key ingredients: night routine
Colloidal Sulfur 2%
Tretinoin 0.05%
Azelaic Acid 15%
Colloidal sulfur helps dry out active breakouts and reduce excess oil by gently drawing impurities from the skin. It also has mild antibacterial properties that can support clearer, less inflamed skin over time.
Tretinoin speeds up cell turnover to unclog pores, fade dark marks, and smooth texture. Over time, it can help reduce acne and support a more even, resilient skin barrier when used as directed by a professional.
Azelaic acid calms redness and inflammation while gently clearing clogged pores. It can also help fade post-acne marks and support a more even, balanced skin tone with consistent use.
Note: This is not medical advice. These steps are based on what worked for me; please consult with a dermatologist for your specific skin needs.
Step 1: Cleanse
Your choice of cleanser is dependent on the skin type you have, what your dermatologist recommends, and what you are able to consistently use. The cleansers I list are what I have been using consistently for months and what my skin has become acclimated to.
I use a double-cleansing method: first, I apply a cleansing balm or oil to dissolve SPF and pollutants, followed by a gentle, pH-balanced water-based cleanser to deeply purify without stripping my natural moisture barrier.
I believe in efficacy through ingredients, and Beplain's Mung bean Oil Cleanser hits all the checkmarks. It contains olive fruit oil, grapeseed oil, and mung bean extract to dissolve SPF and pollutants, while also containing panthenol and green tea extract to soothe and hydrate the skin
I follow up with Prequel’s Redness Reform sulfur cleanser, which I’ve found helps manage my cystic flare-ups and surface redness. The sulfur addresses my congestion as it is a keratolytic, meaning that it gently sifts off dead skin from my face, leaving it clean and ready for the rest of my routine.
Note: This is not medical advice. These steps are based on what worked for me; please consult with a dermatologist for your specific skin needs.
Step 2: Treat
The products I use in the treat step are dermatologist prescribed. Throughout my journey with acne, I realized that the most efficacious products for clearing up my acne were by prescription, so those are the ones I stick with.
Tretinoin is a retinoid that dramatically speeds up skin cell turnover, bringing deep and in-the-skin pimples to the surface and clearing skin over time. I recommend using this every other day for the first month, then amping your usage to every day, as that is when tretinoin is most efficacious.
I then follow up with Azelaic Acid 15%, which is antibacterial and a keratolytic, meaning that it helps kill acne bacteria while helping to slough off dead skin. It also acts as a tyrosinase inhibitor, meaning that in the long run, it can help reduce hyperpigmentation that you may experience with post acne marks. I use this every night alongside my tretinoin, but others may only be able to tolerate it every other day.
Note: This is not medical advice. These steps are based on what worked for me; please consult with a dermatologist for your specific skin needs.
Step 3: Moisturize
La Roche-Posay’s Lipikar AP+M is a lipid-replenishing balm that uses ceramides and prebiotic thermal water to repair the skin barrier and balance the microbiome. It is an ideal companion for tretinoin and azelaic acid because its non-comedogenic, deeply hydrating formula soothes treatment-induced irritation and prevents the dryness often associated with these potent actives.
Note: This is not medical advice. These steps are based on what worked for me; please consult with a dermatologist for your specific skin needs.
Morning Routine...
In my morning routine, I only rinse my face with water. After, I use the Haru Haru Wonder Sunscreen, but I think that any sunscreen is better than none. It is the most critical step in a morning routine because it preserves the health of your skin and prevents the sun from darkening acne scars or neutralizing the benefits of active treatments like tretinoin. I also find that when I would put other ingredients into my morning routine, that I would experience texture on my forehead and oiliness my the midday.
Reflection
Throughout this skin journey, I’ve found that consistency with a solid skincare routine is the foundation of real progress. Each step serves a vital purpose, from dissolving daily impurities to delivering potent actives and sealing in essential hydration. However, while these personal tips and my own routine have provided a roadmap for my recovery from hormonal cystic acne, they are not a one-size-fits-all solution. It is absolutely essential for anyone struggling with persistent skin issues, especially painful cystic breakouts, to seek the guidance of a board-certified dermatologist. Only a professional can provide an accurate diagnosis, prescribe medical-grade treatments, and offer the ongoing care necessary to manage complex skin conditions safely. Please remember that the information shared on this blog is intended for community connection and support; it is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.