Higher application frequency irritates and lower doesn't work

Hi, hello. I've been using 0.1 differin for almost a year now. I've initially started it to deal with terrible comedonal acne outbreak and it definitelly helped. Initially I have been applying differin using sandwitch method about two-three times a week. However for the past 4 months I see no further improvement - I still have closed comedones on my cheeks, a lot fewer now, but still very much visible and bothersome.

So I've tried increasing the frequency and using differin every other day - and my skin got very irritated very fast. I got redness in the center of my face, horribly peeling and itchy chin, a lot of overall discomfort. It is kinda upsetting since I've been using differin for quite some time already and expected my skin to be accostomed to it by now, but anyways. I've still been sandwitching and waited for a month to see, if it is another "getting used to it" period. But nope, no improvement, only my previously comfortable and trustworthy sunscreen started stinging.

So I decided to take a break from differin for a week and voila, no redness, no discomfort, no peeling. Evidently, this often a use is too much for me, but lower application frequency does nothing for remaining closed comedones.

So my question for the audience is this - what possible middle ground can there be between irritation and effectivness? Or should I just let it be and preoritize my overall skin health to possible texture improvement?

Additional information, if it would be necessary:

Combo-oily skin, moderate climate with soft summer, currently coming to an end, and very cold snowy winter.

AM routine: washing face with water, bioderma hydrabio, celimax dual barrier toner and Dr.G soothing up sun SPF if going outside, isntree tw real bifida ampoule and illiyoon ato soothing gel if working from home.

PM routine: cleansing balm if I wore SPF, vichy normaderm, bioderma hydrabio, isntree tw real bifida ampoule and illiyoon ato soothing gel for no-differin days or celimax dual barrier toner-illiyoon ato soothing gel-30 minute wait-differin-illiyoon ato soothing gel for differin days. Vaseline around the eyes and on the lips.

Thank you!