Dry & Irritated Skin

Dry & Irritated Skin Can Coexist with Acne

Dry & Irritated Skin Can Coexist with Acne

Skin's hydration comes from two sources, natural oils (lipids) and natural moisturizing factors (such as hyaluronic acid). Together they maintain a protective barrier that keeps moisture locked in and prevents water evaporation. When they're out of balance, your skin becomes dehydrated and cracks; more moisture escapes and irritants gain entry, eventually causing dryness, irritation and redness. Severe cases of dry skin may be associated with eczema, a common condition, seen mainly on the face, hands, and extremities, in which the barrier is compromised and skin becomes easily infected. In eczema, itching and scratching are a vicious cycle, severely disrupting the barrier, making skin susceptible to infection.

External causes of dry skin include the environment; a cold, dry, windy climate or forced air heating systems cause skin dehydration. Drinking more water isn't the answer but humidifiers are. You cannot hydrate the skin from inside, but by increasing the water content of your environment, you will help your skin stay moist.

Harsh soaps and alcohol-based astringents may cause skin chapping. Oral medications like isotretinoin or medical conditions such as thyroid disease are also associated with skin dryness.

Topical medicines, too, impact skin's moisture content. Most acne medicines, prescription and over-the-counter, tend to be drying. If the medicines are mild, your skin will gradually adjust within a few weeks and dryness will no longer be a problem. Unfortunately dryness and irritation sometimes cause people to stop using their medicine. Many people, especially those with inherently dry and sensitive skin, fear that moisturizing will worsen their breakouts. Treating acne while managing dryness can seem challenging, but with the right approach, it can be easily done.

So how do you deal with dryness if you have acne-prone skin? And deal with acne if you have dry skin? First try reducing the frequency of your topical acne medicine from twice to once per day in the first few weeks. Then increase to twice daily as your skin tolerates it. Using medications that have been formulated to minimize dryness will also make a big difference. A little known fact is that products containing the same active ingredients can vary greatly in both their efficacy as well as their impact on your complexion.

The formulations in Proactiv+ are created to treat breakouts and help prevent new ones from forming, all while delivering skincare benefits such as radiance, hydration and an even skin tone.

That's how you can deal with acne and dry skin.

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