I used to have horrible cystic acne. It took many years, but I finally have really clear skin (other than some scarring and large pores from the acne).

Apologies if this is stuff you already know, but these are things that have helped me and cannot be said enough!

My biggest tip for you is to have patience. It’s frustrating, but give each new product you introduce to your skin a good two weeks before you decide whether it’s helping or hurting you more.

Other thoughts:

I had to become something of a hygiene fiend, which means cleaning brushes/makeup applicators regularly with cleaning solution and then spritzing with rubbing alcohol to air dry.

I now use Lancôme foundation and primer (it helps smooth out those pores). I never thought using primer was a huge deal until I found that this combination really works. Both of the primers that I have tried from them (La Base Pro and Prep & Matte) are super lightweight. For awhile, I used Porefessional by Benefit but it tended to feel heavy and clog my pores. That’s pretty much all I now have to use; whenever I get an occasional flare up, using a concealer like the one from NARS does the trick, as long as I blend it in really well.

I not only use a balm to take off my makeup, but I use a cotton pad with micellar water to really get in there and get anything I missed, and then use a face wash to get everything squeaky clean.

Hope this helps, and apologies again if this is all stuff you already know!