I dry brush my face now and it helps so much for my dry skin. I use this brush https://www.beautylish.com/s/mila-moursi-complexion-brush but I know I have seen some for sensitive skin at Sephora.

What about something from your kitchen? Baking soda, oatmeal, yogurt, avocado, honey?

Baking soda plus Cetaphil cleanser.

I got a Clarisonic last year and I love it. I wish I could get into the habit of using it at night to really clean my face, but it works better for me every morning in the shower. It gently exfoliates without having to use another product.

I do use a clairsonic with the brush for sensitive skin.. I use it with a pevonia cleanser but I still have literally flaking skin on my face. It's never been this bad.. and I know before any moisturizer is going to do its thing, I need to get the icky dead cell layer off.

I think I'll try one of the dry brushes .. I'll check out Caudalie and give cetaphil (plus baking soda) a try. I've seen many of you recommending it across numerous threads.

Texanjana, I like the idea of using natural products from the kitchen too. I will do some research.

Thanks for the tips!

At the recommendation of a physician, I started taking Krill Oil for some arthritus in my hands. It has actually helped a lot in that area, but within a few weeks I also noticed a considerable improvement in my skin which was extremely dry, especially on my hands. It helped my husband with his hands too which were cracking they were so dry. Your dry skin could just be a sign that you're in need of more omega fat or Vitamin E.

The standard brands like Mega Red didn't work, but these by Sports Research are much stronger and did. It's made in the US and is amazing. We buy them on Amazon, a little pricey but so worth it. I know the fish smell is the pits with stuff like this, but when taken with a glass of OJ, it really isn't a big deal.

Just be careful! With your skin in such a terrible state, it will be really easy to make it mad and cause even more irritation. Why don't you tackle the dryness first with a cleanser like Cera Ve (Cream, not foaming) and look into their moisturizer. Google reviews and ratings for Cera Ve. I've found that a cheap thin washcloth makes an excellent exfoliate.

I suggest fish oil as well. This summer we moved from a very humid area to Denver. My skin has always been really dry, even in humidity. I started taking fish oil and my skin is now better than it has ever been. It took a few weeks to see a difference.

I second the Cera Ve products. I was a cetaphil user for many years but have switched over to Cera Ve as my skin has become drier. The Cera Ve cleanser is much more hydrating. I get very flaky too. I have a clarasonic, but it doesn't do the trick at my driest times. I have a nubby spongy thing that I use on my face most mornings. I wonder if I might need to ingest something too but I just cannot tolerate the fishy oils. UUGH!!! I do not like fish at all, so even getting past the smell, if I happen to have one little fish burp - I just can't take it. LOL My feet are so very dry right now. Today after church and lunch, I used my electric foot sander and followed with Kiehl's thick handcream (which I love for hands) and have had on socks ever since. But anyway, do you guys know of something to take rather than a fish product? And Funky, for hair I love the argon oil products. I use a deep conditioning argon packet every couple of weeks and a regular conditioner with argon oil on days I wash (every 2 days usually). Has really helped. I find it at Target or CVS.

I know fish oil sounds really really nasty but in reality, this isn't "fish oil" per say, krill are tiny shrimp that live on the bottom of very very deep waters but offers more benefits for our bodies than fish oil does.

The "fishiness" of the krill we use has an overtone that is almost vanilla like in smell AND IMO, is not as strong as a typical fish oil capsule. Sure, I still hate it, but the benefits, far outway the few seconds it takes to swallow one. Also, I've never experienced the after tastes or burping people complain about with fish oil.

The thing is is that while moisturizing and deep cleaning can offer temporary relief, the dryness is a symptom that your body is lacking something it needs and the skin is not as healthy as it could be. My feet used to be like that too and are like that when I stop taking the Krill. LOL

Funkyart - this may not address your specific issue - but what is the humidity level in your home - or at the office? Ideal is 45% but anywhere from 30 to 50 is usually sufficient. Low humidity can be a contributing cause to dry nose, throat and skin too. Then when you combine that with drying effect of a furnace it can exacerbate skin and hair conditions.

When my face seems dry and flaky I use Oil of Olay exfoliating cream. This afternoon I noticed my hands were dry and flaky so I used a little lotion combined with a foot scrub to exfoliate them. It was a definite improvement.

I take fish oil that's labeled odorless and that seems to help with the fishy smell. But I haven't noticed it helping my dry skin or hair.

Maire

Coconut oil makes an excellent hair conditioner. Also good to put on your body while you're still damp from your bath/shower. I wouldn't put it on my face tho. Are you drinking enough water during the winter? I know I'm not :( It's just soooo hard to drink water when it's 12 degrees outside! We'll be back in the 70s this week so hopefully I can get at least 32oz in me (which I know isn't enough)

I appreciate all the suggestions-- my apologies for the delay. I hadn't noticed there were more posts to this thread.

Sorry, I am not on the coconut oil bandwagon. My experiences with it on my body weren't great and I absolutely wouldn't put it in my hair. No argon oil either. I have very fine, very straight hair. I can't even use my most recently purchased hair spray because it is too heavy and weighs my hair down. I know this sounds crazy to those of you who have normal hair.. but it's my reality.

I ordered a couple of products and will soon order a face brush.

Maire, I definitely need to improve the humidity in my house. I can't do anything about the office (or the walk INTO the office) but I will try to drink more water, Monica. That's always an issue for me.

I always battle dry skin-- but the real issue now is that I let it get ahead of me. I am now in recovery mode.

Thanks again!

I'm in need of new moisture/wrinkle cream and saw it at Costco, packaged along with cleansing cloths. They god pretty good reviews on Amazon, so I'm thinking about trying the nighttime wrinkle (2 tubes along with the cleansing cloths) for about $32.00.

My doctor suggested I use the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream - it comes in a jar. Has done wonders.

I've been using a Buff Puff for over twenty years, I buy one every two months. I only use it on my face and arms,

For omegas, Nutri Gold triple strength fish oil omega 3 gold. They're high quality. I've taken a few years now (slacked off the past few months out of pure laziness) and NEVER had a fishy burp from this brand. Dh just said the same.

Funky- my hair has been a dry mess lately (partly from winter and I think also from our water softener being down for about two months) and I slathered coconut oil on my head for a few hours recently and that helped greatly.

Funky: I can commiserate. I have very dry skin and really have an issue once the temperature drops in the winter. I have used the more expensive brands, but go back to OTC Neutrogena moisturizers. I like the one called "Healthy Skin Face Lotion" and also the "Oil-Free Moisture". The Healthy Skin claims to reveal new skin 4 times faster than other moisturizers. They are also rated SPF15. Sometimes I wear under foundation or dry makeup and sometimes alone. My dermatologist recommended ROC (brand) sensitive night cream which has Retinol and is also OTC. I really like it and use it most nights.

We do have a humidifier on our furnace, but I still have to cover my hands and feet in vaseline once or twice a week and sleep in socks.

I don't have as much of an issue with my hair, but when I do I have used some homemade deep conditioners that have worked well.

We have had the humidifier on at night in our bedroom for a couple weeks now and it's helped me a lot.

i don't have the flakiness but all those little lines in my face suddenly get a LOT more pronounced when winter comes. I feel like I aged 5 years in a week. The most disturbing to me are those little vertical lines above my top lip -- not to hijack, but what do we do about those??

Sueb I have those lines too, never smoked and don't use straws either. My derm recommended an injectable, but I am a big chicken, so haven't tried it. I have been on Retin a for 2 months, but haven't noticed any improvement in those lines. Plus, it has really made my skin dry.

Lukki, I don't think it's my body lacking something because it's more of a seasonal thing. I've looked at the supplements you and Shee shared and have done a bit of research. Looks like the krill may be best. I'm trying to decide between the brand you listed and another, need to read a bit more. I may give it a try. I drink lots of water and due to mine and my pup's (LOL) allergies, we have been running the humidifier since we had a cold spell last week and the heat was running a good bit (of course now it's in the mid-upper 60's!). But there are good benefits from the omega 3 (or 6) supplements and because I do not eat fish at all, I may try one. I do eat flaxseed, dark leafy greens, etc. and I know it's better to get the omegas from your diet rather than a supplement, but a supplement can't hurt!

Tina, I hope it helps. Maire-Cate mentioned the heaters and I have to concur, humidity (or lack there of) is something I hadn't even considered. Krill Oil has really been the bomb for me. Out of the blue, I will have the worst RA type pain in my hands, shoulders and wrists. With the Krill Oil, it has completely stopped. (And when I stop taking the Krill, it comes back). The skin thing was a complete but very noticable bonus but it did take several weeks. It also helps with other things too...but those are the two I noticed the most. I'm sure that if the dose is larger like it is in the brand I use, you will certainly benefit from it.

Last winter I noticed my arms and legs were terribly dry. When I got dresses in the morning I noticed white flakes on my black PJs. I started using Philosophy's Shower Gel It is also a shampoo but I don't use it like that. I apply it in the shower and use one of those netted scrubbers. I can't believe how soft my skin is. No more dandruff arms and legs! I also use the Philosophy Purity on my face with a Mia. Skin is so soft but doesn't do much for wrinkles.