If you’re reading this, you’re probably where I was: tired, frustrated, and out of ideas. My son is 17 now, and acne has been part of his life for about four years. We tried what almost everyone tries, saw several dermatologists, and spent thousands of dollars. Nothing gave us lasting results until one visit to a dermatologist in Europe. I’m sharing what worked for us so other parents don’t have to go through the same trial and error.
What we tried that didn’t work
We started the way most families do, with tretinoin, slowly increasing the dose. Over time we also tried Epiduo, The Ordinary, Centella-based products, and many over-the-counter creams and washes. In total, we went through more than four treatments and the same number of dermatologists. Some of it irritated his skin, and none of it cleared it.
The routine that worked
The dermatologist in Europe prescribed this combination:
- Morning: wash with La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel Cleanser.
- Once a day: apply Epiduo Forte for one week, then alternate weeks with Aklief.
What my son actually does
I’ll be honest: we don’t follow it exactly as prescribed. Aklief was too strong for him, and the foaming cleanser made his face itch. So he simplified it:
- Evening only: Epiduo Forte, followed by Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream.
That’s all. He saw visible improvement within a few days, and his face was clear in one to two weeks. The Cicalfate cream seemed to make the difference, because it kept his skin calm enough to tolerate the Epiduo Forte.
For back acne
For his back, the winner is Glytone Chest & Back Acne Treatment Spray.
A few things to keep in mind
Every teen’s skin is different, and this is what worked for our son, not a guaranteed cure. Epiduo Forte and Aklief are prescription retinoid treatments, so please see a dermatologist before starting them, and don’t change a prescribed routine without talking to your doctor first. Retinoids can cause dryness and irritation at the start, which is why a good moisturizer matters, and they make skin more sensitive to the sun, so daily sunscreen is worth adding.
If you’re feeling desperate, I hope this gives you some hope. It took us a long time to find what worked, but it did work.
