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How do you deal with dry patches?
I try hard to understand my skin and give it the right combination of hydrators so that I don’t get dry patches, which I feel like has helped – I have started to use a hydrating serum or an extra moisturizing night cream when I know I have swatched extra on my cheeks, as an example. I’ll use more emollient base products if I have dry patches on my face and/or use less foundation on that area.
— Christine
I have combination skin (dry cheeks, normal-to-oily t-zone) which can get VERY flaky. I find the best way to deal with all of this is to:
1) exfoliate regularly to minimize flakiness
2) use moisturizer to prevent dryness
3) apply foundation in a bouncing motion instead of a swiping motion
This last one is very important. If you have dry patches or flakes, swiping foundation over it will only highlight the texture or even flake off skin. Bouncing the foundation onto the area disturbs the skin underneath less.
4) use a more nourishing foundation or tinted moisturizer and use less powder
^ I do the same as well but a few extra things I like to do are.
•Exfoliate at night and not in the morning to reduce skin irritation.
•Scratch off one on that are ready to go, sounds gross but sometime just exfoliating doesn’t get the stubborn ones.
•Treat those and one that are not ready to go with a natural ingredient lip balm to soften them first while I do my eye makeup. Trick I learned from a makeup artist and it does help, but they use a face balm instead. 😉
•And a primer makes a huge difference with skin texture due to dryness if you need to go with a full coverage foundation. I usually apply my primer after my eye makeup is mostly done.
Funnily, enough I find wear full coverage foundation speed up the healing process of any acne dry stops I have. I’m not sure why that is other than my favourite foundation do have zinc/titanium dioxide which does speed up healing and drying them out.
I’m waiting for someone more skillful to give me answers, but as an eczema patient, I dab a bit of petroleum jelly/lip balm to try calm it and sort of glue the flaky bits. If the patch isn’t bad enough that I can get away with thin layer of petroleum jelly, I’ll then pat on a cream type of concealer gently enough so that the vaseline would fade, almost as if you’re building it on top. If the patch is too bad for me to try this I forego base makeup all together, and go with the simplest basics, like eye brow and maybe mascara. I noticed that vaseline’s lip therapy tends to go on less glossy and therefore useful for this purpose, but any non-glossy lip balm, balm, butter type should do the same thing.
Jean, my husband has debilitating eczema. A few years back he went to one of the top guys in New England. Aside from meds (which he is now completely off) he was advised to use Cereve cream. Make sure you get the tub that does NOT contain lactic or salicylic acid. Just the royal blue writing. Petroleum jelly is occlusive and can make worse.
Much better than I did when last asked this question awhile back! Now I use exfoliating agents like the one by Boscia and PTR. Both rid me of dry flakes, but can only use them maybe twice per week. I will usually follow the treatment up with a deeply replenishing, moisturizing mask. And religiously applying a topical med to stubborn spots of eczema is kinder than peeling or picking at them, which is still very tempting!
Do you use the Boscia Exfoliating Peel Gel?
Yep! That’s the one! I love it. ?
I got a 100 point sample and it works sooo well.
I try hard to prevent them whenever possible. My skin type is pretty dry on the daily so I use very emollient products most of the time. I use a Konjac sponge with an emollient cleanser every day. For some with dry skin that might be too harsh but I use the clay based hydrating sponge and it has done wonders for my skin. I use a lot of overnight hydrating sleeping packs and even use them during the day under my makeup. If I do develop a dry patch I use a smoothing primer and I make sure that any dry edges are moist. I avoid putting foundation directly on the dry area unless it is too large to ignore. I use a makeup sponge with a setting mist and pounce the dry areas down.
I have an area just under my right eye where the texture of my skin has been permanently altered by using a cortisone cream for a persistent rash over 15 years ago. I have tried many different techniques and products to smooth this area and nothing has worked. If anyone has a great primer or other product that they think might work I would love to hear! It is almost like orange peel in texture.
I use serums year round and vary my moisturizers seasonally as I’m more prone to dry patches when the weather turns really cold. In the winter, I use a moisturizing balm after a serum and at night, I use a gelee-in-oil night moisturizer after a serum.
Should I have a dry patch, I tend to treat the area and my face with an oil booster or concentrate at the very beginning of my skin care routine. Once it clears, I watch my skin carefully to see if that should be adopted until what caused it has passed (E.g. An extreme cold snap).
In the morning if I feel I have dry patches or irritated skin, I try and address it with my skincare. A moisturising balm to cleanse(Oskia Renaissance Gel), a hydrating milky serum (Kypris Antioxidant dew), a lightweight hydrating moisturiser (January Labs) and finally sunscreen. Such days also mean no foundation and just concealer because foundation doesn’t agree with dry dehydrated skin very much, atleast I don’t have one in my stash which does!
If you have SEVERE dry patches on your skin, I would highly recommend putting a layer of vaseline on them before you go to bed (after washing and cleansing your face/taking a shower), and by the time you wake up, it will be 100% completely gone. Again because it’s petroleum oil, I would NOT recommend this unless you have very dry skin, in which case you may only need to do this once every week/every couple of weeks, but Vaseline really is the miracle cure to any dry patches.
Yayyy it’s my question again!
First I try to understand why it happens as well – that’s why I basically stopped using clay/mud masks as I noticed in the past year that they were causing dry patches.
Then if I start having dryer areas I try to give them extra love with a richer moisturizer, a nourishing oil, more serum, etc… locally. I also cut back on treatments that I know can be drying, such as retinol and AHA/BHA. So far it’s worked okay, but in San Diego I’m not exposed to cold weather so my skin doesn’t get as dry in the winter.
Lulle – you should try a sample of the Chantecaille detox clay mask. It’s hydrating while still pulling out impurities. It’s the only clay mask I’ll use; it has honey and chamomile in it, so you’re not left with that right, dry feeling.
For me they key is regular exfoliation and then layering treatments on top to add hydration. I use an essence, serum and then either a moisturizer and oil or the reverse depending on the oil I’m using. If I have a stubborn dry spot, I’ll use oil in the morning before applying foundation. I go for more dewy finishes, so that doesn’t add on to any dry areas.
I don’t often get them, but when I do I coat them with a generous layer of overnight mask.
Totally counter intuitive but my skin is more balanced since I’ve added acid to my routine. Either acid toning (Pixi Glow Tonic is great) and I use Alpha-H Liquid Gold twice or thrice a week. Also face oils.
I use a hyaluronic acid serum and rose hip oil everyday to make sure my skin doesn’t dry out. I get mine from the Ordinary
I’ll just exfoliate (Vasanti Brighten Up or Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant) and then apply a skin oil and a good moisture cream. That usually more than takes care of it.
Exfoliate and moisturize the crap out of it. It still happens though. Beauty Blender or something like it helps.
I have been fairly dry all my life. Years ago, I would dry patches above and under my brows. I don’t know what caused them. I can also get them between my brows. All of this to say that I asked my doctor years ago if he could prescribe something that would not harm my eyes. All these years later, and I still use this same cream (new prescriptions, obviously), and it still works. So, next time you see your doctor, ask him/her about your dry patches. There may be a prescribed cream that will remedy your particular situation at a cost that may be significantly less than a department store product. Just sayin’ ladies — it may be an attractive option for you.
I sometimes get flaky skin between my brows as well and I will mention it to the doctor. Thanks for that info.
For my mature sensitive skin, It seems AHA’s are my best remedy, but it is a very tenuous balance. Too much and my skin become irritated; exacerbates redness. Too little and I end up with persistent dry patches. I do know I simply cannot tolerate heavy use of AHA’s and tend to use as a 20 minute to 1 hour mask about twice a week. In colder weather I wear a couple of drops of Sunday Riley’s Juno face oil.
Also agree with Kat’s comment above: Pounce. Foundation brushes find the slightest dry patches, create angry skin and pull foundation off my red areas. I’ve tried varying the brush type, the pressure on the brush, etc.. and definitely prefer formulas which are beauty blender friendly.
Exfoliate: I use a prescription retinoid in an emollient base 3-4 nights a week depending on what my skin needs to stay clear and luminous. Although I have mature, dry skin with mild, well-controlled rosacea, I’ve used a retinoid from my dermatologist for decades and so my skin is quite tolerant as long as the acid is properly buffered. Twice a day I use a clean washcloth when cleansing my face, neck, and chest and that also provides a gentle exfoliation.
Hydrate: I’ve fallen in love with La Mer’s The Treament essence because it provides a great boost of moisture in a calming formulation. After the essence, I use a serum or two to provide my skin with humectants, anti-oxidants, and anti-inflammatory ingredients. What I use is dependent upon my skin’s condition at the time. (Know your skin!)
Seal it in: Last, but not least, I apply a rich, oil-based, occlusive cream to seal in the moisture and repair/maintain the skin’s barrier. Women should not be afraid of cosmetic grade mineral oil or cosmetic grade petrolatum in their moisturizer. They are excellent, highly refined and purified skin-protectants which prevent dehydration.
On the go: I carry Tatcha’s travel size of Dewey Mist. It is not a water mist like Evian, etc. It is actually a dilute moisturizer which is great for a mid-day boost that won’t disturb makeup.
I’ve gotten rid of my dry patches enough that they rarely show up anymore. I use the same products in various ways and at different times throughout my day:
Coconut oil (grocery store)
Josie Maran Argan Affinity Oil (Sephora)
Boscia Tusbaki Cleansing Gel (Sephora)
Aveeno Daily Moisturizer, Foam Cleanser, and Exfoliant Scrub (Walmart has a 3 packaged set)
Black African Soap (preferred is Nubian Hertiage sold at Walmart or beauty supply stores and Whole foods)
Aloe Vera Gel (Walgreens brand)
Everything listed above minus the Boscia and Black African Soap lasts me 6 – 8 months with daily use. Coconut oil and Josie Maran Argan Affinity oil lasts a litter over a year)
Using these products has completely cleared my patchy skin. My skin stays soft, supple and moisturized.
If I have dry patches on my body, I put coconut oil on before I get that area wet and it helps to protect it from water (which can trigger dry nerve tingles) I moisturize a lot with different products depending on the area (i.e., face is different than feet or buttock). Coconut oil can also be good for moisturizing as it is also anti bacterial.
I inadvertently created a serious and stubborn dry patch in the center of my forehead after leaving a mask on way too long. It finally got healed with a year of using the Dermalogica products for sensitive skin, which is also the line they use at my salon for rosacea and anti-aging. Now when I do a mask, I’m mindful of what kind of mask is it, to go on what kind of skin, so I end up using some masks on just part of my face.
Christina, I have two dry, flaky places on my face, one on each side. On one side, it is near my jawbone anout a 2 1/2″ around patch. On the other side of my face, I have a similar size patch just to the left of my nose, kind of between my nose and corner of my mouth. I, like you have to play around with my moisturizers as my skin does from normal to oily. I’ve thought of using a serum, but there are a myriad of them available and I haven’t a clue. The dry/flakies are so bad that sometimes I can even use a lightweight BB cream because the flakes catch the cream and it looks a mess!
Having oily skin, I really don’t get dry patches unless I’ve over done a glycolic peel. If that happens I just hydrate from the inside out, and use a pure argan oil until my skin calms down. If I get dry patches on my legs and arms, out of all the products I’ve ever tried, Lush’s Sympathy for the Skin is the most effective, especially with our harsh Canadian winters.
I forgot to mention..exfoliation only makes them worse. I use a cotton muslin cloth for exfoliation, which is as much as my skin can handle.
1. I make sure to gently exfoliate on a regular basis.
2. I use a bit more hydrating product in that particular area.
3. I maintain my maintain my masking schedule with extra emollient cream and sheet masks.
4. Drink plenty of water.
I either use a steam mask to help hydrate and wipe away the dry patches or use a peel off mask. Then use an intensive moisturizer like the orgins night mask.
Facial Oils. Magic.
I am not aware of any dry patches on my faces I do have combination skin normal/oily around nose and chin but. It noticeable much. I been using Ceravé moisterizing cream it contains ceramides & hyaluric acid and I’m loving the results. Foundation goes on smooth I will not be using primer again. This is way more healthy right next to skin with benefits. I think the cream lightly fills in the beginning lines I’m starting to get due to aging?
Oops! Just noticed the silly typos above. Makes one sound so dumb. Sorry!
I’d like to add, if you have sensitive skin be careful using the Regenerist moisterizer (in the red jar actually pretty popular). I used it and the first time had a pink/burned skin patch reaction in a small spot under my eye it took a while to go away. Might be too strong aha? Don’t know and over the counter? I like Loreal (white smaller jar) I find it moisterizes my skin gently and do notice a nice glow, also the Ceravé I’m enjoying their facial wash and moisturizer very gentle will try their sunblock next.
My skin is combination. I find when I get dry patches the most important thing is not to skip an essence. I like either Koh Gen Do oriental plants lotion or SKll essence. It seems to help my skin stay hydrated, but not greasy. I notice a big difference if I skip a few days.
I rarely get dry patchrs. If I do, I use an oil based serum and FAB cream on my face at night. I do that if my face feels tight as if wind burned too.
That FAB cream is a life saver. It’s also the best skincare brand I’ve found so far for me.
It’s awesome, isn’t it!? I love it and always have a couple big tubs around.
Me too! And I’m so glad they’ve now started making the fullsize in tube form as well as it’s way more convenient! Also a bit more hygienic apparently (though I’m not sure by how much really).
I don’t have dry patches … yet!
A couple of things I do: use a gentle exfoliating scrub to get rid of any dead skin, lavish Physicians Formula Argon Oil on my face, and particularly on the dry patch area. I let that soak in and apply serum and night time moisturiser, with extra emphasis on the dry patch area. It usually works.
Caudalie serum!
Most of my face is quite dry, sans my chin which is sort of oily/rough, so my skincare tends towards the hydrating side. I find a good serum and hydrating moisturizer works well in combination with gentle exfoliation, weekly-ish masks depending on how my skin is doing, and a more intense exfoliation about once a week or some (which sometimes comes from the mask I’m using that time).
Dry patches on someone like myself, who has combination skin, seems to take forever to go away. I have a good system for me that just works. It took forever to finally have taken back control over my skin! It’s easy, it’s not time consuming or expensive and it just works. Period. I mask and immediately moisturize, 7 days straight and twice a day. I use St. Ives green mask and swirl it around using a soft to medium brush from the dollar store. After it dries, I use warm water to gently wipe away the green mask. In the morning I use my own salt scrub and a drop of baby oil scrub mixture, and very gently massage my skin. I use another washcloth and leave it on my face for 2 minutes. Then I quickly use a great moisturizer, that I apply twice. Boot’s No 7 night cream for dry skin. Within a few days my skin is back to normal. I then go back on my regular skincare products. I absolutely Love Cindy Crawford’s Meaningful Beauty skincare products. They just absolutely work wonders on me! The purple capsules are to die for. I’ve been an avid user of Meaningful Beauty Products for 12 years now and ever since I have been using these products, my problems with my skin are slim to none! I have read the reviews on it, but I don’t go by what everyone else claims or says. It WORKS for Me, so I keep using it. Everyone is different and everyone has their own favorites. Whatever you feel works best for you is what you should be using and don’t listen to the nay sayers. It’s YOUR skin. Love the skin your in! Hope this helps!
I used to have a dry forehead and I have acne prone skin and the best thing I’ve done for my skin is started making my own toner, cleanser and moisturizing oil. That way I know exactly what’s in it and it has done my skin wonders, my forehead isn’t dry now and my acne is much less.
As I have aged, now 58, my forehead and brow area will dry out. I make a paste of a small amount of baking soda and water -in my hand- and gently exfoliate the area. For me, this takes care of the flaking.
I had dry patches but I changed my skincare routine and it helped. I hydrate my skin with essences twice a day (e.g. COSRX Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power essence) and after that moisturize with Cerave cream. Sometimes (but not regularly) I use serum in the evening. I exfoliate once a week (with AHA) and I use a hydrating/moisturizing sheet mask every weekend. Finally, once a week is “skincare day” when I don’t use makeup but moisturize my skin in every hour with a hydrating essence or a moisturizing cream (currently favourite is COSRX Nourishing Rice Ocernight Spa Mask).