Can Dry Skin Cause Acne Breakouts?

While we think of dry skin and acne as separate issues, they can actually be linked. If left unmanaged, dry skin can result in excess oil production, clogging of pores, and acne breakouts [1].

The key to managing this skin condition is to repair and protect your skin barrier.

Understanding how dry skin and acne are connected can help you manage future breakouts. But that can take weeks or months to apply the knowledge and find the right products. We take the guesswork out of skincare with our customized formulas that infuse the right ingredients for your skin concern and skin type.

Ready to tackle dry skin on your face? We’ve compiled the best ways to treat dry skin and prevent acne from coming back.

The Connection Between Dry Skin and Acne

Without sufficient moisture, our skin works overtime to provide a hydrated layer. This effort can cause our sebaceous glands to overproduce oil, which clogs pores and can potentially lead to acne [2]. This buildup of dead skin cells, along with excess oil production, can create an ideal environment for acne-causing bacteria to thrive. Dehydrated skin can also spark irritation and inflammation [3], which are associated with breakouts.

Typically, your T-zone (forehead, nose, and cheeks) is the area that produces the most oil, thus making this area prone to acne. But there could be other factors that are causing new pimples. Use an acne face map guide to learn if your inner health is affecting your outer appearance, in addition to your dry skin issues. 

Preventing Acne Breakouts Caused by Dry Skin

Now that we know that keeping your skin hydrated is a must to avoid flare-ups, what’s the next step? We recommend you follow a routine skincare plan that targets both dryness and acne prevention. Here are some of our top tips to help maintain your skin health:

• Use a gentle cleanser – Use a gentle facial cleanser that avoids removing all of the natural oils produced to protect your skin. Other ingredients like fragrance and perfumes can irritate the skin, leading to an acne breakout as well.
• Find the right moisturizer – Keeping your skin hydrated is key to preventing dry skin and acne breakouts. We recommend using an oil-free and non-comedogenic that won’t block your pores.
• Opt for gentle exfoliation – Exfoliating one or two times a week can help remove dead skin cells and prevent clogged pores. Chemical exfoliants like AHA or BHA can help promote skin cell turnover. However, be careful not to over-exfoliate, which can lead to further irritation and dryness. 
• Stay away from drying ingredients – Avoid using products that contain alcohol denat, which can be overly drying and lead to further skin irritation. Using a personalized skincare set can reduce the chance of using harsh ingredients that are counterproductive to clearing dry skin.
• Alternate active ingredients – If you’re mixing products with retinoids or vitamin C, that could be throwing your skin’s pH balance off. Although these ingredients are effective on their own to target acne, together they can be too strong for some skin types. We recommend alternating days you use them and giving your skin a rest day with no actives to maintain your skin’s health.
• Always use sun protection – Protect your skin from the sun's harmful UV rays by using a sunscreen with at least SPF 30. UV rays can exacerbate dry skin and lead to acne breakouts. Wearing a daily moisturizer with SPF can provide all the benefits of hydration and sun protection while reducing the appearance of post-acne marks.

Lifestyle Changes to Help Dry Skin

We all love our hot showers, but that could be one of the leading causes for dry skin. Once you’re done showering, moisturize with hyaluronic acid or ceramides to replenish your skin. It’s also wise to stay hydrated throughout the day to prevent dehydrated skin. And if you’re still experiencing breakouts, the culprit could be your pillow cases or cell phone use. Regularly wash and disinfect the surfaces your face touches the most to prevent acne-causing bacteria from thriving.

Start Your Journey With Proven Results

With a consistent skincare routine, you can prevent and manage acne breakouts caused by dry skin. It may sound scary as someone with dry skin to try to exfoliate or use active ingredients because you don’t want to irritate your skin. That’s where we come in.

Our aim at PROVEN Skincare is to understand your individual skincare needs and create personalized solutions that fit your skin. We use advanced AI technology to achieve this that formulates tailored products with powerful acne-fighting ingredients. Simplify your skincare routine with our three essential products to achieve beautiful, radiant skin. With our help, you can wave goodbye to skin issues and say hello to a glowing complexion.