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Dry Skin and Acne
There are basically three types of skin: oily, dry and normal. All
types of skin are susceptible to acne and the degree of severity depends
on various conditions. A large percentage of people have all three types
on their face and other parts of their bodies requiring different care
for each type.
A person with dry skin does not escape acne and winter is the worse
time for their outbreaks. Even though acne is more prevalent under the
skin rather than on the surface for these skin types, a daily regimen
of skin care needs to be followed. As the seasons change so does the
skin condition.
In the winter moisture is scarce due to the drop in humidity and temperature.
Combined with indoor heating and environment, the skin becomes even
more dry and irritated. The skin begins itching and flaking around the
mouth, nose, shoulders and buttocks. In more severe cases there is cracking
of the skin leaving it vulnerable to bacteria and increase of acne.
A daily routine of adding moisture to the skin will help offset this
problem.
Hot showers and baths remove moisture from the skin and should be avoided.
The drier your skin, the more you need to use moisturizer. Read the
labels to find ingredients including glycerin, mineral oil, linoleic
acid or ceramides. For best results apply the moisturizer within five
minutes of stepping out of the shower or bath to avoid further drying
of the skin.
Taking care of dry skin in the summer requires a change in daily routine.
The air is more humid and the skin absorbs the moisture better. Sweat
and the heat make pores softer, pulling in more bacteria and liquid.
At this point, some retinoids should be included in the daily routine,
but should be covered with a moisturizer cream and strong sunscreen.
Retinoids reduce oil and bacteria that cause acne but can also dry
the skin. As an added benefit, retinoids also reduce lines, wrinkles
and sunspots in dry skinned people.
Scientists have not proven that dry skin is more prone to scarring
than other skin types. But they have found that scarring is closely
related to the type of skin you have inherited. They have also discovered
that scarring is caused because the blemish was not allowed to heal
properly.
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Tips for setting up a routine.
For people with dry skin acne, there are treatments
that can be done at home to relieve the flaky skin that appears:
- In the morning cleanse the skin with an oil-free toner that removes
any makeup or lotions left on the skin. Then the person should pat
the face and other parts of the body and not rub. Applying a hydrating
moisturizer with a sterile gauze square or spray pump helps. Do not
use fingers as the bacteria may spread.
- Even if your skin is dry you will want to use a foundation on your
face that is oil-free. A mistake by acne-infected teenagers and adults
is in attempting to cover up their blemish with a heavier coat of
makeup. This exacerbates the problem. Stick with using a lighter coat;
cleanse and apply it more often throughout the day if you wish.
- Among the oil-free cosmetics you should use are shadow and eyeliner.
Acne can find its way to your eyelids and surrounding area that will
become unsightly as well as painful. If the makeup increases the need
to scratch those itchy spots, keep your bacteria carrying hands away.
Instead, use a sterile cloth or gauze and rub gently.
- If your makeup soaks into your skin and your face becomes visibly
dry, use some gel containing ingredients such as glycerin to hydrate
that portion of the skin.
- In the evening, cleanse your skin the same as in your morning routine
and then exfoliate. You can acquire exfoliating creams over the counter
or from cosmetic suppliers. Exfoliating removes the flakes and scales
left on your skin. If you have excessive clogged skin, exfoliate at
least three times a week either the entire face or the portions that
are affected.
Acne can leave behind two different types of scarring on both the dry
or oily skinned person. The first is the ice-pick scars - deep rough
holes in the skin. The second is pigmented scars, which leave a purplish-brown
mark at first, and several months later may turn white with raised scar
tissue on the surface. If a person is bothered by the disfiguration,
they may want to consider an over the counter face peel and if that
does not produce satisfactory results in two to three months, then it
is time to consult a dermatologist for solutions. The most important
thing to remember is to keep the skin moisturized and clean.
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