Dry skin and pimples at the same time: how is that possible?

Many women think that pimples only occur with oily skin. So when your skin starts to feel drier, you actually expect fewer pimples.

Yet, dermatologists often see the opposite happen. Especially in women around menopause, the skin can become drier while pimples appear at the same time.

Your skin might feel tight or a bit flaky, but at the same time, pimples appear on your chin or jawline. This feels contradictory, but it's usually due to hormonal changes during perimenopause, the years leading up to menopause. During this period, hormones begin to fluctuate, which directly affects the skin [7][9].

In the first blog of this series, we already discussed why women around the age of 45 can suddenly get pimples again (Read more: Why do you get pimples again around the age of 45?). In the previous blog, we looked at how to recognize menopausal acne. (Read more: How do you recognize menopausal acne?).

In this blog, we will delve deeper into what exactly happens in the skin when dry skin and pimples appear simultaneously.

Skin changes during perimenopause

During perimenopause, hormone levels begin to fluctuate. Estrogen, in particular, gradually declines.

Estrogen plays an important role in the skin. It helps the skin retain moisture, supports the skin barrier, and stimulates collagen production.

When this hormone decreases, the skin can

• lose moisture faster

• feel thinner

• react more sensitively

• become drier [9][17].

That's also why many women around this period notice that their dry facial skin suddenly needs more care than before. But that's only one side of the story.

Hormonal influence on sebum and pimples

In addition to estrogen, androgens also play a role in the skin. These are hormones that, among other things, stimulate sebum production. When hormonal ratios change, sebaceous glands can become more active and produce more sebum [5][7].

When sebum accumulates in the pores, pores can become clogged. This can lead to inflammation and the appearance of pimples. This process is the basis of acne.

Therefore, it can happen that the skin feels drier while pimples still appear. Dermatologists often refer to this as adult female acne, a form of acne typically found in adult women [1][2].

The role of the skin barrier

The skin barrier is essentially the protective layer of your skin. This barrier helps to retain moisture in the skin and protects against external influences.

When the skin barrier functions well, the skin feels supple and calm.

During perimenopause, however, this barrier can weaken. As a result, the skin can lose moisture faster and react more sensitively to external factors such as cold, wind, or certain skincare products [9][17].

This can cause the skin to

• feel tight

• become red faster

• react more sensitively to products

• become drier

A weakened skin barrier can also contribute to inflammation in the skin. Inflammation plays an important role in the development of acne [5].

When acne products become too aggressive for the skin

When pimples appear, many people automatically reach for strong acne products.

That seems logical, but for skin that has already become drier and more sensitive, this can actually cause additional problems.

Strong cleansers or aggressive treatments can further damage the skin barrier. (Read more: What helps with acne during menopause) This can make the skin even drier and develop more inflammation at the same time.

Research on adult female acne also shows that acne in adult women often reacts differently than teenage acne [1][4]. The skin at this stage often benefits more from a gentler approach.

Typical areas where hormonal pimples appear

Hormonal acne in adult women often appears on specific areas of the face. (Read more: How to recognize menopause acne?) 

Many women get pimples mainly on

• the chin

• the jawline

• around the mouth

These areas react more sensitively to hormonal changes.

In the previous blog of this series, we looked in more detail at how to recognize menopausal acne and why pimples often reappear in these areas. This pattern is also regularly described in dermatological studies on adult acne [2][4].

What skin with dryness and pimples often needs

When you have both dry skin and pimples, your skin usually requires a different approach than before.

Instead of aggressive treatments, the skin often benefits more from balance.

This means, for example

• mild cleansing

• hydrating the skin

• supporting the skin barrier

• reducing inflammation

In this blog of this series, we look in more detail at what can truly help with hormonal pimples around menopause. (Read more: What helps with acne during menopause?)

Briefly summarized

Dry skin and pimples at the same time are more common than many people think.

During perimenopause, hormonal changes can cause the skin to become drier while sebaceous glands remain more active.

Typical signs are

• dry or tight skin

• pimples on the chin or jawline

• more sensitive skin

• recurring pimples

When you understand what is happening in your skin, it often becomes easier to support your skin better.

Frequently asked questions about dry skin and pimples

Why do I have dry skin and still get pimples?

During perimenopause, hormonal changes can cause the skin to become drier while sebaceous glands remain more active. As a result, the skin can lose moisture and develop pimples at the same time [7][9].

Can dry skin get acne?

Yes. Acne does not only occur with oily skin. When pores become clogged and inflammation occurs, even people with dry or sensitive skin can get pimples [5].

Why do pimples often appear on the chin during menopause?

The skin around the chin and jawline reacts more sensitively to hormonal changes. As a result, hormonal pimples in adult women often appear in this area [2][4].

Does the skin become drier during perimenopause?

Yes. When estrogen drops, the skin can retain less moisture and become thinner. As a result, the skin often feels drier and more sensitive [9][17].

What helps with dry skin with pimples?

Skin that is both dry and blemished often benefits from a gentle approach. Mild cleansing, hydrating, and supporting the skin barrier can help to calm the skin.

Author: Sofie Dewitte

Sources

1. Harper JC, et al. Emerging Issues in Adult Female Acne. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2024.

2. Rocha M, Bagatin E. Adult female acne: Clinical characteristics and factors related to disease severity. Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 2018.

3. Del Rosso JQ, Kim G. Adult female acne: A guide to clinical practice. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology.

4. Preneau S, Dreno B. Female acne – a different subtype of teenager acne? Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.

5. Pappas A. Acne pathogenesis: from comedogenesis to inflammation. Clinics in Dermatology.

6. Thiboutot D, et al. Acne: hormonal concepts and therapy. Clinics in Dermatology, 2004.

7. Newson L. Acne, perimenopause and menopause. Newson Health Menopause Society, 2025.

8. Dr Louise Newson. Clinical explanations on perimenopause, hormones and skin changes.