Dry skin can make you itchy, that's a given. But if you have dry skin and acne, you may suffer from peeling and itchiness that you can't resist scratching. Even worse, acne treatments can sometimes intensify itching, and scratching at acne will just make it worse. But a few skin care tips and strategies can help with the problem.
Cleansers
It's important to use a gentle cleanser on your acne to remove dead skin cells and oil. Avoid ingredients like parabens, fragrances and dyes. Also, stay away from sodium lauryl sulfate, which can irritate the skin. If you use a product that's too harsh, it will dry out your skin and cause further irritation and breakouts. Also make sure any cleanser you use is oil free so it will not clog your pores. Look for brands that specifically state they are formulated for treating acne on dry skin.
Toners
Regardless of your skin type, using a toner is also important to remove excess oil and dead skin cells. Even so, you'll need to be careful about the kind you use. An alcohol-based toner will dry out your skin too much and leave it tight and peeling. This type of toner may also cause redness and irritation. Use a citrus or water-based toner to exfoliate and remove dead skin without drying out your skin and making itching worse.
Moisturizers
Acne that itches is often caused by having naturally dry skin or dry skin caused by acne treatments. This makes it very important to hydrate your skin through adequate moisturizing. Find an oil-free moisturizer and apply it after washing and toning your face each day. The moisturizer you choose should be non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores, yet formulated for dry skin. This should ease itching and prevent peeling that can further clog your pores.
Avoid Hot Water
While instructions for most acne treatments say to use warm water when washing your face, using hot water could actually make dry skin worse, making it feel tighter and itchier. Instead, wash with cool water. You will still cleanse your skin and treat your acne but won't cause as much irritation.
Use Anti-Itch Creams
In cases of severe itching, you may be prescribed an anti-itch cream like a hydrocortisone cream. Applying this to the itchy area can help ease inflammation and prevent you from scratching at lesions. That being said, steroid creams can thin the skin over time, so it's best to use them only in the case of severe itching. If your acne itches terribly, you might also want to try an oral antihistamine to reduce the inflammatory response.
