Balance Your Skin Microbiome
Healthy skin needs a healthy balance of bacteria. Correcting bacterial imbalances in the skin microbiome is key to reducing inflammation and restoring skin health… Gladskin with Micreobalance® is designed to create an environment where good bacteria can thrive so your skin naturally produces everything it needs to stay healthy over the long term.
Gladskin Blemish Gel was specifically formulated for people with acne-prone skin, while Gladskin Eczema Cream was created for those with eczema-prone skin. But both work to bring balance back to your skin gently, without causing other unwanted side effects. What a relief.
How To Treat Acne When You Have Dry Skin
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Although acne is commonly associated with oily skin, let it be known that dry skin can break out too. And while these breakouts on drier skin are certainly manageable, they can be a little harder to deal with because so many standard acne treatments are targeted specifically to oily skin types. But sometimes acne can occur on certain parts of the face, while other parts are unusually dry , explains board-certified dermatologist Morgan Rabach, MD.
I like to compare the skin with brick and mortar, where the skin cells are bricks and the mortar is what holds the cells together: ceramides, lipids, and cholesterol. Dryness occurs when there is not enough mortar to keep the bricks together, explains board-certified dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD. Moisture keeps the skin pliable and supple, whereas the lack of it causes skin to crack, flake, and peel. Cracked skin is more vulnerable to infection from microorganismssuch as bacteria and fungusbecause the skin barrier is not strong enough to protect itself, which can lead to increased breakouts, she explains.
So treating acne with dry skin can require a delicate balance. But first, a bit more on the basics from leading board-certified dermatologists.
Meet the Expert
Understanding Dry Skin And Acne
Dry skin is a common problem. It tends to affect people as they age, although its still common to get dry skin when youre in your teens, 20s or thirties.
At its core, dry skin occurs when your skin loses water too quickly. You may notice that your skin becomes dry during periods of low humidity or when you spend a lot of time indoors in an air conditioned, low-moisture environment.
Like acne, a range of different factors can play a role in dry skin. You may have a higher risk of developing dry skin if you:
When dry skin and acne occur at the same time, the results can be frustrating. Acne breakouts can be unsightly, painful and difficult to treat. Since your skin is dry, you may be less protected from infections that can worsen your acne.
Making things worse is the fact that dry skin is often easily irritated something that can add to your risk of getting acne.
Luckily, options are available. In the section below, weve explained what you can do to prevent dryness and treat acne at the same time.
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Dry Skin = Sensitive Skin
Dry skin and sensitive skin may be closely related. Sensitive skin is skin that reacts strongly to skin care products or to dry and cold weather. Research suggests that if you suffer from dry skin, you are also likely to have sensitive skin. Scientists believe that both dry skin and sensitive skin arise from the same underlying cause: impaired barrier function.5
Having Acne And Eczema At The Same Time: Does Eczema Affect Acne
You can experience both eczema and acne at the same time. However, the two conditions often dont affect one another, because they typically occur on different locations of the skin. Because eczema is associated with very dry skin and acne is associated with very oily skin, they dont often occur on the same area of the body. For example, you may have acne on your face but eczema on your hands.
While less common, it is possible to have both conditions in close proximity on the body. . For example, you could have acne on the T-zone of your face but have eczema on your cheeks. Its also possible to experience both eczema and acne on your shoulders, back, or chest.
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Can Dry Skin Cause Acne
Dry skin refers to the uncomfortable condition of the skin that is marked with scaling, itching and cracking due to the lack of moisture and hydration in the upper layer of the skin. The continuous loss of natural oils and cells over a period of time results in dry and flaky skin.
Dry skin can be one of the reasons of acne. People with dry skin usually tend to have problems like itchiness and redness. And with injury or trauma, the skin barrier becomes weak, thus causing infection due to deposition of acne causing bacteria. With pollution and chemicals there is an inflammation that results in the formation of acne.
Using Gentle Skincare Products
Harsh cleansers can alter the skins pH and bacterial balance… If youre washing your face with a harsh soap, its time to switch to a gentle cleanser that helps to maintain the natural integrity of the skin. Opt for products that are fragrance-, paraben-, and sulfate-free. We recommend the Gladskin Face Wash and Makeup Remover.
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Skincare For Acne Prone Skin And Oily Skin
Explore our comprehensive line of dermatologist-tested acne treatments and products for oily skin and acne prone skin.
Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Spot Treatment
Mattifying Face Moisturizer for Oily Skin
Acne Toner with Salicylic Acid
Prescription-Strength Topical Retinoid for Acne
Salicylic Acid Face Wash for Acne
Dermatological Anti-Aging Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum. Allergy Tested Formula
Facial Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin
Moisturizing cream tested on allergy-prone skin
Why Can Dry Skin Cause Acne
Since the clogging of hair follicles causes acne, dry skin can cause an excess buildup of dead skin cells. This, in turn, can clog your pores. In addition, dry skin makes your pores more likely to break open, allowing acne causing bacteria deeper into the skin. Also, although dry skin can is not a direct cause of acne, it can trigger the production of more sebum or oil in your skin. The oil then creates acne in a continuous cycle of dry skin and acne.
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Avoid Over Washing In Case Of Dry Skin Acne
We should not wash our faces more frequently than we need it. Frequent washing can lead to breakouts and dryness. Over washing can be a cause of dryness and irritation. In the case of acne, it will aggravate the dry skin pimples. To get rid of acne, you have to give your skin time, a lot of OIL, and patience. If youve been washing your face too much, then switch to cooling and gentle cleansers or products that are formulated for sensitive skin.
It is best to wash ones face only 2-3 times a day with a mild or fragrance-free soap or cleanser and always let it dry before applying any other treatment.
Eczema Vs Acne: How Is Eczema Different From Acne
Eczema and acne are both inflammatory skin conditions that involve bacterial imbalances in the skin microbiome. But they have different symptoms, causes, and treatments.
Eczema causes an itchy, flaking rash on the skin. While its exact cause remains unknown, its thought to be a combination of genetics as well as bacterial and environmental factors.
Acne, on the other hand, is caused by excess oil that clogs the pores on the surface of the skin. Excess oil can be a result of skin care choices, genetics, or hormonal factors. Acne shows up in the form of whiteheads, blackheads, cysts, nodules, papules, and pustules.
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Habits Lifestyle Changes And Home Remedies
While the right moisturizer, cleanser and medication can make a big difference, treating dry skin thats prone to acne is also about changing your habits.
Often, a few small changes is all it takes to prevent dryness, avoid acne and keep your skin in optimal condition. Use the following habits, lifestyle changes and home remedies to keep your skin moisturized and free of acne:
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Wash your face two times a day, at most. Although washing your face is an important step for cleaning away excess oil, dirt and other substances, washing too frequently can irritate your skin and worsen acne breakouts.Try to wash your face twice daily once when you wake up and once again right before you go to bed. Its also alright to wash your face after you exercise, especially if you feel sweaty.
Tackle Dry Skin With A Proper Skincare Routine
Its essential to have a skincare routine thats big on moisture. Use a hydrating facial or body cleanser thats gentle and non-foaming. Skip the scrubs or any products that may irritate your skin. To wrap up your skincare routine, moisturizer is crucial. When applied immediately after washing, this helps to seal in your skins moisture and reduces dryness. Find a moisturizer thats non-comedogenic and contains ceramides. Apply your moisturizer at least twice daily and before any acne medication to reduce the chances of dryness.
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Acne Breakouts Happen For Many Reasons Here Are Some To Name A Few:
- They can form from the accumulation of debris, dirt, dead skin, and natural oils, which leads to bacteria that cause breakouts to linger on your skin and clog pores.
- They can be especially common due to the use of face masks that are worn to shield us from the coronavirus. The direct friction that happens when you wear a mask can disrupt the outer skin layer of your face, leading to inflammation, loss of hydration, and irritation. They also tend to trap oil, humidity, and sweat on the skin, leading to acne or rosacea flares.
- Hormones are another reason for acne-prone skin, especially common in teens and adolescents as their body starts producing testosterone that directly causes the sebaceous glands to overdeliver.
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Diet, medications, using wrong skincare or makeup products, and other lifestyle choices are also facts that cause acne-prone skin.
Pro Tip: Stress, any underlying diseases, not having a skincare routine in place, and other factors also have a huge impact on causing acne, which is why you must try to lead a healthy, stress-free life while taking care of your skin or, at the very least, remember to wash your face once every few hours.
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Dont Overdo It With Acne
You dont need to dry out your skin to make it less acne-prone, says Dr. Kaminer. Look for products with a small amount of salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to gently open pores without the side effect of drying the skin. With salicylic acid, the percentage can range from .05 to 2 percent in over-the-counter products. With benzoyl peroxide, the percentage ranges from 2.5 to 10 percent. A good rule of thumb is to start with the lowest concentration available and slowly work your way up as your skin develops more of a tolerance. If any irritation occurs, lower the dosage or concentration and allow your skin to recover. It can also be beneficial to use spot treatments formulated with salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide to target the pimple directly and minimize the chance of irritation.
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She Alternates Her Prescription Retinoid With An Alpha Hydroxy Acid Treatment
“I alternate between La Roche Posay Adapalene 0.1% gel and my prescription retinoid to help keep acne in check and boost collagen production. Once a week , I’ll skip my retinoid and instead use a leave-in AHA treatment, containing glycolic acid and other AHAs. This helps to increase cellular turnover, helps with pigmentation, and overtime AHAs have proven to fight signs of photo-aging.”
Get The Right Acne Treatment For Your Skin
With your dry skin adequately managed, you can also concentrate on clearing up your acne. If you have constant, severe breakouts, its best to see a board-certified dermatologist first. Most acne treatments are designed to dry out the skin. We can provide you with the best option that will minimize the occurrence of dry skin. Acne treatment can range from simple over-the-counter medication to prescription lotions, creams, pills and more. Make sure to use these treatments as directed, as overuse is a fast track to dry, irritated skin.
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Dont Forget To Moisturize
While your first instinct may be to dry out your skin to reduce acne, this can make your sensitivities worse. Instead, Dr. Kaminer suggests adding a light and well-formulated moisturizer to your routine. He also suggests products that are non-comedogenic and oil-free to avoid any additional breakouts. Keep reading for our product recommendations.
Routinely Wash Anything That Comes Into Contact With Your Skin
Bedding, makeup brushes, and even phone screens can all harbor debris that can clog your pores.
To avoid clogging your pores, the American Academy of Dermatology advises changing sheets weekly and pillowcases two or three times a week.
Ideally, you should clean makeup tools every day. But if thats not feasible, try washing them once a week instead.
Phones can be wiped with a special cleanser once or twice a day.
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Followed By A Benzoyl Peroxide Cleanser
“I love benzoyl peroxide , however, it can be very drying and irritating. I’ve used other BPO cleansers but this one is my absolute fave. It works well but is not irritating at all. I will apply to my face, let it sit for four to five minutes so it can fully work, I’ll usually brush my teeth during, then rinse off.”
What Is An Acne Prone Skin
While most people have acne during their teenage years, some people are likely to get breakouts even in their adult life. Excessive production of sebum due to accelerated sebaceous gland activities and pronounced hormonal fluxes can make your skin prone to pimples.
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How To Treat Acne On Dry Skin
Treating dry, acne-prone skin is often challenging. The main reason for this is that many of the most effective treatments for acne cause dryness as a side effect something thats definitely not good if you already have dry, easily irritated skin.
Because of this, its important to focus on solving both problems at once, all without aggravating the other.
If you havent already done so, its best to talk to a medical professional to learn more about the factors that may be causing your dry, acne-prone skin. Theyll be able to help you treat your skin to prevent both dryness and acne.
Most of the time, acne that affects dry skin can be solved by using the right skincare products or medications, as well as by making certain changes to your habits and lifestyle.
If I Have Dry Skin And Acne What Products Should I Use
- Dry, acne-prone skin is a combination of skin type and skin concern .
- Prescribed acne treatments and harsh cleansers can leave skin tight and uncomfortable.
It is often assumed that acne-prone skin is a consequence of a naturally oily skin type. However, it is also possible to have both dry skin and acne. Here’s why, and how you can treat both acne and dry skin at the same time by using the right skincare.
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Drink More Water Than You Usually Do
Drink more water to get rid of face dryness. The body needs about two liters of water per day, so drink one liter for each activity you undertake. Your body and your skin will be glad and flawless.
Keeping hydrated is crucial for skin health, and when we are lacking water, our natural skin oils can be depleted. This can lead to a dehydrated and thirsty complexion with dry, rough patches of skin.
Though, we can share few way outs to battle this problem. Drinking plenty of fluids will help the oil glands produce natural oils on the surface of your skin, which will help it keep hydrated on the inside.
How To Deal With Acne And Eczema
Is it acne? Is it eczema? Or is it both? Acne and eczema are both inflammatory skin conditions, yet most often, they occur on different skin types. Eczema appears on dry skin, while acne is associated with oily and combination skin types. Despite this fact, some people wonder if theyre experiencing both eczema and acne. Is it possible? Today were exploring how eczema vs. acne appears on the skin and whether you can have both at the same time.
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Try One Of The Following Dermatologist
Besides topical acne treatment and medications, there are a few other treatments your dermatologist can perform to clear up your acne and improve the look and feel of your skin.
- Chemical Peel: A chemical peel uses alpha and beta hydroxy acids to removes dirt, oil and dead skin to reveal clearer, healthier skin. Chemical peels treat everything from acne, scarring, and fine lines, to dull skin.
- Microdermabrasion: This is a skin surface-level treatment. Using a diamond-tipped wand, your dermatologist removes dead skin cells and clogged pores. The technique helps exfoliate your skin, remove acne scars and restores your natural glow.
- Dermaplaning: Similar to microdermabrasion, except a special blade is used to scrape away dead skin cells and reveal fresher skin.
- Sebacia Acne Treatment: This amazing, new FDA-approved technique to help with all forms of acne. The treatment combines a laser and topical gold microparticles to target oil glands. With three treatments, patients see dramatic results.
- For severe cases of acne, powerful medications like Isotretinoin may be necessary. Your dermatologist will guide you through the process.
