Really dry skin all of a sudden - good moisturiser? (And what the heck have I done to myself?)

[JaneS]

My skin is really dry - horribly, it's actually a bit painful. I've recently tried MAC moisturiser, also some Clinique and some Boots 7, not sure any of them were particularly great.

What is good and very, very gentle? And what has set off your allergies/given you dry skin, so I can cross that off my list to try?

Thanks!

Oh - and if you know why skin suddenly goes dry, I'd love to know.

Lots of people on here have been recommending Eucerin day moisturiser - I got some yesterday in boots and it hasn't done anything horrible to me yet.

Also, what cleanser do you use? That's almost more important than your moisturiser. Again, on the advice of mumsnetters, have just switched to using cream cleanser with a hot cloth (Tesco b natural cream cleanser). It's lovely and much less drying for my skin. No7 do a hot cloth cleanser too, so if you bought Eucerin in boots, you'd get a 5 quid No7 voucher and then you'd get the cleanser and cloth for 4 pounds. Bargain

Think it might be time of year - central heating on one moment, outside in lovely fresh air the next. My skin has been so tight, and even started flaking. Ugh...

Thanks - never heard of it, so will go look!

I have to admit I don't always use cleanser if I'm not wearing makeup, as it's hard to find one that I don't react to. I've got the Simple one at the moment, though, which seems ok, and I've used Liz Earle before (but it makes my face feel a bit tight).

I think you're right about the time of year - I'm happy to blame that!

I recently saw a dermatologist about my skin as it had suddenly become extremely dry and was starting to flake a bit around my nose and cheeks. I think it was the very cold weather we were having in Warsaw at the time that set if off and my skin was starting to feel sore.

She recommended Nanobase Repair, which I got from the local pharmacy. I'm not sure if it's available in the UK but it's definitely worth a try if you can find it. It worked brilliantly for me. My skin felt instantly soothed and hydrated, and the dryness and flakiness disappeared within a couple of days. It was about 7 pounds for a 30ml tube so good value too.

i've been using good old vaseline recently, i'm sure there are lots of reasons why i shouldn't but it seems to be working.

Thanks row - I'll ask in the local pharmacy, the worst they can do is look nonplussed.

nightshade - is that not really, really greasy?!

I've heard that if your skin is dry it's because you're using too much cream - is that true, anyone think?

LittleRedDragon - if your budget stretches to it you need Dermologica Barrier repair. Its wonderful for very dry and highly sensitised skin - it melts into it, doesn't sting, but is majorly majorly moisturising.

Tatty, forgive me, is Dermalogica the brand that also does hypoallergenic makeup? I'm not sure if I'm remembering rightly or if there's a similar name out there. Only asking because I bought some 'hypoallergenic' foundation that had a name like that, and it was really not good, so don't want to make the same mistake twice!

Are you on a diet?

Could be fat deficiency

colditz, I think I love you for the justification ... but sadly I doubt it's my limited fat intake.

Hello LRD, I've followed you over from the bins!

When my skin goes dry (it's usually quite dry, but every so often goes really paperish and makeup feels sore) I slop either blue nivea or astral on for a few nights. It's like spreading lard on your face, but really works.

A beauticianbodperson once told me as well,that Clinique products are anti-allergenic etc etc but are very harsh, as they are designed initially for people with "bad" skin, so if your skin tends towards dry they can make it more so.

I can't use oil free foundation at all, it just sits on my face and I look like Barbara Cartland.

I wasn't joking

Gosh, that's a pleasant image bucharest!

That makes sense about Clinique - I'll avoid in future.

colditz - I didn't think you were joking, was just amused as I was pigging out when I read your post.

Oh

No, no it's me who should be blushing! I'd just that moment taken a bite of a big co-op cream donut, so I was rather pleased to have someone (over the net ... my logic doesn't really come into this ) who was able to assume I might be dieting.

initially greasy but it seems to vanish quite quickly! also really cheap and can be used for a multitude of things including household chores!en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroleum_jelly

Yes I think you are thinking of Clinique not Dermologica

Maybe try one of the E45 type creams before you invest in Dermologica...they are generally actually quite affordable but the barrier repair is more expensive mainly due to the tube size.

I would say though - a daily evening primrose oil or borage oil capsule - regardless of what "fat" you are eating (probably saturated, generally!) will almost definitely help. Dont worry about putting on weight - your body will use it for your hormones, your skin, your brain, your joints, just about everything before it will "dump" it into excess calories. Its valuable nutrition that can't be made in your body and often isn't met through diet unless very very balanced and good.

Worth a try then, nightshade, thanks.

tatty, might well be. I used to use E45 when I was younger and stopped because it is a bit greasy and boring, perhaps I should try it again.

Doubt I'm eating much saturated fat, incidentally - it's Lent and we only buy dairy stuff on Sundays, apart from skimmed milk in my tea. I can blame DH for lots of things with his crazy religion, but this is one of the benefits!

I've never had supplements but primrose oil sounds interesting, will go check it out in the pharmacy.

The other thing to look at is are you allergic to anything eg in your diet or in any beauty products - i know for me I get itchy dry eczema around my ears, scalp and the sides of my nose with wheatbased foods, sugar and yeasty foods. Also i found i couldn't use Liz earle product cause i'm allergic to the beeswax in them ( its listed as cera alba sometimes) Your skin can react to stress too.

I use eucerin successfully and aveeno is good, cetaphil is another one too try. Also weleda products are good

Just started using Vaseline this week on face and hands and impressed with the effect on both. My skin was ridiculously dry and flaky but now looks and feels much better. And it is cheap!