Hello acne.org,

I am a teenage boy with painful acne. Last year, at the beginning of sophomore year, I began using Proactiv plus and it improved my face tremendously. Cleared it up within months. However, upon my completion of my supply of Proactiv, in my stupidity (and increasing fear, due to the startling deterioration of my face) I decided to begin using a medication I had purchased while in Mexico without prescription, Retin-A 0.05% concentration. After looking up the regimen online, I began the process. This was 4 and a half weeks ago. My face has good days and bad days, with the bad days being awful. My face is red all the time, and I am ashamed to go outside. I have added Doxycycline Hyclate to my regimen, along with some vitamins just to see if that would help.

Nonetheless, my question is this: if Proactiv worked so well for me, and Retin-A has only made things worse (with occasional good parts), should I return to Proactiv? Now I've acknowledged the fact that I am developing, and I've heard of faces becoming more resistant to medications, however I really felt good about myself on Proactiv.

Thank you!