Is Differin Good For Acne

Is Differin More Effective Than Benzoyl Peroxide

The American Academy of Dermatology regards benzoyl peroxide as the most effective single anti-acne acne ingredient for acne treatment. Benzoyl peroxide is a potent anti-bacterial and anti-fungal and helps unclogs skin pores. These effects make benzoyl peroxide one of the most useful treatments for all kinds of acne include common teen acne, adult acne, fungal acne, and rosacea. It seems that the newer forms of micronized Benzoyl Peroxide cream are significantly more effective and less irritating than adapalene 0.1% and adapalene 0.3% . The addition of anti-inflammatory plant extracts to some of the benzoyl peroxide formulations can further increase efficacy and reduce skin redness and dryness.

The Myth Associated With The Treatment Of Acne

Its a common myth that an acne product is working only if it stings or burns. After all, stinging and burning are signals from your skin saying that it is being damaged. As mentioned, damaged or irritated skin quickly becomes inflamed in an effort to protect itself, and this inflammation can actually lead to more acne. Therefore, if your skin is easily irritated, most retinoids will probably cause more harm than good.

If you have normal, oily, or combination skin, this may not apply. Some of these symptoms may occur during the first month of treatment with adapalene 0.1% and 0.3%, but depending on what your doctor advises, it should be OK to continue . According to the Differin package insert, these usually disappear within a month.

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Build A Lil Skincare Sandwich

Pretend your moisturizer is the bread and your retinol is the filling. At night, first apply a thin layer of a gentle moisturizer , wait a minute or two, apply a thin layer of retinol, and then seal it all in with another thin layer of the same moisturizer, says Dr. Love. The bread here creates a buffer that slightly dilutes the retinol, making it more tolerable to your skin during those initial few weeks.

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Kinda late to the party, but WOHOO! Differin has officially been approved for over the counter use in #Amurica. Its about time the peasants get a new acne medication, says the FDA.

To celebrate this wondrous occasion I thought Id do a differin review. or more like OVERVIEW since we will literally be going over everything you need to know. Lets get started!

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Lets Talk Side Effects

The biggest advantage Differin for acne has over other retinoids is the side effects. For example, isotretinoin, a retinoid otherwise known as Accutane, has been proven to clear cystic acne, but its side effects are substantial and may be long-lasting. It can have psychiatric effects, such as serious mood swings, unusual aggression, or even suicidal ideation or behaviors. It can affect the heart, the bones, and it can even cause serious skin conditions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome. It is also a Category X drug, meaning it is proven to cause significant birth defects in humans, so it cannot be taken while pregnant, and women capable of getting pregnant must sign a contract saying they will use two forms of birth control while taking isotretinoin. It is a very serious medication, and because it is water soluble, its absorbed into the bloodstream. This is a problem because it can cause systemic issues throughout the whole body, and it may stay in the body longer than intended due to accumulation over time.

Isotretinoin is the most serious example of how retinoids can negatively affect the body, but other retinoids, like Retin-A or Tazorac, can have similar effects.

Using Differin for acne is definitely safer. Its main side effects are different forms of skin irritation, including scaling, dry skin, or slight inflammation.

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Its A Retinoid Not A Retinol

While there are many over-the-counter retinol creams on the market, Differin is a retinoid. Theyre similar, but not exactly the same, explains Ava Shamban, MD, a Beverly Hills dermatologist and founder of SKIN FIVE. Both ingredients are derived from vitamin A, a powerhouse anti-ager that increases cell turnover, but retinol is much weaker than its prescription counterpart and can take longer to deliver noticeable results, she says.

Nor are all retinoids the same. Differin is adapalene and has a slightly different chemical structure than other retinoids, making it less irritating, says Dr. Shamban.

Differin is the only retinoid currently available over the counter you still need a prescription for its stronger form, Differin Gel 0.3%, as well as for other types of retinoids, such as tretinoin , isotretinoin, and tazarotene.

Ingredients: It’s A Retinoid Not Retinol

What is the difference between a retinoid and retinol? Well, its mainly about how fast they work. In a previous story for Byrdie, Senior EditorLindsey Metrus talked with Melissa K. Levin, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York, about the key differences between them. Levin told Byrdie, “Retinol works more gradually compared to retinoids due to their difference in molecular structure and how they are processed in the skin.” Essentially, it usually takes more time to see results from retinol compared to retinoids.

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Who It Is Good For

Differin is approved for use for anyone over 12 who suffers from acne. It is safe for any skin typenormal, combination, or oily. Plus, as Dr. Saedi mentioned, its a great option for anyone who is looking for an anti-aging product but doesnt want to go to the doctor to fill a pricey prescription, such as Retin-A, or who finds prescription-strength retinol products too harsh for their skin.

Who shouldnt use it? While there is no evidence that Differin is dangerous for pregnant women, the brand suggests checking with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding. Most medical professionals will recommend not using it during pregnancy, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Additionally, it should not be used in conjunction with products containing alpha-hydroxy, salicylic, or glycolic acids, as the combination of products can worsen irritation. Irritation may occur if using more than one topical acne product at a time, the brand explains.

While it is totally fine to shave while using the product, its not a great idea to wax any areas where the product has been applied. Additionally, take extra caution when heading outdoors, since acne treatments can leave skin more vulnerable to the suns rays. Make sure to limit your time in the sun, and get in the habit of using a sunscreen every day. Check out this list of face sunscreens youll be happy to wear.

Which Medication Is More Effective

Tretinoin and adapalene are both highly effective at treating acne. Studies show that both drugs produce a significant reduction in acne lesions over the long term.

In the study linked above, both medications showed an effective total decrease in acne lesions of 69 percent to 74 percent over the course of eight weeks.

If you have mild or moderate acne, both tretinoin and adapalene are likely to produce a lasting, significant improvement if used consistently.

On the whole, studies comparing tretinoin and adapalene typically find that tretinoin is slightly more effective as an acne treatment. In a review of tretinoin and adapalene, researchers found that tretinoin .05 percent gel exhibits a greater anti-acne efficacy than adapalene 0.1 percent gel.

This means that if you have severe or persistent acne, you may get better results from tretinoin than by using a .1 percent, over-the-counter form of adapalene. However, its best to discuss your options with your healthcare provider to figure out whats best for you.

Studies of the two drugs also show that tretinoin typically produces slightly higher levels of skin irritation than adapalene. In the same review linked above, researchers found that tretinoin has a higher skin irritation potential when used as a long-term acne prevention treatment.

Because of this, if you have sensitive skin that gets irritated, itchy or uncomfortable easily, you may be better suited for the less irritating nature of adapalene over tretinoin.

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Apply Differin To Facial Wrinkles

Heres the main deal. You only need a thin layer of differin . Take a pea-sized dollop of differin gel onto your palm and use your fingertips to apply. Gently spread the gel to cover your face with a thin film of gel.

Most importantly, when you apply, avoid getting differin gel into your eyes and mouth. This is because the areas get easily irritated by adapalene. Also, do not apply adapalene over broken, sunburned, and eczema skin.

After application, do not rinse off the differin gel. Instead, allow it to dry before you go on to use serum or moisturizer. And try not to touch the areas of your face where you applied the gel to.

First Retinoid Approved For Over

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Differin Gel 0.1% , a once-daily topical gel for the over-the-counter treatment of acne. Differin Gel 0.1% is approved for use in people 12 years of age and older.

Differin Gel 0.1% is the first in a class of drugs known as retinoids to be made available OTC for the treatment of acne, and contains the first new active ingredient for acne treatment for OTC use since the 1980s. Differin Gel 0.1% was originally approved in 1996 as a prescription product for the treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 12 years of age and older.

Millions of consumers, from adolescents to adults, suffer from acne, said Lesley Furlong, M.D., deputy director of the Office of New Drugs IV in the FDAs Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Now, consumers have access to a new safe and effective over-the-counter option.

Acne is a common skin disease that affects approximately 50 million people in the United States. Acne pimples form when hair follicles of the skin clog up. Generally, pimples form on the face, neck, back, chest and shoulders. Anyone can get acne, but it is most common in teenagers and young adults. Acne can cause scarring and have adverse psychological effects . Several OTC and prescription treatment options are available for people with acne.

Differin Gel 0.1% is distributed by Galderma Laboratories, L.P., based in Fort Worth, Texas.

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Can Adapalene Cause Problems

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with creams and gels containing adapalene. You will find a full list in the manufacturer’s information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to adapalene, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

Differin For Acne Scarring

Treating acne can be a long and difficult process, and when your skin is finally clear, its often hard to deal with the scars that are left behind. It might not be the clear skin you were envisioning, and acne scars can be difficult to treat. The nice thing about using Differin for acne is that you can also use it to reduce acne scars.

Differin can help with acne scars that are slightly indented into the skin, and it can help with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, PIH, or simply hyperpigmentation. Indented scars are exactly what they sound like: small, shallow pock marks in the skin. These are usually the result of pimples or cysts, inflamed acne that grew deeper into the skin.

Hyperpigmentation is a result of the skins wound healing process, which involves sending melanin to the site of the injury. Acne is technically a kind of wound, so melanin can build up and leave a dark spot, even after acne is gone. Although all skin colors are likely to get hyperpigmentation, the dark spots tend to last longer in dark skin tones or skin of color. Because of this, you might assume that skin lightening products, or products meant to even out skin tone are made with dark skin in mind, but most of those products can actually make PIH worse in dark skin. Some lighteners can create light spots, and others can turn dark spots darker, or give them a purple shade.

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Can You Actually Get Rid Of Hormonal Acne

With consistent therapy and other therapies, like injections and laser, hormonal acne can be controlled, MacGregor said.

I think acne, like anything, can wax and wane, Jaber added, noting that oftentimes people will choose to stick to a treatment plan if it seems to be working. However, if people do choose to stop taking certain medications, Jaber noted, their acne may return.

Sometimes it does come back sometimes its doesnt. Its really variable, he said, adding that even if a patient had gone off an oral treatment, he would recommend the continued use of topical treatments.

If youre dealing with what you think is hormonal acne, make sure to speak to a dermatologist who can help you develop an effective treatment plan.

This is a frustrating problem that requires expert guidance, persistence and consistency, MacGregor said.

CORRECTION: This article has been corrected to state that hormonal IUDs, like Mirena and Skyla, as well as the birth control implant Nexplanon contain progestin, not progesterone.

Is Differin The Same As Other Products

A few other brands also contain adapalene, but Differin is the most popular because it is the first retinoid ever sold over the counter. Adapalene is similar to other retinoids in most ways but has a few differences. For instance, its much milder than most retinoids, and it isnt water soluble, so that very little of the adapalene is absorbed into the bloodstream.

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Why Does It Work

During the teenage years and early 20s, cell division is much higher than in older people because the person is growing. Skin cells can end up clogging pores when they have unusual life cycles. If the cells live too long and are not shed in time, they can ‘crowd’ pores, which again traps sebum inside pores often causing bacterial overgrowth. This is how acne starts. Retinoids break this cycle by making skin cells die earlier and in doing so, open up pores allowing puss, bacteria, and skin cells to escape.

The opposite problem can also occur, often after your 20s. Skin cells are produced at a more normal rate, but they sometimes die too quickly, also causing clogged pores.

Differin acne treatment acts as a pace car, guiding the skin cells through their live cycles at a steady rate. It causes skin cells to be produced and die at a rate that wont clog pores. This is an effective mechanism for preventing blackheads and whiteheadsbut retinoids can also help prevent cysts.

Adapalene Skin Care Benefits: All You Need To Know

Adapalene is a dermatologist-created retinoid that is used for the topical treatment of acne and is best known as the active ingredient in the brand name product, Differin . Adapalene was created by dermatologists to be an alternative to Retin-A for those with sensitive skin: it’s a strong acne fighter without the harsh skin irritation often caused by Retin-A. Adapalene fights existing acne by unclogging blocked pores. Additionally, adapalene’s anti-inflammatory properties calm redness and swelling from acne. Adapalene is also a comedolytic meaning it prevents future whiteheads and blackheads from forming.Fun Fact: Adapalene is the only FDA-approved retinoid available over the counter to clear acne – it was approved in 2016 by the FDA and is the newest advancement in over the counter acne treatment in over 30 years.

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BEST FOR TREATING: Acne & BlemishesSKIN TYPES FOR USE: AllSAFETY: Adapalene is safe for topical use in concentrations of up to 0.3% in skin care products GHS TIP: It can take up to 6 weeks of consistent topical use of adapalene before you begin to see improvements

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How To Use Differin

Whether you get Differin as a gel or a cream, it should be applied to the affected area daily as long as you continue to suffer from acne. If your acne completely clears up, you can stop the treatment, but be aware that your acne may return at some point.

To apply Differin, take a pea-sized amount and spread it thinly across the affected area until it has been fully absorbed – if you don’t notice a difference a week or so, try applying a little more, but be careful. To avoid disrupting the effect, you should apply it in the evening before sleeping, and ideally after showering to clear your skin.

If you experience significant discomfort trying to spread the gel across the affected area, consider using the cream instead. Alternatively, apply a small amount of moisturiser to the area before applying a slightly larger amount of the gel. Make sure, however, the moisturiser you use is non-comedogenic, so it doesn’t make your acne worse and make sure it is fully absorbed into your skin before you apply the Differin gel.

Note that applying Differin will raise the affected skin’s sensitivity to UV light, so take steps to avoid exposure to direct sunlight or you’ll risk further skin damage. Keep the skin covered during the day or when around strong artificial UV light sources.

See our product page to find out how to buy Differin.