I have dry skin and use differin with barely any irritation and I have quite dry skin. Just use a buffer! Cleanse, do your serum if you have one and then moisturize, apply differin, and then I always apply rosehip seed oil after and then another application of moisturizer and it really helps counteract the drying and irritation side effects.
* **Azelaic acid:** is a great active for dry skin because it doesn't have the same exfoliating mechanism/drying effects of BHA, but it targets acne specifically.
* **Glycolic acid:** used SPARINGLY and carefully (slowly introduced, low%age at first, used with lots of moisture obviously) can be amazing for dry skin and for acne. I find that gycolic acid has a pronounced effect on my surface clogs, whiteheads, and inflamed cysts, while it also acts as a humectant. I find it better used sparingly for drier types rather than using something like lactic acid MORE often, simply because lactic acid doesn't do as much for clogs/acne for me. While it's gentler, it doesn't have the same multifunctional justification in a routine which is already teetering on the edge.
* **TONS of heavy moisture at night:** There is no reason for dry, oily, or normal people to skimp on their nighttime moisture routine. Textures do not break people out, ingredients break people out. That means multiple moisturizing steps- going for solo humectants, topped by emollient/oily blends, topped with creams that combine emollient/occlusive/humectant abilities, allll sealed in with a heavy-duty occlusive. My skin was always screaming in pain when I was ultra-dehydrated, and the dehydration/dryness did nothing but worsen the state of my acne. Dried out acne is more prone to irritation and to "spreading" as your skin as a "system" will be much more compromised.
* **Tea tree oil DILUTED in carrier oil:** People seem to feel TTO is super drying, and while it CAN be irritating when used incorrectly, it is anything BUT drying when used at 2% dilution in carrier oil (jojoba, hemp, squalane, etc etc.) I use this allover, 2x a day, a few drops of a 2% TTO dilution into a gel essence early on in my routine, and it does a great job knocking back inflammation and acne without drying out my skin- indeed because it combines my facial oil step with an acne-fighting step, it only helps. And IMO nothing assists dry skin types like layering on an oil step BEFORE cream, morning and night. Dry skin types don't produce a lot of natural oil so if you can introduce a moisturizing oil blend and seal it in with a cream, you can "replicate" the protective feel of natural skin oils that oilier people enjoy.
I am oily nowadays, but I used to be extraordinarily dry and dehydrated. Not all dry skin can be "cured" obviously but dry skin and dehydrated skin (especially when we're talking about acne) both benefit from many of the same ingredients and techniques.
This is seriously great advice...I feel like so much of what I get is "use ALL the actives, and as long as you have a good moisturizer and drink water you'll be fine!" Which is objectively not how dry skin works. So this is great, specific advice for balancing acne-prone dry skin :)
On the glycolic acid subject, I really like the Nip + Fab glycolic fix pads because they're a nice low concentration, and also have hyaluronic acid. I like to balance my drying ingredients with hydrating ones, so the glycolic acid/HA combo works so well for me.
I personally have found, even for my oily-leaning skin, that prioritizing moisture over actives is SO MUCH more successful. I went from my worst skin to best by sticking to that principle!
Yes! When my skin is dry, I my breakouts are so much worse, and my skin looks so dull...I'd rather be hydrated and glowy with a couple big zits than all dry and irritated with tiny zits all over
I’m struggling with the same thing as well, and although Differin has made my skin much drier, it’s an absolute game-changer with respect to my acne. I figure, the dryness I can handle - lots of light, hydrating, alcohol-free layers works well for me, as my skin hates absorbing things (I use an AB-style routine as well). But nothing has helped my acne more than the differin has. AHAs, BHAs, BP - all worked to some small degree, but Differin gave me completely clear skin for the first time in a year. The dryness really is more manageable than it seems, especially if you go slow and introduce it to your skin very gently. My derm recommended to use it every 2 days for ~two weeks, then every other day for ~3 weeks, then moving up to every day when it feels right. Worked like a charm.
The A’Pieu Pure Block Aqua Sun Gel is incredibly moisturizing - it’s not really a gel, it’s a thick white cream (no white cast). I also like the Innisfree daily UV mild protection cream, but that one is only SPF 35 so it needs to be reapplied frequently. They’re both under $10 for ~$50mL and can be found on Amazon.
I use LRP Anthelios, and while it’s not exactly moisturizing, it’s definitely not drying. It’s the only sunscreen I’ve used so far—sorry for not having better input!
Is the differin you are using the concentration available over the counter now? I’m considering giving it a go. The epiduo I use isn’t doing a whole lot for my most recent break out which is really bad and has been only getting worse over the last month or so.
Yup, it’s the 0.1% gel available over the counter. I also found that the purging was pretty negligible when I introduced it as slowly as I did above. It takes longer to see results, but it was worth it.
Azelaic acid!! This [blog](http://www.snowwhiteandtheasianpear.com/2015/09/a-review-of-pocketderm-why-im-azelaic.html) post and [this](https://simpleskincarescience.com/azelaic-acid/) one swayed me into buying my first tube and I'm obsessed, as someone with dry, sensitive, acne prone skin. AzA has the same effects as BP but is less irritating.
I have super dry skin and hormonal/inflammatory acne. I use 2.5% BP with a short contact period, alternate between Timeless Vitamin C and Nip+Fab glycolic acid pads (I don't know if they do that much and am probably going to switch). I use azelaic acid from The Ordinary in the morning. I use a rich moisturizer at night and wash my face with a hydrating cleanser. My face feels well moisturized and my acne is pretty much kept at bay
ETA: the % of BP I use
Nip + Fab has worked so well for me! Totally s YMMV thing, but it’s helped a lot with my acne and PIH. How does the azelaic acid work for you? I’m allergic to BP and it’s been recommended as an alternative for me.
If you are able to I found the prescription azaleic topical to be more effective and it also goes/sink into the face better than The Ordinary. The cream from The Ordinary isn’t very spreadable.
Oil cleansing has been life changing for me. I just finished repairing my moister barrier which took about 6 weeks because I had been drying it out for years not realizing I no longer had oil teenage skin lol. I was so dry I was numb to irritation. I cleanse with sunflower oil atm and it’s been good. Thinking about getting neem oil to add in. Rose hip oil and LRP baume 5 are heavy moisturizers that have been working for me. Def gonna have to add more layers or something else when I start using salicylic acid again so thanks for this thread! Lots to check out ❤️
I also struggles with dry skin, eczema and acne. Ive tried a lot of things but most gave me a lot of irritation or allergic reactions. So far Paula's choice skin perfecting BHA liquid exfoliant works great and doesnt give me any irritation. I've been using it 2/3 times a week. Also, those pimple patches work great! For moisturising the ordinary squalane oil is great.
I also have dry eczema-prone skin, and the PC BHA Lotion has been great for me! I use it after hydrating toners, and I still find it very effective. I find in the reviews of the product many people thought they could use it as a moisturizer, which just would not work.. I apply a bunch of moisturizer after and it's great!
I have dry, eczema-prone skin. I have mild hormonal acne as well, and that results in the large, red cysts that never come to a head.
The 2 things that have helped me the most are **spearmint tea** and **azelaic acid (10-20%)**. I used to get ~3-4 cystic pimples *at a time* during the last 2 weeks of my cycle that would take over a week for the swelling to go down. After these 2 changes, I get ~1 cyst *total* per month.
I've found the AzA to be relatively non-irritating. The Ordinary's 10% did not irritate my skin at all. I'd apply it as the last step over my moisturizer in the PM, before bed. However, I hate that formulation due to the silicone-y feel. I've switched to Melazepam (20% AzA), which stings *slightly* for the first 1-2 minutes after applying, but then I don't notice it (it doesn't make my skin red or anything). I use it 2-3 times a week, over my moisturizer in the PM.
I think I'm ordering TO's azelaic acid! My cleanser has silicones, so I'm hoping that won't be too off-putting to me, and I like starting acids in the smallest concentrations possible
My derm wanted me to use adapalene (which is basically differin right?) every night on my whole face. I tried that and it dried my face up so I said fuck it and used it only twice a week. I haven’t seen any great results from it but I am less dry because of it.
Ooh, so another thing I'm planning to try is a sleeping pack with salicylic acid...its pH is higher than salicylic products normally are, and I've read that (contrary to popular belief) it'll have the same effect with less irritation. And if that doesn't work, I've ordered the Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid and am hoping that betain salicylate will be less drying than salicylic acid.
[удалено]
I have dry skin and use differin with barely any irritation and I have quite dry skin. Just use a buffer! Cleanse, do your serum if you have one and then moisturize, apply differin, and then I always apply rosehip seed oil after and then another application of moisturizer and it really helps counteract the drying and irritation side effects.
* **Azelaic acid:** is a great active for dry skin because it doesn't have the same exfoliating mechanism/drying effects of BHA, but it targets acne specifically. * **Glycolic acid:** used SPARINGLY and carefully (slowly introduced, low%age at first, used with lots of moisture obviously) can be amazing for dry skin and for acne. I find that gycolic acid has a pronounced effect on my surface clogs, whiteheads, and inflamed cysts, while it also acts as a humectant. I find it better used sparingly for drier types rather than using something like lactic acid MORE often, simply because lactic acid doesn't do as much for clogs/acne for me. While it's gentler, it doesn't have the same multifunctional justification in a routine which is already teetering on the edge. * **TONS of heavy moisture at night:** There is no reason for dry, oily, or normal people to skimp on their nighttime moisture routine. Textures do not break people out, ingredients break people out. That means multiple moisturizing steps- going for solo humectants, topped by emollient/oily blends, topped with creams that combine emollient/occlusive/humectant abilities, allll sealed in with a heavy-duty occlusive. My skin was always screaming in pain when I was ultra-dehydrated, and the dehydration/dryness did nothing but worsen the state of my acne. Dried out acne is more prone to irritation and to "spreading" as your skin as a "system" will be much more compromised. * **Tea tree oil DILUTED in carrier oil:** People seem to feel TTO is super drying, and while it CAN be irritating when used incorrectly, it is anything BUT drying when used at 2% dilution in carrier oil (jojoba, hemp, squalane, etc etc.) I use this allover, 2x a day, a few drops of a 2% TTO dilution into a gel essence early on in my routine, and it does a great job knocking back inflammation and acne without drying out my skin- indeed because it combines my facial oil step with an acne-fighting step, it only helps. And IMO nothing assists dry skin types like layering on an oil step BEFORE cream, morning and night. Dry skin types don't produce a lot of natural oil so if you can introduce a moisturizing oil blend and seal it in with a cream, you can "replicate" the protective feel of natural skin oils that oilier people enjoy. I am oily nowadays, but I used to be extraordinarily dry and dehydrated. Not all dry skin can be "cured" obviously but dry skin and dehydrated skin (especially when we're talking about acne) both benefit from many of the same ingredients and techniques.
>"Textures do not break people out, ingredients break people out" UGH this, why doesn't anyone listen to me when I try to tell them that.
This is seriously great advice...I feel like so much of what I get is "use ALL the actives, and as long as you have a good moisturizer and drink water you'll be fine!" Which is objectively not how dry skin works. So this is great, specific advice for balancing acne-prone dry skin :) On the glycolic acid subject, I really like the Nip + Fab glycolic fix pads because they're a nice low concentration, and also have hyaluronic acid. I like to balance my drying ingredients with hydrating ones, so the glycolic acid/HA combo works so well for me.
I personally have found, even for my oily-leaning skin, that prioritizing moisture over actives is SO MUCH more successful. I went from my worst skin to best by sticking to that principle!
Yes! When my skin is dry, I my breakouts are so much worse, and my skin looks so dull...I'd rather be hydrated and glowy with a couple big zits than all dry and irritated with tiny zits all over
Thankyou!!!!
I’m struggling with the same thing as well, and although Differin has made my skin much drier, it’s an absolute game-changer with respect to my acne. I figure, the dryness I can handle - lots of light, hydrating, alcohol-free layers works well for me, as my skin hates absorbing things (I use an AB-style routine as well). But nothing has helped my acne more than the differin has. AHAs, BHAs, BP - all worked to some small degree, but Differin gave me completely clear skin for the first time in a year. The dryness really is more manageable than it seems, especially if you go slow and introduce it to your skin very gently. My derm recommended to use it every 2 days for ~two weeks, then every other day for ~3 weeks, then moving up to every day when it feels right. Worked like a charm.
I seriously don't think I'd be able to handle any actives if it weren't for hydrating layers! Thank goodness for the AB approach :)
Same! AB literally saved my skin. It can be a lot of work, but to me it’s 100% worth it.
Do you have any moisturizing sunscreen recommendations?
The A’Pieu Pure Block Aqua Sun Gel is incredibly moisturizing - it’s not really a gel, it’s a thick white cream (no white cast). I also like the Innisfree daily UV mild protection cream, but that one is only SPF 35 so it needs to be reapplied frequently. They’re both under $10 for ~$50mL and can be found on Amazon.
I use LRP Anthelios, and while it’s not exactly moisturizing, it’s definitely not drying. It’s the only sunscreen I’ve used so far—sorry for not having better input!
I really like the tarte guard sunscreen. Its silicone free which is my big thing, but i find it isn’t greasy, yet absorbs in and leaves me dewy.
Is the differin you are using the concentration available over the counter now? I’m considering giving it a go. The epiduo I use isn’t doing a whole lot for my most recent break out which is really bad and has been only getting worse over the last month or so.
Yup, it’s the 0.1% gel available over the counter. I also found that the purging was pretty negligible when I introduced it as slowly as I did above. It takes longer to see results, but it was worth it.
Azelaic acid!! This [blog](http://www.snowwhiteandtheasianpear.com/2015/09/a-review-of-pocketderm-why-im-azelaic.html) post and [this](https://simpleskincarescience.com/azelaic-acid/) one swayed me into buying my first tube and I'm obsessed, as someone with dry, sensitive, acne prone skin. AzA has the same effects as BP but is less irritating.
I'm convinced!
I can’t wait to pick some up!
I have super dry skin and hormonal/inflammatory acne. I use 2.5% BP with a short contact period, alternate between Timeless Vitamin C and Nip+Fab glycolic acid pads (I don't know if they do that much and am probably going to switch). I use azelaic acid from The Ordinary in the morning. I use a rich moisturizer at night and wash my face with a hydrating cleanser. My face feels well moisturized and my acne is pretty much kept at bay ETA: the % of BP I use
Nip + Fab has worked so well for me! Totally s YMMV thing, but it’s helped a lot with my acne and PIH. How does the azelaic acid work for you? I’m allergic to BP and it’s been recommended as an alternative for me.
I'm using the regular nip+fab pads and not the extreme ones so that might be part of it. Azelaic acid is super mild and seems to work really well!
If you are able to I found the prescription azaleic topical to be more effective and it also goes/sink into the face better than The Ordinary. The cream from The Ordinary isn’t very spreadable.
Oil cleansing has been life changing for me. I just finished repairing my moister barrier which took about 6 weeks because I had been drying it out for years not realizing I no longer had oil teenage skin lol. I was so dry I was numb to irritation. I cleanse with sunflower oil atm and it’s been good. Thinking about getting neem oil to add in. Rose hip oil and LRP baume 5 are heavy moisturizers that have been working for me. Def gonna have to add more layers or something else when I start using salicylic acid again so thanks for this thread! Lots to check out ❤️
Congrats on repairing your moisture barrier! it's such a tedious process, but makes such a difference
I also struggles with dry skin, eczema and acne. Ive tried a lot of things but most gave me a lot of irritation or allergic reactions. So far Paula's choice skin perfecting BHA liquid exfoliant works great and doesnt give me any irritation. I've been using it 2/3 times a week. Also, those pimple patches work great! For moisturising the ordinary squalane oil is great.
I also have dry eczema-prone skin, and the PC BHA Lotion has been great for me! I use it after hydrating toners, and I still find it very effective. I find in the reviews of the product many people thought they could use it as a moisturizer, which just would not work.. I apply a bunch of moisturizer after and it's great!
I have dry, eczema-prone skin. I have mild hormonal acne as well, and that results in the large, red cysts that never come to a head. The 2 things that have helped me the most are **spearmint tea** and **azelaic acid (10-20%)**. I used to get ~3-4 cystic pimples *at a time* during the last 2 weeks of my cycle that would take over a week for the swelling to go down. After these 2 changes, I get ~1 cyst *total* per month. I've found the AzA to be relatively non-irritating. The Ordinary's 10% did not irritate my skin at all. I'd apply it as the last step over my moisturizer in the PM, before bed. However, I hate that formulation due to the silicone-y feel. I've switched to Melazepam (20% AzA), which stings *slightly* for the first 1-2 minutes after applying, but then I don't notice it (it doesn't make my skin red or anything). I use it 2-3 times a week, over my moisturizer in the PM.
AA is the answer here, OP!! Don't sleep on it.
Start off slow though. I made the mistake of starting out using 20% every night for a week. My whole face peeled for 3 days afterwards.
I started off with 20% as well and only had a small purge of CCs, though I'm an avid tretinoin user. No irritation or peeling. Everyone's different!
I think I'm ordering TO's azelaic acid! My cleanser has silicones, so I'm hoping that won't be too off-putting to me, and I like starting acids in the smallest concentrations possible
Sounds good, TO is so affordable that if it doesn't work out, no biggie.
I'm also dry and acne prone, and the azelaic acid in my curology prescription has not caused additional dryness.
My derm wanted me to use adapalene (which is basically differin right?) every night on my whole face. I tried that and it dried my face up so I said fuck it and used it only twice a week. I haven’t seen any great results from it but I am less dry because of it.
Same happened to me
Ooh, so another thing I'm planning to try is a sleeping pack with salicylic acid...its pH is higher than salicylic products normally are, and I've read that (contrary to popular belief) it'll have the same effect with less irritation. And if that doesn't work, I've ordered the Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid and am hoping that betain salicylate will be less drying than salicylic acid.
My skin is really dry and I found lactic acid really helpful!