50 year old v v dehydrated skin

[Phunkychicken]

Can someone just give me an idea of what my routine should look like ? I literally have all the gear and no idea.

i thought my skin was dry but realise it’s dehydrated, was using skin and me with 0.06% retinol but my skin is v sensitive and flaky so had to stop. Before this was using oils /balms and my skin was still dry, it just sat on top and blocked my pores.

i have hyaluronic acid (beauty pie and avene) but doesn’t seem to hold moisture in, and I just end up with things pilling and coming off my face.

also stopped vitamin c (inkey list one) as think that with retinol was too much.

Thanks

Some of your symptoms sound similar to mine. It got really bad and flaky and sore etc. Thus turned out to be an allergic reaction to nail varnish. So I was able to remove the cause but also was then left with extremely dry sensitive skin. I love Nip + Fab, in particular the Hyaluronic range for adding in moisture and the Ceramide range which is designed to repair the skins barrier. I even got a compliment on my skin!

That’s interesting as I get pomphylox in the summer and many little blisters around my nails.

Found a big tub of Cetaphil which I’ve used. I had realised my skin had been getting more sensitive and I can’t wear half the foundation I used to, but thinking about it my sneezing fits and watery eyes follow spf and make up so suspect I need to go back to basics and introduce stuff back in over my one.

Thank you for your help though, and solidarity for those also suffering

I had a very dry face. Everything I tried made my eyes sting.

Recently switched to everything Welelda which is free from alcohol and others things and my face is now not dry and eyes don’t sting. The light skin food is lovely and absorbent, and I bought the night cream.

weleda skin food is good

I’m 50 with ‘ok’ skin now.

For starters @Phunkychicken - are you getting at least 1.5 - 2 litre a day of water/liquid?

I need 1litre minimum to function.

if I consistently get nearly 2 litres a day my skin is much better.

I have a mini humidifier on in my bedroom overnight. In the winter I also have one on in main room as heating dries up my skin.

I don’t have heating on all the time as it dries out my skin.

I take biotin gummies and collagen powder in case there’s any truth in how it helps your skin!

I cleanse morning and night with just hot water and a facecloth. I don’t wear foundation etc day to day just some No7 cream blusher that I also dab on eyes and mouth.

look at the nutrients and macros you are getting from your diet, fitness pal etc can help. It can massively impact your skin, hair etc. Are you anemic?

Not anaemic but low ferritin, and diet isn’t great. Don’t drink or smoke this and do drink plenty of water, I only really drink water and tea

I had exactly the same problem OP. I’ve always slapped Epaderm on at night but even that only lasted a couple of hours so, out of desperation, I bought some cold pressed argan oil from Amazon. It’s a game changer. I now put Epaderm on, leave until skin starts to feel tight then put a few drops of the oil on. I kind of re seals everything.

Also, have just noticed you used Cetaphil, it’s nice but still not as good as epaderm and oil

I have epaderm but Cetaphil suits me better. I’m going to try slugging tonight too

Although things like allergic rhinitis can respond very quickly to removing allergens, your skin can take a lot longer to respond. Until your skin heals it will continue to be hyper sensitive, dry and symptomatic.

When my skin flares (I have other conditions that can also cause my skin to react, even if I'm not exposed to my contact dermatitis allergens) I find the absolute best thing to apply is tiny amounts of pure, cold-pressed coconut oil. The good grade stuff you can buy in the supermarket. It is soothing and does not block pores. While not massively moisturising, it locks in moisture.

A few things I would recommend. Absolutely do not use micellar water. It’s a detergent so essentially like using fairy liquid on your face.

I’d keep it very simple to start with. Use a hydrating cleanser. I use cerave. Don’t use a foaming cleanser - it will strip your skin. Follow that with a spritz of curel deep moisture spray and use a hyaluronic acid immediately when your skin is still damp. I use Hada Labo super lotion, then another spritz of the moisture spray.

Hyaluronic acid needs moisture to work. If you apply it to dry skin, it will take the moisture from your skin and dry it out.

I would then use a tri ceramide moisturiser. Byoma do a good one. It will help repair your skin barrier if there is any damage.

Finish with an SPF. Don’t be tempted to use a moisturiser with SPF in it. You will never be able to apply enough to get the full benefits of the SPF.

I so agree with you about Micellar water. The number of people who rely on it astounds me. And in real life, every woman I know who tells me she just cleanes with micellar water looks a bit like a dried out husk to me!

I’m 60 but was yesterday told I don’t look it( free prescription now)
I have really sensitive skin and I believe less is more
i use Cetaphil gentle cleanser which has really brightened my skin followed by Aveeno or Cetaphil night cream.
cheap and simple

Agree about the Micellar water.
it feels like it contains alcohol but it doesn’t.

Make up wise I like glow 4 in 1 perfector by Maybelline and a touch of revolution baby pink powder blush( plus a bright maraschino MAC lipstick)

It is actually a gem thing

I use Vichy Mineral 83 as my serum and the either the Vichy Light moisturiser or Eucerin Urea repair. Both work well for my skin that is also very dehydrated. I have the same issue with moisturisers pilling and these don’t.

Sorry meant to add I use La Roche Posay Toleriane cleanser as well which doesn’t seem to strip my skin like others.

Garnier body super food. The cocoa and ceramides one. I'm 38 and have such dry skin but this stuff is amazing and only a tenner for a decent sized pot. Not sure if it would be the same in 50's because of the hormone differences but maybe worth a shot OP 🤷

I'm 53, in menopause with very dry skin. As well as a good skin care routine, I swear by liquid Marine collagen. I take a shot of it a day and my skin feels so much better. Takes a little while to get in the system but I wouldn't be without it.

Was laid up all day with migraine yesterday so did nothing to my face all day. At bed time I cleansed (cleanse and polish), toned (espa), serum (skin salvation), sprayed (Curel), moisturised (skin food) and oiled (Liz Earle) and skin feels and looks amazing today.

might be that, might be no make up or spf yesterday. Am going to get some coconut oil and mineral natural spf today to see if makes a difference. And maybe stop make up for a bit, I normally wear a full face even when I’m home all day.

Honestly I sympathise OP but what I would do in your case is get an appointment with a dermatologist. You will have to pay but it would be worth it to get a proper assessment and treatment for your skin. Also drink lots of water.

@Timeandtune I’ve seen so many Derms over the last two years for my skin cancer I’d really rather not have to again (as I’m sure it won’t be long till I’m having another bit lopped off).

The ‘good’ hospital based ones will only see with an insurance referral, as I did this for a second opinion. Not sure how to find a decent ‘cosmetic’ one (though am in London).

I too feel so, OP should visit a derm