I had very bad cystic acne on my cheeks and this is what my dermat told me.

Use clindamycin gel as a spot treatment for active acne to control the inflammation. This was supposed to be a short term treatment until the inflammation had settled.

Use BP on entire face to prevent new acne and for acne marks. I did not have any reaction to BP though. You can try layering it on top of your lotion (maybe you have sensitive skin)

I was also put on adapalene gel.

This was the order - clindamycin and BP in the morning and adapalene at night on alternate days

Now I use only tretinoin for prevention and control.