It is estimated that 40 million to 50 million Americans suffer from acne, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Teenagers are most often affected by acne but acne can affect adults as well. Roughly 85 percent of teenagers have acne each year.
If you have combination skin, you experience both oily and dry sections on your skin. The t-Zone (the forehead, nose and chin) is more oily with surrounding areas being more dry. Managing your acne with this skin type can be difficult, but not impossible.
Use Mild Soaps to Treat Acne For Dry and Oily Skin
You should wash your face once or twice a day with a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water. The AAD indicates that a good hygiene routine will reduce oil on your skin and keep your pores clean, preventing blockages. Scrubbing too hard can worsen your acne and increase oil production.
Acne Treatment Lotions for Oily and Dry Skin
Over-the-counter topical treatments are available to help you treat your acne. The Mayo Clinic reports that mild acne can be treated with over-the-counter lotions.
These lotions carry side effects such as skin irritation, flaking and dryness. Often, the side effects will improve after four weeks.
Use Prescription Medications with Oily and Dry Skin Acne
If over-the-counter treatments are not working, your doctor may prescribe an combination treatment. Forms of benzoyl peroxide and antibiotics are often used.
Common side effects from using prescription medications to treat acne are stinging, burning, redness and peeling. Your dose may gradually increase or change completely in order to reduce these side effects.
Oral Medications for Acne and Oily and Dry Skin
Oral antibiotics are given for short periods of time for severe acne. They are often used in conjunction with topical treatments to clear up your acne.
Isotretinoin is a very powerful medication used in treating severe and painful acne. It has some serious side effects including nosebleeds, birth defects, depression and suicide.
Prevent Oily and Dry Skin Acne Breakouts
Your combination skin type requires that you add moisture to certain areas of your face and remove oils from other parts of your face. You should use a mild cleanser to treat your whole face and apply a light, oil-free moisturizer to dry areas on your face.
Any facial products you use, such as cosmetics or lotions, should be oil-free and not clog pores.
Precautions of Treating Acne with Oily and Dry Skin
Beware of acne treatments that promise results in very short time frames. Most acne treatments will take up to eight weeks to work and will require prevention techniques to keep it from recurring. Acne must be treated properly or it can lead to permanent scarring and disfiguration.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
References:
American Academy of Dermatology. "Acne "(accessed October 20, 2010)
MayoClinic.com. "Acne"(accessed October 20, 2010)
HealthTree.com. "Skin Types and Skin Care" (accessed October 20, 2010)
Tamara Laschinsky - Health and wellness advocate, author, researcher and owner of Natural e GREEN: Natural Health & Wellness store!
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