Hello. Thank for writing to us at healthcaremagic You seem to have got an inflammatory flare of acne. Stress, hormonal fluctuations, weather, cosmetics, diet etc can be contributory. The treatment which you have been asked to follow is quite good. Doxycycline is an Oral antibiotic; it is antibacterial as well as anti-inflammatory in action and would effectively control inflammatory flare of acne. The duration of treatment with doxycycline would vary depending on the severity of acne and response to treatment. Topical gel includes a combination of a topical retinoid i.e adapalene along with clindamycin, a topical antibacterial. Clindamycin is topical antibacterial and is good for inflammatory acne; topical retinoids are comedolytic as well as antiinflammatory in action. Retinoids not only help treat existing acne, they also preventing new acne formation. Retinoids also help lighten acne spots and scars. Your face cleanser contains benzoyl peroxide, which is also antibacterial as well as antiinflammatory and therefore would be useful for the inflammatory acne flare. I would suggest that you continue with the above medications as advised and follow up with your treating dermatologist every 2 weeks. Regards