Informative Articles


Dry Skin and Acne: Find the Right Acne Treatment for You

by Clarita Milles

Generally speaking, oily skin is more prone to acne than other skin types. However, this does not mean that combination and dry skin can consider themselves acne-free skin types. In fact, while combination skin can actually withstand the same treatments for acne that oily skin can, dry skin requires another approach.

People with dry skin tend to suffer from "invisible" pimples. What this means is that when acne affects dry skin it does so by creating itchy and painful nodules that appear underneath the skin. This makes it impossible to pop a pimple, as most people usually do. In fact, any type of pressure applied to the affected area will result in widespread infection and inflammation.

Instead, use a moisturizer to alleviate your acne. This may be counterintuitive, but it really does work. Here's why:

Dry skin is synonymous of an absence of moisture which will lead to invisible cracks that allow acne bacteria to enter and proliferate. By keeping skin moisturized you are actually keeping it strong, healthy, and protected against bacterial intruders.

You can also use oil as a moisturizer for dry skin. Although, not just any oil will do. Use non-comedogenic oils, such as olive oil, and massage it into your skin.

Remove it with a moist washcloth and apply your moisturizer as you would normally do. This can help balance out the natural oils in your skin. As a matter of fact, it is especially helpful for people with extremely dry skin.

Proper cleansing and a good acne cream or product will also help you prevent acne and treat acne lesions. You should not try products designed for oily skin, however. Acne treatments that are designed for oily or combination skin are far too harsh for dry skin.

A regular cleansing routine will help you deal with mild and moderate acne, nevertheless, you will need to seek a medical professional if you need to treat severe acne. Not taking acne seriously will only worsen the problem and lead to acne scarring that will most often require acne scar removal.

Dry skin is too sensitive to withstand products that contain retinol, salicylic acid, and sulfur. Instead of these ingredients look for products that contain tea tree oil or vitamin B complex. Or if you'd like, you can use products that contain AHAs but do so wisely because they are known to cause irritation in some people.

Tea tree oil should initially be used once a week to allow your skin time enough to adjust and become accustomed to it. Or, you can dilute it with a couple of drops of water or a few drops of your moisturizer. Both of these methods help reduce its irritating power.

AHAs are excellent exfoliators and often used to help reduce the level of flaking that usually accompanies dry skin. You can either find a creamy moisturizer made with AHAs or mix them into your moisturizer.

BIOSKINFORTE is a natural skin care cream that can be used to treat cystic acne and also as a back acne treatment. Its main ingredient, Helix aspersa muller extract, makes BIOSKINFORTE such a gentle product that it has been compared to some acne home remedies.

Published March 22nd, 2010

Filed in Beauty