[product question] can adapalene make hormonal acne worse?

I (30F) have been struggling with hormonal acne the past few years. Not huge breakouts per se, mostly congestion and closed comadone bumps around my chin and jawline.

The bumps are pretty deep and stubborn but they don’t present as pimples, more just as texture.

I started using Laroche Posay Effaclar Adapalene about 3 months ago in hopes it would help. I was prepared for a purging phase, but I’m going into month 4 and it really feels like the product isn’t getting rid of the clogged pores and is instead turning the bumps into full on acne.

I saw an esthetician last month who confirmed it feels like there’s something weird going on with how much congestion is happening in my jaw/chin area and recommended I cut back the Adapalene to 2/3 times per week and focus on using an AHA/BHA on the off days to exfoliate, but it’s still not gotten better.

Does anyone have experience like this? Wondering if I should try a different retinoid, or stop completely for awhile.