Face oil for EXTREMELY dry skin?

Apr 21, 2017

Fae G.

My skin is seriously so insanely dry or flakes all the time and I have to exfoliate so much and use like night creams and stuff but I really want like an oil or something to really help get more moisture in my skin. Do you guys know any? I don't really get acne much at all other than a few zits when I'm pmsing but that's it.

Apr 21, 2017

Roz X.

It sounds like you may be over-exfoliating. When that occurs, it further dries skin out and brings on flaking, tightness, dry patches, etc. as you are repeatedly compromising skin's essential oils and moisture barrier.

If you're dry, I would exfoliate with an AHA and limit that to twice a week. I'd also avoid drying alcohols and witch hazel, which contribute to that dryness. Foaming cleansers are also notorious for stripping skin.

I'd use a hydrating cleanser that's milky and not foamy, such as La Roche-Posay Hydrating Cleaner. I'd follow up with another dose of hydration with a toner that seals in moisture while adding beneficial skin essentials, such as Paula's Choice Recovery Toner. (This I use every day, twice a day and it's glorious after washing and patting dry. Very soothing and gentle.) You can follow that up with a light moisturizer or moisturizing sun protection and add a tiny drop before application in dry areas or add a hint of facial oil to your foundation. (Squalane is lovely under make-up.)

Keeping water cool will also reduce dryness. (Avoid the hotter showers on the face.) Reducing use of setting sprays will also help as drying alcohol is the primary ingredient. Fix+ or Pixi's Milky mist are both hydrating and work well both before and after foundation application. (Pixi's does have a light fragrance.)

In the evening, you can apply facial oils directly to skin after toning or make a cocktail with a very emollient moisturizer and a facial oil. Squalane or Rosehip (both by The Ordinary) are excellent, as is Avocado, Sweet Almond and Jojoba. The NOW brand is available at most chain stores, but the health food stores have cold-pressed oils easily available. I prefer to apply moisturizer first and then use oil to seal it as I find occlusion is best for overnight hydration.

I think you'll find if you keep hydration in as many steps as possible and avoid drying products when possible, your skin will balance itself out and improve dramatically.

I hope that's of help to you.

Apr 21, 2017

Fae G.

I exfoliate about once to maybe twice a week right now and I just use my clarisonic to do it D: but I'll try out the other things you said, I do tend to take realllyyyy hot showers so I'll try that out too, thank you so much

Apr 21, 2017

Roz X.

I actually think a gentle AHA, such as LacHydrin-5 (Lactic Acid at a perfect pH) as a moisturizer twice a week would bring a lot of moisture while removing any dryness. Just something inexpensive to consider. Good luck! I know that struggle...

Apr 21, 2017

Fae G.

I've never heard of an AHA.

Apr 21, 2017

Roz X.

AHA is just a way of saying Alpha Hydroxy Acid. Lactic Acid is one, for example.
Lac-Hydrin5 is a 5% Lactic Acid moisturizer that is formulated to simultaneously hydrate while exfoliating away flakes and dryness. (It's also great if you have acne, but I know that's not your issue.) I was originally given it by my Derm years ago and I use it faithfully ever since. It's about $15, sometimes less, at CVS if you are in the states, but some other drugstores may have it. If not, Walgreens or CVS can order it for you free of charge. CVS often has it online. You can use the CVS website to check if it is in stock at a store near you.

If you don't have access to Lac-Hydrin5, Alpha Skincare also has lovely AHA's at the proper pH. Those are a bit stronger and so less is always more. Ulta carries the Alpha Skincare line.

I use AHA twice a week and my Clairsonic only once a week...and not on the same day that I use the AHA. AHA's are very good for easing dry skin, but a light hand is key..and again, devoting entire days to hydration with facial oils and moisturizer with a non-stripping cleanser and bringing moisture in though simple ways, such as a drop of oil in the foundation or misting the face with a hydrating product just elevates the skin's moisture barrier protection that is currently compromised in your dryness right now. Many skin products contain HA (Hyaluronic Acid) and that's certainly a plus. CeraVe in the jar is a thicker formulation for night time and pairs well with facial oils, yet is also affordable..although I'd be sure get the pump for the jar as to not compromise the ingredients.

I think you'd like a little bit of AHA in your routine and it's something that is highly effective that's very affordable. Here's some feedback on it from Makeup Alley that may help you determine if it's something you are interested in trying.
https://www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemId=20284/Lac-Hydrin-Five-Moisturizing-Lotion/Lac-Hydrin/Lotions/-Creams

Again, the Ordinary Squalane and Rosehip are also very inexpensive and really are a treat for dry skin, but the other oils I mentioned are also inexpensive and will provide relief.
I really did see a change when I switched to the milky hydrating face wash and brought in the Paula's Choice Skin Recovery replenishing toner. (Nordstrom has it, but it's also on her website) That's a staple I could not be without and it did change my dry skin very much.  

Apr 21, 2017

Diana T.

I agree with Roz an AHA is much more gentle to exfoliate with and jojoba oil is great for moisturizing - it's helped me with my psoriasis and also I use a BHA instead of an AHA to also treat my acne while still being gentle enough to exfoliate my skin - so you should definitely follow her advice :)

Apr 21, 2017

Diana T.

Also you probably have heard of AHAs and BHAs an example of an AHA is glycolic acid and a BHA is salicylic acid - they are pretty common ingredients in most cosmetics

Apr 22, 2017

Is J.

I would recommend incorporating an essence (Cosrx Galactomytes Essence $20) and hyaluronic acid (Hada Labo "Lotion" $11) after cleansing. I have insanely dry cheeks and couldn't find an oil that I found hydrating enough so I use the Dr. Jart's Ceramidin cream ($48 but you can go to Sephora and always ask for a sample first) it has been a game changer for me.