What causes dry skin?
First, it helps to understand what makes your skin dry and the reasons why you may get dry skin acne. The epidermis, which is the top layer of our skin, is made up of natural substances like ceramides, oils and fats, and other water-soluble compounds. The stratum corneum is the top layer of the epidermis, which is made up of a few layers. This top layer is always shedding dead skin cells, but its main job is to keep water, electrolytes, and compounds that dissolve in water inside the skin. In turn, these protect your skin from pollutants in the air. It also makes you look plump and fresh.
Dry skin is caused by one or more of the following:
- Most of the time, it’s cold and dry in the winter because of low temperatures and low humidity. When you spend a lot of time inside with the heat on, your skin is more likely to dry out.
- Surfactants are found in soaps and laundry detergents. These are the things that help make foam, get rid of dirt and oil, and even keep cosmetics from going bad. Most soaps and detergents, unfortunately, have harsh surfactants that take away all the oil and moisture from the skin, leaving it dry.
- Dry skin can also be caused by hot showers, hot tubs, and swimming for a long time.
- Dryness gets worse if you already have eczema, keratosis pilaris, or psoriasis.
- Are you drinking enough water? If not, it probably isn’t helping with problems with dry skin.
There are also other things to think about, such as your health (some diseases can cause acne), your age, and even your genes. But there are ways to treat dry skin that work. We’ll talk more about those after we talk about dry skin acne.
Can dry skin cause acne?
People know that too much oil can cause acne, but you might not know that dry skin can also result in dry skin acne. When the skin is dry, it makes more oil, which can clog pores and make acne worse.
Dry skin can be caused by genes or getting older, by products used to treat acne, or by a mix of both. Moisturizer is an important part of any acne skincare routine, but some hydrating products for dry skin may feel too rich for your acne-prone skin or contain ingredients that can clog your pores.
So, if your skin is prone to acne, you need to be extra careful when choosing a moisturizer. Low levels of ceramides, which are a key part of the skin’s protective barrier, have also been linked to dry skin acne. A moisturizer with this ingredient can also be helpful. Keep reading to find out what to look for in a moisturizer when you’re dealing with dry skin and acne.
How to treat Dry Skin Acne
Since your skincare routine may be the cause of your dry skin acne, it’s important to choose the right products.
Sonya Kenkare, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology at Rush Medical College in Chicago, says that you should use a gentle cleanser. Kenkare suggests a hydrating cleanser like CeraVe or Cetaphil, which you can buy at a drugstore.
She says to stay away from foaming cleansers because they have more detergents that can dry out the skin even more. Try to wash your face and moisturize it twice a day. And make sure you get a cleanser that has the right ingredients for your skin type.
Kenkare says to choose a moisturizer that doesn’t contain oil and is noncomedogenic, which means it won’t clog your pores. Time is also important. Berson says that you should moisturize while your skin is still wet, and that when you’re drying off, you should pat rather than rub.
“You will actually help keep the moisture in and make the skin feel more hydrated. If you just dry off and walk away, you’re drying out your skin more each time because the water on your skin evaporates and takes more water with it, “Berson says.” “
Add a serum if an oil-free moisturizer isn’t enough. “When I have patients who need hydration but don’t want greasy hydration, I recommend they choose a hydrating serum,” says Berson.
She says to look for serums with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which help keep the skin hydrated; and niacinamide and ceramides, which can calm down irritated skin and help repair barrier function.
Wear sunscreen: Finally, Kenkare says that people with dry skin acne should use sunscreen. Acne can cause dark spots (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) on people with darker skin and red spots (post-inflammatory erythema) on people with lighter skin. These effects are worsened by dry skin and sun exposure.
Both doctors agree that you should always see a dermatologist if your skin is hurting, especially since your skin has different needs in different seasons. A dermatologist can also give you prescriptions for treatments like topical or oral retinoids or hormonal drugs to help with your dry skin acne.
Home remedies
Dry skin acne can also be treated at home. Putting tea tree oil or jojoba oil on acne might help clear it up. Some people also find aloe vera and honey to be helpful.
Washing the skin gently with lukewarm water can also help. The American Academy of Dermatology says that you should wash your face at least twice a day, especially after you sweat.
It is important not to wash with a rough product that could make the skin even more sensitive. The skin can also become irritated if you pick at it or touch it.
Using products on the skin that are gentle and don’t have any scents may keep dry skin from getting dry skin acne. Even if you have eczema, you may be able to treat dry skin by moisturizing it every day, especially after a bath or shower.
In Conclusion
Acne shows up on the skin when sebum and dead skin build up in hair follicles. This can be made worse by dry skin. Bacteria could also build up and make the symptoms worse.
Dry skin acne skin can be easily dealt with. There are many options that you can buy over the counter, like benzoyl peroxide. If the problem is worse, a dermatologist may give you stronger medicine.
The best way to avoid dry skin acne is to take good care of your skin. People can, for example, stay away from things or actions that irritate the skin, like scrubbing with a rough brush.
With good skin care and over-the-counter treatments, dry skin acne often go away. A dermatologist can help if none of these things work.