“It’s about time the peasants get a new acne medication,” says the FDA. I decided to keep my routine simple since using Differin+BP; Bioderma Sebium facewash, COSRX Snail Mucin, Differin (night), BP (night), Benton Aloe Propolis gel. You may get ‘purging’ also. Can we use the peeling solution (2%) along with tretinoin(0.025%? And that folks is why they say differin rewards those with patience! And quite frankly, mixing it with other actives might decrease its overall effectiveness by increasing my skin’s sensitivity. Can it be used with tretinoin? I’d never dealt with these before, even in my teen years. It’s supposed to be a less irritating alternative to harsher retinoids, without compromising effectiveness. But I think that’s because I have a big head… What I found works best is carefully dabbing it in tiny tiny pieces all across the face, then spreading it evenly. I did this a couple nights and it worked well. My Updated Skincare Routine and Starting a Fungal Acne Skincare Line! I want to make sure I’m not over doing it in my skincare. .rll-youtube-player, [data-lazy-src]{display:none !important;}, by f. c. | Last updated Apr 19, 2020 | 80 comments. Cerave cleanser I started out using it every 4th night as I’m very prone to perioral dermatitis and feeling a little irritated at the corners of my mouth. More so than the acne itself (which has mostly subsided), the scars have made me even more self-conscious as I’ve gotten older. I’ve recently become interested in K beauty and it’s emphasis on healing/hydrating the skin… After incorporating some key products into my routine (oil cleansing, gentle cleanser, MOISTURIZER for the first time ever), my tone is SO much brighter/more even, but the CCs remain. It’s a lot more stable and can be used in the daytime and with benzoyl peroxide. I had old chickenpox scars from childhood that are now gone. I’ve had to cut back on all of my steps and simplify my routine cause it was getting confusing to figure out what was working and what wasn’t. Something I’ve experienced all too often with chemical exfoliants. I want to include bha’s in my skincareroutine.. My Skin does feel really good when i touch it and besides a few pimples my Skin FEELS flawless besides some light scarring.. But I’ve adjusted now. Also prescription only. For my Pm routine, is this good? I have seen brightening of my over all complexion, and Ive been using sunscreen religiously. Seeing how it has behaved for others is somewhat comforting. I quite like to do it this way– split my evening routine in half. All the clogged pores around the bottom half of my face (mostly deep blackheads) became spots that by themselves popped or healed within a day. The dryness of the first few weeks can be pretty unbearable. They all cause irritation, to some degree, and all cause sensitivity to sun. The links may be affiliate and if you would like to support my blog clicking through and buying will mean I get a small amount of money at no cost to you. Differin works by targeting the start of the cell cycle as opposed to the end. I have paired it with The Ordinary 10% Naicidimide and Zinc 1%. It is more stable in light than retinol and tretinoin according to the manufacturer. I’ve been using Differin for about 4 months now and I’m enjoying a craaaaazy improvement on my skin. The tricky part about a tretinoin/retinoid routine is that the skin needs to be dry when you apply the retinoid. It is non prescription and freely available over the counter. Just stumbled across this blog a few days ago, and have appreciated reading through this entry especially. Now I am cured and my skin is glowing. Keep up the humor and good work. Framboos Glycolic night serum for over a year. Here is my oil reference table again to help you pick an oil (we saw it before in my Cleanser pH Masterlist Post, which of course you have read, printed out and have stuck up on your fridge). If you feel that your acne might not be purging, it could be something else causing it. (6). Thickens the dermis and increases collagen over time, Reduces inflammation and normalise skin turnover, Not advised for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, Isn't very stable, breaks down under UV and artificial light, Can reduce stretch marks if used while they're still red, Can help treat rosacea, skin precancer, eczema and psoriasis, Hydration, vitamins, antioxidant, moisturiser, factor 50 broad spf, eg. I have seen brightening of my over all complexion, and Ive been using sunscreen religiously. I’ll be honest, it’s kinda hard. And that area burns more when I apply my moisturiser and sunscreen. Epiduo gel (0.1% Adapalene + 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide) reduces the risk of atrophic scar formation, How to Treat Fungal Acne (Malassezia Folliculitis), 1500+ Fungal Acne Safe Products: An Updated List of Skincare For Malassezia. I can see how the spreadability would be an issue. I remember I had a few “false starts” with it where I’d give up using it after just a few days, and then stashed the tube away, only to find it some weeks later and decide to try it again. Purging should only last a short while- estimates are anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months. Dermatologist appointments are expensive and in the UK you will only get a prescription if your acne is very severe and if you’re female you need to be taking the combined pill. Cleanse, apply tretionoin, wait 30 min (rinse?) The only problem is that you don’t see it around much. NK . The word ‘retinoid’ is the name given to the whole group of vitamin A derivatives- retinol, tretinoin, hydroxypinacolone retinoate, retinal, retinaldehyde… they’re all retinoids. glycolic and salicylic acid), work at the end of the cell cycle. She’s a research powerhouse and has numerous…” Kaltmiete, zzgl. (Side note for pregnants– While pregnant I had a lot of joy with 20% Azaleic acid as a retinoid replacement, it also helps with aging pigmentation and pores), When the tret peelies get too much, there are ways to make things easier so you don’t feel tempted to give up. over-exfoliation). You can get tretinoin in an alcohol based gel (Isotrexin), a cream (Retin-A) and in microspheres (Retin-A Micro). Tretinoin is a prescription only drug (in the U.K. anyway) it comes in different strengths- 0.025%, 0.05% and 0.1% although you can get other percentages I’m sure. The novel retinoid that is the star ingredient of The Ordinary’s Granactive Retinoid. Tretinoin peels is what happens two to three days after your skin has been exposed to a hefty dose of an irritating retinoid like tret or retinol. What about The Ordinary’s azelaic acid? Had some issues with irritation and dryness until I found a good moisturizer to pair it with (thanks for the tip about CeraVe), but I really like how it simplified my skincare routine while improving my complexion. And that’s where adapalene comes in (a.k.a differin’s active ingredient)! Studies have shown that making the most of your moisture barrier before starting tretinoin can minimise the irritation. It was terrible … but then glorious. Squalane cleanser, *wait*, tretinoin, Marine Hyaluronics, Amino Acids +B5, NMF, Use only at night, light will cause the tretinoin to break down, Apply Vaseline to the corners of the nose, lips, undereye and eyelid- these places are more likely to become irritated, Apply a thick layer of occlusive cream over the treatment. Merken Purer Luxus! I definitely noticed this myself (more about that later), but unfortunately it ain’t all pretty sunshine and rainbows forever. Ideas you can try if tret is getting the better of you-. 38 Likes, 3 Comments - BCM Radiology (@bcmradiology) on Instagram: “For today’s Meet the Residents Monday we have Nikita. How to Reduce its Irritation. Hi! It is said to be the same sort of acne in the same areas as you usually get acne. Don't worry it's nothing spammy! I figure it might take longer than 3-4 mnths to see any difference in my PIH, since I am african american. For two weeks, my skin was red, dry, and weirdly furry. Source: Millikan LE. It’s faded the sun freckles that I used to struggle with, and even though anti-aging isn’t its main indication, I’ve seen some improvement in the fine lines I was starting to get around my nose and forehead. Let’s get started. I’ve been enjoing your blog for a long time, but silently entil now I see you’ve updated 12th week, and seeing no exitment I’ve got to ask – could you, please, share more thoughts on overall experience of using adapalene? Curious to hear of any updates. Some people also like to apply differin after moisturizer as this provides a buffer and reduces irritation, and only slightly decreases it’s effectiveness (if at all). Stick with it and you’re practically guaranteed to have clear beautiful skin. On the downside, there isn’t much quality evidence at the moment to compare Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate to other retinoids as either an anti aging or acne treatment. I personally have used Differin for 3 months and it made my acne worse. It’s a fantastic occlusive that locks in the moisture in skin when used as the last step in your routine. And I am quite satisfied with this . It may well just be that the skin is irritated temporarily which causes a worsening in acne. E.g. Ian, a reader of the blog, reminded me that this has ceramides, cholesterol, phytosphingosine, and hyaluronic acid in it, which are all natural parts of the skin that help restore its barrier function. It wasn’t like my regular acne that lasts for weeks. Retinol is meant to be less irritating than tretinoin, but some formulas are worse than others (remember The Ordinary’s old silicone based retinol?). So you can’t do the old hydration-active-moisture-occlusive routine like you usually do. I’ve feel I’ve hit gold over the last year with the following routine: Morning: So, we know we want them, but because they cause side effects, there can be issues incorporating them into our skincare routine and there are a few things we must be mindful of. I’d use the evening after tret. I usually get it two days after I have applied too much and I look in the mirror in passing and notice some of my face coming off. I have been using Drunk Elephant’s C-firma day serum and T.L.C. This is likely the main reason why a lot of online reviews on it are so mixed — people just don’t stick with it long enough. Alrighty. I don’t know if I truly believe that skin poos out all the evil and then becomes good. Thanks for sharing wonderful information. Glycerin is a Badass Queen. Differin Side Effects. If you have many products or ads, create your own online store (e-commerce shop) and conveniently group all your classified ads in your shop! Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate is what they call an ester of all trans retinoid acid, which means that it has a very similar shape to the tretinoin molecule and can therefore link with all the retinoid receptors that tretinoin can without any conversion steps. , Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. Avoid anything irritating while your skin is getting used to tretinoin- no scrubs, benzoyl peroxide, vitamin C, glycolic acid or salicylic acid. If you want exclusive updates about our upcoming skincare brand, Malezia — follow us on instagram. I still have minor atrophic scars on my cheek that I wish weren’t there. Some retinol product suggestions- The Ordinary 1% in Squalane £5.80, Ishtar Skinlights 2.5% Microencapsulated Retinol Serum With Rovisome £15. Melanin, transepidermal water loss, and hydration were improved, as were general skin tone and the number of wrinkles (p < 0.05)”, Not to mention, adapalene can reduce atrophic acne scarring in 0.3% concentration meaning it increases collagen production (also good for wrinkles). But it’s not a hard and fast rule, there is some evidence that tretinoin is more effective when used with glycolic acid and vitamin C. It really depends on your skin and how long you have been using tretinoin and acids. I tried my teenage time acne cream in my late twenties but i felt it was too mild to work on my much matured skin like now. Cerave / glycolic cleanser Tretinoin is sensitive to sunlight and artificial light, so it is best used right before bed. And I work in retail. Is there any other way it can be used? It seems that I have gone through my first purge phase with Differin. Urea For Skin Explained (14 Studies): Literally Everything You Need To Know! I’m in my late 20’s, have had acne since age 14, have been to dermatologists, and was once prescribed Differin. So wear sunscreen, everyone should always wear sunscreen anyway! That’s why I always follow up with Cerave PM. Some unlucky people get blistering and swelling, this is unlikely. Enzymes are highly sensitive to pH, for this reason, you are better off not using retinol with strong acids like glycolic acid and vitamin C. There is some controversy about this (see Paula Begoun), but it stands to reason, in my view, that it is best not to combine acids and retinol. 3 Cerave Cream, All the benefits of adapelene AND no congestion AND I don’t look scalded all the time. Despite adapalene being a gentler retinoid, it can still be pretty irritated. I know. There are different sorts of receptor and when a retinoid binds to them they make the skin cell behave differently. I introduced the Differin very slowly. I want to give it a full shot at working its magic before ruling it out. For example, one study found that using differin (0.3% adapalene) for 6 months significantly reduced wrinkles. Dry Face oil SPF, EVENING I’ve been using Differin for two weeks now. It has good tolerability in cases of adult acne. Avoid Scars & Speed Recovery, Probiotics for Skin: Choosing Which is Best for You, Why the pH of Skin and Products Are Crucially Important (2020 Updated), Chemical Peels At Home Explained (13 Studies): EVERYTHING You Need to Know, Clarisonic Mia 2 (Thoughts After 2 Years), Cosrx Galactomyces 95 Whitening Power Essence. Also, like with other retinoids, niacinamide is your friend. Malasessezia has run crazy internally and on my poor skin. Why Squalane Oil Is the Best Oil According to 40 Studies. No irritation on my face or upper chest (collar bone area), but it was ROUGH on my neck and in hindsight, the neck area I should have moisturized before applying Differin, or stuck with the 2x/week for longer. Night B: Differin OTC and the mix of oils But I’m trying to get the whole shebang here, so I’m mostly applying it to dry skin and moisturizing afterward. The ingredients list includes soluble collagen, glycerin, and sodium hyaluronate. I don’t want to thin my skin to where it can be seen through or where it starts aging. Due to acne i do have a lot of red marks, pih, pie on my face and i also get breakouts on my chin area.. Cleanse, hydrate and moisturise at about 7 pm then after dinner/Netflix apply the retinoid and occlusive just before bed. It’s been 3 weeks. Hi there, f. c.! During vs After purge: 2 week comparison using 0.025% Tret + almond oil. Yes, I’ve only used this stuff for about 2 weeks BUT I plan on using it a full 3 months and will update here periodically. 222 m 2. I just haven’t found a sunscreen that won’t aggravate my skin, tried everything including Elta MD 46 but none worked. Differin has officially been approved for over the counter use in #Amurica. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. I promised myself I would only look at my face from regular standing at the counter distance, and NEVER WHEN WASHING MY HANDS (because my face is RIGHT THERE!). to crop up on my cheeks. Marine Hyaluronics, Niacinamide, EUK 134/Pycnogenol, MAP/NMF+ Hemi-Squalane, SPF, Cleanse, hydration, vitamins, moisturiser, *wait 20 mins+ until everything is fully absorbed*, tretinoin, occlusive, Cleanse, *wait 20 mins+ until the skin is fully dry*, tretinoin, vitamin, moisturiser, occlusive, Squalane cleanser, Marine Hyaluronics, Amino Acids +B5, NMF, *wait*, tretinoin. Hello my friend, you are doing a great job here.. As with things skincare, I think the answer lies with the individual and the formulation. As well as the enzyme issue, acids can cause irritation. My GP won’t prescribe me any sort of topical retinoid for my acne because I can only take the mini pill, despite my pouting a lot. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. For beginners, leave this stuff for later or you risk invoking a skin nightmare. OR Paula’s Choice Resist line SPF 30 tinted (makeup days), Evening: Studies have shown that differin reduces acne by about 60% across all participates after 3 months of daily use. It can take up to a year for your retinised skin to reveal it’s glory, so buckle in for a long ride. It is very non irritating, making it an excellent acne treatment. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Before, but make sure it has absorbed really well before applying the Tretinoin. Come and visit our site, already thousands of classified ads await you ... What are you waiting for? Only try adding the other actives like vitamin C and acids after a really long time, likes months or even years, at a point when your skin is totally chill. Night A: Drunk Elephant’s T.L.C. It’s safe for acne-prone skin, rosacea, and won’t aggravate malassezia induced skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis, pityrosporum folliculitis, and eczema. Factoring price into the equation, a 45g tube of generic Retin-A Micro (0.04%) can cost between $140-$390 (dependent on manufacturer and pharmacy) while the same quantity of Altreno lotion rings up at $115. But more importantly it has 5% niacinamide, a vitamin and antioxidant that’s great for anti-aging, fading discoloration, fighting acne, and brightening skin. We’re talking this much OR LESS. I always had sensitive skin but it was on the drier side so it was easy to care for and I could use all sorts of wonderful products with rich lush ingredients. Given that adapalene helps acne scars in 0.3% concentration, I figure it might help. Rinse, repeat. I’ve managed to circumvent that because, as mentioned previously, I mix it with Skinoren gel. I plan to follow through for the next three months, and see if i helps. Thanks so much! !” I can hear you already. That said, the fact that it has the unrivalled anti-ageing benefits of a retinoid means it makes all the more sense to keep it in regular use as maintenance. Retinol needs to be converted into retinoic acid (via retinal) in the skin in order to bind with the retinoic acid receptors. It’s only the top layer of skin, but it looks a bit strange. Thank you! 3. I’ve been using only Differin, Vanicream wash, and CeraVe PM for 3.5 months, and my skin is the best it has ever looked. Hello, Vitamins eg niacinamide and panthenol are known to help support a healthy barrier. It depends on what you’re after. Am I a front-runner for an exciting new formulation, or just a patsy being upsold a inferior product dressed up in sexy marketing? I am going to use Differin again because in the past it was fantastic for smoothing and fading scars. It’s a great service- all done online, you can cancel anytime and much cheaper than a private dermatologist appointment. Exactly what that means, I am not sure, does that mean you will get the same results only 20 times slower? How 50 People From Reddit and YOUTUBE Cleared Their Fungal Acne! It does have a tendency to cause more irritation than adapalene. I have dropped everything from my routine except EltaMD AM Therapy and EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46. It’s ok if I have to leave it out. Retinoid first will give stronger results. My advice would be to keep the evening routine simple as poss and use the morning routine as a time to add vitamins and antioxidants. It’s glides more easily if you apply moisturizer first. Unlike tretinoin, you don’t have to wait 20-30 minutes after cleansing to make sure your skin is fully dry before applying. I do have rosacea and have super fair skin so I will always see the redness BUT so happy to be seeing good results! Or apply everything apart from the occlusive wait for it to absorb until your skin is dry, then apply the tretinoin. Amino Acids +B5, Niacinamide, Pycnogenol, NMF snd Hemi-Squalane. 2 Differin If anyone has recommendations for rosacea/redness plz send them my way! AM: CeraVe SA cleanser, CeraVe PM moistorizer and Drunk Elephant’s C-firma There are a couple of ways you could choose to work it. (4) Here’s a visual of what that looks like with a sample size of 582 patients. And I haven’t had another rash or another big breakout again. I have hyperpigmentation and loads of peeling and some aftermath dark markings. Last question: I have a glycolic 7 per cent, at the moment I m using it once or twice a week whenever I feel like a break from tretinoin. Cleanse, apply tretinoin cream, wait 30 minutes, argireline, niacinamide, mix rose hip seed oil and moisturizer then apply. It made my skin itch and left me with red flaky patches at first, but it was gone after a week. But Vaseline helps a bunch. Very interesting article. In the skin (and in other places too) there are vitamin A receptors, called Retinoid Acid Receptors or RARs. Do you recommend a niacinimade serum before tretinoin or after? You can actually see what’s under it.”. I have paired it with The Ordinary 10% Naicidimide and Zinc 1%. I was suffering from acne due to my sensitive skin and severe summer heat. Weleda skin food or Cerave moisture lotion Or cicaplast, Am i on the right track ? Tretinoin because of the irritation and retinol because it may impede it’s effectiveness. No one can see you I began because I was being a hermit while I was helping my family clean out and sell a late relative’s house for a month in January. Tretinoin binds directly to all the types of retinoid receptors and so has numerous effects on the skin, whereas other retinoids must be converted to retinoid by enzymes to have the same effect eg Retinol and some bind different receptors and have different effects eg Adapalene. :p. With that said, I will be updating y’all every couple weeks. Neutrogena water boost gel And while we’re on the subject of reducing irritation, should you notice it’s too much for you skin reduce the frequency to every other day until you build up more tolerance. This is less a problem with differiin. It’s no secret that using stuff like tretinoin is irritating as hell. But just remember to STICK WITH IT! Rest assured though, once you get past that 2nd week it’s just smooth sailing until the end of time. Retinol has about 20% of the strength of tretinoin, because of the conversion step. If you want to be extra extra safe, go ahead and wait those 20-30 minutes. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. It's easy to use, no lengthy sign-ups, and 100% free! A Comparison of Benefits. Peptides and antioxidants are good with tretinoin and vitamin C derivatives are fine. Everybody is saying not to use them both, because they do cause a lot of Irritation. Lockdown is a WONDERFUL time to adjust, y’all. Smooth, clear, and lately I’ve been noticing that my skin doesn’t look so tired or saggy around my eyes. It’s the idea that ‘a retinoid or an acid increases skin turnover and pushes all the badness to the surface’. Some other skincare gems you might want to stop up on for the peelies-. Might even ask my family PA to prescribe the next strength. When starting Differin, I was so scared of the purge and the irritation that I decided to use it AFTER my snail essence and then followed up with Paula’s Choice 2,5% BP. Mix with a moisturiser, this one is from Reddit, you are essentially reducing the percentage yourself for a period of time until your skin has calmed down; Use tretinoin after moisturiser, after cleansing, apply moisturiser, go about your business and let it fully absorb, and then apply the tretinoin. The first time I tried to use tretinoin was when I was a teenager with bad acne. Especially after reading a couple articles. This happens because that’s the peak period of irritation, known to many as the dreaded “purging phase” when clogged pores start surfacing and the skin gets easily inflamed. I hope the post has helped, if there is anything I left out let me know. Consider this the “differin experiment.”. I continued to treat my skin as very oily as I felt it had always been, but acne hadn’t been a problem since my late teens (32 now!). My dermatologist’s office appears to be pushing this new topical, even while information, reviews, and pharmacies that carry it are exceedingly limited. It should still be used at night though! 2 weeks?!? If you’ve used retinol and your skin is accustomed to it and you want to move on, then try Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate next to see if you get more benefits and vice versa. “Pivotal clinical trials of adapalene in the treatment of acne.” Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.” 2001;15 Suppl 3:19-22. My question is I’d love to incorporate Matrixyl and Argeriline!! My skin has gotten dry and shiny, it seems, and it looks oily even when it’s not. Confusingly though, The Ordinary has called one of it’s retinoids Granactive Retinoid and we all refer to it as “retinoid”. However, my dermatologist’s PA heavily advocated, and wrote a script, for Altreno. This one only binds to certain receptors which means that it is likely to only be effective against acne and not aging or pigmentation. Apart from products with low pH, as far as The Ordinary is concerned all is good. rose hip oil One of my biggest issues was skin picking. My ugliest retinol uglies were from prescription 0.05 percent tretinoin by Actavis. Personalised Skincare Action Plan for You! Cerave Cleanser 4. If you like podcasts, there is one that goes with this post on Skincare With Friends. Cerave Moisturizer + SPF. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window). The Ordinary Cheatsheet- The Ultimate guide on how to use Ordinary skincare. It most likely has anti-aging benefits. It is available over the counter. 1 wash I like to use the EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46. Like reddit user rainingramen said, “[Differin] bestows its rewards only to those who are patient and committed to Lord Retinoid.” Indeed, this stuff was meant for the long haul. I’m getting some tiny pustules in various places along my chin as expected. That’s why I think it’s far better used in combination than as a monotherapy, at least until you achieve consistent clearance (though obviously those with more sensitive skin need to be wary about combining it with other actives). Twice a week for glycolic is fine, it’s quite strong, Hi I’m 3 months into tret and can’t find my routine how about this ? I’ve tried what I feel to be just about “everything” BHA, AHA, azelaic acid (gave up on that kinda soon), BP, etc. I suppose I became very dehydrated along the way and killed my barrier. “Wait, what?? I reeeeeally hope it works on my skin because as of now all I can do is just hiding from the sun as best as I can – and I live in Bali where the sun is at 120%. This post is in no way an ad. I’m feeling a bit desperate and discouraged! If we’re talking straight anti-aging then Retin-A is probably better. Thanks!! I’m not sure if I should start tapering off on the T.L.C and start adding in more nights of Differin so I just use the T.L.C. I never noticed them until the past few years, but they’ve been there a while.  ... Posted by 14 hours ago. Studies have also shown that niacinamide reduces the irritation of retinoids, (7) so it’s a good companion to have should you decide to try differin. How Long Does Differin Take to Work? not as irritating —  less itching, burning, redness), and has better light stability! But eventually I stuck with it and am glad I did — it’s been about 5 months of regular use now. Besides turning people into lizards, it’s touted as one the best anti-aging ingredients in dermatology. I don’t have acne. Love your blog. (2, 5). I was thrilled to find Differin 0.1 on the shelf in CVS and decided to give it a go. You can essentially consider CeraVe Healing Ointment like a beefed up version of Aquaphor or Vaseline. (2) To quote the research paper itself: “There were significant improvements in clinical grading of wrinkles (p < 0.01) with a reduction in mean severity score of 40% in forehead wrinkles, 52% in periorbital wrinkles, and 29% in perioral wrinkles.