43 year old, very dry skin + tretinoin - moisturiser recommendations please!
I'm 43 with naturally very dry skin (I was very lazy with skin care when I was younger) and started Dermatica in mid June. I'm around two months in and currently using it every third night, my prescription is:
- Tretinoin 0.025%
- Azelaic acid 15%
- Tranexamic acid 5%
I'm sticking with 0.025% for now because I'm actually really pleased with the results. My skin looks smoother, clearer and more reflective/glowy. I definitely want to continue but I'm struggling with dryness and flaking, particularly around my nose and chin/under mouth, so I don't want to move up in strength until that is under control.
My absolute holy grail used to be REN Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm. My skin LOVED it, but it's now discontinued now (boo!). I haven't used it for months and that's actually around the time I really started noticing just how dry my skin was. If anyone used it and has found something similar, I'd absolutely LOVE to know what replaced it for you.
My current routine is:
AM
- Medik8 PDRN serum
- Medik8 Triple Collagen Day Moisturiser or Purito Mighty Bamboo Panthenol Cream (just started Purito about 7 days ago)
- Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Rice + Probiotics SPF50 – although I sometimes find this makes my skin feel a little drier and tight
PM
- Medik8 PDRN serum
- Dermatica every third night
- Purito Mighty Bamboo Panthenol Cream or La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+
- Occasionally BYOMA Hydrating Recovery Oil on top (although I find this can Pill with the Cicaplast
Moisturisers I've tried:
Day Moisturisers I've tried:
Medik8 Triple Collagen Day Moisturiser (Pink Tub) – probably the best I'd tried before Purito, but still not quite moisturising enough
Q+A Ceramide Face Cream – nowhere near moisturising enough
Geek & Gorgeous Happier Barrier – lovely application and finish, but again not moisturising enough and sometimes would pill a bit
Nuxe Crème Fraîche de Beauté Rich Cream – seemed to sit on top of my skin, the fragrance was overpowering and it actually stung
Purito Mighty Bamboo Panthenol Cream – my current favourite. Feels really nice and moisturising and my skin doesn't feel tight, but I'm still getting flaking
Night Moisturisers I've tried:
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+ – feels protective but more like it sits on top of my skin rather than actually giving it any of the the moisture I feel like it needs
BYOMA Hydrating Recovery Oil – nice for extra nourishment, but seems to pill if I use a couple of drops over Cicaplast, but works ok over Purito
Purito Mighty Bamboo Panthenol Cream – Is better suited to day wear for me and does not feel enough for over night.
So essentially I'm looking for:
- A properly moisturising day cream that works under SPF
- A really nourishing night cream/balm for very dry skin
- Something that works well alongside tret and helps with the dryness/flaking
- Ideally fragrance-free or very low fragrance
- And especially anything that comes close to the old REN Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm
I'd particularly love recommendations from 40+ people with very dry skin who are also using tretinoin/actives. What are your holy grails?
And does anyone use Cicaplast over another moisturiser as a final layer, rather than using it on its own?
Sorry for the extremely long post, but I've already spent a fair bit (I give my husband all the moisturisers that don't work for me, he's delighted) and I am desperate to find something that works for me.