r/Aklief

Been using aklief for two months now. I keep going through periods where my skin looks like it’s finally clearing up then the next week I’m breaking out again. It’s like a never ending cycle wtf is wrong with me shit feels so hopeless.

I've been using Aklief for a month now. It's slowly but surely helping with my acne treatment. I still have breakouts, but they're not as severe as before.

What does concern me is that it's caused quite prominent nasolabial folds that I didn't have before, and my face looks more gaunt, stretched, dry, and tired.

During the first few weeks of using it, I noticed that the nasolabial folds were very flaky, and since then, they've been somewhat red and feel like very soft skin. Makeup doesn't adhere well there. It doesn't feel irritated or anything, but I have noticed that these marks are quite visible in that area.

What can I do? Is this normal with Aklief?

I use Aklief every other day, I always wear sunscreen, and I use moisturizer morning and night after applying the Aklief, I drink plenty of water, I'm taking omega 3 and iron and magnesium supplements too, my sleep isn't the best but I still sleep well.

I’ve just been prescribed Aklief and I’m really keen to use it primarily for congestion, texture and anti-ageing rather than acne. I’m acne-prone, but thankfully at 40 I rarely get major breakouts anymore.

I’d love some advice on how best to incorporate it into my current routine without completely wrecking my skin barrier!

My current routine:
AM:
● Eucerin Dermopure 2% Salicylic Cleanser OR CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser
● CeraVe blue facial moisturising lotion
● Sometimes azelaic acid (Skinoren)
PM:
● Double cleanse with Dr Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm + either my Eucerin or CeraVe cleanser
● CeraVe blue moisturiser
● Aklief
● CeraVe moisturiser again

A few questions:

1. What moisturiser have people found works best with Aklief? Ideally something I can easily pick up from a pharmacy/drugstore. I have a massive bottle of La Roche-Posay Lipikar Baume AP+M — could I use this on my face, or is it likely to be too rich and potentially cause breakouts?
2. Can I continue using azelaic acid alongside Aklief? If so, would you use it in the morning or alternate it with Aklief?
3. Is using a 2% salicylic acid cleanser both AM and PM too much when also using Aklief? Should I switch to the CeraVe cleanser at night?
4. Any other tips for introducing Aklief when my main goals are congestion, texture and anti-ageing rather than treating active acne?
   I’d also really appreciate recommendations for SPF 50+ that work well with Aklief and acne-prone skin.
   Thanks! I’m keen to start slowly and avoid the classic “introduced everything at once and destroyed my face” situation 😂