Skin looks dry when I wear foundation

[Octopies]

My face looks and feels well moisturized, but I tried to wear a little foundation recently and immediately washed it off again as it looked awful - I looked so scaley! Anyone experienced similar and come up with a solution?

I've just turned 40 and don't think I have terrible skin for my age, but my skintone can sometimes look a bit uneven as I'm very pale and have some mild acne scarring on my chin, also the pores on my cheeks are getting a bit more noticeable. I was hoping wearing a tinted moisturizer or foundation would help me look a bit more fresh faced.

My current skincare routine is: wash face with warm water and a clean flannel in the morning, apply moisturizer (have tried Ilex Wood, Nivea and Sukin brands on different days to see if they help foundation look any better). I leave the moisturizer for 10 minutes to soak in then apply SPF 50 (currently using Altruist). Leave SPF for 20 minutes then attempt a foundation/tinted moisturizer.

On an evening, I wash with warm water and a clean flannel with a little facewash (currently using Simple micellar). I've been using Skin and me for about a year now, which I thought was helping keep my skin clearer, but I'm wondering if the actives are too much and aren't suiting my skin type. I then moisturize with Ilex wood balm overnight.

I've never heard of some of those brands. Ilex?

Maybe try cleansing your face with a balm or lotion?
Clinique do Take the Day off which is lovely but £££ but there are cheaper versions. The use the flannel to take it off.

I've always found any micellar water very drying.

I'm currently using a supermarket own brand cleansing lotion which is great, followed by the warm flannel.

Sometimes I use a facial oil - I like Evolve Beauty - at night.

I like Ultrasun Face Lotion spf50 which I apply over moisturiser.

What kind of foundation are you using?
You need something really light and not heavy.
People here say Loreal True match is good- it's only £10- but I also like some Clinique foundations and also Bobbi Brown. If you go to a counter in a store they will give you a 7-day pot to try at home.

What foundation are you using?

I found as I got older my skin became drier and I couldn't use the same foundation that I did years ago. Anything matt is just awful on me now. Double Wear EL is one of these.

Also, sometimes the mixing of ingredients can cause the foundation to do this. I not an expert, but if one is silicone based and one water based then is causes this dry foundation look.

Also, I have used numerous sun screens and some tend to do this. I use it as a primer essentially, and not all sit well under foundation/tinted moisturiser.

Hydroluminous tinted moisturiser/foundation from No7 is AMAZING.

My skin is as you describe and went scaley using others but not with this one. I now use this range for all moisturiser/cleanser etc too

I can't wear foundation either, for the very same reason. I just use Rimmel Hide the Blemish stick for any red bits. It's really creamy and doesn't look scaly.

I’ve stopped wearing foundation now as it doesn’t sit nicely on my skin anymore (I’m early 40’s). I now use Nars tinted moisturiser which is really nice

I don't leave it that long between applying moisturiser / spf and foundation, have you tried shorter gaps?

Some foundations are matte and naturally a bit drying, have you tried different foundations? Or a primer? I love a good hydrating primer for a good finish!

I like this too. I have rosacea and dry skin and have been using the Ordinary's Aloe+NAG serum which has made a huge difference to my skin - it transformed it in a week. It was scaly and looked awful and cakey even with light foundation before using this. Use after cleansing morning and night before moisturiser. I use Cerave foaming oil cleanser with squalane - effective and gently.

I also like the Trinny London foundation in a tube - light and glowy. Hydraluminous gives more coverage though. I have Pai The Impossible Glow bronzing drops - a drop of this mixed with Hydraluminous gives a really lovely, subtle flow and kind of blurs imperfections. Great for summer.

Do you not use a primer? If I don't my makeup doesn't sit right. Elf is a good low budget one.

Also at 40 I'd be using a good cleanser when washing face (cerave is good) and a serum of some sort (boots own range is good).

You need a proper cleanser at night to remove your spf and dirt etc. Micellar is very drying. Maybe try a hydrating serum under moisturiser. If you're using tret, this can make the skin drier.

You need to apply primer before the foundation.

It will make a huge difference.

I use nars tinted moisturiser…probs heavier than your standard tinted moisturiser and has great coverage. Still really light

Try a tinted moisturiser not a foundation. L'Oréal does a nice one that is t stupidly expensive. I had the same problem as you and using the above wa s real game changer!

Rimmel BB cream is absolutely the only thing that doesn't give me scaly skin....cheap as chips and just enough coverage.

On the other end of the spectrum Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Skin Sheer Glow Tint Hydrating Foundation Stick is also very good, but a bit 'glossy' so I do the Rimmel by day and layer on the CT when I am going out.

I'm the same age and have similar problems with some types of foundations. A primer helps a bit but isn't great. Through trial and error, I've found Bourjous Healthy Mix works best for me in terms of foundations although Eborian is my daily go to and does scale either

Thanks for all the advice, I really appreciate it. I was using a bare minerals tinted moisturiser, but more recently tried the Maybelline dream urban cover foundation to see if that was any better.

I'll research some of the brands mentioned here, the main problem I have is finding ones which don't double up on the actives in the skin and me daily doser. I'll also look into the not mixing silicone and water products as that makes a lot of sense.

If its scale skin then you might need to add exfoliation into your routine. I used to have a nightmare with flaking skin under foundation. Try The Ordinary Glycolic acid every other day before moisturising. Then once a week use their AHA 30% peeling

their hyaluronic serum under moisturiser every day, and a foundation with Hyaluronic acid - not an expensive one, I find Maybelline Dream radiant liquid to be excellent.