Help me to skincare, please.

[DownAtTheBodyShop]

I’m 40. My skin has always been quite difficult- dry, uneven tone and texture, and I’m very prone to hormonal breakouts. I’ve been on medication for the past year (I’ll be on it for life) and it seems to be making my skin even drier.

I’ve finally found a skincare routine that’s helping hydration, smoothing the skin, and just making it looks better and supple. Breakouts seem to be improving too. The products I’m using are from The Ordinary plus a CeraVe moisturiser at night or a moisturizer with SPF during the day and all work well together. Hyaluronic acid works well for me, as well as The Ordinary’s Buffet. Also use the Squalane cleanser.

I know some people will say they don’t like The Ordinary, which is fair enough, but it works for me. That said, I’ve used other products in the past and have had good results but the same issue occurs when I then put on make-up.

Now, without make-up, my skin looks pretty ok. However, the tone is still uneven and I work in a very corporate environment so tend to wear make-up on the days I’m in the office.

If I do my usual skincare routine including moisturiser, my makeup immediately cakes. For the best result, I do my morning routine, add moisturiser, then wash it off after about thirty minutes, put on primer and foundation and it looks well for about two hours but then I get massive flakey patches. I’ve tried so many different brands and types of foundations and BB creams. I really need the coverage of a foundation.

I had makeup on today and now my cheeks are really flakey and I know it’ll take about two days with intensive skincare and no makeup for my skin to go back to normal, but then I’ll put makeup on again and I’m back to square one.

Can you explain to me like you would to a five year old, how I combine skincare and makeup so that my skin stays supple looking and doesn’t flake? Would love some product recommendations too.

TLDR; I flake after using makeup and undo all the benefits of my skincare routine. How do I stop this?

This sounds more like a reaction to the foundation than an issue with your skincare, but I’m no expert. Can you try and pare it back on non office days, maybe do your skincare as normal and then try a powder, see if you still react? Work out exactly what makes your skin react and what doesn’t, and then go from
there?

I love the Ordinary ! Have you tried any of their make up ? I've got a foundation but not opened it yet as finishing the one I had - slightly worried the shade may not be right

They seem to be really helpful with advice and guidance , could you see if there is a live chat or an email option to get a suggestion ?

On all skincare threads I recommend Face Theory. I have oily skin so can’t recommend specific products but they have a guide, they also make foundation so their products and foundation should ‘go together’ if that makes sense. Washing moisturiser off after half an hour must not give it much time to work?

I have dry skin and this sometimes happens to me with foundation. It doesn't happen if I wear Erborian CC cream, this is my holy grail product. Could you try and see if this gives you enough coverage?

Alternatively you might need a small pot of Moistusier and apply in your dry areas through the day

I also have really dry skin and this happens to me when I am not moisturised enough with some foundations.
Bare Minerals tinted gel and It Cosmetics CC cream are both really good for moisturising coverage (the former is lighter).
I find cleansing with an oil or a balm (Emma Hardie the absolute best) and moisturise+hyaluronic and then waiting for it to fully absorb but definitely not washing it off before putting make up on. Some primers can also make it much worse - have you tried Embryolisse?

I’d use the hyaluronic acid on damp skin before moisturising and make sure the moisturiser is rich enough, you don’t say what you are using. I’d also then mix some of the moisturiser into your foundation.

Also look at a separate moisturiser and SPF, I apply two products. That’s two opportunities to add moisture and not all SPF products are great moisturisers, they don’t pretend to be.

I'm wondering if any of the products you use acts as an exfoliator. If not, some gentle exfoliation may well lift some of the dry skin, and your foundation will sit better.

Hyaluronic Acid can actually make skin more dry if you don’t use it properly. It needs moisture to work, so will take this from your skin if there isn’t any other moisture. You either need to apply to damp skin, or I personally use Curel Deep Moisture Spray, apply your hyaluronic, then use your moisture spray again. You don’t say which moisturiser you use, but I like the Neutrogena gel one.

Also check if any products you are using contains silicone. Some primers and foundations do. If you are mixing water based and silicone based products, then your foundation will peel.

My skin sounds similar and I use Eborian CC cream instead of foundation. It never flakes. I combine with liquid concealer applied with a foundation brush which I find really helps with application.’
I use salicylic acid for the congestion. My skin isn’t perfect but it’s ok.