Yep, but I wasn't following the acne.org regimen. I wasn't wearing any sunscreen back then, so it may have damaged my skin even more.

It's also winter. Does that have anything to do with it?

I don't know much about this topic.

We haven't seen any scientific evidence that bp causes permanent changes to any part of the skin. Usually when you discontinue it your skin goes back to whatever condition it was before. Are you a male? Do you shave? Your current facial products or shaving products may be a factor in the dry skin.

Michelle: How do you manage your dry skin? Jojoba oil helps me.

Brandy: I'm 33 year old male, I shave with electric shaver and wash only with water a couple times a week.

I did some research and it looks like I'm not alone. Long-term damage from BP seems to be similar to that of accutane. I also have eczema, I never had it before and it doesn't "run in my family". I always thought of BP as "milder" topical equivalent of accutane.

I couldn't find any information about how BP actually causes dry skin. Maybe it shrinks sebaceous glands like accutane or maybe there is some other mechanism. But according to much anecdotal evidence it can be irreversible. Just like other people I tried everything (caveman regimen, diet full of fats, testosterone,...) and my skin is still 100% dry.

Brandy is technically right that there aren't any studies linking BP to permanent damage/skin dryness.

I essentially did a BP "chemical peel" on myself. I wasn't trying to do a chemical peel back then--I applied excessive amounts of alcoholic toner and then even more 10% BP. I didn't know that ethanol was a penetration enhancer. What also didn't help was I didn't see a derm and didn't get proper treatment.

Doing an impromptu "chemical peel" like what I did would cause hyperpigmentation and dryness, because that would mess up how the stratum corneum is layered. This is why you'll hear (anecdotally) those who did at-home TCA peels and got scarring also have dryness. Dryness would be definitely worse if you don't use sunscreen and/or sun protection.

I manage my dry skin with CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion PM. That works most of the time. Aquaphor is a nice, heavy-duty moisturizer.

Has anyone tried to stop using moisturizers for 6-12 months? Perhaps the skin doesn't produce sebum just because it doesn't need to?