It’s a common misconception that if you have frequent acne breakouts, you must have oily skin. How often have you corrected people and explained to their confused faces that you struggle with acne while your skin is dry?
Dry skin acne is more common than most people think! People with dry skin suffer from the curse of comedones, deep blackheads, clogged pores and pimples just as much as those with oily skin do. The good news though is that there are simple, natural ways to deal with dry skin acne. Read on to find out about them.
What causes dry skin acne?
Acne commonly occurs when the pores of the hair follicles get clogged with dirt, sweat, excess oil and dead skin cells. These clogged pores become the festering grounds for harmful, pimple-causing bacteria.
The skin has a natural protective veil of moisture that acts as a barrier to harmful bacteria. With dry, dehydrated skin, this natural barrier gets compromised. The result? The invasion of bacteria leading to inflammation and acne.
Dry skin acne sometimes also occurs due to the skin’s overcompensation for lost natural oils to protect its moisture. The skin’s natural oil production gets deregulated leading to excess oil in certain areas of the skin. It clogs up pores and leads to acne.
Natural ways to fight dry skin acne
- Rose water
Rose water is an excellent toner for dry skin. It has a pH of 5.5 which helps restore the skin’s natural pH which has been imbalanced by harsh soaps. It helps the skin retain its moisture to fill up the cracks and make it plump.
Rose water also cleanses out the pores and reduces their size. This makes them less prone to the attack of bacteria. In addition, rose water has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce redness, itching and breakouts in dry skin.
How to use:
Simply dab on some rose water on the skin directly with a cotton ball after cleansing. Let it evaporate from the skin and moisturize.
- Lemon juice
Lemon juice is a very common home remedy to treat acne on all types of skin- oily and dry. Its strong acidic nature makes it an excellent astringent and regulates the natural oil produced by the skin. Lemon juice fights harmful bacteria and prevents acne.
Rich in vitamin C, lemon juice is a strong antioxidant that prevents the free radical damage caused by acne. It also reduces inflammation and suppresses breakouts.
How to use:
Take 1tsp lemon juice and dilute it with 1tsp water. Apply the diluted juice on the skin with a cotton ball and let it dry. Wash with warm water and moisturize. If you have sensitive skin, dilute further, add in 1tsp honey or avoid lemon juice altogether.
- Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is well known for its antibacterial properties which fight acne-causing bacteria. It has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce redness and breakouts. Tea tree oil is also effective in healing scars and reducing hyperpigmentation caused by acne therefore leaving the skin smooth and clear.
How to use:
Dilute tea tree oil in a 1:2 ratio with a carrier oil like coconut oil or almond oil. Do a spot treatment, that is, use a cotton ear bud or a q-tip to apply this mix on the acne and leave it overnight. Follow your regular skincare routine in the morning.
- Aloe gel
Aloe gel has skin calming properties and is commonly used in topical creams and ointments for all skin types, especially to fight acne. It has strong antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, it also hydrates the skin and protects its natural moisture barrier.
How to use:
Cut up an aloe stem and skin it to remove its jelly-like flesh. Whisk it and apply directly on the skin. Leave it on for about an hour and rinse with warm water.
- Jojoba oil
Jojoba oil has a chemical composition that is quite similar to that of the sebum produced by our skin. It helps regulate the sebum production thereby maintaining optimally supple skin without drying it out or making it too oily.
Jojoba oil also rejuvenates damaged skin thereby encouraging acne wounds to heal without leaving scars behind.
How to use:
Use a cotton ball to apply jojoba oil directly on acne. You can also mix it in your face mask or moisturizing cream.
- Honey
Honey has been used to fight acne for generations. Its strong anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties are responsible for this. Honey is also an exfoliator – it helps get rid of dead skin cells to clear out clogged pores.
Honey also restores the skin’s natural moisture barrier and aids the repair of damaged skin cells.
How to use:
Honey has versatile uses and can either be applied directly on the skin or mixed with oils, extracts and face masks to improve their effectiveness.
- Green tea
Rich in antioxidants called catechins, green tea is excellent for preventing and healing acne. It neutralizes free radicals that cause skin damage that triggers acne.
Green tea is also known to regulate the skin’s oil production thereby controlling acne. It reduces inflammation and encourages skin cells to repair and rejuvenate.
How to use:
Remove and moisten the leaves from 2 green tea bags and apply them on the skin directly or mixed with 2tbsp honey. Leave it on as a mask for 20 minutes before rinsing.
- Turmeric
Turmeric contains active ingredients known as curcuminoids that reduce inflammation and therefore outbreaks. In addition, it fights off acne-causing bacteria with its strong antiseptic properties. Turmeric also reduces hyperpigmentation and fades scars caused by acne.
How to use:
Take 1 ½tbsp of turmeric powder and 2tbsp honey. Mix them well to make a paste and apply it on the skin as a mask. Leave it on for 20 minutes and rinse.
- Cucumber
Cucumber has excellent moisturizing and oil regulating properties that reduce the chances of dry skin acne breakouts. It calms the skin and prevents inflammation.
How to use:
Take a few slices of cucumber, grind it and apply it on the skin. Leave it on for half an hour and rinse.
- Tomato
Tomatoes contain calcium, magnesium and potassium that help balance the pH of the skin to reduce acne. They also contain antioxidants that help heal and repair scars.
How to use:
Take half of a tomato and rub it on the skin in circles for 2-3 minutes. Leave the juice on the skin for 15 minutes and rinse.
- Garlic
Rich in calcium, zinc, sulphur and a chemical compound called allicin, garlic has strong antibacterial properties that fight acne-causing bacteria. Garlic is also known for improving blood circulation and reducing inflammation.
How to use:
Crush 4-5 cloves of garlic and mix it with 1tbsp honey or rose water. Apply this mix on the skin, leave it on for 10 minutes and rinse.
- Coconut oil
Rich in lauric acid, coconut oil kills acne-causing bacteria and regulates the skin’s moisture levels. In addition, coconut oil also boosts collagen production to promote the healing of scars caused by acne.
How to use:
Apply a few drops of pure, virgin coconut oil on the skin and rub it till it gets absorbed. You can also use coconut oil as a carrier oil for essential oils like tea tree oil and clary sage oils to fight acne.
- Get a humidifier
If your skin is dry because of the dry climate outside, one simple and effective solution is to get a humidifier for your room. With it, you can maintain the moisture level in the air so that your skin doesn’t dry out. Maintaining the skin’s natural moisture barrier will protect it from the attack of bacteria and protect the skin from acne.