Okay, I'm going to try to explain everything in the easiest way I can.
A month ago, I started using Neutrogena Makeup Removing Wipes. Two days later, the left side of my face was red, flaky, and sensitive. A few closed comedones appeared, but Reddit suggested I use CeraVe Moisturizer in the tub, and I did. It helped fix the problem and all was good.
Two weeks later, I notice that there were closed comedones on my face. I immediately did research and found that CeraVe could cause closed comedones. I stopped using it and used my Pixi Glow Tonic with 5% glycolyic acid. The next day (literally got so much worse in one day!), it got worse and my skin felt tight, especially my forehead and if I focus enough, I swear I can feel those little devils without touching them. I feel like they tingle, but I can't be sure, because my head usually tingles when I'm warm. I'm also not sure if the reason why my skin feels tight is because I had overmoisturized with CeraVe (literally would lather it on) and my skin got so used to it and was going through a withdrawal, or the comedones were making my skin feel tight.
Now, I have closed comedones that will not budge. I'm scared to use the Pixi Glow Tonic again, because I fear that it may have contributed to the breakout. Just a few weeks ago, I had perfect skin and I've been feeling so depressed. What makes everything even more tough is the fact that this happened during finals week where I wasn't drinking water, stressed, and on my period so I'm not sure if my comedones are actually caused by fungal/yeast. The comedones don't itch or anything.
I want to try Nizoral, but I'm not even sure if it's fungal acne. Every one suggests BHAs and AHAs, but I cannot afford to purge, because I've got a few important events coming up.
Also, I have a port wine stain birth mark on my forehead as well (irrelevant).
I've been having the same exact problem. Skin was fine with my old routine but decided to change it up and now it's all over the place I have closed comedomes as well and a lot of surfacing pimples. I used a prescription, stopped for a few days due to irritation and used a precleanse for a gentler wash instead of my BP which has made me totally breakout. I stopped using it on Sunday and I fear it'll take a few weeks to fully clear.
I'd recommended to eliminate products except face wash/toner/moisturizer if you're irritated still. Then adding things one at a time after a week or two. If you react then you know what it is right away. It could very well be stress having added the timeframe to the comedomes.
Actually, a good cheap(ish) AHA/BHA cleanser is iS clinical cleaning complex. I have one but stopped to figure out what was truly irritating/causing my acne.