How to Treat Acne When You Have Dry Skin

Dry skin and acne are often treatable with a range of over-the-counter products and careful skin care. In more severe cases, stronger medications are necessary, which are available on prescription.

Dry skin and acne are very common conditions that affect many people. Both can be uncomfortable and may require treatment.

Some people will develop dry skin and acne at the same time. The dry skin might contribute toward acne, but it can also be a sign of an underlying condition, such as dermatitis.

In this article, we discuss the causes and treatment of dry skin and acne. We also provide some tips on preventing these conditions through skin care practices.

The skin contains lots of hair follicles from which hair grows. Acne is the result of these becoming blocked.

Tiny glands near the surface of the skin produce sebum, an oil that prevents the skin from drying out. They can produce too much sebum, which blocks the hair follicle. Other debris, such as dead skin, also builds up.

When hair follicles become blocked, they form lumps in the skin. These are either whiteheads or blackheads. Bacteria can also build up and worsen symptoms.

When the skin lacks moisture, it becomes dry and scaly. To counteract the dryness, glands beneath the skin might produce more sebum. The excess sebum and dead skin can build up to cause acne. In this way, dry skin and acne can occur together.

People with both dry skin and acne should focus on treating both conditions without aggravating either. A doctor or dermatologist can offer advice for individual cases.

Many different over-the-counter creams, gels, and lotions are available for reducing acne.

These treatments usually contain benzoyl peroxide, an antiseptic substance for treating mild cases of acne. Benzoyl peroxide reduces bacteria and inflammation on the skin.

In moderate-to-severe cases of acne, a doctor may suggest prescription medications. These treatments could include antibiotics or retinoid creams or tablets.

The antibiotic medication will help fight the bacteria on the skin and prevent infection. Retinoid creams remove dead skin to stop it from accumulating in the hair follicles.

Dry skin is usually the result of an underlying condition, such as dermatitis, which people more commonly refer to as eczema. Treating the underlying condition will reduce dry skin.

Treatments for dry skin might involve using a moisturizer, which helps reduce dryness in the skin. Moisturizer usually comes as a cream, lotion, or oil.

Stronger moisturizers contain urea or lactic acid. These substances help the skin retain water but can cause stinging.

In severe cases, a dermatologist might prescribe corticosteroids or immunosuppressant drugs. These treatments are more effective but have additional side effects, such an increased risk of infections.

It is also possible to treat acne and dry skin at home.

Applying tea tree or jojoba oil might help reduce acne. Aloe vera or honey are other options that some people find beneficial.

It can also help to wash the skin gently using lukewarm water. The American Academy of Dermatology recommend washing at least twice a day, particularly after sweating.

It is important to avoid washing with an abrasive product that could further irritate the skin. Picking or touching the skin can also cause irritation.

Using gentle, fragrance-free products on the skin may prevent dry skin flare-ups. Regularly moisturizing the skin, especially after a bath or shower, may also help treat dry skin, even in cases of eczema.

Looking after the skin is sometimes enough to prevent dry skin and acne. However, some conditions, such as eczema, are difficult to prevent.

Some tips to reduce the risk of dry skin and acne include:

If home remedies and over-the-counter medications are not working to treat both dry skin and acne, a person should see a dermatologist.

A dermatologist is a specialist skin doctor who can help determine the best treatment for dry skin and acne in each case. They can also offer prescriptions for stronger medication when necessary.

A buildup of sebum and debris in hair follicles causes acne to develop on the skin. Dry skin can contribute to this process. Bacteria might also accumulate and worsen the symptoms.

Both acne and dry skin are treatable. There are many over-the-counter options, such as benzoyl peroxide. In more severe cases, a dermatologist might prescribe stronger medications.

Practicing good skin care is the best way to prevent acne and dry skin. For example, people can avoid substances or practices that irritate the skin, such as scrubbing with an abrasive brush.

Many cases of acne and dry skin will clear up with over-the-counter treatments and good skin care. A dermatologist can help if these approaches are not working.

Last medically reviewed on April 23, 2020

Dry Skin and Acne: Causes, Treatments, Home Remedies, and More

For the most part, avoid heavy skin care products. This includes oil-based lotions, moisturizers, and sunscreens. They can leave behind residue that clogs pores. Find oil-free, noncomedogenic products. This is true for anyone with acne.

If your skin doesn’t improve with home remedies or over-the-counter medication, see a dermatologist for advice on how to address acne without causing further dryness.

A regular skin care routine is one of the best defenses for fighting acne and dry skin. But if you have sensitive skin, you’ll need to choose your skin care products carefully.

Acne is often associated with oily skin. Oily skin occurs when the sebaceous glands produce too much sebum. Sebum is a natural skin oil that lubricates and protects the skin. Too much can lead to clogged pores and acne breakouts.

Look specifically for gentle facial washes that are noncomedogenic, free of dyes, fragrance-free, and hydrating for dry skin.

Why Breakouts Happen

Acne—no matter what type of skin you have—results from a relatively simple formula. “The skin produces sebum or oil, and if the substance is too thick and sticky it can combine with dead skin cells in the pores and create a plug,” says board-certified dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD. “This blackhead or whitehead can combine with bacteria and become inflamed, making a red or tender pimple.”

As we get older, “our skin loses sebaceous output and moisture,” says Engelman. “Unfortunately, acne can start to increase as we age due to hormonal imbalance, stress, dietary, environmental factors, genetics. So, increased breakouts can start when skin is becoming drier—it’s a tough combo!” she says.

These breakouts are treatable—it just takes a certain amount of knowledge to make sure you don’t worsen the skin’s dryness in an effort to banish zits! “It is a challenge to treat acne if you have dry skin, because acne treatments can actually dry you out more,” explains board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD. “So it is important to use appropriate cleansers and moisturizers to address dry skin and minimize the risk of medication-related irritation.”

How to Prevent Breakouts When You Have Dry Skin

Below, dermatologist-recommended tips on how to prevent breakouts when you have dry skin.

Can dry skin cause acne?

Dry skin is one of the biggest concerns dermatologists face every day. Your skin feels rough, tight, and might even start to itch, peel or crack. More and more people experience dry skin during the harsh winter months. What we don’t expect is to see acne show up as well. This begs the question: can dry skin cause acne?

Dry skin does not directly cause acne, per se. But it can make things worse.

Some individuals with dry skin also suffer from acne. Having to fight two skin conditions at once can be daunting. However, understanding what’s causing your dry skin can help you put things in place to combat the issue. Furthermore, by using one or more dermatologist-approved acne treatment, you will not only have clearer skin but improve your dry skin concerns too!

Dry skin and acne: Treatments and home remedies