What to do when you have dry acne-prone skin? Caring for dry, acne-prone skin requires a unique approach that nourishes the skin while clearing up breakouts gently. Finding the right products to help tackle dry, acne-prone skin can give you smooth, clear and hydrated results. The original version of this article was reviewed by dermatologist Dr. Joyce Park What you can expect: Why is my skin dry but spotty? Is my acne-prone skin dehydrated? How do you hydrate dry skin prone to breakouts? Skincare for dry spotty skin Why is my skin dry but spotty? Though most people associate oilier skin with acne-prone concerns, it is possible to have dry skin with spots on your face too (though fewer people tend to fall into this category). Because of this, it can be an infuriating struggle for those that do! Trying to find a dry acne-prone skin moisturiser is hard enough, as it needs to hydrate without clogging pores or causing more breakouts. Then there’s the issue of formulas that effectively control breakouts as they often make dry skin even drier. Is my acne-prone skin dehydrated? There is a difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin. If your skin feels tight and dry, yet often oily and prone to breakouts at the same time – this means you’re struggling with dehydrated skin, rather than a dry skin type. Dehydration is typically triggered by irritating skincare formulas, such as overly drying cleansers or harsh ingredients like denatured alcohol, mint, menthol, etc. If your skin feels flaky and tight after washing – even when using gentle formulas and proper moisturisers – that's when you have dry skin. How do you hydrate dry skin prone to breakouts? Once you’ve determined that your skin is dry (not dehydrated), be sure to remove any aggravating factors from your skincare routine like the irritating ingredients above. Now you can focus on gentle yet effective skincare for dry acne-prone skin that will hydrate without clogging pores. Every skin product for dry acne-prone skin should be gentle and respect the microbiome, because it plays a critical role in the skin’s defences and overall health. Disrupting the microbiome can exacerbate all skin concerns, including dry skin with spots. Start with a soothing cleanser and toner duo, like those in our CALM collection which are specifically developed to tackle redness, leave skin thoroughly cleansed yet replenished and soft. Next, a gentle BHA (beta hydroxy acid) exfoliant can unclog your pores. Our SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant has a light lotion texture that softens and hydrates as it gently and naturally exfoliates. The non-drying exfoliation clears pores deeply and reveals bump-free, smooth-looking skin. A leave-on BHA exfoliant also reduces the appearance of those hard, tiny, white bumps on the cheeks and face, and is even suitable for skin prone to milia. Skincare for dry spotty skin Stop breakouts before they begin with azelaic acid. This is a powerhouse ingredient for preventing breakouts and diminishing red marks from past breakouts. Use it consistently once or twice daily and experience the soothing benefits of this plant-derived ingredient. Find the perfect balance in a moisturiser and/or serum. This is admittedly the tricky part. You want a moisturiser that contains rejuvenating and skin-renewing ingredients but is also hydrating enough to quench dry skin with acne. It also needs to be less emollient than a standard cream moisturiser, so it doesn’t clog pores and amplify breakouts. References for this information: Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology, May 2021, pages 687-701 Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, November 2020, pages 1,069-1,075 Sumatera Medical Journal, Volume 3, January 2020, ePublication Dermatologic Clinics, April 2016, pages 133-145 Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, February 2013, pages 18-24 American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, August 2012, pages 1-6