Does dry skin also suffer from acne? Well yes! You can successfully treat it as long as you don’t overdo it with cosmetics that cause dehydration. Please read the post to learn how to do it and stop making mistakes! Although acne is commonly associated with oily skin, dry skin can also suffer. Also, most cosmetics on the market are formulated for oily skin.
That’s why it’s easy to go wrong when treating acne, often doing more harm than good. Sometimes imperfections can appear only on specific areas of the face (nose, forehead, and chin, the famous “T-zone”), presenting dryness on the rest of the face. In this case, we can talk about combination skin.
Metaphorically compare your skin to brick and mortar.
The building blocks are the cells that make up the epidermis; mortar represents everything that holds cells together, such as ceramides, lipids, and cholesterol. Skin dryness occurs when there isn’t enough grout to hold the bricks together. Moisture keeps the skin supple and supple; its lack causes cracking, peeling, and dryness.
Cracked skin is more vulnerable to infections from microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, as the skin barrier is compromised and is not strong enough to protect the skin. This can lead to an increase in skin rashes. Treating acne when you have dry skin requires special attention.
Why Do Skin Blemishes Arise?
Acne, no matter what type of skin you have, is the result of a relatively simple process. The epidermis produces too much sebum, which inevitably clogs the pores. When the pores fill with sebum and dead cells, pimples, and blackheads form, infected with bacteria. Skin aging causes a reduction in hydration, which is why acne can also increase as we age. Among the triggers, we find hormonal imbalances, stress, and dietary, environmental, and genetic factors.
Therefore, the increase in skin rashes also occurs in the case of more significant skin dryness; precisely, in these situations, we must pay more attention to the treatment to be applied. This type of acne is treatable; however, be careful not to worsen skin dryness in an attempt to eliminate imperfections! This is a common mistake when treating acne with dry skin, as most acne cosmetics tend to dry out more.
How To Cure Acne with Dry skin?
Here are some targeted tips to prevent and treat breakouts in case of dry skin.
Stick To A Consistent, Regular Beauty Routine
Introducing a new product could nullify the effectiveness of a targeted routine, causing more harm than expected.
Cleanse Your Face Twice A Day
Wash your face twice a day, but avoid harsh soaps. Choose a cleanser with a milky texture that keeps the natural oils that protect the skin intact.
Try Retinol (In Moderation)
Retinol (known as every dermatologist’s favorite ingredient) unblocks and clears pores by removing dead skin cells. Unfortunately, retinol is equally famous for being potentially irritating and responsible for dryness and flaking. So if you have dry skin, use this ingredient sparingly, once or twice a week. If you feel discomfort, try inserting it between applying one moisturizer and the other.
Alternate Your Active Ingredients
Be careful not to overload your skin with powerful and active ingredients. Always start with one treatment at a time; avoid using products formulated with alpha-hydroxy acids (such as glycolic or lactic acid) or beta-hydroxy acids (salicylic acid) if you use retinoids. Add new ingredients little by little, only when your skin looks ready.
Hydrate A Lot, And Don’t Be Afraid Of Oils
People with acne-prone skin usually fear excessively moisturizing products. Don’t be afraid of vegetable oils; they are a natural cure-all for acne and dry skin! Facial oils effectively reduce inflammation, calm rashes, and minimize post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation after acne flare-ups.
Don’t Overdo The Exfoliation
Gently treat your skin. Avoid strong face scrubs, such as loofah and manual mechanical brushes. These treatments could cause additional dryness and irritation. Also, stay away from astringent products. Avoid alcohol-based face tonics, often useless for treating acne and enemies of retinoids.
Remedies For Acne When You Have Dry Skin
Spot treat for dry skin: treats imperfections with targeted treatments so as not to dry out the rest of the skin. The “spots” deliver a potent dose of active ingredients (including salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide) onto the annoying pimple and do not dry out the surrounding area.
Use treatments of this type if necessary, keeping the rest of your beauty routine intact; cleanse, treat and moisturize daily. If you apply benzoyl peroxide “spots,” look for one with a concentration of 1% –2.5%. The more potent benzoyl peroxide creates dryness and irritation, worsening the acne. This is why it is essential to choose low-dose formulations.
Spironolactone: You can also treat acne with dry skin by taking oral medications. Note: Spironolactone works best in hormone-induced female acne, usually cystic pimples around the jaw. Antibiotics: drugs such as doxycycline and minocycline act on acne P. (the primary bacterium that causes acne); they also reduce the inflammation of painful red acne.
In this case, you can apply fewer topical products, which are often responsible for skin dryness. Treating acne with dry skin is doable; pay attention to the care you take. Avoid products dedicated to oily skin and choose targeted cosmetics with the help of an experienced dermatologist if you deem it necessary.