Weird drying skin due to acne

[SassyMakeupGal]

Ok so long story short i have a combination skin. And its cystic acne prone. So I started using salicylic acid from ordinary and the retinol gel and use first aid beauty's exfoliating pads and neutrogena SPF and Retinol moisturiser on a daily basis. First week my skin was awesome. I was seeing less bumpy skin and the acne was clearing up. Now my skin is sorta drying maybe because of too much salicylic acid. But it's weird as in it's dry all the time. Any suggestions on how to bring it back to normal without making my acne worse???

[greeneyedgirl107]

@SassyMakeupGal The key with retinol is to start slowly.  You may wish to use retinol 3x a week for a while, then 2x a week and so on until you can tolerate everyday use.  When I used Retin-A in high school I didn't know to do that and my skin was like sandpaper.  I started using it years ago to fine-tune my skin and combat aging - I took it slow and it worked wonders.  I now use BHA with it, but I think I can handle it b/c my use was gradual.  The moisturizer I use is CeraVe PM which is recommended by dermatologists; I would stay away from a moisturizer with retinol for now.  For dry spots that were intense, I used a tiny amount of Neosporin.  Please be patient.  It's a process.  Good luck! 

[greenchilli]

@SassyMakeupGal

When using retinol, you must increase your skin hydration.  Add oil to your hydrating routine.  Also, I would cut back on retinol moisturiser.  It is all too much.

I wouldn't use salicyclic, retinol, and exfoliating pads all together regularly.  I would exfoliate and use retinol nightly.  Use salicylic intermittently as your acid.

[SassyMakeupGal]

Thanks a lot. Is there an oil you would recommend? also maybe i should scale it down. I didn't use my salicylic pad and my skin already feels good. But you are right. I need to apply gradualism to my skincare...

[kenschm]

exfoliating and/or using salicylic acid at the same time as a retinoid is definitely no bueno - it sounds like you are overdoing it which will most definitely cause it to dry out and flake. Id scale back and alternate your skincare and introduce a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid as the others have suggested and try using a hydrating mask a few nights a week. The Sephora house brand make great sleeping masks, and Peter Thomas Roth has a great mask for soothing skin if its been overexfoliated 🙂

[makemeprettylol]

You might be applying TOO many products on your face-- a retinol moisturizer may not be doing the trick when it comes to replenishing the natural, healthy oils in your skin. As a girl who's struggled with pretty bad acne, I know how hard it is to find the balance between deep cleansing and hydration. I personally love the Keihls Ultra Facial Cream; it gives really nice lasting moisture and makes the skin super soft and supple. 

[Anonymous]

You could try adding a hyaluronic acid serum and maybe a ceramide moisurizer to your routine? what I've always been told is that if your skin is flaky and dry, you need more hydration, and if it feels tight or kinda tacky, you need more moisture. I've never used it but I know the Ordinary makes a hyaluronic serum, and glycerin and aloe vera are also hydrating ingredients to look for. a combo I really like is Belif's Hungarian Water Essence and then Dr. Jart's Ceramidin cream for moisture.