I think I’ve determined that I just have super sensitive skin. Even stuff like vitamin C serums, really most serums, sunscreens, moisturizers, foundation, etc make me break out so I rarely wear them. Seem to have found a routine that’s the best I’ve gotten but my skin is pretty dull, lots of spots and still breaks out regularly.
Hm... I think you might be overcleansing, and this can cause/aggravate sensitivity. Every time we cleanse with a cleansing product, we remove some of the skin natural barrier, and increase sensitivity. It can also disrupt the skin natural microbiome. All together, it makes skin more inflammation-prone - so we get more inflamed acne spots as well (acne is an inflammatory, and not a bacterial skin condition...).
I'd first try to reduce the cleansing (ideally one-step cleansing once per day at night only. I would actually recommend a super gentle formula like this instead of the DHC cleansing oil: https://whatsinmyjar.com/product/vanicream-liquid-cleanser-for-sensitive-skin (the DHC product contains rosemary extract and it can add to the skin irritation).
I would also keep searching for a sunscreen that you can tolerate. It is the most important anti-aging product, and it is also crucial for preventing dark post-acne pigmentation marks. Mineral-based sunscreen formulas are the most gentle, you could try one of those:
- https://whatsinmyjar.com/product/eltamd-uv-pure-broad-spectrum-spf-47
- https://whatsinmyjar.com/product/nudestix-nudescreen-daily-mineral-veil-spf30
- https://whatsinmyjar.com/product/skinceuticals-physical-fusion-uv-defense-spf-50
I think if you reduce the cleansing, use a sunscreen in the AM, and add a simple but effective moisturizer after cleansing in the PM (for example, this: https://whatsinmyjar.com/product/cetaphil-healthy-radiance-night-cream), after a week or two your sensitivity should improve. You can still keep using the acne patches/spot treatments directly on the inflamed blemishes. Then, once the sensitivity is improved (and hopefully gone!), you could add a retinoid and an azelaic acid to help control the breakouts.