Skincare Routine for Acne and Dry Skin

Left to right: Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water, Avéne Cleansing Foam, Stridex Red Box, The ordinary Glycolic Acid 7%, The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2%, Benzoyl Peroxide 10% gel, Avéne Cicalfate moisturizer, La Roche-Posay Ultra Light 50+ sunscreen, Beauté Pacifique Creme Solaire 20.

 My Skincare Routine for Acne and Dry Skin

This is my skin care routine for acne and dry skin. My main concern is adult acne (fungal and bacterial) but I have recently started using anti ageing products as well. I use the same skincare routine both day and night. I have dry acne prone skin that break out easily. I also have large pores and problems with black heads on my nose. Since I have fungal acne, bacterial acne and dry skin it can be quite the balancing act between getting enough moisture for my dry skin but keeping it oil free. I stay far away from all facial oils and ferments which trigger fungal acne. My skin loves products from Avéne and my current holy grail cleanser and moisturizer is by Avéne.

Makeup Remover for Dry Acne Prone Skin - Garnier Micellar Water

I love the micellar water from Garnier and have gone through countless bottles. Micellar water is pretty much a stable in my skincare routine because it removes makeup really well but is also good for my sensitive dry skin. No matter how many micellar waters I try I keep coming back to this one. I like the OG Bioderma as well but I go though it so fast the price is just too much to bear. I also think it has a bad after taste when I use it around my mouth. Garnier costs a fraction of the price of Bioderma and works just as well.

Cleanser for Acne Prone Skin - Avéne Eau Thermale Cleansing Foam

This cleansing mousse which also goes by the name Avene Mattifying Foam Cleanser is my current favorite cleanser. It is a gentle foam cleanser with a pH of 5.5 and works for my dry skin despite being called mattifying. It contains fragrance and has a strong rose scent which might irritate scent-sensitive people though it does not irritate me at all. I sometimes use the Clarisonic brush with this cleanser.     

Chemical exfoliation

Stridex Red Box, The ordinary Glycolic Acid 7%, The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2%
I alternate between these three chemical exfoliants though I often combine Glycolic acid and Stridex 2% salicylic acid. I also use the Glycolic Acid 7% from The ordinary on the keratosis pilaris on my legs. People rave about the Lactic Acid from The Ordinary on Reddit but I don’t really like the texture of it so I tend not to use it. It feels too sticky on my face and the feeling stays for a long time.

Spot Treatment & Fading Acne Discoloration

I use 10% benzoyl peroxide as a spot treatment only and on my backne. It is pretty strong stuff and bleaches clothes and towels so I only use it at night. It works really well for fading the skin discoloration I have on my upper back from old acne. It makes your skin extra sensitive to the sun so use it at night only. Most benzoyl peroxide gels are the same so I just grab the cheapest.

Moisturiser for Acne and Dry Skin

Avéne makes the best moisturizers in my opinion. I have used several tubes of Avéne toleraine and I consider it my Holy Grail Moisturizer. It works under makeup and is thick enough to soothe my dry skin but doesn't break me out. The bottle is sealed with a mechanism that only opens up when you press it to keep it hygienic. If you need a good moisturizer for acne and dry skin try it. Right now I’m testing out Avéne cicalfate post procedure cream and Avéne Cicalfate Restorative Skin Cream to change things up. The one in the picture is cicalfate post procedure but I think I like the Restorative Skin Cream more. These creams are typically used after skin procedures but can be used any time. They are very gentle. I have nothing bad to say about them but I am probably going back to Avéne toleraine once I finish my current tube as it is more moisturizing. Avéne products are a bit pricy but it is worth it to spend a bit extra on moisturizers as they gets absorbed by your skin. I have never broken out using Avéne Toleraine or Cicalfate so I am sticking to them. 

Sunscreen for Acne Prone Skin

La Roche Posay makes some of the best sunscreens. I use La Roche Posay Anthelios XL ultra light 50+. It works well under makeup and feels light on the skin. It hasn’t broken me out and it is pretty budget friendly. I use Beauté Pacifique Creme Solaire 20 on my body. Unfortunately Beauté Pacifique is not available in most countries.

Anti Ageing Skincare Routine

I have experimented with Retin A and Retinol in the past, mainly for acne but Retin A has great anti ageing benefits as well. I’m currently on a break as my skin is too dry to tolerate it.