Acne on dry skin

[Missy234]

Hi, I am 27 and I’ve never had a problem with acne before and since the past couple of months I started getting acne on my forehead and now i see them on my face too. I have dry combo skin and I’m not sure what products to try. Any recommendations ?

[CoffeeWuff]

@Missy234 

Have you changed anything recently - added new products or any major lifestyle/eating habit changes that could explain the change in your skin?

Does your skin get enough moisture? Dehydration can lead to breakouts as well.

What products are you currently using? Do you feel they are still working for you? Are you looking to add something to your routine or are you looking for something new to replace your current products?

[Missy234]

Thank you so much! I will keep that in mind 🤗

[Missy234]

Thank you! Will do. ❤️

[CoffeeWuff]

@Missy234 

One thing I forgot to mention: When you start using chemical exfoliators your skin might purge because of the active ingredients. This means things clogging your pores that are currently under the surface might be brought to the surface & you might experience some more break-outs. This will only be a short period but I don't want you to freak out again in case your skin gets a bit worse temporarily. 😉 So, things might get a bit worse before they get better - but, I promise, the better will be so worth it. I didn't experience skin purging myself much when I started using actives but I felt like I should better add that, so you can do some research & know what to expect. Good luck. 😉

[Missy234]

Thank you so much! What chemical exfoliator would you recommend? Also, should I use any acne spot treatment or masks at all?

[CoffeeWuff]

@Missy234 

it depends what you want to use - mask, serum, toner etc. that has a chemical exfoliation effect. I, honestly, find it hard to suggest products because I am still looking for my holy grails & feel like there is some responsibility behind suggestions & recommendations. I have tried different chemical exfoliators but I haven't found them to be that different or outstanding - I mean, they all worked great just not better or worse than others I tried.

However, maybe have a look the The Ordinary AHA/BHA Peeling Solution - I have it sitting around, I just still have to try it but it is supposed to be really good & is not that pricey. But maybe ask for suggestions in a separate post if you are not sure. Some people are pretty fast to recommend products, so that might be more helpful for you. Good luck. 😉

And, yes - masks & spot treatments are fine. As for the tee tree oil, I am a bit on the fence - it is an essential oil & can be irritating. Some people swear by it but just keep that in mind. 😉

[Missy234]

Since September 2019 this has been my routine AM and PM - using YTTP superfood cleanser, Thayers witch hazel toner, Now foods hyaluronic acid serum, amaaia facial oils (am and pm) and first aid ultra repair moisturizer. Followed by Nars tinted SPF moisturizer when I stepped out. My skin was great and I always got so many compliments as to how glowing my skin was. One mistake I made was to exfoliate only four or five times a month. Don’t know what made me do that. After I noticed my first breakout in March 2020, I freaked out. I stopped using facial oils (I thought since my T zone is oily, it’s causing me to break out). I then noticed two more breakouts and I stopped moisturizing my T zone completely. I changed my cleanser to Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser. I stopped toning and using serum. I started exfoliating again twice or thrice a week. I use Acure facial scrub. I apply alovera gel with tea tree oil as a spot treatment overnight and that seems to shrink them a bit but i don’t see a reduction in the number of breakouts. Lifestyle - I moved in March so that was kind of stressful and quarantine had me stress eat more oily food - I normally don’t eat that much. Since I never had acne before I don’t know now what I need to change or do to get my old skin back. 😩

[CoffeeWuff]

@Missy234 

honestly, I think this might be an easy one to solve reading your reply - your skin might just need a bit time to get back to normal, that's all. So don't worry or stress yourself too much. 😉

Your old routine sounds fine & it worked great for you, I would suggest you start using that again, while keeping in mind that improvements might take a bit. I think the point where you freaked out was were things started to go wrong - so knowing that should be pretty helpful in getting things back on track. 😉

Stress can surely be a factor - so maybe try to relax a bit, I know that is easier said than done, esp. in times like this, but try to stay positive & try to eat healthier again. 😉

I don't think only exfoliating a few times a month was that bad depending on your skin - maybe you overdid it a bit now & physical scrubs aren't that great anyway. I would suggest you try a chemical exfoliator instead (just make sure you wear SPF) - they are more gentle on the skin & work great. 

Another thing, don't stop moisturizing, ever. 😜 Your skin needs hydration - when it is dehydrated it will start to get more oily & break out as well...I struggled with that for so long until I finally realized that dehydrating my skin might cause my skin problems, since then it has improved so much, esp. with regards to break outs. Face oils aren't bad at all & can even be beneficial for acne prone skin. Just make sure you use one that is good for your skin type.

So, to sum it up - change to a chemical exfoliator & don't overdo it, moisturize & hydrate your skin well, get back on your old routine because that looked fine & worked great for you & try to relax while improving your eating habits again - I am sure your skin will get back to where it once was this ways, just give it a bit time. 😉

Hope this helps a bit. ❤️