Confused

At the moment I'm on 5% benzoyl peroxide gel and 0.3% adapalene gel.  My acne isn't the worst, maybe midway but it always keeps coming back.  I've been using the benzoyl gel for months with retin-a as well but that was making my skin get really red and irritated so I've switched to the adapalene.  Now I eat healthy, I workout regularly, I get enough sleep most of the time, I wash my face well but not too much, so I just don't understand why it doesn't go away.  What am I not doing?

[loiloi]

Hi. Acne is pretty unfair. There is a lack of medical evidence that it is improved by a healthy diet or lifestyle. Some of us are just more sensitive to the effects of androgens (the hormones responsible for acne) than others. Androgens stimulate the sebaceous (oil) glands in the skin. If too much sebum (oil) is produced the glands become blocked. Bacteria on the skin feeds off this excess oil, and inflammed acne spots occur.
As well as topical treatments ask your doctor about a course of oral antibiotics (such as Oxytetracycline 250mg twice daily). These kill the acne-causing bacteria on the skin.
Female patients will also benefit from taking the combined birth control pill as the oestrogen it contains will block the action of androgens on the skin.
If topicals are causing irritation rebalance your skin by using a bland cleanser such as Physiological cleanser by La Roche-Posay. If you warrant both Benzoyl Peroxide and Adapalene use the Differin (Adapalene) at night and the benzoyl peroxide in the morning.
Eloise.