Struggle w/ Dry skin/Foundation.

Mar 29, 2016

Nadine A.

I've always had this problem and I'm not sure whether its a foundation or skin prep issue. I have combination skin that flakes up on the cheeks, chin and around the mouth. My skin prep usually consists of exfoliating with Lancome Exfoliance Radiance Gel followed with the Lancome Pure Empreinte Masque. It has helped the dryness and flakiness a lot since buying it. I do this every other day, if I don't, my skin will flake up even more. Then moisturize with the Lancome bienfait Moisturizer. Because of how dry my skin has gotten multiple aestheticians have recommended I don't wash my face in the morning, so I stick to moisturizing only.

I have tried numerous foundations, Estee Lauder double wear and double wear light, Sishiedo, Lancome, Chanel, urban decay naked skin, IT cosmetics and Too faced born this way. Every foundation cakes up, I put a drop, an actual drop, on my chin, and it was flaky and cakey. I let my moisturizer dry, I use the lancome toner, I've tried other products and moisturizers and these have treated my skin the best. This is even more of a struggle when I can't even put on a tinted primer to reduce redness, especially with acne, the skin will be very dry. Even along the edged of my face where it isnt as dry, I can still see the foundation on my skin.

I've talked to countless aestheticians and makeup artists, the always say its the foundation or ask If I use a primer, I've shown them how it cakes up so quickly and they get shocked. Please help, I haven't been able to wear any makeup for about 7 months now because of this problem

Mar 29, 2016

Nadine A.

Thank you so much for the advice! Are there any products you would recommend?

Mar 29, 2016

Roz X.

Well, the long wearing foundations are very drying. I'd avoid those completely and go for a liquid foundation that's very thin and has buildable coverage.
I run extremely dry and love MUFE Face and Body, which is a water based gel and incredibly forgiving. Applying with clean fingers certainly helps.

Smashbox's Beauty Water is lovely, but it's identical in ingredients to MAC's Waterweight foundation...which costs less so you can save some money. I'd seek samples while testing foundations if possible to save yourself some trouble.

Your best bet may be to try Custom Cover FX drops and add those to a moisturizer and use that as your foundation. You can control coverage since it is so incredibly pigmented. If you have a hydrating primer, you can add it to that if you prefer. I'd skip the powder as well until my skin found its balance once again.

I honestly feel that despite I am fond of Lancome, the skincare products you are using simply are not working for you. Paula's Choice has a very hydrating skincare line that is incredible called "Skin Recovery". The hydrating mask is especially effective and can be used as a treatment or slept in. You can also purchase a booster of Hyaluronic acid to add to your favs to really bump up your skin's moisture and it's ability to retain it.

If you aren't using facial oils with your moisturizers, I'd definitely start..and I'd pull back on any products with scents and denatured alcohols...setting sprays with alcohol or toner that contains alcohol as well as witch hazel. I switched to a toner that is free from both and it has made a world of difference.

MAC Strobe Cream makes a lovely base for foundation and adds a bit of illumination. I found it to be hydrating without ever feeling oily. You could also try adding a drop of facial oil to your foundation. Smashbox has an effective oil primer that can be gently pat into skin and that's a nice blend of oils that are also beneficial. I'd avoid brushes for applying foundation as that can stir up flaking.

Have you considered chemical exfoliation? You could ease into that, using 1 day a week for six weeks to see how your skin responds. For banishing flakes immediately, I like Philosophy's gentle Microdelivery wash.

Sheet masks and undereye masks may also provide you with additional hydration. Look for ones that are alcohol and fragrance free. That should help as well.
Cleansing water and cleansing oils...using cooler water when you wash...this also makes a huge difference for those of us with difficult, dry skin.

Mar 29, 2016

Roz X.

Ms. Jacqueline's advice..I just now see it..is excellent. You are in good hands.

Mar 29, 2016

Nadine A.

Thank you so much for the help! Definitely going to ask you and Jacqueline before I buy anymore skincare products!

Mar 29, 2016

Roz X.

Nadine, dry skin is a difficult road because what seems to delight so many others, simply does not work for us. I always try to emphasize that there is dry skin and then extremely dry skin. Learn to love the dewy look..lol I like to make some of my own skincare so that I can control what goes in them. If you don't have Sweet Almond Oil, I'd pick some up. It's quick absorbing and is very soothing, as is Evening Primrose oil. Jojoba is also nice..there's so many wonderful options.

I love the Calming Toner when I'm super dry from Paula's choice and I alternate that with my Resist Toner. The best primer you can have when you are dry is a hydrated face. Avoid harsh make-up removers (I use coconut oil on my eye make-up or Microcellular water) and always use all cotton on my face. A pure silk pillowcase...all cotton cosmetic puffs and washcloths...gentle formulas free from drying alcohols and scents will help skin breathe and calm itself.
My MUFE Face and Body is water resistant and I like a natural, slightly luminous finish so that's pretty sweet. The Smashbox Beauty Water is pretty long wearing and very forgiving on dry skin..again, a natural look (MAC's is cheaper, so I would get that if I repurchased), but the Cover FX is going to mean you can just use moisturizer and add pigment to it so your foundation will never dry you out. I find it to wear nicely...not as long wearing as the foundations you were using previously...but I'd rather touch up than have flakes. I hope that was of help. Ms. Jacqueline is so right about how drying and irritating those ingredients can be.

Pass those Lancome goodies along to someone who will appreciate them and focus on soothing, hydrating formulas that are fragrance free for now. I agree with asking Kitty for suggestions. She's a wealth of skincare knowledge and ingredients.  

Mar 30, 2016

Nadine A.

Thank you guys so much for all the help! I'm definitely looking into the philosophy microdelivery wash, jojoba oil, the MUFE face and body, cover fx, and a new moisturizer. Thank you guys so much!