I have acne breakouts after using a glow cream. How to treat?

Question

Hello doctor,

I had acne marks and red acne scars visible on my skin, which are noticeable in daylight. The doctor suggested the following routine:

Mentholatum face wash twice daily.
Niaronic serum in the morning.
Dermive oil-free moisturizer twice daily.
Use a salicylic acid–based cleanser twice a week.
Livglow Radiant Glow Cream by Livpharm at bedtime

I used the Livglow cream for three days, and now I have yellow, painful breakouts on my face. What should I do?

Kindly suggest.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Based on your description, you have developed an acute inflammatory acne flare, most likely triggered by the radiant glow cream or the Salicylic acid cleanser.

Many “glow” or brightening creams contain active ingredients that can be too strong or comedogenic for acne-prone skin, especially when there is already underlying red acne under the skin (inflammatory acne).

When such products are introduced suddenly, they can clog pores, increase irritation, and convert deep acne into painful yellow pustules, which is exactly what you’re noticing after just three days.

The first and most important step right now is to stop using the radiant glow cream. Do not apply it again. Continuing it will only worsen inflammation and may lead to marks or scarring.

For now, keep your routine very simple and calming. Continue washing your face gently with the same face wash twice daily, and you may use an oil-free moisturizer to support your skin barrier.

You can pause your current serum for a few days. Also, avoid the Salicylic acid cleanser for now until the active breakouts calm down, as using too many actives together can further irritate the skin.

To actively manage the flare,

Start taking Adoxa (Doxycycline) 100 mg tablets once daily for 15 days, and apply Acsolve gel (Hydroquinone, Tretinoin, and Hydrocortisone)
If you have oily skin or Clycin-T (Clindamycin phosphate) lotion
If you have dry or normal skin, on the face twice daily for 15 days.
You may take a Softin-F (Fexofenadine) 120 mg tablet at bedtime for a few days in case of itching.

Please remember, this flare is reversible, and many patients experience this when a product does not suit their skin.

Once the active acne is controlled, acne marks can be treated safely and effectively, but active acne always comes first. You did the right thing by stopping the product and asking for help early.

Please follow up after 15 days so I can decide whether you need to continue taking Doxycycline (Tablet Adoxa) for a few more days or stop it, and then we can restart treatment for concerns like acne marks or pigmentation.

I hope you find this helpful.

Thank you.