So when I was about 16 my doctor put me on birth control to regulate my hormones. It was mostly because I never got my period but it helped with my acne and oily skin. Looking bad my acne was never too bad or too out of control. For the most part it stayed in the same spot and never got to bad. I'm 18 now and I stopped taking my birth control about 9 months ago. Within the last 4-6 months I've noticed my acne flaring up like it never has before. I have breakouts appearing on spots that they never did before and it's honestly all over my face. Before birth control my face was never this bad. In the past week I've been more careful with my routine. I take my makeup off at night, wash my face then I apply Tretioin 0.025%. My doctor has prescribed this to me around when I got the birth control but I never used it. I've been applying it every night before bed and it's been burning my face. It feels like my face is sun burnt and I've noticed my face is more dry and sensitive. I also have red marks and my skin is flaking from it. I don't know what to do anymore. How do I get rid of this acne?!

It's been the same for me. I had acne and oily skin but it was never really that bad. I never got cystic acne. I also went on BC for a while, and months after I stopped it caused cystic acne all over my chin and cheeks. I was forced to go back on BC and it cleared up, but then I had to quit again and the same thing happened. I'm trying to fix it now with Diane.

If it's burning maybe you could try doing it every other day instead. Irritating your skin may easily make your acne worse. If that still doesn't work maybe consider a less harsh substance. Also, have you tried azelaic acid? It works well for me. I prefer cream and not gel, I can't stand the burning with the gel.