Have you ever tried Ninja Skincare?  It is honestly the only topical medication that has EVER worked for me.  And I think I have tried them all.  I am sure that the end of the day they are all a lot the same... but what I think helped me more than anything else was that the team there truly holds your hand throughout the process. So like all those questions you ask above - you could ask them and they will tell you what is going on, what you are doing wrong etc and get you on the right path. I swear it works.  But throughout their site they wax on about wanting you to be in touch with them, that they want you to call them and I think in this case it is gods honest truth... it is the key to success.  Anyways, check it out. I have never had clearer skin in my life.

Nope, never even heard of them, but I looked them up and I'll definitely take them into consideration. Thank you for the recommendation :)

Hey Mels.  Thanks for the update.  With cystic acne, topicals are not a good stand alone treatment so you may have to explore ovals or look into things that have the ability to affect hormones such as diet.  There is

Spiro and birth control
In regards to diet, going dairy and low carb is a good way to start.  I'm sorry that you're still struggling- I am too.

Thanks leelowe, a few days after I posted this I erupted with a bunch more cysts and acne on my jawline, but it was JUST on the left side, so I really do think it's all my hormones as opposed to irritating products. I started a new skincare routine and it seems to be working (so far). Will post an update about it