I have severe, painful cystic acne with pus on my face, particularly on my forehead. I have already tried Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5% gel, Deriva CMS gel, Tretinoin 0.05% gel, Lynx Active gel, and Doxycycline Hyclate 100 mg tablets with no improvement. What alternative medications and medicated face wash would you recommend to effectively treat my acne?

Since your severe cystic acne hasn't responded to standard topicals and oral Doxycycline, the gold-standard alternative is oral Isotretinoin (Accutane). It is highly effective for resistant, painful cysts but requires strict dermatological supervision, blood tests, and monitoring due to potential side effects. For a daily face wash, use a Salicylic Acid (2%) cleanser to deeply penetrate pores and reduce inflammation. However, if you transition to Isotretinoin, switch to a gentle, hydrating cleanser (like Cetaphil or CeraVe) because Isotretinoin causes extreme skin dryness. Please consult your dermatologist to discuss starting oral Isotretinoin safely.