Today I’m sharing 6 reasons dry skin leads to breakouts.

I know what you think, “oily skin = breakouts.” But did you know that dry skin can also lead to breakouts?

“Although it can happen at all ages, acne and dry skin is usually found with adult acne.” (source)

Gut Health and Skin

According to Chris Kresser,

Intestinal permeability (a.k.a. “leaky gut”) causes both systemic and local inflammation, which in turn contributes to skin disease.

Talking about gut health and skin is no new topic around here. Check out, “Could Your Acne be Caused By Gut Problems?” You’ll see living proof images of my own acne problems, and the experiment I did to take massive healing steps within just one week.

The kicker? I have very dry skin.

Don’t let the fact that you have dry skin fool you into thinking severe acne cannot happen. It can and does. 

Here are 6 reasons why.

6 Reasons Dry Skin Leads to Breakouts

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1. Healthy oils keep your skin supple

   Without that flexibility, skin can become more acne-prone.

2. Acne occurs when hair follicles in the skin get clogged

   Though oil is a frequent culprit, dead skin cells, cosmetic products, dirt and bacteria also can clog your pores and cause breakouts.

3. Dry skin = damaged skin

   When your skin becomes dry, its ability to perform critical tasks is limited, causing buildup of skin cells on the surface of the skin that can easily become irritated and inflamed, creating a potential breeding ground for acne.

4. Lack of exfoliation

   The skin is so dry that many dead layers have accumulated on the surface. If you don’t exfoliate regularly, this dead skin can trap oil in your pores, triggering breakouts. THIS is my favorite exfoliator.

5. It’s not dry; you’re allergic to something

   Your apparently dry skin may actually be an allergic reaction. Have you changed your diet recently, switched personal care products, or been in contact with anything new?

6. Gut

   See above. It all comes back to the gut. An unhealthy gut can be associated with both dry and oily skin, but both roads can and do lead to the same place -> breakouts-ville.

Sources: HERE, HERE, and HERE.

So what’s the solution? Obviously I have some to share with you. 

5 Ways to Combat Dry Skin

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1. Hydrate

   Water, water, and more water. You can’t even imagine how much I hate admitting this one because I don’t like drinking water. Water is critical for digestion as well as for your skin.

   If you want to join in on a hydration challenge to see if and how it helps your skin, check out my free hydration challenge HERE.
2. Moisturize

   You must hydrate from both the inside and outside. Keep your daily moisturizer close by. 

3. Watch those skincare ingredients

   If you’re dealing with breakouts and dry skin, avoid products that contain benzoyl peroxide, which will only dry out your skin more and make the problem worse, says Jeannette Graf, a dermatologist in Great Neck, New York, in “Fitness” magazine. (source)

4. Teen products

   Stop using the same products you used as a teen. ” While teenage skin tends to be super oily, chances are your skin today is less oily. Products geared toward teen acne may be too drying.” (source)

5. Washing your face

   Don’t wash your face more than twice per day. When you do wash it, choose a cream cleanser over a foaming one, which are typically less drying.

A Gutsy Girl’s Favorite Dry-Skin Products

Wondering about my favorite dry-skin products? Here you go:

1. The Lotus Glow Cleansing Balm

   It’s actually a 2-in-1; cleanser plus deep moisturizer. I leave it on overnight, and if I had to choose just one Beautycounter product to use the rest of my life, it would be this.

   Many agree with these sentiments, as it remains an all-time best selling product.
2. Plumping Facial Mist

   Active-infused and alcohol-free, this revitalizing mist preps skin, sets makeup, and refreshes throughout the day.

3. Nourishing Cream Cleanser

   Remember what I said above – cream vs. foaming cleanser.

4. Recovery Sleeping Cream

   It contains two forms of hyaluronic acid for ultimate hydration.

5. Balancing Oils

   Any one of the balancing oils HERE.

6. Honey Night Cream

   Wedderspoon Honey Night Cream with Bee Venom HERE.

7. Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer

   This is a 3-in-1 product; hydration, sheer coverage, and SPF 20. It’s also our best-selling tinted moisturizer. Grab your shade HERE.

Save these favorite products for later by clicking HERE.

Acne, but NOT Dry Skin?

Have acne, but dry skin is not your problem? Again, start by going back to the gut.

If you need help with where to start, take THIS QUIZ so I can help you immediately.

Not sure what regimen is right for you? Find out with “Which Skincare Regimen to Choose.“

If you liked this post, you might also enjoy:

1. SOS Acne Spot Treatment (I’ve tested it over-and-over again. Put it on; within three days, gone.)
2. FREE 12-Day Safer Beauty Exploration Journey
3. Essential Oil DIY Body Scrub Recipe

Xox,
SKH