The Best Acne Face Wash for Dry Skin
You may think that acne is only a problem with people with oily skin. Unfortunately, you can still suffer from acne even if you have the driest of skin. Using a cleanser designed for a person with normal or oily skin may only make your problem worse by irritating your face. Skip cleansers that contain benzoyl peroxide. Even though it is effective at treating acne, it can make your dry skin dryer and cause burning and stinging, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Moisturizing Cleansers
Kill two birds with one stone by using a cleanser that targets acne while moisturizing your skin. Make sure the cleanser is oil-free and will not clog your pores, or else you will be left with moisturized skin that is still break-out prone. The best cleansers contain gentle moisturizers such as Vitamin E and should also have some level of protection against the sun.
Face Wash With Salicylic Acid
Like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid helps fight acne. According to the Mayo Clinic, it keeps pores clog-free by reducing the number of shed hair follicle cells. Because it can cause irritation, the best face wash for dry skin will have a low concentration of salicylic acid. To start, look for a cream, not gel, cleanser with 0.5 percent salicylic acid. If you find that it does not effectively treat your acne, try using a face wash with a slightly higher concentration.
Other Acne Products for Dry Skin
If you choose to use a separate moisturizer in addition to your face wash, look for one that does not contain oil and is noncomedogenic, meaning it will not clog pores and make your acne worse. The most effective moisturizers also contain salicylic acid.
Some people with dry skin may find that cold cream, a thick, white substance commonly applied to skin at nighttime to remove makeup, is effective at both moisturizing skin and helping reduce acne. Cold cream consists of an emulsion of water and oil that is designed to sink into pores to unclog them and remove any dirt. Even though it is made of oil, cold cream is usually noncomedogenic.
