How to Choose the Best Acne Skin Care Creams and Treatments for Dry Skin
I've been in the beauty industry for 4+ years now, although my background is originally in fine arts. In between researching and publishing our guides, I’m usually snacking and making spontaneous (and somewhat chaotic) choices about what to do with my hair.
When it comes to acne, oily skin gets most of the blame and the treatment buzz. But dry-skinned peeps, we get it. Acne isn’t just a problem for oily skin. Dryness can be a major trigger for day-ruining pimples. And who has time to slow down and wait for a zit to clear up? Nope, not us.
It might seem like anti-acne products are only for people with oily skin. But balancing dry skin and pimples gets easier when you know your active ingredients. Here’s the lowdown on the triggers that cause acne and products to use in your skincare routine to keep dry skin blemish-free.
Acne can thrive on oily skin because of too much sebum—the oil lubricating your skin that can clog pores. The oil and dead skin cells form a plug in the pore. Oxygen supply to the skin is cut off, causing bacteria to thrive.
Either way, you end up with an unwelcome visitor on your face. Operation camouflage sends you down a rabbithole of makeup tutorials and concealers.
What Causes Dry Skin Breakouts?
So, if oil causes most breakouts, why is your dry skin covered in pimples and blackheads? All skin produces sebum—even dry skin. Oil may still be your breakout problem even if you can’t see it on the surface.
Pores clogged by oily skin is a common reason for breakouts. But people with dry skin can have clogged or congested pores too from oil lurking beneath the surface, or for diet or hormonal reasons.
And clogged pores aren’t just the blemish bad guys. They stop your skincare products from penetrating your skin. If they can’t break through your clogged pores, you’re investing in products for nothing. They’re just adding to the buildup on your skin. Double bummer.
Why Do My Pores Keep Getting Clogged?
Dead Skin Build Up: When your skin is dry, dead skin layers build up on the surface. If you don't exfoliate regularly, this dead skin traps oil in your pores. This is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria that causes breakouts and blemishes.
Using Too Much Acne Product: Even if your skin isn’t naturally dry, using acne products too often can leave it irritated and flaky. The flakiness makes you think your skin is dry when it’s actually oily. The best thing you can do if you’ve got a spot on your dry skin? Use a spot treatment. Be patient. And remember you’re still gorgeous!
Allergies and Irritations: Have you changed your diet or personal care products? Been in contact with anything or anyone out of your usual routine? Sometimes dry skin is often sensitive too. Dry skin may also be caused by an allergic reaction or a temporary irritation to something new in your life.
Can Skin Care Products Cause Acne?
More product is better when it comes to treating your skin, right? Not so fast. Using too many acne products—or using them too often—can make acne worse. If you strip out the oil healthy skin needs, your skin gets busy making more. Even if your skin looks dry, it may be making more oil than it needs and triggering pesky breakouts.
If you’re using harsh, drying products to get rid of your spots, stop. Drying out your skin even more might be the cause of your acne. The good news? There’s loads of dry skin acne treatments that won’t strip your skin.
What are the Best Products to Treat Dry, Acne Prone Skin?
You don't have to start a breakout every time you try to treat dry skin. These are some of our favourite products for treating acne prone dry skin. These products can be the used as a simple skincare routine to keep dry skin hydrated, healthy and free from acne.
Cleanser:
Chemical Exfoliators: End flakiness and boost skin turnover with a chemical exfoliation routine. Look for an exfoliant with acids or enzymes to remove dead cells without scrubbing or irritation. Key ingredients to look for:
- Papain (enzyme derived from papaya)
- Bromelain (enzyme derived from pineapple)
Alpha-H Gentle Daily Exfoliant
Alpha-H Gentle Daily Exfoliant is suitable for dry or sensitive skin and can be used daily. But don’t go overboard. Over-exfoliation can cause your skin to dry out, flake or peel so don't be too harsh when applying. Simply dispense a teaspoon sized amount onto damp hands and mix together to form a paste. In circular motions, gently massage into skin for up to 1 minute, then wash off with warm water to lightly buff away dead skin and reveal a brighter and smoother complexion.
Moisturiser: Whatever your skin type, everyone needs a quality moisturiser. If your face is covered in breakouts, it might not seem like moisturiser will help. But even skin with pimples or blackheads needs moisture.
Try oil-free moisturisers like:
- Dermalogica Active Moist morning and night
- Cosmedix Shineless Moisturiser to reduce shine and up the brightness
- La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Anti-Acne Moisturiser 40ml for matte without the flat
- Hydrating serums Before you even take a step near that hydrating serum—are your pores ready to make the most of it? Unclogged pores let the product get right beneath the surface.
Vitamin B serums hydrate without adding oils, so you can nourish your dry skin without setting off the acne alert.
ASAP Super B Complex delivers on hydration plus exfoliation—with a side of powerful anti-ageing active ingredients. Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Serum is a gentler product that locks moisture in for 24 skin-quenching hours. Priori LCA fx120 Gel Perfector contains 1% Salicylic Acid to exfoliate and unclog pores.
- Spot treatments If you’re using harsh, drying products to get rid of your spots, stop.
You don’t use a sledgehammer to crack a nut, right? So there’s no need to apply powerful acne creams and treatments to your entire face. Drying out your skin can be a cause of your acne.
Try a specialised treatment to show your spot the door. Aspect Stop Spot is a gentle spot treatment. It has active ingredients like:
- Ethanol to dry out spots without irritating the skin
- Salicylic Acid to exfoliate and unclog pores
- Niacinamide and Beracare AAA to soothe and mattify the skin
- Lemon Tea Tree Oil for antioxidant protection and a powerful natural fragrance.
It’s more common than you might think to have a dry complexion and acne. Most advice focuses on oily skin. But when you know how your skin works and the right ingredients, you can manage dry skin and stop spots in their tracks.
