My name is Marilyn Baker, and I have horrible allergies. I’m 42 years old and have been suffering from allergies since I was a child. I have seasonal and environmental allergies. Allergies plague me year round. When I was young, my parents even moved to a dryer area in the hope of helping me. Over the past eight years, I have done extensive research both through doctors and online. I have managed to come up with some combinations that have helped me a great deal. My allergies aren’t gone, but they have become manageable. I do have to have allergy shots, but I also use some natural remedies. I am happy to be able to share my findings with you here on my blog. I hope you can find some of this of value.
When you are struggling to keep your acne under control, any side effect seems worth the peace of mind that comes with a blemish-free face. But you may change your mind if you wake up one morning with your skin dry and peeling. Chemical treatments designed to break up the oils that house acne-causing bacteria also destroy the oils that hydrate your face, and once your skin gets too dry, it becomes even more prone to breakouts. Balancing your skin's moisture and acne can be difficult, but it is possible to manage both with careful attention and dedication.
Understanding Your Skin's Moisture Balance
Your skin is an active organ of your body, constantly growing, dying, changing and regulating itself. Everyone's skin is different; some people are prone to dry skin while others are more greasy. Both conditions present their own challenges, but acne patients with dry skin must be especially careful to manage its condition. The oils that supply your face with moisture are also vulnerable to acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide. When those oils are stripped away, your skin dries out and begins to peel, developing microscopic cracks that harbor bacteria and cause breakouts.
Adjusting Your Treatment's Intensity
In most cases, dryness due to acne treatment is the result of the chemicals benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. Benzoyl peroxide is particularly infamous for its harmful impact on skin. It is, however, also one of the most effective acne deterrents available, and most patients see their skin gradually adjust to it. If your skin is too dry at your current dosage, consider cutting back by applying it once per day or at a lower concentration. Once your skin is able to cope with the loss of its oils, you can scale back up to your regular dosage.
Moisturizing Your Skin Between Treatments
Even at the lowest concentration of benzoyl peroxide, you may still find that your skin is dry and flaking after use. It is important to apply plenty of moisturizer during acne treatment, including when your skin seems to be normal and healthy. Moisturizing two or three times a day will minimize the damage of the medication and allow you to tolerate more powerful doses, speeding up the healing process and making future breakouts less likely. Some dryness is to be expected during the first couple weeks of treatment, but if that dryness seems excessive or painful, schedule an examination with your dermatologist to ensure that your skin's chemistry is within an acceptable balance. Relying on a professional's opinion can bring your skin back to normal quickly and allow you to resume treatment without further delay.
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