My Teenage daughter's skin

[KTeech]

I need some advice on how to deal with my 13 year old daughter's skin.

A year or so ago she was getting a lot of pimples. We purchased a regular acne care cleanser and she began using it once a day. It made her skin very dry and flaky, so we switched to a "sensitive skin" acne cleanser. We assumed that the BP in most acne cleansers was just drying her sking too much.

She began using the sensitive skin acne cleanser twice a day. She does NOT use a moisturizer.

Her skin has begun to dry out again, particularly in the forehead and cheek areas. It is so dry that it flakes off.

I need advice on what type of cleanser she should use.
She is adamant that a moisturizer just makes her skin oily and then it breaks out more.
She suggested that I check with a dermatologist to see what he or she might recommend for a teenage skin like hers. I am hoping that some of you can advise her.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It looks like this dryness if due to the benzoyl peroxide in the acne creams. An amount of benzoyl peroxide lotion the size of a pea should be enough to cover most of her face. If her skin becomes red or peels, she is using too much of the medicine or applying it too often. Other treament methods include topical and oral antibiotics, topical retinoids, hormonal therapy, dermabrasion , phototherapy and laser resurfacing. Normally a combination of treatments is followed and if nothing proves effective then dermabrasion and laser therapy are useful. You can discuss these treatment options with your dermatologist.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[CassCore]

I have battled with acne forever! I too hate using lotion on my face, but they do make moisturizer for acne and oily skin. I use Clinique and I like it a lot. Also try an exfoliating ance cleanser to get the flakes off. Also I have found that when I dry my face with a clean wash rag every night it makes a difference as opposed to using the same one a few night in a row. Good luck! OH! And going to see a dermatologist is a really good idea. Especially this young because you wouldn't want her to scar.