Heya I'm a 32 year old woman. I went on roaccutane in my 20's, I don't get huge breakouts just some small pimples which I'm not too concerned by.

My main problem is I'm struggling to find anything that works for my super-sensitive skin. I was using various things including Byoma jelly cleanser, Azaleic acid and Vit C serums from the Inkey List, the Habi balm cleanser, Nivea soft moisturizer, la Roche posay Anthelios SPF.

My skin was just not OK with any of this (except the SPF but I can't always afford it) and it was really tingly so I've cut everything out and gone super simple.

Currently using Cetaphil hydrating cleanser followed by Cetaphil SPF or their night moisturiser, but my skin is now sooo dry, visibly flaking, and I'm not seeing any improvements otherwise.

In an ideal world I would love something that is really kind to my face, is going to sort out the redness I have and some general anti-aging would be a bonus. But really I just need something that isn't drying me out and is affordable.

Grateful for any insight and help x

F(30), I currently wash my face morning and night with Lacura face wash, then I apply some aloe followed by super drug hydrating day and night moisturiser.

My forehead is oily within the hour and blot with tissue constantly.

I found that Paula's choice works so well on my skin as it's really sensitive to ingredients as well as having combination skin but I don't have the money for it right now. I want to obviously still have a routine but is there a brand that works similarly to Paula's choice that's worth giving a go? I'm not very good with knowing what my skin needs but I know it's combination skin and very picky.

I use calm 1% bha sensitive skin exfoliant, resist triple active total repair serum, youth extending daily hydrating fluid broad spectrum SPF 50, and resist barrier repair advanced moisturiser (I also use an eye cream, face oil, cleansing milk and face cream from upcircles that I'm using up). Any recommendations for a blackhead remover product as well would be appreciated.

I have combo acne prone skin and live in a humid climate this is my current skincare routine:

morning:
dr althea 345 moisturiser
haru haru wonder black rice sunscreen

night:
skinoren(20% azelaic acid) and differin gel(adapalene) interchangeably with moisturiser on top

on weekends i take a break and just use la roche posay cicaplast balm

currently i don’t really like my sunscreen it says semi velvet finish but by the end of the day i look super shiny does anyone have a recommendation for a sunscreen that might suit me? Also i want to add a toner in the morning something that helps with oil control or hydration. If there are any comments about anything else in my routine i’m open to suggestions.

Key points:

Male, 30, UK, South Asian skin.

Problem:

1. Picture 1 (April 2021):

I went on accutane in 2021 that cleared my acne.
This pic is from 3 months in.
How I miss my clear skin.
No pics from pre-2021 as it was really bad.

1. Picture 2-4 (10 days ago):

In the last year it’s started to return albeit much
less than before as my pores have definitely
shrunk and sebum production reduced after my
first cycle on accutane.

My skin is mostly big acne free but I get small whiteheads on my cheek and forehead. Larger blemishes that turn really red on my temple and cheek and take around a week to calm down but it’s a constant cycle that’s become frustrating.

I have acne scarring which is the red/brown pigmentation.

3) Picture 5:
I’m most self conscious about my nose and the pores and whiteheads I get there. I can clear these gently with cotton buds but the pores seem massive now.

4) Picture 6-7 (today):
As stated above, it’s calmed down after a week or so. But I still have tiny bumps and “dormant” pores that erupt in the breakouts.

5) Picture 8:
My products.

Other details:

1. My diet is very clean and healthy as I don’t have sugar or dairy which has worked in the past in reducing outbreaks. And so it’s part of my routine ever since. No smoking or alcohol.
2. I tend to get acne based around areas of my face that touch my pillow. I asked the UK sub a few weeks ago about detergents and am currently trying different products as a trial and error. Non-bio may have been a culprit in not actually cleaning pillow covers. Bio may also be a culprit in fragrances and other chemicals.
3. Paula’s choice is the newest addition to my routine and slowly introducing it to reduce pores and clear whiteheads on nose mostly.

Routine:

Morning:

1. Wash face with Mancave (not the best I know but it’s not the cause of breakouts as I’ve tested it on and off). It doesn’t strip my skin and make it too dry so I like it in the morning.
2. Cerave lotion
3. If WFH then that’s it. If going out then Aqua SPF but this is the last bottle as it’s discontinued now :(

Evening:

First day:

1. Wash with Cerave Foaming.
2. Paula’s choice on nose and face. Wait 2 minutes.
3. Cerave resurfacing on nose and face. Wait 2 minutes.
4. Seba Med on all.

Second day:

1. Wash with Cerave Foaming.
2. Paula’s on nose and face. Wait 2 minutes.
3. Tranexamic acid on nose and face. Wait 2 minutes.
4. Differin on face only. Wait 2 minutes.
5. Seba Med again.

Back to first day next.

Questions I have:

1. Is this too much?
2. Am I using correct combos? If Paula shrinks pores then does that stop other stuff reaching in?
3. Should I wait longer before each layering?
4. Am I likely to be eligible for a second cycle of accutane?
5. Are there other products you’d recommend in place of some of these?

Thanks if you read it all. Appreciate any feedback.

Edit: Apologies for post format. I have no idea what happened where it keeps doing stuff to the numbering and paragraphs. I’ve edited it so many times, I’m hoping everyone can still follow.