Is It The Water

When you say changed soap powder/gel etc to be friendly? friendly to who? as when I read your post either of those items came to mind to be the cause

Friendly as in a non irritant. No soap, No colourant, no fragrance. 93% natural product.

Can't think of much else being skin friendly

The mineral content of drinking water can vary a lot here. Spain is a geologist's paradise for its variety of rock. it is also variable for water retention in reservoirs etc.

I have noticed it being different in each area of Andalucia that I live (6) and also throughout the year depending on rainfall and I have suspicions about the use of water for irrigation also affecting water quality due to variable demand.

I notice it most in drinks but also the air is often much dryer than the 40% - 60% humidity that is our comfort range. I too get dry skin sometimes and notice it when I get out of the shower but that is when you remove the top layer and expose the skin.

Skin problems can be really difficult to solve because so many different things like diet (it changes over Christmas?), alcohol, how much time you spend outside or inside, how much water you drink and general happiness can influence your well being. Patience and trying different things might get to the bottom of it?

Thanks for the reply.

It's so weird just happening out of the blue.

But as you say just persevere with ideas.