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.
Dos & Donts For Dry Skin Acne
DONTs
- Avoid cleansing your face too frequently as even water splashed on the face can dry out your skin.
- Wash your face only once a day. At night, you can scrub it clean with a wet tissue or just splash your face with very little water and gently pat dry.
- Avoid showering with too hot water and long baths. Both can contribute towards drying your skin more.
- Dont use exfoliators till your skin has regained its moisture, as exfoliating scrubs can dry out and irritate the skin further.
- Apply your moisturiser after cleansing and before using any anti-acne ointment. That way, the skin doesnt dry out further and the moisturiser becomes a protective barrier.
- Start with the lowest possible dose of medication or the smallest quantities of ointments when you treat acne on dry skin.
- For cleansing, opt for products that have fruit acids and extracts over beads and other particles.
- Anti-acne treatments that come as water-based gels or astringents and toners can dry your skin more than creams or ointments. Opt for the latter if you have dry skin.
Wrapping Up
While acne can occur on both oily and dry skin, the trick is to recognise the cause and find the right remedy. Keeping the skin moisturised and not washing it too frequently can help it from getting dry. Choosing the right products to treat acne on dry skin is important. Always consult your doctor before opting for medications to treat acne.
What To Look For
But this doesnt mean you can slap just any old grease on and call it good.
Choose a suitable formulation
Moisturizers are a mixture of water and fats. Heavier formulations have more fat and are often called creams. Whereas lighter ones have less fat and more water and are usually called lotions. Creams are of course better at moisturizing but they can also cause more problems in acne-prone skin, especially if they contain mineral oils. Light lotions are the best choice for daily maintenance, but you might need a heavier cream for initially repairing your skin.
This should be obvious but bears saying, if you apply moisturizer on your face choose something thats formulated for facial skin. By and large they are all noncomedogenic and wont make your face look too greasy.
Go for non-irritating products
All moisturizers contain some irritating ingredients. The formulation just wouldnt work otherwise. These are necessary evil. But in other cases its mostly just evil, such as some preservatives, fragrances and colors.
Look at the label for words like nonirritating or hypoallergenic. In many of the cleanser studies Ive seen products from Dove are usually rated as the least irritating. Hopefully that carries over to their moisturizers also.
And for those who dont trust the labels or just want to get geeky, heres a list of irritants commonly used in moisturizers:
- Acetone
- Urea irritating only in higher concentrations
- Pyrriolidonic carboxylic acid
- Lanolin
- Fragrances
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Use Cleansers That Are A Mixture Of Oil And Water
The number one ingredient in your cleanser should be water, and the number two ingredient should be some kind of oil that dissolves the oil in your skin so water can wash it away. Dont use cleansers that contain alcohol. Cleansers never contain enough alcohol to kill acne bacteria , but they often contain enough alcohol to dry out the skin.
How And Why Acne Develops
Acne develops when the hair follicles, or pores, in your skin become clogged due to dead skin cells, sebum and other substances.;
Sebum is a natural oil thats produced by your sebaceous glands small exocrine glands that open into your hair follicles. It plays an important role in sealing in moisture, preventing excess dryness and protecting your skin from bacteria and other potential sources of damage.
When too much sebum is secreted by your sebaceous glands, it can clog your hair follicles and cause them to develop into different types of acne.;
Another major factor in acne breakouts, dead skin, is also a byproduct of a natural process that your body uses to maintain your skin.;
Every 40 to 56 days, your skin undergoes a regeneration process thats referred to as epidermal turnover. As part of this process, skin cells from the basal layers of your skin move towards the surface to replace cells in your epidermis the outermost layer of your skin.;
Epidermal turnover plays a major role in helping your skin maintain itself. Every day, your skin is exposed to damage from the sun, wind and other factors. By continually renewing and repairing itself, your skin can keep itself protected and healthy.;
As a byproduct of this process, dead, leftover skin cells can gradually build up on the surface of your skin. Over time, these can mix with sebum and clog your hair follicles, contributing to acne breakouts.
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How To Get Rid Of Blackheads
Blackheads are a mild form of acne that appear as unsightly, open pores that look darker than the skin surrounding them. They get their dark appearance from a skin pigment called melanin, which oxidizes and turns black when it’s exposed to the air. Blackheads aren’t caused by dirt, but by sebum and dead skin cells blocking the pore. If the pore remains open, it becomes a blackhead; if it’s completely blocked and closed, it turns into a whitehead.
Baldwin says squeezing is the best way to get rid of blackheads, but it should be left to a professional if possible. “A good cosmetologist can do an awesome facial,” she says. “Pore strips can also help. But both of these are made much easier by starting on a retinoid first. Prescription retinoids soften the pore contents and make the whole process more successful and less painful. With time they will also eradicate the blackheads.” The best way to get rid of blackheads for good is with a skin care regimen and the best acne products for clearing the pores. Do not try to pop blackheads or dislodge the blockage with your nails, as your hands may introduce new bacteria to the pores. Instead, see how to get rid of zits fast and prevent blackheads with these acne treatments:
Fight Acne With Garlic
Garlic has anti-bacterial properties that help to fight acne and pimples. However, never apply the garlic without diluting it first. Extract garlic juice and mix it with water or mash 2-3 cloves of garlic. Let it soak in water for say 10 minutes and then massage it on the affected area. You can also substitute water with Aloe Vera gel. Apply it on the affected area. You can also have garlic to prevent acne in the future.
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Why It Successfully Repaired His Skin From Drying Acne Products:
His dry, flaky, irritated skin was a sign of a damaged moisture barrier. When the skins barrier is compromised from harsh chemicals, it creates small, invisible cracks in the skin that allows moisture to evaporate and irritants to get into the skin easier. As for his acne, which I told him we would address once we got his skin back to a healthy place, theres just not that much left. When the skins barrier is intact, it can properly defend microbial invasion and function in a healthier and proper way.
My nephew is so happy. At age 16, his skin is one less thing he needs to be worried about.;
Obviously, my nephews skin is an extreme case but it does drive home the point of how drying acne products can affect the skins appearance and overall health. I hope this gives you some insight as to how to get rid of dry skin caused by harsh acne treatments so you can get rid of sensitive, flaky skin, once and for all. Of course, youll always want to choose products that are right for your skin type.
Pharmacy First Scotland: Acne Treatment From Your Pharmacy
Acne isn’t usually serious and can be treated by a pharmacist. If your acne is severe or appears on your chest and back,;it may need to be treated with;antibiotics;or stronger creams that are only;available on prescription. Your pharmacist can advise on whether you need to see your GP for further treatment.
If you develop nodules or cysts, they need to be treated properly through your GP to avoid scarring.;Try to resist the temptation to pick or squeeze the spots, as this can lead to permanent scarring.
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Get Help From Milk And Honey
Whole milk and honey are the two wonderful ingredients which not only help in getting rid of pimples but also even out the skin tone as well. Simply take a tablespoon each of milk and honey and mix them together. Apply the mixture on your face and let it sit for 15 minutes, then wash it off with cold water.
Similarly you can also apply the mixture in layers. The second layer should be applied only when the first one dries off a bit. You can scrub off this mask with the help of your fingers while moving them in a circular motion. In the end, splash some cold water on your face and pat it dry.
If you dont have whole milk available, you can use yogurt as well.
Get Rid Of Blackheads With Salicylic Acid
The problem with squeezing blackheads is that you usually miss. All you manage to do is to make a tiny cut in the skin next to the blackhead that gives infection a pathway into the skin. And even if you manage to remove a blackhead with your fingers or with an extraction device, an equally unsightly enlarged pore is left behind.
The way to get rid of blackheads is by using exfoliating products that contain salicylic acid, which dissolves the hardened oil that causes blemishes. The first part of the plug of oil in a pore that is dissolved is the black in the blackhead. Often you can see immediate improvement in your complexion, just a few minutes after you use a product like Paulas Choice 2% Beta-Hydroxy Acid Gel for All Skin Types or the much less expensive Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control 3-In-1 Hydrating Acne Treatment.
If you leave these products on your skin overnight, they slowly loosen whiteheads and blackheads, giving the skin time to spring back into place so they dont leave an enlarged pore.
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Use The Right Face Cleanser
Buying a generic face wash wont necessarily improve your complexion. For a cleanser to be most effective, you have to pay attention to your skins needs and pick the ingredients accordingly. If your skin tends to be oily, choose products with salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or glycolic acid. For sensitive skin, look for gentle cleansers with lactic acid or hydrating ingredients like glycerin, which arent as drying as those made for oilier types.
How Can I Get Rid Of Acne Without Drying Out My Skin
ByJosh Karzac;;|;;Submitted On September 23, 2009
How can I get rid of acne, without drying out my skin? This is a very popular question with acne sufferers, because there is a thin line between ridding yourself of acne and drying out your skin. In order to rid yourself of acne without drying out your skin, the best way to accomplish that is to use natural remedies. First of all, natural treatment for acne begins when you modify your diet. Do not eat junk food or processed food; instead, consume a lot of vegetables and fruits. They help to improve your immune system, aiding it to ward off harmful acne-causing bacteria. Eat a lot of foods that are rich in vitamins A and E, as they are necessary in keeping your skin clear of acne. In addition, drink plenty of water for healthy looking skin and to discard of toxins.
Next, wash your skin with soaps void of chemicals. Wash your face at least twice a day, in a gentle manner. Alternatively, use food as topical treatments to cure acne naturally. Use an egg white; gently wipe the egg white on the affected area with a cotton ball and let it sit for about thirty minutes. You may also leave it on overnight, in fact, that may prove even more effective. After that, wash the egg white off thoroughly.
How can I get rid of acne, without drying out my skin? Well, if that is a concern of yours, then it is hoped that the piece above has offered meaningful advice in your acne fight. Remember, you can defeat acne.
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How To Treat Acne When You Have Dry Skin
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Stocksy
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 New York Citybased, 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 New York City-based, 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.;
Take Help From The Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is amazing when it comes to different home remedies. It also deals with pimples and acne effectively by working on even the deepest layer of your skin. Before applying tea tree oil, make sure that your face is clean. Mix 1 teaspoon of it with 9 of water. Apply it directly on the pimple with the help of a cotton ball. And wash your face 15 minutes later.
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How To Get Rid Of Back Acne Step Three: Body Wash With Acne Medication
Acne remedies benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are key ingredients in body washes designed to get rid of acne. Choose an oil-free body wash with acne medication like benzoyl peroxide or 2 percent salicylic acid. Apply the body wash to the affected areas and leave on for a minute or two to allow the acne medication to work its magic. Rinse well. Remember that products that contain benzoyl peroxide bleach fabric and may ruin towels, clothes and sheets/pillow cases. Change to white or something you don’t mind bleaching.
Treatments From Your Gp
See your GP if your acne is more widespread,;as you probably need prescription medication.;For example, if:
- you have a large number of papules and pustules
- over-the-counter medication hasn’t worked
Prescription medications that can be used to treat acne include:
- topical retinoids
Several treatments for acne don’t involve medication.
These include:
- comedone extractor a small pen-shaped instrument that can be used to clean out blackheads and whiteheads
- chemical peels where a chemical solution is applied to the face, causing the skin to peel off and new skin to replace it
However, these treatments may not work and can’t be routinely recommended.
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Skip Makeup When You’re Working Out
Take an extra five minutes before hopping on the treadmill to completely wash your face and remove your makeup to minimize the risk of breakouts. “Sweat is released through visible pores in the skin,” says dermatologist Dr. Janelle Vega. “When makeup covers those pores, that barrier doesn’t allow the sweat to make it to the surface of the skin, which can lead to clogged pores. The trapped debris and bacteria are a perfect breeding ground for acne bumps and zits.”
