u/CarXTech

Started Doxycycline on Feb 26th after I couldn't tolerate 30mg daily accutane. Results so far look great Im just worried that after my course is over the acne will come back.

Current routine

-Doxycycline 200mg daily

Morning

-Clindamycin

-Face Reality Hydroremedy

-Face Reality Clearderma

-Face Reality SPF 30

Night

-Clindamycin

-Tretinoin 0.5%

-Face Reality Hydroremedy

-Face Reality Clearderma

First photos taken 3/03/2026 Second photos taken 5/16/2026

Hey everyone,

I’m hoping to get some insight into whether the breakout on my upper body is actually fungal acne, or if I’m dealing with something else entirely.

The Background Context:

I am currently prescribed oral Doxycycline and topical Tretinoin 0.5%. Interestingly, this prescription routine completely cleared up my facial acne, but it hasn’t done a single thing to touch or improve this specific breakout on my shoulders, biceps, and arms.

My Current Routine:

Because the prescriptions weren't working on my arms, I decided to treat the area aggressively on my own. I have only been using this combination for a few days, but it already feels like it has completely stripped my skin:

Nizoral Shampoo (Ketoconazole) used as a body wash.

Benzoyl Peroxide topical treatment.

The Catch:

Using both of these potent active ingredients together has caused severe dryness and heavy flaking in just a short amount of time. However, I have noticed that this combination seems to be helping the inflamed bumps a little bit, which is making me hesitant to stop. Because of the intense surface irritation and dryness, the original shape and size of the bumps are now masked.

My Questions for the Sub:

Given that Doxycycline can sometimes trigger or worsen fungal acne by wiping out skin bacteria, do you think the oral antibiotic is what caused this upper-body breakout to flare up in the first place?

If you've used Nizoral and Benzoyl Peroxide together, is it normal to experience extreme dryness and flaking within just a few days, even if it seems to be calming the inflammation a bit?

Should I push through the dryness since it seems to be helping the bumps, or should I pause the actives and focus on barrier repair first to see what the underlying skin actually looks like?

Any advice on gentle, FA-safe moisturizers to combat this sudden dryness would be greatly appreciated!