My skin always looks dry! Help!

Feb 25, 2017

Anna C.

Please help me! Every day I use a spinning brush (I don't know the brand name) and I use Clinique's 3 step skincare. A few hours after I exfoliate and put my Acne Solutions Foundation on, my skin looks like it hasn't been exfoliated in a few days! I moisturizer my skin every day twice a day. I don't know if it is just because it is winter time, and my acne isn't helping, but I hope some of you could help me figure out how to help my skin out.

Feb 25, 2017

Roz X.

It sounds like maybe you are over-exfoliating.
Acne medications and skin-clearing foundations are notorious for drying skin out.

What are you using to cleanse and tone your skin with and what moisturizer are you using? Do you use any facial oils? What sun protection are you using?

Feb 25, 2017

Anna C.

I'm using Clinique products only. I use their 3 step routine which includes a facial soap, an exfoliating "lotion" (just a liquid that exfoliates when out on a cotton ball or something like a cotton ball", and a moisturizer. My foundation had spf 15, but other than that I currently am not using sun protection because it is winter time.

Feb 25, 2017

Alexis C.

I would suggest you stop using the cleansing brush, a lot of cleansing brushes use motions that are damaging to the skin.

Are the Clinique products you're using formulated for dry skin?

Just because it's winter doesn't mean you can skip out on sun protection so I'd suggest adding it back into your routine

Feb 25, 2017

J L.

I agree with Rozberry and Alexis.
I think you should stop using the cleansing brush everyday and use it maybe twice a week. Also maybe switch up your skincare and add a moisturizer thats meant for dry skin. My favorite is the Cetaphil moisturizing cream.

Feb 25, 2017

Roz X.

I agree with the ladies that cleansing with brushing daily is just too much friction and potentially is irritating your skin; plus it may be stripping your skin of valuable oils.
I also agree that although these products target acne, they are not necessarily formulated especially for dry skin. You may have not even had dry skin prior to this...and if that's the case, your skin is telling you to ease up and restore your moisture barrier. You can use a damp, nubby, cool cotton washcloth to gently exfoliate face without irritating your skin or stripping it.

That particular Clinique regimen is pretty aggressive. I believe the Clarifying lotion contains both witch hazel and drying alcohol, in addition to acne-fighting Salicylic Acid. Then, you are topping that step with a medication that targets acne (yours is probably Benzoyl Peroxide) and that can add up to a lot for certain skin types.

I'm not saying to discontinue use, but listen to your skin.

I'd use the Clinique wash only at the end of the day when you have built up oil and dirt...and always use water on the cooler side, patting skin gently dry. You want to keep that water cool.
In the morning, simply splash cool water on your face and if you use your toner in the morning, follow it with an an acne-friendly moisturizer that promotes skin calming and healing, such as CeraVe PM...then apply a hydrating sun protection product, such as Alba Botanica Very Emollient SPF before foundation. If you find this is too emollient, Elta MD has fantastic tinted sun protection. Even in winter, especially with these types of products, it's important to use sun protection...rainy and cloudy days included. It will additionally help you prevent areas with acne from darkening and keep skin more even-toned in that way.

If you powder, limit it to only areas that get shine throughout the day. Don't be afraid to skip powder if you are running dry. You can always keep blotting tissue on you.

In the evening, I'd use my wash but skip the toner you used in the morning and instead, bring in a skin calming/hydrating toner, such as Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Toner. This will help restore your moisture barrier and sooth skin.

Let your skin dry fully )about 30 minutes) before applying your acne treatment, the 3rd step in the Clinique system..and use sparingly, focusing on areas that are broken out or have a tendency to break out. Once that dries, top lightly with CeraVe PM. If you find you need even more moisture after a week or two of trying that, over the CeraVe PM in evenings, I'd lightly pat on an acne-friendly facial oil to seal in moisture, such as Jojoba. You can find it at Walmart. (The Now brand is nice and inexpensive.)

I'd limit brush cleansing my face to once a week and avoid setting sprays, which are very high in drying alcohol. I'd also bring a hydrating wash in for when I used my brush once a week, such as La Roche-Posay's Hydrating wash; this is detergent free and leaves skin soft and lovely. For areas where you tend to get really dry, such as the sides of the nose, a nubby washcloth and a dab of Aquaphor is fantastic.
You can also try adding a tiny drop (an eyedrop/pea size) of jojoba to your foundation for areas that are flaking and apply using a wet sponge; brushes tend to stir up flakes and can irritate certain skin types.

That should make a significant difference. Best of luck to you.

Feb 25, 2017

Anna C.

Ok thank you everyone so much! I will definitely try all of this!

Feb 26, 2017

Is J.

Hyaluronic Acid. I buy Hada Labo, it's 10 bucks. I use it after washing/toning, and before moisturizers and oils.

Feb 27, 2017

Lin F.

I use Monsia Advanced Skin Renewal System, have been since 2014, now I understand why it is good for my skin, hyaluronic acid is one of the ingredients in the toner, and day & night moisturizers!