Very dry (red) skin on face. Any tips?

Lyndiloo, the ointment that I ordered arrived very quickly and I've been slapping it on whenever I go into the bathroom! There's a very definite improvement on my arms and also on one side of my face. The other cheek seems to be taking a bit longer, probably because the redness/dryness has been there longer, and having previously put steroid cream on it won't have helped, either. The ointment has really good reviews and the company is UK based. It's not cheap, but a little goes a long way and I'm willing to try anything! If anyone would like to know about it, please PM me.

Marelli My mum swore by camphorated oil. (You can't buy it now.) We had it rubbed on our jaws for toothache, on our ears for earache, on our chests and under our noses for colds ... it was the mainstay of our medicine cabinet! There was also a cream that she used to rub on our feet, and I can't remember what it was - but I loved the smell of it!

But do try castor oil. (That's my mainstay!)

Thanks Marelli

annep1, the bath oil that has been prescribed is 'QV'. I can be used on the shower as well.

Lyndiloo, you have me laughing just now! ? I remember my mum taking castor oil for constipation but she never did say whether she applied it to her piles!
Seriously, though, it does sound like an option for very dry skin, and worth trying.

Castor oil. It's very greasy, though, so tie your hair back and use a head band to keep hair off your face. Leave it on for as long as you can, then, if you're going out, just wipe off the surplus with a tissue - or, if you have to, wash face. Use daily.

Also good for aching joints, any dry skin, and works miraculously on piles! (I would have been a bit more polite and said heomoroids - but I can't spell it! )

Marelli can I ask what bath oil is prescribed please?
Pinetarsol sounds worth investigating. I haven't heard of it.
I used to get carbodome coal tar cream but its no longer available.

I should have said I have had psoriasis for 60 years.

I have used a prescribed steroid cream but very very sparingly and never for long. I havent needed to for years thankfully.
When sunshine is strong I use a sunblock. This really helps.. The one I used until recently was Roc sensitive. I can't find it any longer. However I have found a good replacement.
After trying many expensive recommended moisturisers which all caused reactions the only one that doesn't irritate at all is Boots No 7 hypoallergenic. I use all their products - makeup and skincare. My face never has a rash now.
I also use Sainsbury pure soap (really cheap 4 pack.) No colour or perfume.
I still use ordinary shampoo. When washing your hair I suggest putting moisturiser on and try to keep the water off your face.

Rose oil is safe and gentle. Just a drop is all that is needed.

Thanks for your comments - I've ordered a product which is something like Burts Bees, and I'll give that a try. If no luck, I'll try Elemis, Neills' Yard or possibly Rosehip Oil.

Please don't use steroid cream on your face. Years ago a doctor prescribed it for me for rosacea. It ruined my skin. There were articles about this in the Sunday Times a few years ago.

I use Elemis SOS cream for any skin complaints and they clear up quickly

I'd certainly try the rosehip oil. You only need a few drops to pat on your face morning and night. You can either put on before or after a moisturiser of your choice. I like Sukin that you can also get from Amazon or Burts Bees

Marelli I had forgotten to mention the T gel. I use that. When my hair is washed in the shower, no bath in my house it doesn’t irritate me. I use just a little bit and leave it in when I wash with Sanex or loccitane shower gel if I feel decadent. It’s the only nicely scented thing I dare use and never had a bad reaction to . All the scents are ok for me.Then rinse thoroughly. If I am too quick it’s sore scalp and flaky skin for me.
It’s hard to find the right thing, not to say expensive.

Could it be rosacea?

I saw a dermatologist a few years ago, who diagnosed the psoriasis and he said 'try not to use the steroid cream unless you're going to a wedding'! ?
I didn't have it on my face then, though.
I did have it on my scalp for years and the prescribed shampoo did no good at all, but T-gel Therapeutic cleared it up quite quickly and it has stayed away, by using it regularly. Have a prescribed bath oil, too, but I'll look up pinetarsol, Dilly.
I do have a healthy diet (I think) with little sugar.

I would try Neill’s Yard Wild Rose Beauty Balm. It is chemical free and works brilliantly on dry skin. It has solved many issues for me.

I wouldn't use Cetaphil, or anything with SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) myself.

Please don’t put steroid cream on your face.
Rose hip oil ( very cheap on Amazon) just a drop on the troubled areas then a mild moisturiser on top. Burts Bees is good. Dairy makes my skin flare up terribly. So does citrus fruit and sugar, but sugar not so much for me.
It’s worth a try at cutting them out of your diet one at a time to see if you improve.
Elemis cleansing balm soothes my wintry dry sore cheeks when even water seems to irritate. I buy it from QVC and it lasts ages.

I use Bee facial cleansing bar from Bee Haven Beekeepers online store and it is lovely and gentle.

Also other tip, swap to an organic Unscented shampoo, most shampoos have a lot of ingredients that cause flare ups, and this ends up on your face/body when you wash.
Another idea is to have the occasional bath in pinetarsol, and also salt baths using plain unscented bath salts.
I spent a FORTUNE on dermatologists for my son with psoriasis, so glad someone else can benefit from their expensive advice.

Marelli, is it possible you have an allergic reaction to something you put on your face? I have psoriasis so empathise. I used a well known serum recently with awful results, swollen itchy eyes, red dry skin over my face. The advice was anti histamine, 1% steroid cream around the inflamed eye area and emollient moisturiser. It worked.

The dermatologist I saw a few years ago when psoriasis on my legs was bleeding told me that its important never to use steroid cream then just stop. If you use it daily for a week, then reduce to alternate days for 3 or 4 days, then every 3 days etc. He said if you just stop, the problem returns.

Winter doesn't help dry skin, wind and cold outside, central heating inside. I'd avoid any make up or scented face creams, use something bland and leave 10 mins after use of steroid before putting moisturiser on

Yes, only use steroid cream as directed. You should use it once, for the recommended time frame then stop, if it comes back then go back to doctors.
Over use of steroids actually causes the problem, and can also cause ‘muzzle rash’ if overused on the face, (google this).
My younger son has this battle till we realised the steroid cream was causing the cycle of flare ups and went cold turkey on it. Also only use cetaphil, (Boots carries this) face wash and moisturiser.

Hetty, I've just been looking online and have seen good reviews for something similar to Burts Bees cream. I'm going to give that a try.
At the moment I have a face like a 'smacked backside'. ☺️