do the same thing for the dryness.

Moogoo shampoo deals with my very dry scalp. They have several but the dry scalp one has been amazing. More importantly, it doesn't dry out my skin as it runs down the rest of me in the shower.

I'm finding perimenopause really drying me up everywhere @ReginaPhalangee

My skin, lubrication down below, even my joints are a bit more creaky. I feel like I need a good dose of WD40!

WD40... Not a bad shout!

Try washing with Dermol 500.

For the vulva try an emollient ointment like Epaderm or Hydromol and Yes VM vaginally. Discuss topical estrogen with your GP. A good lube is Yes Double Glide - 2 products, one on him, one on you.

Could you have psoriasis? The dry skin in ears resonates with me and I have psoriasis on my scalp.
My face is dry too (peri menopause).
Use primer under make up. It makes a big difference.
Drink lots of water.
I can’t recommend moisturisers as other than an oil based serum at night, I haven’t found a daily moisturiser worth recommending.

pawkins I've previously had bouts of psoriasis which flared up through stress so yes that's possibly what's going on with my ears. I do suffer from stress and anxiety which is definitely being exacerbated by peri-menopause. Thank you, might be worth another chat with the doc.

I recommend collagen and turmeric supplements for skin and joints.

Have you tried increasing fat in your diet? I wash my hair less often and use bar soap for skin which is good.

Sometimes a drop of rosehip oil in my foundation helps too.

My skin got really dry after the menopause. I have started washing my skin with Ameliorate body wash and following with ameliorate transforming body lotion. It works so well. They also do scalp treatments but I don’t need those.
I use elemis marine cream or transformulas marine cream for my face as they both absorb fully but are intensive moisturisers.

OP this will sound random but after you shower with soap and rinse it off, while you are still in shower use an oil on your body. Specifically almond or mustard seed (this smells distinctive) and dab some in your belly button with and then rinse off with shower. You can buy either oil cheaply from chemist or ethnic type grocers.

Thanks to everyone for suggestions, I'll try them out!

Make sure you are drinking enough water. The older you get, the more important this is.

Have you tried the boots no 7 skin analysis thing? Appreciate won't cover all symptoms but I found them really helpful diagnosing my skin type and treatment for my red patches etc.

Have you tried fish oil supplements, I take maximum dose of 3 capsules daily plus upped nuts/seeds/oily fish into diet. Also make sure water contacting skin isn’t too hot, especially face and no scrubbing or flannels etc. Try to moisturise at lest twice a day. I wash with aveeno and use it as body lotion. I also use olive oil. I have rosacea so have to be uber careful with face creams. No alcohol in them or scented products for me. We’re all so different with our skin that it’s hard to recommend specific products.