If you have dry or sensitive skin and you have acne you’ll need to take special precautions to, not only treat your acne, but to look after your skin. The majority of acne treatments will dry out your skin as they are made to prevent the production of too much oil and if you already have dry skin this will just make your problems worse. Your skin will probably become flaky and irritated. If you have sensitive skin the ingredients in many of the acne treatments will increase redness and irritation so you must be particularly cautious which treatments you use.
Dry and Sensitive Skin Treatment
As we get older our skin has a tendency to become drier as the cells start to make less sebum. Elastin and collagen in the skin become damaged and are repaired less efficiently, leading to drier, less elastic skin. Also as women get closer to the menopause estrogen levels decrease which also causes dryness. Dry skin may also be a result of cold weather and for those of us with sensitive skin it can be very easily irritated by many of the ingredients in skin care products and make up as well as fragrances or rough fabrics.
Acne Remedies For Dry and Sensitive Skin
1. Cleansing Preparations
A skincare routine that includes very gentle cleansing with a very mild cleanser and moisturizing is necessary if you have dry or sensitive skin. Cleansers that are sold especially for those who suffer from acne are not really suitable for these types of skin. They contain very harsh ingredients for curing the acne but will cause irritation and redness on sensitive skin. You should use a milder cleanser as an alternative that contains only mild ingredients and will not cause further irritation to your skin. Do not wash your face too frequently and never scrub vigorously or use a harsh cloth in an effort to get rid of the dirt that is supposed to be the cause of acne. This will only cause increased inflammation and distribute the acne causing bacteria around your skin which will inevitably give rise to more flare ups. Washing your face two times a day is adequate with a very gentle soap. Either use your hands or a soft, freshly boiled washcloth or if possible use throwaway cotton pads.
2. Moisturizing For Sensitive or Dry Skin
You need to use a good quality moisturizer for dry skin but make sure you use a product that is light and won’t increase the oil on the skin and . Thick creams and lotions are not suitable as they will clog up the pores and result in more irritation.
3. Acne Treatments For Dry and Sensitive Skin
Some chemicals often used in acne remedies include benzoyl peroxide, vitamin A derivatives and salicylic acids. For dry or sensitive skin pick one with a low concentration initially to monitor how your skin is affected. If it doesn’t result in irritation and redness you can increase the concentration. Do not use all over the face but use a small amount only in the problem area and only apply once a day until your skin becomes more used to it. You could also consider using a natural cure for acne such as tea tree oil, either in a ready made preparation that contains tea tree oil, or by making a solution of pure tea tree oil diluted in water and applying it to your problem areas. Tea tree oil has proved to be almost as helpful as benzoyl peroxide but does not dry out the skin.
Conclusion
Dry and sensitive skins may suffer from acne and need special looking after so that you don’t make the condition of your skin even worse while you are treating your acne. Always use acne treatments with as mild ingredients as you can and consider trying acne home remedies instead of the harsher OTC products that are available.
