[Larkemett]

I am 19, female, caucasian with moderately sensitive skin.

Through my early teens I had dry skin with an oily T-zone. But recently the areas that had been oily have turned dry and the areas which had been dry are parched! I cleanse daily, exfoliate with a gentle product 2 or 3 times a week, I moisturize morning and evening and before applying makeup and yet, come midday, without fail my foundation looks patchy and the skin on my cheeks either side of my nose is flaking like sunburn. It's beyond just dry skin, it looks scaley.

I always try to avoid harsh products or heavy makeup as my skin is prone to breakouts and rashes, but what can I do about this lizard-skin!

I drink a lot of water, don't drink a lot of alcohol, don't smoke, don't sleep in my makeup and don't go tanning.

The products I use are:

Cleanser: Neutrogena Visibly Clear facial wash
Exfoliator: Clean & Clear Exfoliating Daily wash OR Neutrogena PureGlow Daily Cleansing cushions
Moisturizer: E45 lotion and Body Shop vitamin E eye cream
Foundation: L'Oreal True Match spf 17

All help and advice appeciriated.

[PunkChic]

In my experience, Neutrogena products dried out my skin. I too have combination skin. When I used Neutrogena, my skin dried out so much, my T-Zone was 'bone dry'.

What I suggest is to switch to another cleanser, perhaps Dove's Sensitive bar, it's really good and is suitable for acne prone skin.

Also, to exfoliate, use a muslin cloth. When you've got the soap on your face, get the cloth and gently massage the skin with it in gentle circular motions.

And a good moisturiser for night time would be Extra Virgin olive oil or Jojoba oil. They will not cause any acne breakouts. If you find it does, then just stop. A good tip for applying the oil to the face is when you've washed your face, apply the oil to damp skin and massage it in. I've found that really helps the oil sink into the skin.

Let me know how it works out for you! :)