Dry/dehydrated, sensitive skincare routine

[AColdDuncanGoodhew]

What are your must have skincare products? I’m 34 and in the past have tried a whole host of products, but in the last year my skin has been so incredibly sensitive and reactive to products.

I currently use:

CeraVe hydrating cleanser
Avene gentle cleansing lotion
Vichy mineral 89 eyes serum and their hyaluronic serum
Avene riche moisturiser
Kate Somerville deliKate

I use a mix of those products which my skin is fine with. However i’d really like to add in a vitamin C and also a serum of some description and my skin looks really dull and lacklustre.

I’ve had awful experiences with things like REN glycolic acid, Clarins double serum and a few others. Really sore, inflamed, sensitive skin. Even if I work it into a routine very very slowly.

Any recommendations please? I was thinking vitamin C in a moisturiser, and I like the look of the sunday riley Juno serum

My skin is very dry/dehydrated at the moment (less so in the summer) and is mega sensitive. I use:

Lush ultrabland
Korres wild rose brightening vit C oil
Elemis pro-collagen marine day/night cream

I recommend the oil - I really like it. I tried the Elemis oil, but prefer the Korres one.

I also use the TrinnyLondon BFF spf and de-stress tinted serum if I'm wearing make up - they haven't irritated mu skin at all.

What you eat has a great effect on your skin too ! I use pure org, products like almond oil with a drop of basil, or rose essential oil in it, I have dry sensitive skin too and find that only using filtered and or softened water on it is the answer too.

I also use omega 3 containing foods like linseeds ( ground in fresh fruit smoothies). Oh and olive oil instead of butter or 'spreads' with non wheat foods. It has improved my skin a lot.

Dermalogica ultra calming range has changed my skin amazingly. I looked at all the serums and acids and couldn't be bothered to try and figure it out, so I threw money at the problem with a beautician and it has worked for me.

Drinking loads of water and cutting back on booze has made a huge difference as well, it's really surprised me.

Hada Labo hyaluronic acid is amazing for dehydrated skin, I have the one in the gold bottle.

Eucerin products are not the most glamourous but brilliant for dry, sensitive and dehydrated skin. Their vitamin c serum is good. LRP is also good for sensitive skin, I use the Rendermic R retinol cream and have never reacted.

Oh and I also reacted badly to the Ren glycolic acid but am fine with lactic acid (gentler, I think) from the ordinary.

Thanks everyone!

Will definitely look into all the products mentioned.

@littlepeas I love the BFF, need to buy it again actually, how is the destress? I’ve been interested in that

I'm 44 and the skincare I currently use:

Simple purifying cleansing lotion
Simple soothing facial toner
Clinique smart repair serum
Pure Super Hydrate day cream spf15 (day)
OR
Boots No7 protect & perfect night cream &
Boots No7 protect & perfect eye cream (night)

My skin is quite oily.

@AColdDuncanGoodhew

Thanks everyone!

Will definitely look into all the products mentioned.

@littlepeas I love the BFF, need to buy it again actually, how is the destress? I’ve been interested in that

The de-stress is really lovely - I've only just started using it after loving BFF and I really liked it. It's really light, but still good enough coverage for no foundation.

I meant to say my skin is quite oily but sensitive

Ooh @Tehmina23 I think I’ll look into some no7. I have a Boots near me but not one of the massive ones with loads of brands. It does have the no7 range so would be handy.

@littlepeas do you use BFF and destress together?

I have dry and dehydrated.
I think Hyaluronic Acid in general is Emperor's New Clothes tbh. I've used The Ordinary (like rubbing snot on your face) Vichy 89 (it's mainly hyaluronic) and Hada Labo, both the Gold Premium one and the red one. None did much tbh and once the HL is finished I won't bother again. Experts are in any case doubtful about the efficacy of topically applied HA.

For sensitive skin- the ranges mentioned above LRP, Dermalogica, Avene, plus Clinique etc are all good. Cerave too. Be wary of Simple. It isn't. It was initially (along with Clinique) marketed at "problem" skin (so oily basically) and is pretty harsh. Clinique have diversified over the years tbf.

I like the N7 though it's not unperfumed which might irritate sensitive/reactive skin. The Superdrug Simply range is very good, and cheap as chips.

My favourite vit C is Vichy LiftActiv. Am currently using up a LRP but hadn't noticed it contains salicylic which is too harsh for my skin.

@StepOutOfLine I agree with the HA. I keep slathering it on and have tried multiple brands but it feels like a pointless step. I’m really enjoying my Avene riche moisturiser so had a wee check last night and seen they also do ranges with Vit.C included so I think i’ll give them a go also, will check out the Vichy also!

Agree with Cerave, their hydrating cleanser is my absolute favourite, LOVE it and recommend it to everyone. I’m surprised at Clinique as I always think of the harsh 3 step routine and I always avoid even looking but will definitely take a peek at their products.

You might be allergic to tomatoes or aubergines, my skin was always red and dry and itchy before giving up oranges\juice as well.

You could look at an Evening primrose supplement , it's calming put straight on the face too.Liz Earle's book on essential Oils is helpful.

Yes drink plenty of filtered of water, cut right down on alcohol too. The problem with even the expensive OTC products is they're full of so many ingredients that some of them are bound to disagree with someone! .

That's why I love pure organic oils. I know if one doesn't agree with me.

Cerave AM and PM moisturisers

I've kept it simple with just the cleanser and those moisturisers and it's made a huge difference not using extra products and ingredients

Liz Earle products for dry skin. I’m a total convert to Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse. It’s a silky oil and it’s wonderful for dry skin. MandS do it I think and All Beauty too. Better than don’t thing else I’ve tried in 30 years.

@AColdDuncanGoodhew

Ooh *@Tehmina23* I think I’ll look into some no7. I have a Boots near me but not one of the massive ones with loads of brands. It does have the no7 range so would be handy.

@littlepeas do you use BFF and destress together?

Yes - I think they work really well together. I don’t put foundation on as well though - I use de-stress instead.