Acne and Dry Skin

Acne and Dry Skin

Acne (Acne Vulgaris) is an inflammatory disease of the skin caused by a buildup of oil that clogs pores and allows dead skin and bacteria to accumulate. As the pores get infected, they form lesions such as pimples. While most cases of acne are confined to the face, all parts of the body are susceptible to this disease. People with acne are often advised to stay away from greasy treatment creams and gels. But what do you do if you have both acne and dry skin?

The truth is that the problem does not lie so much in the oil as it does in the bacteria. While certain ordinary dry skin treatments do aggravate acne, others don't, and that's an encouraging thought! This article will deal with just that, as well as other causes of acne that you might not be aware of.

Besides adolescence, the onset of acne is influenced by such factors as cosmetics, diet, and stress. Makeup as a whole is damaging to the skin if not properly cleaned and toned off after the day. A diet loaded with sugar, hydrogenated fats, salt and preservatives can also facilitate the spread of acne, as well as deprive the body of the nutrients necessary to combat dry skin. Stress can cause hormones to fluctuate and also lead to a breakout.

Here are some treatments that address both acne and dry skin at once.

1. Use an oil-free cleanser instead of soap. Soap has a good chance of aggravating both acne and dry skin. Doctors suggest that acne sufferers cleanse their skin twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening. This will rid the skin of dry, dead cells that tend to clog the pores.

2. Use a moisturizer. Many people still believe that moisturizer will protect you against dry skin, but will make acne worse. Well, no. That's hardly true. Most acne washes and treatments (like Retin-A and Benzoyl Peroxide) tend to dry out the skin, and you'll need something to keep the skin's water content in. Just make sure that the moisturizer does not contain any oil, or else it will indeed worsen your acne! Try looking for gel-based moisturizers or those that contain salicylic acid.

3. Use a sunscreen during the day, and stay out of the sun between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. There are many sunscreens that also moisturize your skin; but as mentioned before, make sure they don't contain any oil.

4. Try including more whole grains, fresh produce, and organic protein in your diet. They have the essential nutrients that keep skin healthy and prevent infections from within.

5. Drink lots of fluids to avoid dry skin at the onset. Eight glasses daily are sufficient.

6. If you're a smoker, quit. Doing so will relieve you of the many pains of skin disease, as well as many other pains, as well!

7. Get some exercise. A light workout will improve circulation and the skin's oxygen content, preventing dryness. It also promotes sweating, keeping pores clear from obstructions and bacteria. Exercising before the onset of acne is also a good idea to limit the chances and severity of a breakout. After exercising, make sure you wash off the sweat; neglecting to do so may invite acne instead of prevent it!

8. Keep the temperature down to maintain a comfortable humidity level. Low moisture content in the air can dry your skin and increase the chances of getting acne. Wear more clothes to keep warm instead; just make sure to dress loosely, since tight clothes can rub and irritate skin. This can be especially troublesome when you have acne on your chest or back.

Some people prefer chemical peels to remove dry skin cells from the face, but this is not advisable for acne. It will irritate and spread the breakout even further. Experts suggest natural treatments, such as the traditional gram flour face mask, for this purpose. There are many recipes for natural face masks on the Internet. Don't be shy to do a search and experiment on the recipes until you find the right one for you. This goes for all other dry skin and acne treatments as well: Different people, different treatments.

In the end, however, it is often wiser to consult your doctor if your dry skin and acne problems bother you. The doctor will suggest certain skin applications or medication, or both. Perhaps the most important thing to remember about acne is that results often do not show until a few weeks of commitment to the treatment regimen. So don't be too quick to dismiss a particular treatment as "useless" until you've given it a chance to prove itself, unless of course it makes the problem worse!

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