u/Ill_Fondant3098

Hi everyone.

I’ve been dealing with persistent closed comedones/texture for almost a year now and it has honestly affected me a lot emotionally. I never really had inflammatory acne before (maybe 2-3 pimples max occasionally), but around June last year my skin suddenly became very congested with tiny bumps, especially on my forehead, temples and cheeks.

This is currently my skin. Looks worse on certain lightning and it makes me sad. (Natural light 1st pic and indoor with flash last 2 pics)

I’ve been on adapalene for around 7 months total:

- started with adapalene 0.1%

- then moved to 0.3% on my forehead about 2-3 months ago

- around 1.5 months ago I started using 0.3% on my cheeks too

I HAVE seen improvement compared to last year (less overall congestion and fewer bumps), but I still struggle a lot with texture and recurring closed comedones, especially on my temples and cheeks.

Recently I started getting:

- redness around my mouth/chin

- itching

- random hives/welts

- irritation around my nose and mouth

So now my dermatologist told me to alternate:

- adapalene 0.1% for 2 nights

- adapalene 0.3% on the 3rd night

Current routine:

AM:

- Cetaphil Oily/Sensitive Skin Cleanser

- Toleriane Eye Cream

- Toleriane Sensitive Moisturizer

- Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5% (mostly spot treatment/light application)

- TiZO 3 sunscreen

PM:

- Bioderma Sensibio Gel Moussant

- Toleriane Sensitive Moisturizer

- Adapalene (0.1% or 0.3% depending on the night)

I also use Cicaplast sometimes when irritated.

I’m honestly exhausted and constantly scared of making my skin worse. I barely wear makeup anymore because I’m afraid everything is breaking me out. I feel like my skin texture looks terrible in direct light and it’s affecting my confidence a lot.

Should I give up on adapalene?

I’ve been dealing with persistent closed comedones/texture for almost a year now and it has honestly affected me a lot emotionally. I never really had inflammatory acne before (maybe 2-3 pimples max occasionally), but around June last year my skin suddenly became very congested with tiny bumps, especially on my forehead, temples and cheeks.

This is currently my skin. Looks worse on certain lightning and it makes me sad.

I’ve been on adapalene for around 7 months total:

- started with adapalene 0.1%

- then moved to 0.3% on my forehead about 2-3 months ago

- around 1.5 months ago I started using 0.3% on my cheeks too

I HAVE seen improvement compared to last year (less overall congestion and fewer bumps), but I still struggle a lot with texture and recurring closed comedones, especially on my temples and cheeks.

Recently I started getting:

- redness around my mouth/chin

- itching

- random hives/welts

- irritation around my nose and mouth

So now my dermatologist told me to alternate:

- adapalene 0.1% for 2 nights

- adapalene 0.3% on the 3rd night

Current routine:

AM:

- Cetaphil Oily/Sensitive Skin Cleanser

- Toleriane Eye Cream

- Toleriane Sensitive Moisturizer

- Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5% (mostly spot treatment/light application)

- TiZO 3 sunscreen

PM:

- Bioderma Sensibio Gel Moussant

- Toleriane Sensitive Moisturizer

- Adapalene (0.1% or 0.3% depending on the night)

I also use Cicaplast sometimes when irritated.

I’m honestly exhausted and constantly scared of making my skin worse. I barely wear makeup anymore because I’m afraid everything is breaking me out. I feel like my skin texture looks terrible in direct light and it’s affecting my confidence a lot. Should I give up on adapalene?

Has anyone with stubborn closed comedones taken this long to improve with adapalene? Did you eventually switch to tretinoin or something else?