Ridiculously Dry Skin

[dodgersash]

I have ridiculously dry skin underneath my nose and chin and it only gets worse in the winter. It's fine and smooth when I'm not wearing makeup, but when I wear makeup, it looks extremely cakey and flakey in those two areas. I put on Murad vitamin C moisturizer in the day and night after exfoliating and jumping out of the shower. I even put it on before I put on Smashbox Photo Finish Primer and Benefit Cream foundation. I have acne scars on my chin so I use Makeup Forever's concelear before I apply the foundation. Is it something or some product I'm wearing that is drying up my skin even more? Or am I doing something wrong in my skin care regimen? I'm desperate! It's even worse in the winter and it's completely embarrassing.

It's not something I'm consuming, I have always eaten a ton of fresh fruits and veggies daily, but I'm not sure what the problem is with my dry skin. I'm 24 & live in Los Angeles, so maybe it's the weather? But I've always lived here and I never used to have this problem up until about a year ago. I've been looking for answers everywhere and I'm really trying to find a solution to this dryness. Any suggestions?

[KatieGeorge]

It sounds like you are overexfoliating and then not using a powerful enough hydrator. I also have desert-dry skin, and I've found that most moisturizers do nothing for me unless they're heavy duty. I like serums and oils. I also only exfoliate once, maybe twice a week, and it's always a gentle scrub with a cleanser. Nothing too abrasive.

[Jayqualin]

I have the same problem as well. I need full coverage due to uneven skin tone and freckles, but some full coverage foundations just seem to emphasize my dry skin. I was using Kat Von D Lock It Foundation and it looked absolutely terrible on any spots that were dry, however I love the coverage of it. As of now, I am using a Bare Minerals Foundation as recommended by a Sephora employee, and it helps somewhat with the dryness, but the full coverage that I long for is just not quite there. Any advice anyone?

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[Pumpkyn]

Hi,

I have the same problem with makeup and my skin. My skin when bare does NOT look horribly dry, however, when I apply foundation it tends to look patchy & flaky in some areas & not attractive at all.

I went to Sephora and asked for help and a wonderful cast member introduced me to Diorskin Nude Hydrating Liquid Foundation. I was using Mac Pro Longwear before & it dried out my skin badly.

The Sephora cast member also introduced me to moisturizing mists. After she applyed the Dior foundation to my skin she misted my face 5-6 times w/ AmorePacific Moisture Bound Skin Energy Mist. That mist helped the makeup look smooth & made my skin feel less tight.

However, it had such a strong fragrance that I ended up switching to Urban Decay's Dew Me spray, which is heaven sent! I am also looking forward to trying Urban Decay Guardian Angel Mositure SPF 8 Spray (not available on Sephora) in the future.

Another trick I learned to keep my skin hydrated when wearing makeup, is to layer hydrating serums & moisturizers underneath foundation in thin layers.

Before I apply my foundation, I apply an anti-aging serum (to combat fine lines), then I apply a hydrating serum (I'm currently using Fresh Soy Face serum...also recently reccomended to me by a Sephora cast member), then I apply a mositurizer with SPF (I'm using Josie Maran Argan Moisturizer SPF 40), then lastly I apply Perricone MD Face Finishing Mositurizer, which really smooths out my skin and preps it for foundation. Then I also apply a primer to my skin such as TooFaced Primer or Smashbox Photofinish.

I know that sounds like a lot of products, however, it actually works. I thought using too many products might clog pores or be bad for my skin, however, my skin has actually been noticeably better since all the products I mentioned are high quality. I read about layering mositurizers in a beauty magazine & I tried it out and it actually works!

If too many products is not your thing you might just want to try a hydrating serum and seal it with a thin layer of thicker mositurizer on top. Then use primer.

I hope that info helps. GL with your search.

[melissabt · Accepted solution]

Hi Dodgersash,

I am not sure what could be causing your dry skin. It could be the change of weather or something that you are currently using. Try using a very hydrating face wash. I think that some cleansers can be very drying to skin and its hard to get the moisture back. I highly recommend the Josie Maran Argan Oil Cleanser. It is very hydrating and your skin is left balance and refreshed. It removes all tracers of makeup, dirt and oil.

I also suggest using the First Aide Beauty Ultra Repair Cream during the winter months. It is highly emollients and sooths dry/parched skin. It also has antioxidants to protect your skin from environmental damage.

[melissabt]

Thanks for the tip ran8. I think I will take your advice as well. I drink too many sugary drinks=)

[ran8]

These are great suggestions. In addition, avoid exfoliating daily if possible; or at least in the more dry areas.

Keep hydrated and try to drink less sugary drinks (sodas, fermented beverages, etc.).

[annacrickman]

Try not to use an exfoliant to wash your face. Exfoliants are made to remove a layer of skin and can cause dryness. Use a gentle cream cleanser.

[corrin99]

For starters use a very gentle cleanser to not irritate your skin any more, I love Purpose cleanser, it's so gentle, and smells like baby wash you can get it at Target or Walmart for $5-$8 depending on size.  Once a week use a gentle scrub where you're flakey, try Clinique 7 Day Scrub.  Then my very favorite moisturizer that doesn't burn my sensitive skin, Clinique Moisture Surge, it's a gel that sinks right in and is quite moisturizing.  For a great addition to any routine is to add vitamin e oil to your lotion at night.  Other people really like First Aid Beauty ointment, you would use it at night it's very thick.