Is Clearasil's Vanishing Acne Treatment Cream effective?

Red patch on my face. Help! Dermatologists please read.?

• Okay, so a lot of things could of caused this. I need somebody who preferably knows what they are talking about. Okay so basically, I started using this Clearasil Vanishing Acne Cream for my acne(duh). I've used this acne medication before. But me, being the impatient person I am wanted to speed the process up, so I bought clearasil 4 hour acne cream. Each cream has 10% benzoyl peroxide. I used the 4 hour acne spot treatment cream during the day and the vanishing acne cream for my acne. About once a week I wouldnt use either and use Clean and Clear deep cleaning astringent which had 2% salicylic acid. I realize, this was a bad idea because using all these acne medications on my face and caused irritation and for about a day my face turned red and irritated, and the next day started peeling around my mouth and nose area. Now for a sidenote, a few days ago I smoked about 3 cigarettes(Pyramids) overall in a span of 2 days, and a day after that I had another cigarette (KOOL menthol) . I do not smoke regularly, in fact that was my first time smoking in about 8 months. The day after I smoked those cigarettes, and I stopped the 4 hour clearasil treatment, a lowercase H shaped red patch appeared on my left cheek. It was red on day 1 that it appeared, and didnt change its appearance until yesterday when I washed my face, (yes Ive still been washing my face on a regular basis, I just completely stopped the clearasil treatments and used the astringent yesterday after washing my face) The H spot turned lighter, pinker, and I put Cetaphil face moisturizer on my face after the astringent had dried. Today, I woke up with it even a little bit lighter than it was yesterday, but now, its peeling. It was not peeling before. Could the cigarettes could of caused this? Am I allergic to cigarettes now? OR eczema is normal in my family, but for it to just appear now? Could I have gotten eczema? I dont think it could of just randomly popped up, I mean I think it could, but that would be very odd. Or was it just me using all these acne medications and this is just a step up from peeling skin? I may have burned my face too, Me living in las vegas, and it getting much warmer, I did not use sunscreen at all and I've been out in the sun, only a bit though, but using all those acne medications could of made my skin VERY vulnerable to the sunrays. Not a smart idea I know, Please help. I need to know whats causing this. And please dont put down - Go see a dermatologist. Im seeing a doctor in a few days but, I just want to ask here and know what to expect. All answers appreciated!(: Thanks in advance.

• Answer:

  It probably was the cigarrettes. I would stay away from all brands. Skin peels after inflammation so it makes sense that the peeling came later. Moisturize regularly and go easier on the acne treatment. See what the doc says about your acne too. Daily sunscreens are a good idea too.