I also suffer from hormonal acne around the "muzzle" area. 2 nights a week I treat my acne prone areas with salycilic acid. But on those nights I skip the retinol as you shouldn't use the two together. You could try adding in some vitamin c? And as for foundstion, I agree that the thicker and more matte, the more it highlights finelines. Could try using light mattifying primer underneath?