Can someone recommend a really good intensive facial moisturizer that actually works?

My mom swears by Clinique’s Moisture Surge line, especially the masks.

I found their moisturizing gel (the one that comes in a jar) to be pretty useful while I was in the US and it was particularly dry. (I liked that it didn’t feel too oily on my combination skin either.)

yes i certainally can having suffered ecxzma myself and a suffering son, i can recommend epaderm, you can use it for soap or a moisturiser.

You have different brands in the UK so I cannot recommend by name, but give this a try. Melt a small amount of petroleum jelly in the microwave. After gently wetting your face with warm water (or right after a hot shower) to open the pores, coat your face with the warm liquefied petroleum jelly. If you have a steam mister use that or over the sink steam it into your face using a towel over your head for a few minutes. Tissue off the remaining petroleum. Your face will be as moist and soft as a baby’s butt after that. I do this once a month.

Olay Double Action Day Cream, I love it, my Mum loves it – its good for so many different skin types whether young or slightly more mature! =) You can also get a night time version.

Combine this with an exfoliator and I hope you should be happy =)

The problem I am having is most have Parabeens which are know carcinogens. I use Lorelle skin Genesis and Lierac . I only buy the products that have no or few Parabeens. You can also buy Lavera products on line . They are all natural but very expensive .

Another point, Boots “Botanics” Range has a gorgeous face moisture mask, it smells lovely and its a really great weekly treatment. Just apply, wait ten minutes and wipe off with cotton wool.

My daughter has various allergies, including contact allergies; she uses olive oil.

I don’t know if they sell this in the UK but Cetaphil was highly recommended by a dermatologist my son went too years ago when he had infentile eczema. In my family we all tend to have a mix of oily to very dry skin to eczema. And Cetaphil works great on everything. You may be able to order it on line. Its not a drug. Just a lotion. It goes on light and doesn’t feel greasy. After a few days your skin will feel baby smooth.

Cetaphil is great but if you mean the original one, it’s not what I would call intensive. I’ve been using it for app. 30 years now.

@ccrow Olive oil is okay, but it only coats the surface. Coconut oil is the only natural oil proven to penetrate the skin. It’s extremely nourishing and moisturizing, but if you’re acne-prone beware! You could always mix it in with a little of your regular moisturizer, but you would probably need to liquefy it beforehand. Coconut oil solidifies at 76 degrees fahrenheit, so just fill the up your sink with hot water and submerge the jar beneath the water for a few minutes. A microwave would be even more efficient.

You need a good exfoliant before you put on the moisturizer. It can’t get in until you get the old dry stuff fluffed off.
I would suggest an exfoliating cleanser like this Noxzema One..
Then follow up with a good toner like This one .
Use a non oily moisturizer like this .
When you have this kind of skin issue you really need to use all three steps (cleanse, tone, and moisturize to solve it.
I chose the products I recommended because they seemed to be affordable and do the things you needed. The important thing is the three steps. I would love to hear how they work for you!

Noxzema dries my skin out terribly. When I use an oily moisturizer my skin just drinks it right in. I think if her skin is dry your suggestion might not work well for her.
Since I have been in the States I have used Ponds Dry Skin Cream after showering. It is cheap and works pretty well. It is all about locking moisture in. That is why it is good right after a warm shower. It is available in the UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ponds-Dry-Skin-Cream-75ml/dp/B000LNEAZ2

@Pumkin_Etoile ; Like I said. The exact products are negotiable. The important thing is that she exfoliates, tones, and moisturises. Skip a step and you may not get the desired effect.

The Olay line is the best! Olay Regenerist is fabulous. It has enough hormonal-like substance in it-propadols[?] that stop my hot flashes while it makes my skin so soft and a little less wrinkly!

Hey everyone…..! Thanks for the great suggestions….

I found a line called “Vichy” from France that is available at most Boots…and the moisturizer is tops. Also….I found Petroleum Jelly WITHOUT PETROLEUM or bad stuff…at the health food store…so I am going to try the facial masque (suggested above.)

Also, for exfoliating, I have an exfoliating washcloth….that works well.

Thanks so much!