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Acne, especially severe or cystic acne, is nothing if not persistent. It’s a problem that starts deep at the cellular level and can be aggravated by many factors. To control and conquer acne, people try all kinds of treatments and tricks. And many, despite all their best efforts, lament that clearing acne feels like a losing battle.
A quick scroll through the Reddit Acne group reveals story after agonizing story of people who are discouraged and distraught over their struggles with acne. Nearly all of them include the phrase, “I’ve tried everything.”
These kinds of stories are heartbreaking to us because we know that it doesn’t have to be this way. With the right treatment, these can become stories of power instead of pain.
Here’s what to try when you think you’ve tried everything.
The Right Products
We know—that sounds overly simple. But when frustration builds, it’s common to experiment with products or DIY solutions that can actually worsen acne-prone skin. Comedogenic ingredients (like coconut oil), harsh or highly alkaline substances (like baking soda), or acidic DIY treatments (like lemon juice) can disrupt the skin barrier, clog pores, and increase irritation.
Four key ingredient categories are commonly used in effective acne-focused skincare routines:
- Benzoyl Peroxide helps reduce acne-causing bacteria and supports clearer-looking pores
- Mandelic Acid (an Alpha Hydroxy Acid) helps improve the appearance of uneven tone, texture, and discoloration
- Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) such as mandelic and glycolic acid help exfoliate dead skin cells and excess oil to support clearer pores and enhance product absorption
- Retinoids (Vitamin A derivatives) help promote cell turnover and improve the appearance of clogged pores and uneven skin texture
If your routine doesn’t include a combination of these, you may not be fully supporting acne-prone skin.
A Consistent, Four-Step Regimen
Choosing the right products is only the first step—using them consistently is what allows them to perform effectively.
A basic routine should include:
- A cleanser
- A toner
- A treatment serum
- Daily sun protection
When used together, each step helps support the next. Cleansing removes excess oil, dirt, and debris. Toning helps refine the skin and prep it for treatment products. Serums deliver targeted ingredients that improve the appearance of the skin. Daily SPF helps protect against UV exposure, which can worsen the look of inflammation and discoloration associated with acne.
Time
Give your regimen time to work. A pimple takes thirty days to form and come to the surface, so thirty days is the minimum amount of time you should give your products before evaluating your results. If you expect to see a dramatic change within a few days, you will be disappointed. During the first thirty days using Vivant products, you may see some flaking and other changes as your skin acclimates, and anything that has been brewing under the skin gets pulled to the surface and clears away. Within four to six weeks, the signs of acclimation will disappear, but the visible benefits will continue to improve.
Pay Attention to Underlying Causes
Inflammation at the cellular level creates oxidative stress in the sebum follicle leading to a buildup of dead skin cells, which clog pores. The impaction traps acne bacteria and creates more inflammation, and the whole cycle stays in perpetual motion. Reducing inflammation is essential to controlling acne. What causes the cellular inflammation? Things like stress, poor diet especially excess sugar, UV damage, harmful chemicals, smoking, harsh treatments. To reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, pay attention to both internal and external factors.
Avoid Moisturizing
Effective acne treatment kills bacteria and causes peeling down inside the pore. The process is inherently and necessarily drying. It will cause flaking while the skin acclimates to the treatment and the impactions clear. The active flaking phase is the active clearing phase. Adding moisture at this stage interferes with the process of peeling the impactions. It also inhibits the action of your products by blocking them from being absorbed into the skin. Depending on the type of moisture, i.e., something too heavy or occlusive, it may clog pores and lead to further impactions. Unless you have dry skin, which is uncommon with moderate to severe acne, you should be using little to no moisturizer during active acne treatment. Choose lightweight, non-comedogenic hydrators if necessary
Don’t Over Treat
One Redditor mentioned that he washes his face three times a day and still his acne doesn’t subside. Please don’t wash your face three times a day. If you wash too frequently or over exfoliate, you may irritate your skin and worsen the appearance of acne (see underlying causes). In this case, you should dial back the use of your products to every other day. Stop any physical exfoliation like scrubs while you repair your skin barrier with supportive, non-comedogenic ingredients like those found in Totaloe Calming and Hydrating Gel, a lightweight hydrator.
See an Aesthetician or Dermatologist
An aesthetician can support your results with professional treatments including facials, extractions, and peels. Vivant’s medium-depth ProPeel® (available only from a skincare professional) helps remove the top layers of skin to support the regeneration of healthier-looking skin, improving texture and the appearance of acne marks.
If your acne is severe, a dermatologist can prescribe medication to help manage it.
Don’t Give Up
Our co-founder, Dr. James Fulton, had cystic acne all through his teens and twenties. Nothing existed that would clear it. Sulfur drying lotions, tetracycline antibiotics, ultraviolet light treatments, freezing with dry ice, painful extractions, and x-ray treatments—Dr. Fulton tried everything. His quest for a solution led to his career as a scientist, dermatologist, acneologist, gold-standard formulator, and ultimately, the Vivant line of products.
Many of the real-life success stories on our website started with the words, “I’ve tried everything.” See how they turned out.
Comments
I am 30 years old. I have cystic acne. Which. We these past 2-3 yrs. I have tried it all from dr dennis gross, regular washes,etc. I have super dry skin along with it all. And I live in a dry climate. Have dark skin tone. What do you suggest?
Re Elia:
We would recommend the following regimen to treat the rosacea and fine lines:
Green Tea Antioxidant Cleanser if you have oily skin or Cleansing Milk if you don’t
Skin Nourishing Toner
Derm-A-Renew
Day Treatment Lotion SPF 15.
I’m 35 years old, and I have what is rosecia along with a super extremely sensitive skin, plus fines lines underneath my eyes and forehead. What do you recommend?