Can acne remedies make it worse?

[klmama]

Dc decided to take advantage of the shut-down to clear up acne with the Cerave products: acne foaming cream cleanser, retinol serum, a.m. facial moisturizing lotion with SPF, and p.m.facial moisturizing lotion.  The acne is worse, showing up in cheek clusters, which it's never done.  It looks worse than it ever has, and dc is feeling pretty frustrated.  We don't know if dc's face is just getting rid of stuff from below the surface, if the products are actually causing more, or what.  Ideas?

Edited April 18, 2020 by klmama

[Amy in NH]

My kids had great luck with adapalene (differin) gel, which you can get OTC at Walmart. 

My own redness and bumps (rosacea) are caused by skin mites.  Up to 80% of acne is supposedly caused by skin mites.  Sulfur soap has cured it.

[alisoncooks]

It could be "purging."

That said, I'm a HUGE CeraVe fan and I couldn't use the retinol or the bp face wash. I had irritation and breakouts. (I use their pm lotion in morning and evening, and their SA face wash.)

I passed the bp wash on to dd14 and returned the retinol. 

[lewelma]

Retin A topical creams are known to make it worse for about 1 month before clearing it up.  It kind of brings all the underlying problem spots to the surface which you then see as more acne. But then no new ones form.

Edited April 18, 2020 by lewelma

[Shoeless]

Yes, it can temporarily make things worse. You're quickly bringing up all the stuff that was deep in the skin.  If you stick with the treatments you are using, the acne will eventually go away. 

Think of it like the awkward growing-out-your-bangs stage. 

[RootAnn]

It certainly can. And it can really dry out the skin, too. I think it was close to the 6 week mark when DD noticed it was better than when she started (although hers still hasn't cleared up entirely).