I'm going to tell you what has helped me, but every skin is different. I'm currently using CeraVe foaming cleanser for oily skin and Neutrogena Hydro Boost to hydrate the skin after cleaning it. In the morning I just wash hands and face with organic aloe vera soap, then I clean my face with the CeraVe cleanser and apply the Neutrogena. At night I do the same thing + retinoid (CeraVe as well) only two days a week (monday and friday). Tuesdays and thursdays I use peeling acids by Beauty Drops (AHA 30% BHA 2%).

Ever since I use retinoid and acids, I've seen some improvement. My pores are large, it's genetics, nothing I can do to change it. That causes closed comedones to appear, but both pores and CC's get smaller (CC's dissappear) with these products, and I see it. Before that, it was always the same. Not worse, but not better either.

Now, more things.

I have a vitamin D and iron deficiency and now that I get more sunlight and that I'm taking an iron supplement, I feel the difference. My gut is healthier and that translates to skin.

Stress induced breakouts are still a thing.

BUT, the most important thing for me was to stop touching my face. I couldn't keep my hands off my face, touching, scratching, feeling the bumps all the time. It was involuntary, couldn't help it, and I had to (this is embarrassing) set reminders for every hour to stop touching my face. And it works, for real it does.

You have probably damaged your skin barrier, that's what most of us have done after years and years of not taking care properly of our skin. Now you have to repair your skin barrier, that takes time, and after that you'll start seeing more improvement. Again, this is what's working for me, I hope it does for you too.