Best/most hydrating moisturiser

[Frequency]

I've started using retinol. My skin is dry and flaking. Google tells me this is normal as my skin adjusts and to use a decent moisturiser. Atm I am using Aldi Q10 which is just not cutting it.

I want something super hydrating, preferably a night cream. The budget is limited (£10-15 would be best or less) but if there is a truly amazing cream that I simply cannot live without I could stretch to £35.

I've tried Google but almost all products have raving, detailed, scientifically in-depth, five star reviews almost as if someone has been paid to write them....

Nivea (the normal one in the blue tub) is the only thing that works for me when my skin is dry. Some find it too heavy, although cheap enough to give it a try!

Nivea was one that Google suggested or Vaseline. I'm sure Vaseline will not help my already clogged pores but as I'm using it on a night Nivea might work.

Try something like the ordinary Maryland oil- mix two or three drops in with the Aldi moisturiser to super charge it.

MARULA not Maryland

Clinique Moisture Surge Intense...£15 and worth every penny for dry skin. 🤗

http://www.allbeauty.com/gb/en/963321-clinique-moisturisers-moisture-surge-intense-skin-fortifying-hydrator-30ml-1-fl-oz?abref=GoogleShoppingCs&utmsource=%7Badtype%7D&utmmmedium=FREE&ref=%7Badtype%7D&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxpHWuIa64QIVZCrTCh1FSQIqEAQYASABEgIr1fDBwE

Nivea in the blue tub, but just a thin smear all over your face every night after cleansing.

My day cream is Estee Lauder DayWear but it's about £50 a pot.

Aldi caviar - £6.99 for each jar - the only thing that worked for my husbands chemo ravaged face. I now use it religiously it is fabulous.

I don't mind suggestions for more expensive creams. I'm starting to invest more in my skin as I've started studying make-up artistry and make-up sits better on good skin but I've just shelled out £30 on Laura Mercier setting powder and more on setting sprays so anything more expensive will have to wait until next month.

I love Clinique. I used to pinch the yellow one off my mum when I lived at home and remember it being very good and I've just bought a truck load of The Ordinary so I might try the oil with either the Clinique or Aldi's Caviar cream.

I use Nip+Fab Dragon's Blood Serum www.nipandfab.com/skincare/range/dragons-blood-fix/dragons-blood-fix-serum and then a moisturising sunscreen in the day time (Natio for Men at the moment). Every now and then I use a Dragon's Blood Mask overnight.

I had the same issue, i now use ordinary rose hip oil. Super affordable but amazing.

Do you use the oil and the retinol on the same night? I thought about that but worried that the oil would dilute the retinol as it's already in oil. I'm using The Ordinary Granactive retinoid in Squalene and salicylic acid on alternating nights . My skin looks heaps better congestion wise already.

I understand dryness and flaking is normal when you first start using a retinol product.

Eucerin Aquaphor

I've heard lots of people say that Cerave moisturisers and cleansers are amazing, and they're very affordable!
m.lookfantastic.com/brands/cerave/view-all.list?affil=thgppc&kwds=43700034785556901&thg_ppc_campaign=71700000038160994&adtype=&product_id=&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=CjwKCAjw-ZvlBRBbEiwANw9UWvAaj_YaWRMX4BeDqe49ep0ACWgNy_Vv80nh3Q4FJBwTqq3EuQNg9RoCjWIQAvD_BwE

When I was in my 20s and early 30s I used Nivea aqua sensation but now (39) cannot live without Vichy Aqualia. I use the serum which is about twenty EURO. It is a god send. I found it from other people raving about it. It comes in a tube but recommended it to my mum and she bought one in pumpform which seems lighter and doesn't suit my skin as much ( the other one is slightly heavier and richer and felt like it did the job straight away so just to let you know). Saying that since your skin is flaky too I feel I have to mention Avene Skin recovery cream which also definitely hydrated and also fixed up my skin amazingly ( other Avene products didn't work as well). Best of luck OP

I really like La Roche Posay Toleraine Ultra for any kind of reactive skin. I bought mine from Boots in a set with the Toleraine cleaner, water spray and pump moisturiser. I use it over the same retinol as you and it's fine

I really like the Superdrug Vitamin E Intense Moisture Cream. I have very dry skin but this seems to do the job well - and is very reasonably priced. I'm not keen on the SPF version though.

I have been using Olay Whip and I really like it. It feels really light and matt when you put it on so I can use it in the morning but it is also suitably moisturizing that I am not adding anything else when I use it in the evening. My skin has been smooth and non greasy since I started using it

La Roche Posay cicaplast baume sorted my post retinol irritation right out.

Not a face cream but you can use it on your face, oilatum or Vaseline Intensive care in the big white bottle. Both rescued me from the worst winter skin break out ever this year.

Lumene do an amazing night cream which is under £15 on Look Fantastic at the moment (free postage too):
m.lookfantastic.com/lumene-nordic-hydra-lahde-hydration-recharge-overnight-cream-50ml/11697307.html
I recently tried it as had a sample in a Birchbox and loved it.

Weleda Skin Food - it's the bollocks. The smell takes a bit of getting used to as it's a bit herby, but it just feels so lush and nourishing (Urgh, hate that word but it's applicable here!) on my skin. It's probably best as a night cream as it's quite oily, but you only need a tiny bit for your whole face.

Superdrug B Essence (apply after cleansing and before any moisturiser), so thick, refreshing and moisturising... And it sinks straight in.

Have you tried exfoliating, to remove the flakey bits? That's what i do do regularly when using tretinoin. Moisturise after doing that.
FWIW Clinique Moisture Surge brought me out in spots and i will never use it again.

Sounds like we are using the same routine and my skin went super dry and flaky! But not since using the oil which I use the same night, but use it 5-10 minutes after the R or SA I Just put a tiny bit on my palms rub it together any pat my plans on my face, cheeks etc.
I really recommend the peeling treatment- looks horrendous (it's red!) but fantastic.

I have the peeling treatment but haven't used it yet due to the dry, flakiness. I'm going to invest in the oil and the Aldi Caviar cream. Thanks for all the suggestions.

I haven't exfoliated as I read somewhere that will make it worse but I do gently rub my skin with a muslin when I am cleansing.