mod-severe acne product/routine needed

[HelenThorberg]

My teenage son has moderate to severe acne.  Severe as in big red pus filled acne and it is scarring. We are on wait list for a dermatologist.  He took a round of prescription antibiotics and benzo peroxide creams which helped a bit.   But while he waits for dermatologist (could be 10 months! ), he needs a routine.     

Right now, he's washing skin with CerVe gentle cleanser and using benzoyl peroxide (5 percent) over the counter ointment.  Acne isn't improving.   Any ideas?

[sparklybrunette]

Hi Helen! I’ve used retinol- the drunk elephant one- twice a week for acne clearing, and amino acids+B5 from the ordinary, on top, for healing which worked wonders for me! I topped it off with cream to hydrate 🙂

If he has dry skin finding a cream with HA might be helpful- I know of some cases where HA from the ordinary helped clear up acne 🙂

Someone else said to try differin gel- I prefer Adapalene Gel: AcneFree-Adapalene-Gel-0-1-Once-Daily-Retinoid-Acne-Spot-Treatment

Paste this^^ in your search bar and you should be able to find it 🙂 

Hope this helps !

Drunk Elephant Mini A-Gloei Marula + Retinol Oil 0.5 oz / 15 mL   The Ordinary Amino Acids + B5 1 oz/ 30 mL  

[makeitup305]

@HelenThorberg have you tried differin gel? It contains a retinoid, which is one of the products a derm might prescribe. It can be drying on the skin so maybe start it off one to 2 times a week and follow with a gel moisturizer. Another option is using anti-dandruff shampoo as a face wash which can be helpful if it’s a case of fungal acne. There’s also a company called a Apostrophe, that I haven’t personally tried, that does virtual consultations with board certified dermatologists and will prescribe a treatment. 

[Abbyola]

2.5% Benzoly Peroxide worked better for me than the 5% . Try researching the acne.org regime , you might find something helpful there. 

[HelenThorberg]

Thank you!