The Mock Turtle

For a couple of months my makeup hasn't been quite right. My foundation either doesn't provide enough coverage (where it has previously) or my skin seems to be sucking any water out of my foundation, just leaving the pigment which looks as gross as it sounds.

My skincare is also not totally right but I don't know what to fix or change. My skin gets easily dehydrated and I'm layering what I think are the right products, but I notice that when I get up in the morning my skin feels a bit parched. Maybe I'm screwed up my skin barrier (again).

AM routine: Byoma Milky Toner, Hada Labo Premium lotion (several types of HA) and Curel Deep Moisture spray
PM: Centella Oil cleanser, Byoma Toners, Retinol x3 per week, mild exfoliant x2 per week, Hada Labo Premium lotion, either face oil or a blob of barrier cream. I spritz the Curel Moisture spray in between.

I look like a glazed donut going to bed, I wake up looking dull and dehydrated. When I look at my skin some day it looks a bit dry in some areas but I don't tolerate thicker moisturising creams, they just sit on top of my skin.

What am I doing wrong? Is my skin barrier damaged?
HELP

What's your water intake like?

Kleio wrote: ↑Tue Apr 29, 2025 10:59 am What's your water intake like?

Pretty good actually, its been higher but I've constantly got water/cordial next to me.

Would a hysdrating primer help? Have you missed a step off your AM list?

What's the retinol/exfoliant?

Honestly skin just does this sometimes. Mine is sucking the life out of my make-up at the moment too.

I’m very lazy with skincare & would ditch all of that & just use a sensitive cleanser AM & PM, mild moisturiser with spf for the daytime & something more moisturising at night like Clinique Moisture Surge.

I’m currently using M&S Pure daytime moisturiser which I got as a freebie in one of their beauty box things but it’s actually really good.

It could just be the change of seasons!

I'd try a different foundation/tinted moisturiser and/or a primer if you don't use one already.

I’m wondering if you’re neglecting the oil bit and could with adding a touch in somewhere.

Thanks all - I have thought about it just being the change in season and I'm hoping it does just right itself.

The retinol is Skin & Me and I do need to provide pics and a proper update, so I might see if I can cadge some free advice.
The exfoliant is REN Daily something or other, the orange one. When I look at the lower third of my face I can see patchy, slightly flaky skin even though I used the REN on Sunday.

I think it could be the retinol & exfoliation combo. I presume the Skin + Me is Tretinoin and that can definitely dry you out especially if you're using an exfoliant. I use tret and I can't really use any chemical exfoliants right now.

Ruby wrote: ↑Tue Apr 29, 2025 5:30 pm I think it could be the retinol & exfoliation combo. I presume the Skin + Me is Tretinoin and that can definitely dry you out especially if you're using an exfoliant. I use tret and I can't really use any chemical exfoliants right now.

I would normally agree with you, but my skin looks like it needs exfoliation because its so dull, sort of peeling but not flaky.

Hmmm. But that's what tretinoin does.

I’m not an expert but I have a theory that you may need to the opposite of what you think you currently need. I would leave off the acid exfoliator and use something richly moisturising with oil at night.

I know there are people who say hyaluronic acid isn’t the cure all for hydration that it’s claimed to be.

I’m one who isn’t a massive fan of HA. I do use a product with it in it. But straight up HA serums don’t work for me.

I also ditched chemical exfoliants when my skin went a bit haywire (pretty sure I’d done something to my skin barrier) and never reintroduced exfoliation again (I do use a night time retinol though) so that would be my tip.

I find HA drying. I like a Rosehip oil. The smell isn’t great but it’s really moisturising. The Ordinary do a really good one.

Just thought, you could try a vit c product.