Can't cope with my skin anymore

[myfuckingfreezer]

Can anyone please help?! I'm at my wits end with dry skin on my face.

I feel like I've tried everything, every brand, every tip. Nothing helps without making my face red and spotty. So I have to choose between dry flaky skin which I can't wear foundation over, or red lumpy skin which I absolutely have to smoother in foundation!

Has anyone found a miracle cure?

The first pic is what a hydrating foundation over hydrating primer and face oil looks like - dry and scaley

The second picture is what it looked like when I was religious with using La Roche Posay hydrating moisturiser for rosacea.

I've been going for monthly microdermabrasion facials for the last few years. It's expensive but like you my skins a real big issue for me so it's worth it. Plus I'm not spending money on lots of "miracle" creams. I do use Estée Lauder night repair as well in the winter but to be honest I'm not great on remembering to use it.

The Dr Dennis grossman daily peel pads works really well for my flakes.

I can't suggest a particular thing that will work but have you looked into Skin & Me? It's tailored made daily cream to tackle your issues. A dermatologist reviews your questionnaire and looks at photos of you. I've only used it a month for horrible cystic spots and it's improved a lot so far. They often have a discount for the first month.

Have you read Caroline hirons book? It's really Helped me understand my skin type better which is definitely the first step

The second picture looks like you were perhaps reacting to that moisturiser

I've spent years wasting money on products that don't suit skin. I wish many years ago I'd gone to a cosmetic dermatologist. Worth paying out that initial money cause you won't waste it on products that aren't right. I never did this but have friends who did and they have really good skin now.

I use ZO products (not recommended by a derm). They're salon only and expensive. I use the whole line plus have regular hydrofacials with a light peel. My skin used to be dryish and dull. The texture is so much better and its more hydrated.

The second picture looks like you were perhaps reacting to that moisturiser

It doesn't it. It does this with everything - Nivea, Aveno, CeraVe etc. also gives me wicked clogged lumps on the skin between my lip and my nose.

I did the Dermatica questionnaire for anti ageing and they replied that I needed a Rosacea treatment plan. I received my product a couple of weeks ago and I think it's starting to work. I like that I can use normal cleansers and then just one product at night then my moisturiser.
I have a 25% discount code if you are interested

The best thing you can do is go to a reasonably high end salon for regular facials they will tailor make it to your skin and recommend what to you.

I think you’ve got seborrhoeic dermatitis.

Can you get a private dermatologist appointment?

No, the best thing you can do is to go and see a doctor.

You probably have a condition such as rosacea and no amount of expensive creams or facials is going to help you treat it without medical intervention.

Do what i wish I'd done years ago and stop pouring your money down the drain. Get clinical help.

Do you take probiotics - a lot of skin issues can be linked to poor gut health. Taking some probiotics or kefir might help?

How do you go about finding a dermatologist? Am in London and when I search they all seem more like cosmetic skin clinics - or is that the same?

Worried about just being diagnosed their own expensive creams!

Start with your gp and request a referral.

It may be something your gp can address but don't be fobbed off and do push for a referral if you don't feel you're being taken seriously.

Alternatively, go through your private health insurer if you have one - and i know Bupa also allow you to go pay-by-use.

See a derm, but until then, try a good Rosehip oil.

At the moment I'm using Santa's oil which is helping the dry skin without causing me to react, but it's definitely not enough

Autocorrect

*Santal oil

I'm guessing?

Don't use that. There's too many things you could react to in that. Something like this would be better.

Are you on any medication?

You need to either get the gp to refer you to a dermatologist , or pay privately so you can see one immediately. We had to do this for my husbands skin condition and it cost less than what we had already wasted on trying many different creams and emollients. Plus if it's like my husbands case , it could only be kept under control with treatment only available on prescription

You need to see your GP and show them these pictures. Ask for a referral to a dermatologist. It may take a long time as waiting lists are swamped, but you need a dermatologist.

Lots of shit advice here.

Please see a dermatologist

Can anyone recommend a derm? I found two in London through friends, each had ) month waiting lists and one didn't advertise any pricing!

That should have read 6 month