Caring for dry, acne-prone skin requires a unique approach that nourishes skin while clearing up breakouts gently. Finding the right products that can help tackle dry, acne-prone skin can result in beautifully smooth, clear, and hydrated skin.

Is it possible to have dry skin and acne?

Though most people associate having acne with oily skin, it is possible to have dry skin and acne too, though only a small percentage of people fall into that category (3). For those few with dry skin and acne breakouts, it’s an infuriating struggle.

Trying to find a moisturizer that addresses dry skin needs without clogging pores and causing more breakouts is hard enough. Then there’s the issue: products that control breakouts often make dry skin even drier. It can be a real dilemma when shopping for skin care products.

Note: if your skin feels tight and dry, yet also oily and prone to breakouts simultaneously, you’re struggling with dehydrated skin and acne, which is very different from dry skin and acne. Dehydration is typically triggered by using the wrong skin care products, such as overly drying cleansers or harsh ingredients like denatured alcohol, mint, menthol, eucalyptus, and lemon.

You have dry skin if your skin feels flaky and tight after washing – even when using gentle products and proper moisturizers.

How to treat dry and acne-prone skin

Once you’ve determined that your skin is dry (not dehydrated) and you’ve ensured that your skincare routine is free of aggravating factors, you can focus on the gentle yet effective ways to control your dry skin and acne . The following are our expert recommendations.

Every product in your routine should be gentle and respect the skin’s microbiome. The microbiome plays a critical role in the skin’s defenses and overall health; disrupting it can worsen all skin concerns, including acne.

Start with a soothing cleanser and toner duo, like you’ll find in our CALM line, specifically developed to tackle redness, to leave skin cleansed thoroughly, yet replenished and soft (4).

Bring the rainmakers with a gentle BHA (beta hydroxy acid) exfoliant to unclog pores. Our SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant has a light lotion texture that softens and hydrates as it gently and naturally exfoliates. The non-drying exfoliation clears pores deeply and reveals bump-free, smooth-looking skin. A leave-on BHA exfoliant also reduces the appearance of those hard, tiny, white bumps on the cheeks and face, and is even suitable for skin prone to milia.

Fight breakouts with the best acne treatment for dry skin

Stop breakouts before they begin with benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide is a powerhouse ingredient for preventing acne eruptions before they happen (1). Use it consistently in your breakout-prone areas, give it a couple of weeks, and you will see what we mean! Higher concentrations, particularly 10%, can dry for many people, so we strongly recommend starting with a 2.5% concentration, like in our CLEAR Regular Strength Daily Skin Clearing Treatment, and see how your skin responds. As you monitor your skin’s response, you can slowly increase the percentage of benzoyl peroxide, if needed, for breakouts.

Find the perfect balance in a moisturizer and serum. This is admittedly the tricky part. You want a moisturizer and/or serum that contains rejuvenating and skin-renewing ingredients but is also hydrating enough to quench dry skin. It also needs to be less emollient than a standard cream moisturizer, so it doesn’t clog pores and amplify breakouts.