How do I safely improve skin tone in my acne-prone skin?

Question

Hello doctor,

I wanted to ask about what I can do to improve my skin. I feel I have comedonal acne, I do not really get any pimples, but my skin seems to be very reactive with products, and I break out with tiny bumps all over, and they look like closed comedones. I had broke out bumps when I used Retinol or scrubbed my face.

It is as if anything with intense exfoliation breaks me out. I used 10 % Glycolic Acid, which left my skin clear, smooth, and glowing. Still, I incorporated more products like Benzoyl Peroxide and exfoliating with a cleansing brush because I thought my skin would get clearer, but doing that gave me bumps, so I used Retinol and broke out worse in these bumps. Every time I tried a different method of exfoliation, my skin would break out.

I thought exfoliating my face would clear them out, but I kept breaking out more in these bumps each time I used a different exfoliating method. Is my skin very sensitive to exfoliation? Maybe if I stuck to only using one product, like the 10 % Glycolic Acid, is there any chance they would slowly disappear?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and understand your concern.

First, you need to understand you may have frequent outbreaks because they get exacerbated by stress, hormonal changes, periods, certain food items, and cosmetics. Try to avoid multiple cosmetics and exfoliating scrubs as much as possible, as your skin has no dust particles in its pores. Using Glycolic acid peel is good enough, and you can use anti-acne face wash. Do not rub too much. For comedones, apply Adapalene gel. Take very little (about the size of a pea) and apply only on lesions at night for 2 hours. Do not use too much, or you will have burning. You can consult a specialist doctor and use medications with their consent.

Thank you.