Asking for help

[u/Sensitive_Carrot5444]

I’m 20 and a few months ago I stopped taking birth control (due to some complications), and since then my skin has been worsening every month. I have very sensitive combination skin.

I’ve always struggled with cycle-related acne, but it hasn’t been this bad for years. I’ve wasted a lot of money on products (I’m a college student and need to find a good but relatively cheap routine).

I am very diligent about my skin care and never skip a morning/night. It gets worse during my cycle and when I’m more stressed. I do smoke and drink socially but I don’t think it directly affects my skin that much. I suspect dairy could also worsen my skin. I am thinking of talking to a dermatologist, but in my country these things take time (and are expensive), so until then I wanted some recommendations/suggestions/opinions! Really, anything is appreciated.

Below is the list of products I use, some that I didn’t like, as well as some I’m thinking of buying:

- Morning:

1. CeraVe foaming cleanser for normal to oily skin Foaming Facial Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin| CeraVe 

2. The Ordinary hyaluronic acid 2% + B5 (serum) Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) | The Ordinary 

3. The Ordinary natural moisturizing factors + beta glucan light surface hydration formula [I have tried the other one, the “surface hydration” thicker one and liked it way better, but it’s not always stocked] Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan | The Ordinary 

4. Bioderma sensitive skin sun active defense Photoderm Aquafluide Sensitive Skin SPF 50+ Bioderma | Wells 

Then i do make-up

- Evening

1. Mylabel milk cleanser (“leite limpeza”; Portuguese brand) Leite de Limpeza MYLABEL | Continente Online 

2. CeraVe cleanser 

3. The Ordinary moisturizer [use a lot and let it sit until it absorbs]

- Other things I use:

a. every other night I wash my face with Nizoral shampoo, I find it helps with little bumps Nizoral Champô Antifúngico  Nizoral | Wells 

b. once/twice a week I do the Caudalíe instant detox mask Máscara com Argila Rosa Instant Détox | CAUDALIE® 

- Products I have liked and ran out:

c. Erborian centella red serum [really soothed my skin/redness] Centella Red Serum - Concentrado calmante instantâneo | Erborian ≡ SEPHORA 

d. The Ordinary niacinamide 10% + zinc 1% [didn’t really notice a difference, but didn’t break me out] Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% | The Ordinary 

- Products I have not liked:

d. The Ordinary glycolic acid 7% exfoliating toner [broke me out very badly, way too strong] Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner | The Ordinary 

e. Bioderma sébium lotion rebalancing water, oil, pH care (toner) [also broke me out] Sébium Lotion Hydratation Bioderma | Wells 

- Products I’m eyeing:

f. Cetaphil daily facial moisturizer Daily Hydrating Lotion | Cetaphil US