Skin type: Dry and acne-prone

Morning routine: Alternating cleansers from a DIY cleansing oil and Simple's Kind to Skin Moisturizing Cleanser, sometimes micellar water.

Apply Benzaclyn 5% to damp skin.

Apply Complex 15 moisturizer

Apply SPF (right now I'm using Neurogena Pure Zinc)

Night Routine: Clean face with Garnier's Micellar Water with the pink cap.

Apply Retin-A .1% microsphere gel and TO Glycolic Toner on alternate nights to still-damp skin.

Apply Complex 15 moisturizer

Apply TO Cold Pressed Rosehip Seed Oil on glycolic acid nights

I struggled with pretty bad acne for many years and it's left its mark on me in the form of scarring and PIH. I saw a dermatologist about the issue and used basically every recommended treatment out there save isotretinoin. I was just about to give in and start iso when I had a breakthrough. I realized no matter how long I waited between steps my anti-acne medications would pill when I applied my moisturizer. On a whim (probably after seeing a recommendation here or elsewhere on the internet skincare-sphere) I decided to apply them to damp skin instead and it was a game-changer.

It's been over six months since I began to use this method and I am never going back. Previously I had 6-12 breakouts/active acne at a time, now I am down to 1-3. It's made such a huge difference in my life. My confidence has gone way up, and my skin looks decent to great.

I haven't experienced increased sensitivity to sunlight or otherwise. In fact, applying acne products this way has left my skin feeling more moisturized. This may or may not be related to the fact that I have to use far less product when my face is damp. Everything spreads easier and more evenly.

However, I should leave a disclaimer- my skin was already very habituated to tretinoin, benzoyl peroxide and other acids, and not sensitive. If you do have sensitive skin and/or haven't been using acne products for long and want to try this method, it's probably best to start slowww. Do a patch test and if that's okay, alternate doing this with applying products dry before diving in.

I feel like my experience just goes to show how different things work for different people. I stayed away from the damp method for years because people (including my dermatologist) told me it was skin suicide but I have experienced nothing but good things.