9 Acne Treatments For People With Dry Skin

When you speak of acne, you typically think of people with oily skin, yet did you realize that dry skin may also trigger breakouts? If you have a flare-up and your skin isn't oily, it's possible that your skin's pores are excessively compensating for the lack of moisture as well as oils. While some breakouts are undoubtedly controllable, treating them requires a different strategy because excessive oil is not the cause. We will show you how to discover more about the causes of acne in those with dry skin as well as how to treat acne successfully.

Acne is caused by a rather straightforward formula, regardless of skin type. Sebum or oil is produced by the skin, and when it becomes too sticky and thick, it can mix with skin cells that have died in the skin's pores and form a blockage. Such blackheads as well as whiteheads may become inflammatory when it comes into contact with germs, resulting in a red or sensitive pimple.

While many people associate acne with oily skin, this is not necessarily the case. Acne can appear on specific sections of the face while others are uncommonly dry (this is known as a combination of skin types or as T-zone oily skin). These outbreaks might be restricted to oily regions or they can occur on dry skin.

We prefer to equate the skin to mortar and brick, with skin cells acting as bricks and then ceramides, lipids, as well as cholesterol acting as mortar. When there is insufficient mortar to hold the bricks together, dryness ensues. Moisture maintains the skin elastic and supple, while the absence of it promotes cracking, flaking, and peeling. Since the barrier that protects the skin isn't strong enough to defend itself, skin that is cracked is more sensitive to infection of microorganisms like fungi and bacteria, which may result in more breakouts.

Our skin lacks sebaceous production and hydration as we age. Acne can unfortunately worsen as we age owing to an imbalance of hormones stress, dietary environmental variables, and heredity. As a result, more breakouts can occur as skin becomes drier.

Even if you have dry skin, acne is manageable; you simply need to know how to clean up the breakouts without aggravating the skin's dryness.

When you possess dry skin, treating acne can be difficult since acne medications might sometimes dry you even more. To treat dry skin and reduce the possibility of medication-related irritation, it is critical to use proper cleansers and moisturizers.

How to Treat Acne on a Dry Skin

1. Maintain a Consistent Skincare Routine

Once it comes to acne-prevention skincare, you will want to figure out what's best for you and stay with it. Maintain a regular skin care program. A new product may disrupt a solid habit and result in an interruption in the pattern of breaking out then becoming excessively dry.

Begin with moderate formulae and continue with caution when adding another substance or product. It's better to make adjustments one at a moment so you can determine precisely whether they're helping or creating problems.

2. Make Use of a Hydrating Cleanser

Wash the face two times a day, but avoid using a cleanser which strips it, since this can harm your barrier and lead to additional acne.

We suggest a milky-textured cleanser for dry skin since it won't rob the skin of its own natural oils. If your skin feels extremely dry and tight shortly after washing it, switch to a more moisturizing solution or wash your face solely at night to determine if that helps.

3. Consider Using Retinol

Retinol helps to keep your complexion clean by unclogging pores by peeling away skin cells that have died. Obviously, retinol is also notorious for potentially aggravating certain users and triggering dryness and flaking. As a result, for those with dry skin, apply this ingredient sparingly, perhaps once or twice per week rather than nightly. If you still have sensitivity to retinol, consider sandwiching it between moisturizers to determine if that helps.

4. Alter Your Activities

Be cautious not to overburden the skin with stronger, aggressive chemicals, since this might damage the barrier and create more acne. It is critical to begin with one therapy at a time. While commencing retinoids, avoid using products containing alpha-hydroxy acids as well as beta-hydroxy acids, only use them once a week once your skin has adjusted to the retinoids.

5. Moisturize

Those having acne-prone skin are often terrified of moisture, although all skin types require water to flourish. Acne sufferers are often terrified of oils, despite the fact that they are an excellent method to replenish moisture on the skin. Face oils can help decrease inflammation in acne-prone skin. This impact aids in the reduction of breakouts as well as the reduction of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation which might occur after a breakout flare-up.

6. Improve Skin Barrier

A compromised skin barrier is a few on the most prevalent acne causes in those who have dry skin. If that seems concerning, don't worry - products containing barrier-boosting substances such as ceramides and the squalene can help return your complexion back to its healthiest, happiest condition. Look for barrier-focused treatments and moisturizers which include the aforementioned or comparable mild, reparative agents when creating your routine.

7. Avoid Exfoliating Too Much

Exfoliating too forcefully might take crucial moisture from your skin or create barrier damage. Loofah-type facial scrubbers and portable mechanical face washers should be avoided since they might aggravate irritation and dryness. Avoid astringent and drying products. Prevent alcohol-based toners since they frequently do nothing to cure acne yet make it more difficult to tolerate more effective treatments like retinoids.

8. Apply a Spot Treatment

To avoid drying out other areas of your face, treat pimples using a specific treatment for dry skin. Spot treatments give a concentrated dosage of active chemicals to the troublesome pimple while not drying out the surroundings. We advocate applying spot treatments as needed while keeping every part of your regimen constant and always cleansing, treating, and moisturizing.

Look for a benzoyl peroxide-based spot treatment at a concentration of 1%-2.5%. According to research, higher-strength benzoyl peroxide causes more irritation and dryness and does not help treat acne any more effectively.

9. Attempt an Oral Medication

To cure acne without using drying topical treatments, see a dermatologist regarding oral medicine. Spironolactone is a common treatment for hormone-induced acne, while antibiotics such as doxycycline as well as minocycline are used to treat inflammation. The Choice depends on the nature of the breakout.