This Is The Best Skincare for Dry Acne Prone Skin

Acne, actually, is one of my favorite topics to cover, and I actually just really love writing about best skincare for dry, acne-prone skin. I have been dealing with it for so long, and it's such a complex issue, something that so many Americans struggle with on a daily basis. It is so mentally debilitating. I know firsthand what it is like: trying to put up a brave face when it feels like your skin is on fire.

I've got complicated skin-once or twice a month, I breakout with hormonal acne on my chin, but everywhere else on my face is dry, very Irish skin. I'd love nothing more than to be able to bathe my skin in a luxe oil to combat the dryness, but that often clogs my pores, irritates my skin, and causes unwanted breakouts in the process. I've also fiddled with a lot of different acne vitamins, as well as dedicated myself to eating healthy recipes for acne. In any case, using the right products for your dry and acne-prone skin is key to getting clear skin in the first place.

It's kinda hard to treat dry and acne-prone skin because most acne products are actually targeted toward people who produce excess oil and have oilier complexions. The condition results from an overproduction of sebum causing clogged pores and breakout. Normally, I am inclined to skincare products for dry and sensitive skin and then try to spot-treat my chin with active acne-fighting ingredients. If you, like me, are in the same boat and need some dry skin relief that won't irritate your acne, then you have come to the right place. Below, I rounded up the best skincare for dry acne-prone skin I have used-so I loved-in this tried-and-true list. 

Best Skincare for Dry Acne Prone Skin

Step 1: Cleanse your skin

One of the big things that keeps your dry, acne-prone skin hydrating is avoidance of really harsh cleansers. I grew up using super-strong benzoyl peroxide face wash throughout my tween and teen years to cleanse my skin day and night. It dried the hell out of my face and probably did so much more harm than good.

I tend to use a very mild face wash that does not treat acne. I also like to have different cleansers for morning and night.

Best Morning Cleansers:

Paula’s Choice CALM Ultra-Gentle Cleanser

 Available on Amazon ($22) 

Trilogy Rosehip Cream Cleanser

I adore a good cream cleanser, especially for mornings. It's like it gets my skin ready to take on the day and helps my makeup look good, too. Over time, I've used several bottles of this Trilogy cream cleanser and just love that it's so gentle yet hydrating.

This pick does contain rosehip oil in it, so if you are someone with dry, acne-prone skin who knows that oils can break them out, I would go easy with this one. This pick doesn't irritate my skin, but to some, it might be too heavy.

Available on Amazon ($20)

Best Nighttime Cleansers:

Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser

You really can't go wrong with Vanicream when it comes to sensitive and dry skin. Plus, a lot of board-certified dermatologists just love recommending this brand to folks with easily-irritated skin. This is a super gentle foaming cleanser that does a great job of removing makeup and oil from the day. It's simple, won't irritate skin, and gets the job done.

Available on Amazon ($9)

Naturopathica Manuka Honey Cleansing Balm 

I have so many reasons to love this cleansing balm. It smells great, feels really great on the skin, and does a great job with makeup removal at the end of the day. There is manuka honey in the formula, and this has very well-known antibacterial properties, which could be of very great benefit in the treatment of acne.

That said, this is thick formula - it can be a little too heavy for some acne-prone skin. If that's the case, I would recommend using this as a first clean and then using Vanicream above as your second clean.

Available on Amazon ($68)

Step 2: Toner

There are a few different toners that I really like to use, depending on what my skin is feeling that day. If it's super dry, I will use one of the first two. Should it not be that dry and handle a little exfoliation nicely, then I really like the third option.

Paula’s Choice Calm Nourishing Milky Toner

It's one of the best toners that I have tried in the market. The brand sent it to me a month or so ago for me to try for consideration, and my skin just drinks it up every morning. It's super thick, almost like an essence in feel, really great hydrating benefits, sans irritating my skin at all. In terms of texture, it's quite like a hydrating serum. It really is that moisturizing.

Available on Amazon ($26)

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Wild Oat Hydrating Toner

I used this toner all the time when I lived in Boston and the winters were really, really rough, rough on my mental health, rough on my skin. It's super similar in consistency to the Paula's Choice toner; it's thick out of the bottle and feels more like you're applying milk than water. Ultra-soothing, perfect for very irritated skin.

Available on Amazon ($24)

Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

This is Paula's Choice bestseller, as it does a lot to skin-from minimizing the look of pores by lightly exfoliating dead skin cells and unclogging pores to reducing dark spots and allowing your skin to appear brighter and dewier. It also targets acne directly with beta hydroxy acids present in the formula, 2% salicylic acid.

I don't use this pick all that often because I feel it's too strong for my skin during winter months, but everything feels like it's too strong for my skin when it is cold outside. I do prefer using this more during the warmer months of the year when my skin isn't dry and can handle the extra exfoliation.

Available on Amazon ($14)

Step 3: Serum 

Sofie Pavitt Face Mandelic Clearing Serum

This has been life-changing, hands down, for my acne. It isn't overly aggressive; it keeps breakouts from coming up, it smooths out skin like nothing else can, and I think it is the one thing that has really kept my skin crystal clear for months. I am in love with it.

Paula’s Choice CALM Repairing Serum

It's a beautiful, hydrating serum that does the job. This is made of hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and antioxidants that help in moisturizing the skin and calming redness and irritation. I love, too, how it helps build your barrier back up so your skin isn't sensitized to everything you put on it.

Available on Amazon ($45)

True Botanicals - Chebula Active Serum 

This serum is a bit pricier; the brand sent this to me a while back for editorial consideration. I use it pretty sparingly and like that it soothes really angry skin. It does leave a bit of a sticky residue after you put it on, but that disappears once I apply a moisturizer over it.

This pick is really more geared toward soothing inflamed, acne-prone skin than hydrating it. The formula doesn't have a hydrating feel to it for me, as opposed to some other serums I have tried.

Available on Amazon ($90)

Step 4: Spot Treatment

As you read this list, you've probably been, "ok, where are the products to actually treat my acne and not my dry skin?" This is that section. Like I mentioned above, I really like to spot treat my acne, rather than use cleansers, toners, serums, and moisturizers that work as "preventative." I find most of those products are just too drying and irritating to my skin-except for that Sofie Pavitt serum!.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Spot Treatment 

5-Star Acne Treatment and Prevention This effective acne treatment combines 5.5% micronized concentration of benzoyl peroxide and micro-exfoliating lipo-hydroxy acid to attack acne right at its site. I find that over time, benzoyl peroxide seems to work better for my acne than salicylic acid does. This is a highly active formula, so proceed with caution. Also, make sure you wash your hands afterwards-benzoyl peroxide bleaches my towels all the time!

  Available at Amazon ($20)

Paula’s Choice CLEAR Daily Skin Clearing Treatment 

This has been my go-to acne spot treatment for years. It's potent but not too potent, and it works well to target blemishes individually. Again, be very careful not to get it on any clothes, towels, or sheets, as it stains them white.

  Available at Amazon ($24)

Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Original

Pimple patches, hands down, are the best thing to ever be created when talking about acne. I really won't believe how much my acne journey has changed since hydrocolloid patches were discovered. Acne patches surely revved up the pace when it came to the healing of my hormonal acne. They further prevent me from popping my pimples so aggressively and leaving my face all scarred. I like taking a needle, prick a pimple that has come to the surface, then allowing the pimple patch to drain the pus. 

  Available at Amazon ($12)

Step 5: Moisturizer

Of course, the moisturizing part is my favorite in any skincare. My skin is dry, and hence, there is no feeling better than quenching its thirst with glorious hydration. Below are some of my favorites that don't make me break out.

Skinfix Triple Lipid Peptide Cream

Holy freakin' miracle worker of a cream. I am literally obsessed with it. I have gone through, like, maybe 3-4 containers of it. It does such an amazing job at fully hydrating my skin. Never breaks me out. Looks fantastic under my Alima Pure Foundation every day.

  Available at Amazon ($54)

Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream 

It's a super basic AF moisturizer that actually hydrates your skin without flare-ups in your acne. I use this when my skin is really acting up, and I need just a no-frills moisturizer that isn't going to do any more harm. I think this is targeted more for the body, but most folks use it on their face 'cause it's really non-irritating and won't clog pores.

Available at Amazon ($14)

Paula’s Choice SKIN RECOVERY Replenishing Facial Moisturizer 

This moisturizer is gorgeous and super thick. It's one of the best skincare for dry, acne-prone skin on this list. I use it loads in winter when my skin is super dry and flaky. I don't think it would be good for people who have oily skin types-but I guess you probably aren't reading this blog post if you have oily skin!.

Available at Amazon ($35)

Step 6: SPF

This has been an issue of mine for years: finding a sunscreen that didn't irritate my skin or cause me to break out. I mean, most sunscreens irritate my poor, sensitive skin in one way or another. A few of the options below I have yet to try-but think they would be great picks for dry, acne-prone skin-while others I've used over the years and haven't had any issues.

Paula’s Choice CLEAR Ultra-Light Hydrating Oil Free Moisturizer SPF 30

All right, so I haven't tried this pick yet; it has some amazing reviews on Amazon, though, which I really think I should try. It's a part of Paula's CLEAR line, meaning that it shouldn't irritate blemishes or cause more breakouts.

Available at Amazon ($35)

Babo Botanicals Daily Sheer Fluid Tinted Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 

I love this pick for many reasons: it's hydrating, and it leaves a really nice dewy finish on the skin. This formula in no way causes me to break out or further irritates my already sensitive skin. And it does have a tint to it, which helps me to cover up my breakouts in summer when I'm trying really not to wear too much makeup to the beach or pool.

Available at Amazon ($22)

Proactiv Clear Skin SPF

I am not a huge fan of Proactiv, but last summer, the brand had sent it to me and I loved how it didn't break me out. Texture is nice. Works good beneath makeup too.

Available at Amazon ($19)

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