Suffering from acne is no fun, but dealing with it on top of dry skin can be a nightmare. Luckily, you can take steps to balance out the texture of your skin and eventually eliminate your acne. But as with any acne treatment regimen, it starts with proper skin care and bringing moisture back to your dried out skin.
Definition
Acne is fairly common and consists of a variety of forms, including whiteheads, blackheads, pustules, papules and cysts. It can be extra persistent on those with dry skin. Without proper hydration, your skin many try to compensate by producing extra oil. This can clog your pores with dead skin cells and cause even more breakouts.
Basic Care
Treating your acne starts with taking care of your skin. This requires the use of a gentle cleanser to remove oil, dirt, makeup and dead skin cells. A toner is also necessary, though it should be alcohol-free to prevent excessive drying. A good oil-free moisturizer should round out your skin care regimen. This can contain aloe vera, cocoa butter or some other hydrating ingredient to add moisture to your skin without clogging your pores.
Symptoms
Dry skin is usually very easy to detect. It will feel tight, might look red or irritated. It might look gray or have a scaly look. Dry skin also tends to peel, making make up application clumpy and uneven. Dry skin can also be itchy and acne blemishes might feel sore or tight when making facial expressions.
Treatments
Treating acne on dry skin requires a specific approach. People with dry skin tend to not slough off dead skin cells very well, making a toner essential. Look for a citrus-based toner to remove cells without over-drying. Stick to salicylic acid instead of benzoyl peroxide for acne creams to remove dead skin and unclog pores. A strong moisturizer is also needed to keep your skin hydrated, but it should be oil-free to prevent even more acne.
Considerations
Some standard acne treatments are much too strong for those with dry skin. Stay away from overly drying chemicals like benzoyl peroxide. If you do use such a treatment, make sure that you compensate by using a moisturizer to prevent peeling, itchiness and tightness. Prescription treatments like Accutane can also dry out your skin, so be sure you discuss the options for your skin type with your dermatologist before starting any new regimen.
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