Dry, flaky skin on face

[BlueFlyAway]

I'm having a terrible time lately with dry, flaky skin on my face. The chin, the nose, eyebrows, for head are the worst areas. It makes wearing a mask every day very bad because they get soiled easily with flakes.

Any recommendations for what could help this problem? Is there any face oil that will help?

I must admit my hygiene is terrible. I'm never consistent with washing my face. I wash my face about 2 or 3 times a week. I know it's bad and I should be doing it every day but sometimes I don't want to or I don't have the time to do it. I use vaseline for a moisturiser after washing my face. I don't usually wear make up except a sometimes a BB cream.

I do have retinol cream a from superdrug but I don't use it every day. I find when I use it my eyes sting and water. I'm so careful not to go near the eyes too and I leave huge gaps on my face where I don't use the retinol. I think it evaporates into my eyes so it's not my favourite thing to use.

I'm in a desperate situation. The face looks awful. Red, blotchy, dry and flaky.

Completely forgot to add. My face can be sore too from the cold.

I’m a bit confused...you’re not committed to washing your face even once a day but you bought a retinol cream? Retinol is usually only added in by people who have the basics covered.

Ok so...retinol causes flakey/irritated skin when you first start using it - using it inconsistently would cause the same effect as you would never be getting past the ‘purge’ phase. You have to add it in carefully (starting with a lower % and working up to every day) and you need to ensure you’re moisturising properly.

Vaseline is not moisturising. You need a proper moisturiser. And while your skin is dry, you might want to consider something like Eucerin.

I’m a bit concerned by the retinol aggravating your eyes even if you don’t go near them. I’ve not encountered that with any product so it sounds like you might be experiencing an actual reaction - in which case you should stop using that particular product.

The soreness is probably caused by either or both the retinol and/or the dryness. I’m sure it would all turn around if you commit to a simple routine with the right products.

I bought the cream with great intentions of upping the face wash/care/hygiene routine and it did happen for a while but I fell back into old ways. There's too much of a pull of my time from other people and I find it hard to look after myself.