Need to sort my dry face fast

[EndlessSoreThroat]

I've just noticed my face has a few dry flaky patches (cheeks and forehead). Around my eyes is extremely dry too.

I moisturise once a day with bog standard moisturiser.

I'm going to a wedding in 10 days and getting professional make up done.

I remember last time I had this done (15 years ago!), the make up artist was really annoyed at the dryness of my face as the make up was just making it even more obvious.

How do I fix this in time?

Balm cleanser rinsed off with warm water on a flannel, glycolic acid wipe on cotton pad, hyaluronic acid serum, heavy moisturiser. Am and pm. Your skin will be glowing in no time!

Thank you, any recommendation for the heavy moisturiser?

Also, could in "no time" be 5 days (once I get the products I need I'll probably have less than a week to go).

Does one of the things you mentioned exfoliate? My face is so bad this morning, like it needs a good scrub to get rid of the dead skin.

Thank you for the advice!

I like nivea either blue tub or the nighttime mask. The glycolic acid swipe over your face is a gentle exfolient. My experience was quick, i have very dry skin that flaked and this routine instantly sorted it, certainly in a few to 5 days. Good luck!

When my face is dry I double moisturise, I use a thin one, Banana Soufflé from Aldi and a thicker one on top, Nivea day or night.

You reminded me, a vaseline type product over the top at night would speed things up too.

I saw a dermatologist say once that if you apply moisturiser on a wet face, it seals the water in so your skin gets more hydration. I'm not sure how well it works but I've been doing it and my skin is really smooth!

I suffer from dry patches and this routine sorts it out:

Glycolic acid at night (there are loads of options but I love Alpha H liquid gold or Alpha H reboot serum). I use these once or twice a week max, sometimes don't use it for months and then just do it before a night out or event when I want a smooth face.

Hyaluronic Acid serum about 20 mins after the Glycolic Acid (my go to is Cerave HA serum). I use this morning and night regardless of whether I use a GA. It's a hydrator so would replace your moisturiser.

Good luck!

I use Boots No7 Instant Results Nourishing Hydration Mask for dry/very dry skin :)

Cerave moisturiser in the tub is fantastic! (From another dry skin sufferer)

Boots no.7 future renew , followed by their vitamin c serum and then a good moisturiser like cerave. If you have time and money a hydra facial is fab. Also massively increase your water intake.

Off the top of my head, some things that may help.

Mild, gentle cleanser. Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm is lovely.

Use a gentle acid , you don't want to attack the dryness too fast or you may have an adverse reaction. I prefer Azelaic acid for my skin, I have rosacea so have to be careful. However you may find that glycolic or lactic acid work better if you have more 'normal' skin.

Hyaluronic acid under moisturiser will help to boost your skin's hydration levels. It's not a resurfacing acid, just a moisture-loving one.

When my skin is extremely dry I also use a skin oil at night, as well as moisturising etc. There are some lovely ones around, just a drop or two is all you need. Rosehip oil is particularly good (have a look in TK Maxx for Trilogy, they often have it) or also Squalane oil.

An instant fix for the eyes is eye mask patches. I have the Revolution Gold Eye Hydrogel ones. They won't solve the problem completely but they'll mark your eyes look good on the day! A MUA friend swears by them.

Good oils in your diet ie oily fish, nuts, avocado, olive oil etc.

Hope some of this is useful. You'll see I haven't recommended a different moisturiser - that's because I prefer layering skincare and don't favour changing too much at once in case of an adverse reaction. However if you do want to change it Cerave is great. I prefer the Night one for both day and night but use whatever works for you.

Thank you so much all! I have ordered glycolic acid, and a Cerave moisturiser with hyaluronic acid. Hopefully that's a good start, and might investigate eye mask patches too!

Also upping my water intake as I'm terrible with keeping hydrated!

It should arrive tomorrow so I'll have over a week to hopefully see some improvement. Fingers crossed

What cleanser are you using?

The Emma Hardie Moringa cleansing balm transforms my face and then the moisturiser can sink into the skin rather than sitting on top.

The Body Shop drops of light peel - it's not a peel it's a really gentle exfoliant followed by CeraVe pm moisturiser.

Ah ,just saw you've ordered CeraVe .

I wanted to update To say a big thank you! After just a few days following all your recommendations, my face is so much better! It's actually amazing! I've hated my skin for months, and had no idea it would be so easy to fix!

Great! What did you use in the end?

That's great @EndlessSoreThroat , glad you got your skin sorted out. Hope you have a lovely time at the wedding!

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor In the evening I wash my face with the Clinique 'Take the day off' balm, then use a glycolic acid wipe pad thing, and moisturise with the Cerave moisturising cream with hyaluronic acid.

I use the moisturiser in the mornings too when I remember.

No more skin peeling and I felt like my skin tone was so uneven, it looks all uniform and glowing now! It's very weird, it also feels like all my lines and wrinkles have lessened. Clearly my face had been desperately neglected. I thought it was just normal ageing!

Balm cleanser with a cloth to get rid of flakes then bio oil. Works a treat.

Woohoo op! I remember you asking if it would be a quick fix, so glad you got it!