Sorting out my skin, ears and scalp :(

[Bridecilla]

My skin is dry as sticks.

Down the sides of my nose cracks

The skin behind my ears is dry and horrible. I have a nasty habit of picking it and it's very sore now.

My scalp is also dry.

I don't think any of it is eczema, just dry skin.

Medicated shampoos seem to make it worse.

I'm trying to drink more water! Can anyone recommend anything to help (that I can get online) please?

Cicaplast by La Roche Posay!
Or Lipikar AP baume also by La Roche Posay.

They are the reason I no longer have these problems. In my 40s, I developed the same problems as you, OP. The ear thing- it's gross, isn't it? I was really surprised to discover what was going on behind my ears! Anyway, I solved all of this by using the right products.

As for your scalp- this will sound weird but it is what has totally saved me. I started using Neutrogena anti-residue shampoo to remove build-up. I then towel dry and add a small amount of leave-in conditioner. For your acute scalp problem, Oilatum scalp treatment shampoo has worked the absolute best for me. I let it sit on my scalp for a few minutes before rinsing off.

And finally, as a treatment, just rub pure coconut oil into your scalp and onto your (dry) hair, don a shower cap, and let it soak in all day (a perfect time to do it is now in lockdown). Then rinse with a mild shampoo.

I just wanted to add that the day I bought cicaplast- I was in Boots staring at the package. This lady came up to me and said, "It's a life changer. Get it!"
It is exactly that. And it's not expensive either! It's a small tube but mighty. tinyurl.com/ybu6sa9v

The Lipikar is bigger and equally as good.

tinyurl.com/ycyv4z9z

Sounds like seborrheic dermatitis OP.
Google it.
I could never get my nose smooth, even with retinol, vit c, and multiple layers of essences, serums and occlusives.

I also rate Cicaplast and Hada Lado premium hyaluronic serum here for under your moisturiser. It really soothes and contains urea as well, which helps with the moisture.
I put on about three layers, one after the other. Then a facial oil (squalene), then my moisturiser (Cerave), and top it with vaseline.
All soothe and hydrate beautifully.
I also use hydrocortisone on the sore patches when needed.

All I have enormously. I also read about it on skincare reddit.

I also think it could be seborrheic dermatitis. I had it since I was 20 (am 41 now). My holy grail product is The Ordinary niacinamide 10% + zinc. Since I started using it my dermatitis has cleared up and has not come back. I’m about 6 months in and this is the longest I have ever gone without a flare up.

For the scalp shampoo with selenium really helped me (it’s in some dandruff shampoo by Vichy). Also google itchy m’s - they’re certain ingredients in shampoos (that start with the letter m) that can cause irritation and I certainly had a very low tolerance for them.

Oh yes Drink TO niacinamide is great and really seems to reduce redness.
So does the TO 2% retinoid serum.

My scalp is really flaky atm, and although does not itch, bloody annoys me as my hair is dark.
Any links for shampoos?

Yes eat vegan, avoid gluten, sugar, alcohol and caffeine, stay off processed food and your skin will look and feel great within a month

beautifullymixed this sounds like the shampoo I use but the bottle looks different. But it has selenium which is my magic ingredient!!

Link would help

www.vichy.ie/dercos-anti-dandruff-shampoo-for-greasy-hair

I've been using the L'Oreal Botanicals shampoo & conditioner for sensitive scalps. It has helped.

Eucerin Urea cream for dry patches.

DS has a dry; flaky scalp and uses Neutrogena Medicated Shampoo. It’s the only thing we’ve ever found that helps. I usually get it from the local discount beauty store but have bought it from Amazon in the past.