Acne is caused by a rather straightforward formula, no matter what type of skin you have. According to board-certified dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD, “the skin produces sebum or oil, and if the substance is too thick and sticky, it can combine with skin cells in the pores and form a blockage.”A red or sensitive pimple can form when a blackhead or whitehead comes into contact with microorganisms and becomes inflammatory.” Dry Acne Prone Skin Routine
According to Engelman, “as we age, our skin loses sebaceous output and hydration.” “Unfortunately, as we age, acne can worsen owing to hormone imbalances, stress, nutritional, environmental, and genetic causes. So, as the skin dries up, more breakouts appear—it’s a difficult combination!” she explains.
These breakouts can be treated—all it needs is a little know-how to avoid exacerbating the skin’s dryness in the process of getting rid of zits! “It’s difficult to cure acne if you have dry skin,” adds board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD. “Acne therapies might actually dry you out more.” “As a result, it’s critical to use the right cleansers and moisturizers to combat dry skin and reduce the risk of medication-induced irritation.”
Here Are The Perfect Methods For Dry Acne Prone Skin Routine
When You Have Dry Skin, Here’s How to Prevent Breakouts
Tips for preventing breakouts when you have dry skin from dermatologists are included below.
Follow a Skincare Routine on a Consistent Basis
Find something that works for you and stick to it. Rabach advises, “Keep a consistent skin routine.” “Introducing a new product can throw a good routine off and result in a setback in a cycle of breaking out and then becoming too dry.”
Twice a Day, Cleanse
Wash your face twice a day, but don’t remove your makeup. Rabach advises using a cleanser with a creamy texture to avoid stripping the skin of its natural oils.
Retinol is a kind of vitamin A that can be used to improve your skin’s appearance (in Moderation)
Retinol (a.k.a. every dermatologist’s favorite chemical) helps keep pores clear by sloughing away dead skin cells.
1 Retinol is also well-known for being irritant and causing dryness (!) and flaking in some individuals. Rabach advises using them sparingly on dry skin, “maybe once or twice a week rather than overnight.” If you still have retinol sensitivity, consider putting it in between moisturizers.
Changing up your activities is a great way to keep things interesting.
Don’t use too many active compounds on your skin. “Start with one therapy at a time,” says Charlotte Birnbaum, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. “Hold off on using products with alpha-hydroxy acids (like glycolic or lactic acid) or beta-hydroxy acids (salicylic acid) while you’re starting retinoids and only use them once a week once your skin has adjusted to the retinoids,” she advises.
Moisturize (and Don’t Fear Oils)
People with acne-prone skin are prone to fearing moisture, but all skin types require it. “Those with acne are terrified of oils, although oils are a terrific method to rehydrate the skin,” adds Engelman. “Face oils help to minimize inflammation in acne-prone skin,” she explains. This impact helps to prevent acne flare-ups and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.”
Avoid over-exfoliating or scrubbing your skin.
Gentle care for your skin “Avoid loofah-type face scrubbers and handheld mechanical face washers,” Rabach advises, “since they may cause irritation and dryness.” Another recommendation is to avoid astringent or drying products. “Avoid alcohol-based toners,” Birnbaum advises, “since they often do little to treat acne and make it more difficult to tolerate more effective therapies like retinoids.”
When You Have Dry Skin, Here’s How to Treat Breakouts
Treat on the Spot In order to avoid drying out the rest of your skin, treat pimples using a focused treatment. “Spot treatments offer a potent dosage of active chemicals (usually salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide) to the bothersome pimple while not drying out the surrounding area,” Engelman explains. She advises applying a spot treatment as needed, but sticking to a consistent skincare routine that includes cleansing, treating, and moisturizing. If you’re going to utilize a benzoyl peroxide-based spot treatment, Rabach suggests looking for one with a concentration of 1%–2.5%. “Research suggests that higher-strength benzoyl peroxide causes more dryness and irritation than lower-strength benzoyl peroxide, and it doesn’t help treat acne any more effectively,” she says.
Spironolactone: The advantage of utilizing oral acne medication to treat dry skin is that you can avoid using potentially drying topical therapies. Spironolactone is an oral drug that “works best in females with hormone-induced acne (typically cystic pimples around the jawline),” according to Rabach.
Antibiotics: Antibiotics such as “doxycycline or minocycline work on P. acnes (the major bacteria that causes acne) and also reduce inflammation in red, painful acne,” according to Rabach. They, like Spironolactone, help to lessen the need for topical medications.
- What to Read Next?
