Need help with my acne routine… too many products?

I’ve been trying a lot of products for my acne, but I feel like it’s not working, and maybe it’s even making my skin worse. I’m wondering if I’ve got too much going on in my routine. Any advice on what I should cut out or change?

Looks like you’re using a lot of stuff! I’d recommend scaling back to just a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF. Too many products can overwhelm your skin. Personally, I only use extra stuff like azelaic acid or benzoyl peroxide at night, and my skin thanks me for it. If your skin can handle it, try just rinsing with water in the morning and doing your full routine at night.

Thanks for the tip! Do you think I should stop double cleansing too?

I only double cleanse when I’ve got a lot of makeup on. Daily double cleansing might strip your skin too much, kind of like how too much shampoo isn’t great for your hair. But I don’t know a lot about oil cleansing, so maybe someone else has more insight on that.

I love double cleansing, even if I’m not wearing makeup. I had bad acne, and Differin didn’t help me at all. It made my skin worse, honestly. What saved me was going to a dermatologist and getting a prescription for tretinoin. If that’s too much for now, over-the-counter retinol can still be helpful!

For mornings, just stick with a simple face wash, hydrating toner, moisturizer, and sunscreen. In the evening, oil cleanse, face wash, use a little retinol (start slow, like once a week), and a moisturizer. On days without retinol, you can use an oil if your skin feels dry.

Oh, and pimple patches are a game-changer! They’ve saved me from making pimples worse when I pick at them. The COSRX patches are the best, make sure they’re the thicker ones that stick.

Quickly, they’re already using adapalene (in Differin). It’s a great over-the-counter retinoid and pretty strong! OP, if your skin handles it well, consider seeing a dermatologist for tretinoin like this person mentioned. It’s a good next step.