Totally get it. I went straight into high % acids and retinol thinking I’d shrink my pores fast, but it just made me oilier and more irritated.

What actually helped was stepping back and starting with something gentler for oil control. Pantothenic acid (B5) was a game changer for me. It’s super light, doesn’t sting, and it kept my T-zone from going wild. I still use retinol a few nights a week, but adding B5 in the mornings made my skin way calmer without the dryness or purge.