Which of the following is a proper step if a client experiences excessive dryness from acne medication?

When a client experiences excessive dryness from acne medication, a proper and effective step is to decrease the frequency of application. This adjustment allows the skin time to recover and adjust to the medication without overwhelming it, which is particularly important when dealing with treatments that may have strong active ingredients, such as retinoids or benzoyl peroxide.

Excessive dryness can indicate that the skin is being irritated or is unable to tolerate the current regimen, and reducing how often the medication is applied can help mitigate these adverse effects. It provides the skin an opportunity to regain its moisture balance and can lead to better long-term compliance with the treatment plan.

This approach can also be complemented with moisturizing treatments or adjustments in the overall skincare routine to manage dryness effectively while still addressing acne. Thus, decreasing the frequency of application is a thoughtful and clinically sound step to take.