Posted by Leigh on February 26, 2000 at 15:34:16:

In Reply to: Is there a quick cure for dry, flaky skin? posted by JenRose on February 25, 2000 at 22:57:10:

Hi Jen,

Try adding EFAs to your diet, especially flax seed oil and olive oil, and cut back on excess sugars, white flour products, and carbs. Also, drink 10 glasses of water a day.

You might also have dry skin because the cleanser in Pro-Activ is not ph balanced. (I don't know if it is or not, as I have never used Pro-Activ). Switch to a gentle cleanser that is ph balanced like Alpha Hydrox Foaming Face Wash. To exfoliate, use a Alpha Hydrox 10% AHA. There is nothing that special about Pro-Activ that makes it the "only" thing that will clear up acne; there are many products out there that will give similar (or better) results.

MSM is a super supplement. It's nontoxic so you really can't take too much of it. You might want to cut back to 2000 mg a day though if you feel there is a problem. Taking more might not necessarily bring quicker improvement.

Leigh

: I have been using Proactiv now for about 2 1/2 weeks. It seemed to work very well at first and I had no problem with dryness or peeling at all. But for the past couple of days now my skin has started to flake and peel, mostly in the chin and neck area. I really didn't notice how bad it was until I came home from work today and looked in the mirror. My skin was flaky all over and looked completely digusting, especially with my foundation. I was completely embarassed that I was seen at work like that.

: Does anyone know of a good moisturizer or anything at all that can cure flaky skin in a hurry? I do not want to go to work like this again, and although it doesn't look as bad without foundation, I must continue to wear it because I still have red spots from old breakouts.

: Also, I'm afraid if I stop the Proactiv I'll have a major breakout. What would you suggest? A couple of days ago I added MSM (4500mg daily) to my skin care regime... is it possible that the MSM is the cause of the sudden dryness?

: I'd appreciate any advice on this... thanks!