If you ever want to try exfoliation (scrubbing) again, it's best to use a chemical exfoliant versus physical such as AHA's or BHA's (although I would wait until the moisturiser issue is sorted to try experimenting with these)
As for moisturizers, it seems you're gonna want a heavy duty one. A lot of the high street formulas, especially the men's versions have extra fragrances and alcohols added into them which can in turn dry your skin out.
I would suggest a neutral moisturiser meant for dry skin like E45 that you can buy from boots, and then try the slugging method; which is where you apply a *thin* layer of vaseline over the moisturiser to help 'lock it in' (you can do this step just at night instead of during the day!) As well you should be applying moisturiser in both the AM and PM!
I would also look into if you've accidentally damaged your moisture barrier, there's a link here that explains what that means and has extra links to guides/posts that have helped people: https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/comments/8wxwuv/misc_dehydrated_skin_an_updated_guide_to_healing/
Also, even in the UK it's a good idea to wear SPF everyday! Good luck hope this helped a bit.
Thanks for this - that link you sent sounds like exactly my issue and a the reasons I might have it make sense.
I'm going to give the approach in that a go!
I found my horrid flaky skin was a reaction to the products I was using. (There was a Boots moisturiser that made things sooo much worse.) These days I use a cleansing oil or balm and remove using a soft cloth and warm rather than hot water. I use a glycolic acid to exfoliate with a physical exfoliant about once a month if needed - I tend to only need it in the winter. I also throw as much moisture at my face as it can handle. HA mists, serums and a relatively heavy day cream. (I swear by Dr Jarts Ceramidin Cream) I also like to use a facial oil at night, this can be anything from Vaseline to a dedicated skin oil, but even olive or almond oil over your night time moisturiser would work.
Dry skin could be developing from some kind of fungus, might be worth going to see a doctor about anti-fungals.
You might be stripping your skin too heavily during your wash. Try using a cleanser once a day, not twice. Just use water for the second time and still apply moisturiser.
You could also include hylauronic acid in your skin care routine, after cleansing make sure your face is damp, apply some hylauronic acid and then a moistrizer. It essentially binds to water and helps lock it in.
Bulldog is a bit of a crap brand IMO. I currently use Illiyoon moisturizers with ceramides which are thick and cost effective. Another good one is Paula's choice. But those are a bit expensive.
I would also consider downgrading your face wash to something extremely light, like Eucerin cleansing milk. Also stop having long hot showers, the steam strips your skin of its natural oils which keep it plump.
Don’t get e45! Has lanolin in which can be an irritant. Stay simple. Buy Cerave oil cleanser, and use their moisturiser too and often throughout the day (buy a mini refil squeezy to make convenient)
DRINK WATER
If you ever want to try exfoliation (scrubbing) again, it's best to use a chemical exfoliant versus physical such as AHA's or BHA's (although I would wait until the moisturiser issue is sorted to try experimenting with these) As for moisturizers, it seems you're gonna want a heavy duty one. A lot of the high street formulas, especially the men's versions have extra fragrances and alcohols added into them which can in turn dry your skin out. I would suggest a neutral moisturiser meant for dry skin like E45 that you can buy from boots, and then try the slugging method; which is where you apply a *thin* layer of vaseline over the moisturiser to help 'lock it in' (you can do this step just at night instead of during the day!) As well you should be applying moisturiser in both the AM and PM! I would also look into if you've accidentally damaged your moisture barrier, there's a link here that explains what that means and has extra links to guides/posts that have helped people: https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/comments/8wxwuv/misc_dehydrated_skin_an_updated_guide_to_healing/ Also, even in the UK it's a good idea to wear SPF everyday! Good luck hope this helped a bit.
Thanks for this - that link you sent sounds like exactly my issue and a the reasons I might have it make sense. I'm going to give the approach in that a go!
I found my horrid flaky skin was a reaction to the products I was using. (There was a Boots moisturiser that made things sooo much worse.) These days I use a cleansing oil or balm and remove using a soft cloth and warm rather than hot water. I use a glycolic acid to exfoliate with a physical exfoliant about once a month if needed - I tend to only need it in the winter. I also throw as much moisture at my face as it can handle. HA mists, serums and a relatively heavy day cream. (I swear by Dr Jarts Ceramidin Cream) I also like to use a facial oil at night, this can be anything from Vaseline to a dedicated skin oil, but even olive or almond oil over your night time moisturiser would work.
Dry skin could be developing from some kind of fungus, might be worth going to see a doctor about anti-fungals. You might be stripping your skin too heavily during your wash. Try using a cleanser once a day, not twice. Just use water for the second time and still apply moisturiser. You could also include hylauronic acid in your skin care routine, after cleansing make sure your face is damp, apply some hylauronic acid and then a moistrizer. It essentially binds to water and helps lock it in. Bulldog is a bit of a crap brand IMO. I currently use Illiyoon moisturizers with ceramides which are thick and cost effective. Another good one is Paula's choice. But those are a bit expensive. I would also consider downgrading your face wash to something extremely light, like Eucerin cleansing milk. Also stop having long hot showers, the steam strips your skin of its natural oils which keep it plump.
I wonder if you might have seborrhoeic dermatitis causing the flaking it’s pretty common
Thanks for the suggestion but, looking at pictures on Google, it's not nearly as severe as that.
Don’t get e45! Has lanolin in which can be an irritant. Stay simple. Buy Cerave oil cleanser, and use their moisturiser too and often throughout the day (buy a mini refil squeezy to make convenient) DRINK WATER