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People who have dry skin usually don't have to worry about acne. But, not everyone with dry skin can stay acne free. In this case, the approach to acne care is quite different than it would be for oily skin.

The reason being that when acne presents itself in people with dry skin, it is usually under the surface. This can lead to painful nodules and redness. It is definitely not advisable to pick at these lesions because you can seriously damage your skin. Instead, reach for the moisturizer.

Yes, that's right. Moisturizing regularly is the key to keeping dry skin acne-free, and here's precisely why:

Dry skin tends to have micro-cracks on the surface of the skin. These tiny, little breaks in the skin are a perfect entry point for bacteria, especially the kind that cause acne. However, by moisturizing regularly you can help your skin stay moist and flexible which helps keep your skin from cracking.

Along with a good moisturizer, you can use different acne creams to help control breakouts. However, do not use products designed for oily skin. Always remember that acne treatments meant for oily skin are much too strong for dry skin.

You can also use oil as a moisturizer for dry skin. Not just any oil will do, however. Use non-comedogenic oils, such as olive oil, and massage it into your skin.

Remove it with a warm, moist washcloth and apply your moisturizer as usual. This change can help balance out the natural oils in your skin. In fact, it is especially helpful for people with extremely dry skin.

Certain Treatments for Acne

A good cleansing routine can be a real life saver for people that suffer from mild and moderate acne. However, if your condition involves severe acne, then you may need medical intervention. Without the right care this type of acne problem can lead to extensive scarring and force you to submit to acne scar removal procedures.

Dry skin is too sensitive to withstand products that contain sulfur, salicylic acid, and retinol. Instead of these ingredients, try looking for products that are made with tea tree oil or vitamin B complex. Or if you'd like, you can use products that contain AHAs but do so wisely because they are known to cause irritation in some people.

Tea tree oil should initially be used once a week to allow your skin time enough to adjust and become accustomed to it. Or, you can dilute it with a couple of drops of water or a few drops of your moisturizer. It doesn't matter which method you use, both will help reduce its irritating power.

AHAs are excellent exfoliators and can reduce the level of flaking that accompanies dry skin. You can find a creamy moisturizer that comes with AHAs or you can add them yourself.