I've received many emails from customers who over the years have developed drier skin and subsequently experienced outbreaks of whiteheads, pimples, red spots and other impurities. Those who have contacted me have been at different stages in their lives. From teenagers to 50-year-olds, but the majority are those who had problem-free skin and then face this dilemma around the age of 30. They naturally wonder what they should do.
Problems everyone has in common
Everyone has had different skincare routines and skin issues, but the majority have these things in common:
Dry skin (this also applies to those with oily/greasy skin): the skin feels tight after cleansing.
Conventional skincare products (especially creams) have been used for a long period (several years).
The skin only gets drier with age. For some, this results in the skin overproducing sebum, creating greasy and oily skin.
People change their cleansing products or routines. Those with dry skin switch to milder cleansing creams or cleansing oils and might skip washing their face in the morning. Some with dry but oily skin switch to even more drying cleansing products. They continue to moisturize the skin with conventional creams.
More recently, whiteheads, pimples, red spots or other impurities have broken out.
The skin condition worsens. The skin only gets drier and impurities continue to break out.
Why these problems occur
Dry skin can occur for many reasons. But regardless of whether it's hormonal, environmental, or health changes causing dry skin, facial cleansing products with plenty of lather that remove excess oil and dirt are needed to eliminate residue products (e.g., silicone, synthetics) from conventional products.
Sometimes deep cleansing such as peeling and masks are needed to purify the skin. The residue products usually come from conventional facial creams.
Because skin gets drier over time, people switch to milder cleansing products, but continue using the same type of facial creams. These mild cleansing products can't effectively remove all residue products which then accumulate in the skin over time. Or they use more drying products when they have oily/greasy skin (which actually stems from dry skin).
Eventually, so many residue products build up in the skin that they manifest as impurities. Those with oily skin (stemming from dry skin) might manage to remove residue products with strong products, but instead get impurities and acne because the skin produces far too much sebum.
Solutions to the problems
Stop using conventional skincare (especially facial creams) and clear out residue products and impurities with natural products.
Give your skin time to find balance.
Then cleanse with natural, preferably organic oil + water or mild cleansing products.
Deep cleanse the skin occasionally with organic scrubs and masks.
Moisturize your skin using only natural creams and/or oils and serums without synthetic ingredients that remain in the skin and cause problems.
You can read more about solutions and get product recommendations in the Ultimate Guide for Dry Skin.
