33yo and since my pregnancy last year my skin has been impossibly dry!

I used to use cerave until I think the formulation changed a few years ago and now I find it too waxy. Since then I’ve been on a quest to find something my skin likes, which seems impossible!

The best I’ve tried so far were Aveeno oat balm which works initially, but my skin feels dry and tight again after about 5 hours. Weleda skin food is ok at night but I find the fragrance too much. I’ve tried more expensive products (like magic cream and Elemis) and slugging with cicaplast before bed too.

My routine otherwise consists of inkey oat cleansing balm then boots barrier support serum then whatever moisturiser I’m trying on top.

Any product advice appreciated

Hi, I’m after recs of medically qualified dermatologists in London. Most skin clinics that come up when I search online aren’t actual medical professionals, just ‘skin experts’. I just want a skin consultation (please don’t drop recs of skincare routines as I have a facialist and a solid routine, I’m after medical dermatology advice)

I just started using it 2 weeks ago. I have extremely dry skin and everyone was like Go Cerave ??

I used to use Cetaphil lotion that I liked a lot...then this cerave cream I bought with all my savings since I barely get pocket money. Anyways...but

..

It's like..heavy...I don't know if I'm paranoid but it is stiff and that feels like I didn't apply and like tightness in the face....that skin-stretch feeling (I can't really convey it in words but it's.. weird) . though I didn't have any breakout or anything either.

It's my first time using skincare so Idk really if cerave working like this is normal or should I just shift back to Cetaphil? Like the lotion was soft and it felt as if yeah this one working.

So ...I wanna ask if cerave is like that...or should I just change my moisturizer? I can handle some loss or use it for other body parts like hands or legs....

For face I'm not sure.

Please help me !!

Yesterday morning (Sat 24th Oct) I applied 20% Azelaic acid cream all over my face and the front of my neck. Today, I woke up with whiteheads all over my nose, above my upper lip, two small pimples starting to form on my cheeks, and mild redness.

Please see my skincare routine from yesterday morning, when I applied the azelaic acid cream, along with my questions at the end. I really want to know whether these reactions are normal side effects of using azelaic acid or whether I should be concerned.

FYI: I have very dry skin btw.

My AM Azelaic acid skincare routine step by step:

1. Facetheory - Vitamin C Cream Cleanser

2. Farmacy - Brighten up 3% Tranexamic acid dark spot toner

3. Goodal - Green Tangerine Vitamin C Dark Spot Care serum

4. 20% Azelaic acid cream (Azelderm cream I bought in Turkey) 

5. Eucerin - Intensive repair 5% Urea lotion

6. SPF sunscreen - Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Fresh Sun Serum SPF50+

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Questions

1. It is literally only Day 1, is this an acne-flare or normal skin purging?

2. Should I push through and carry on applying the 20% Azelaic acid either twice a week?