I think honey could help you. I don't use it, but from what I've heard, it's great for moisturizing skin, plus, it's all natural. Maybe give honey a little research and see if you think it's right for you.

I have had acne and skin problems since I was about 15. I started off using benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid and progressively got more obsessed with a topicals and finding a way to decelerate my acne. I would try anything and many things I read about on the internet in succession and eventually I noticed my skin not getting any clearer and it was becoming dry and oily and flaky. I tried soaps, harsh cleansers and scrubs, oils, topicals, antibiotics and crappy, cheap moisturizers.

I KNOW I stripped my skin of its natural oils and barriers (moisture) because I remember when my skin could handle anything and didn't produce insane amounts of oil.

I stopped everything about a year ago. All i use now is water to wash my face and an apple cider vinegar toner. My skin gradually went from moderately severe to moderate to mildly light. I still have oily skin which is also very flaky.

My skin is DEHYDRATED, it can't retain moisture. Even though I drink at least 64 oz of water everyday it still is sensitive, dull, lacking moisture and flaky. I don't want to use a moisturizer because they have added chemicals in them and I don't use anything that isn't all natural.

I want to know if anyone could suggest a way to hydrate my skin and restore its natural suppleness that I used to have years ago before I wrecked it. I believe there are people out there that have made the same mistakes as me.

p.s. my mom has oily skin so I think mine might be hereditary but clear, oily skin is different then mild breakouts and pretty much permanently flaky skin.

thanks

You pretty much described exactly my skin history. I have found ACV to be the ONLY thing to help on a consistent basis; it is one of the few ways to return your skin to a normal state, at least temporarily. I think over time this can bring our skin back closer to what it was before we annihilated it with topicals LOL.

If you find that it gets really dry, put on a good moisturizer once or twice a week. It shouldn't cause too much of an issue and will help mitigate any serious flaking. I do this maybe once every two weeks in the winter time.

My skin is dehydrated too so it over produces oil, it's a round the clock job keeping the skin clean, moisturised & balanced. My thyroid & hormone levels are normal so I'm being tested for Sjogren's Syndrome now, an autoimmune disease that causes moisture loss, I thought it only affected eyes and mouth, but it can be systemic. Do you have any other signs of dehydration? Like IBS, dry hair etc?

Remember to use a mild cleanser and oil free moisturiser daily.