Dry Skin

[summersoon]

Hi, basically my face is always dry and itchy. I've tried loads of moisturisers and none seem to work they make my skin itchier. I've also tried E45 and a hydrocortisone cream that worked for a while but i didnt like putting that on my face! I used to have bad excema when i was younger. Now im using a very cheap moisturiser which is asda's own brand and it doesnt cause me to itch but it is absorbed quickly and in the morning my face is dry again.

To cleanse I use cliniques comforting cream cleanser, I used to use the 3 step rule and had the mild facial wash but I felt that wasnt helping. The cream cleanser doesnt do much either though!

I have red dry patches on my face and was hoping someone would be able to recommend a good cleanser and a good moisturiser that i could try.

By the way i drink alot of water and have a fairly balanced diet.

Thanks for reading, and thanks for any replies
xxx

[Ice.Maiden]

Hi summersoon.
It could be that you have sensitive skin and've been cleansing TOO much.
I find that Aqueous cream's better than E45, cheaper and you can buy it from most chemists.

[minimonkey]

i have this too.....i always find that changing moisturisers helps as i feel my skin almost get immune to creams if i use them all of the time...so i would say try oilatum bath oil, then diprobase cream. I cant use perfumed stuff but i have found that loreal moisturisers are good and dont make me itch. Also vaseline intensive rescue balm is good, and body shop cocoa butter. ~I went to the docs and he gave me the diprobase....

[minimonkey]

oh and i use SImple cleansing wipes so no cleanser or toner - that might not be helping you?!

[summersoon]

Thanks for your quick reply ice.maiden. I only cleanse twice a day, I've read on some websites that that can sometimes be too much though?

I'll have a search for aqueous cream tomorrow. Thanks again xx

[summersoon]

Hi minimonkey, so glad you said that! I also find that a moisturiser will work for so long then suddenly my skin decides to not like it!! Highly annoying!
I'll try the loreal and vaseline balm aswel, Im going to try anything! I was thinking about going to the doctors but was worried it wouldnt look bad enough and he would think i was making it up! Do you find the diprobase reduces the redness? xxx

[minimonkey]

yeah - the oilatum bath oil is good (and good excuse to lie in a deep bath) and then put cream on - it will look redder so best to do it at bed time. it normally takes a few days for it to go away but i agree its the annoying scaly redness that you cant disguise...i get it on my neck sometimes and i was embarrassed when a colleague commented on it and said it looked like a love bite...nice!! good luck hun xx

[summersoon]

The only problem is that Im at uni and dont have the luxury of a bath (i dont know how i cope!!) I have oilatum gel, is it ok to apply that to the face when in the shower? xxx

[londonlove]

don't take any notice of the answers regarding aqueous cream or diprobase...a lot of people's skin don't respond to this sort of treatment and you really need to see the doctor. Diprobase has no active ingredients and it's just an emollient. You shouldn't be looking at any sort of paraffin-based creams either as they will be too harsh.

Maybe you have a more generalised sensitivity that could involve you looking at your diet as well as your skin care, but it would be better for a professional to help you out. I would give your present skin care a rest for a few days so that you can ascertain what is causing your sensitivity.
I hope you feel better soon
PS some skin care serums are more comforting than creams

[minimonkey]

i have never tried the gel but i use the oil in the shower sometimes....or just fill up the sink and put my face in it!! Diprobase is indeed an emollient as is oilatum....creams with active ingredients work better e.g. cortisone/steroid creams but they are too harsh for the face....so i would say go to the docs and see what they say....but i BET they give you an emollient!!

[summersoon]

Thanks Londonlove, think I'll make an appointment to see the doctor, hope he doesnt think im over reacting though! xxx

[londonlove]

PS I have just noticed that you are ok with buying clinique (price-wise) so I have to say that I think either clarins or arden is more easily absorbed, but that is obviously a personal thing! The Eliz Arden capsules are very soothing but quite expensive, I think!

[summersoon]

Yeah i have the dramatically different moisturing cream but its just the same as the rest and causes me to itch! I also have the moisture surge thirst relief, and both were expensive but didnt really help. So im abit worried about spending alot of money and the same happening xx

[londonlove]

oh no, that's a really bad sensitivity you have there!
The only other thing I can suggest apart from sensitivity tests at the docs is herbal remedies such as Neal's Yard, but I presume you have already tried them?
I hope you get on ok, but even though you have a balanced diet, I am wondering if you get a sensitivity to something that you have in your regular diet?
Some people get hives or sensitivity just from eating 'normal' foods and I hope that you can find out
Good luck x

[summersoon]

Thanks londonlove, no i havnt tried neals yard, i'll look out for it. Thanks for your help its appreciated xxxxxx

[Ice.Maiden]

We're open to the elements where I live, so if you want to keep your skin alright, you have to keep an eye on it. However, I don't go over the top. I'll cleanse once a day, and just use tepid water and soap to wash in. Don't wear much makeup, especially during the day - if at all - so it's not like I have a foundation cream as a barrier. I don't like to cake my face in too much stuff. Sometimes it does more harm than good, but when I DO wear makeup, I buy expensive stuff. Not being funny, but it lasts longer, and seems to keep your skin better.
Also, of course, hereditary factors come into it. My mum always had - and still has - nice skin. Us girls seem to've taken after her, which's nice. Best of luck anyway. x

[GYMRAT]

try using palmers cocoa butter products

http://www.etbrowne.com/products/Default.aspx

or baby oil!

with both of them you leave the skin wet after washing and then with a little bit you cream your face to lock in the moisture!

good luck!

[summersoon]

I dont really wear that much makeup. When i do i use clinique supermoisture teint hydration maximum.

Thanks gymrat, i heard cocoa butter is good for the skin. Think i need to go shopping! xxxx

[GYMRAT]

no probs,let us know how it goes!

[londonlove]

does anybody but me think ice.maiden is a bit weird?
telling someone with sensitive skin to use soap and tepid water?
personally i think the persona is a wind-up!!!!

[GYMRAT]

well by her post she said where she's from its open to the elements so maybe she's just used to loads of rain wind and rough weather,so she's probably got tough skin and does'nt understand how sensitive skin is! either that or just did'nt read the question properly! god knows im constantly guilty of that! but she was'nt trying to be funny!