Dry skin tips needed

[MrsAlwaysRight]

I have very dry skin on my face and am interested to hear what other people do in preparation prior to putting on foundation. I find I have to use exfoliater and scrub pad thing (not the washing up type!) then slather my face in moisturiser then blot to prevent make up sliding off then apply foundation. Even this doesn't always prevent that flaky skin covered with foundation look .
Recently a beautician told me to much exfoliating can cause dry skin - is this right?
Has anyone got any tips on getting rid of the flaky bits? Or any wonder product recommendations?
Thanks!

OMG watsthestory i love clarins

how did you get into it? i am sick of my job and dream of working in beauty

thanks watsthestory
id love a job that i even half enjoyed

Thanks for all the replies I think it is probably a combination of dry skin (have eczema) and also dehydration as am very bad at drinking (alcohol excluded )
Plenty of options for me to try so I'm sure in amongst all the suggestions there is something that will work, will also make a determined effort to drink more water.

I worked for Clarins (kinda) too wats! It was them that drummed home dehydrated skin treatments to me!

Really rate them for skincare, not so much for make up and am a bit indifferent towards most of the body products too.

MrsAR - I have the same problem, manage to glug wine without much prompting but am always forgetting to drink my 2L of water per day!