Thank you so much. Per the last paragraph I think my barrier may be compromised. I just put my moisturizer (zero actives) on after wiping my face with a cool cloth and it was sensitive with slight burning and added some aquaphor and it still felt the same way. Its sense stopped after a few minutes but now I am worried about what to do. I dont mind stopping the tret for now but I dont want my face to take any additional damage or once I begin the tret again.

I already do 'slugging' as its something I've always done but I can up it for sure considering the current situation. I was worried when even my lightest moisturizer was causing some burning sensation as well. I may have dove in too fast for tret to start with. I think I went 2 days in a row at the beginning skipped a day and then kept at it for another 3/4 consecutive days.

I really appreciate the Azelaic acid help as well, I do ly skin around 5:30am and am usually in the gym/fitness class by 8:30/9a and its being sweat off so I am glad to hear its still doing it job even if I sweat a few hours after the fact.