Help! Dry skin but products don’t absorb

[Youngatheart00]

Hi all, my formerly oily / combination skin as got increasingly dry with age. I’ve tried a number of different options including a serum, letting that absorb and then moisturisers. But I’m finding the products sit on top of my skin and don’t seem to fully absorb. Then I just look greasy, and the underlying dryness doesn’t seem to improve. Any tips?

What products have you tried?

Are you using harsh cleansers? Even facial wash can be too strong sometimes. Could it be central heating drying out your skin?

I'd be inclined to try a product aimed at dry skin or at eczema/contact dermatis. It might be worth asking a pharmacist.

I'd limit the amount of products you use and look at simple emollients like almond oil or jojoba.

You will need to find what suits you but I have dry skin and this is what I do

Balm cleanser
A gentle liquid exfoliant
serums
a balm moisturiser
I'm shiny for a bit but it soaks in over night and in the day time I add on a foundation and that usually evens out the shine.

Thanks for your replies

I use la Roche posay effaclar cleansing gel religiously and have done for a number of years but now wondering whether it might be a bit harsh as it contains salicylic acid

I have tried several different moisturisers but most recently a nip and fab plumping serum and then a moisturising collagen cream I got in a beauty box. Prior to that I’ve used Clinique dramatically different and have also tried the Elemis overnight balm which was horribly sticky and didn’t absorb at all.

I have very dry skin and was also finding that the products (oils / serum) were sitting on my skin. I’ve started using REN Glow Tonic after a balm cleanser and it’s a game changer! Products sink in beautifully, skin feels super soft and glowy

Are you exfoliating gently, a couple of times a week? That will help your products sink in.

Also, drink LOTS of water.

Use products specifically for dry skin.

Thanks - probably not enough re exfoliating. That REN product sounds ideal - I’ll have a look at cult beauty!

Think I need to find something that works and stick with it. I’m a sucker for a beauty box but I think chopping and changing doesn’t help

I think stop any ‘physical’ exfoliating and drying cleansers (salicylic).

Try the double-cleanse (balm first) then look into acid exfoliants- azelaic, aha, bha etc.

@Youngatheart00, you could try moisturising from within by eating 'good' oils like avocado, walnut and olive oils.

I have similar skin to you OP and I find using an alcohol free toner works well for me. In fact I make my own by combining vegetable glycerine and rosewater. The glycerine is a humectant and helps your skin to retain water and moisture. So after washing, spray some on your face before you moisturise. Also be sure to use an alcohol free moisturiser. I use cold pressed avocado oil (plain and simple straight up!). I only use a couple of drops.

For the toner, I should say spray, or lightly rub in before moisturising.

You could try the La Roche-Posay Effaclar H Hydrating Cleansing Cream (instead of the gel) - it’s not so drying.

Thanks so much all!

I actually have some rose water so will try that as a toner.

I probably haven’t been drinking quite as much water as I should (and rather too much wine instead) so it’s fair to say that could be impacting even more than the products I’ve been using. Hey, it’s been a tough few months 🙈

Try the Cerave Hydrating Cleanser, then apply your next product (maybe Avène Serum Intense, something like that) while the skin is still damp.

At night you could try slugging - apply something like Vaseline or Eucerin over your normal skincare.

I've got similar skin and similar issues. I've stopped using any type of exfoliator, I do think they make things worse in the long run. I like to get a clean flannel, run under hot tap and wring then sweep over face. Not too hard and definitely a sweep rather than a rub. Leave skin damp for next product, like Ghost just said.

I second CeraVe. My skin was getting too dry (flaky skin on forehead, and felt rough on my cheeks...nice!) from my previous products, so I swapped. I feels much better now with their Hydrating Cleanser followed by their Moisturising Cream. It's not the most luxurious brand (but I don't like the marketing BS of those sorts of companies anyway) but it works.

Using a cleansing balm with a muslin cloth at night helps my dry skin. The muslin cloth is mildly exfoliating and the balm doesn't dry my skin. I then use serum and night cream.