Why does differin make acne worse

Do not apply any topical product to the same area where you are using adapalene, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

If applied to the same area treated with adapalene, the following products may cause mild to severe irritation of the skin:. Your doctor may ask you to use other topical products, such as benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, or erythromycin, during your treatment with adapalene. Applying the products at different times of the day will lessen the chance of causing skin irritation. If your skin becomes too dry or red at any time, discuss with your doctor whether you should continue using adapalene.

Applying creams, lotions, or moisturizers as needed helps lessen these skin problems. During treatment with this medicine, avoid getting too much sun on treated areas and do not use sunlamps. There are four situations in which you should have your symptoms inspected by a medical professional:. If we've prescribed you Differin and you've found yourself in such a situation, let us know. We'll take a close look at your symptoms and find a better alternative.

Differin is an acne medication containing the active ingredient of adapalene , which is a form of vitamin A check out our product page to view the full range of Differin ingredients. Applied to the area affected by acne, it works to help your skin heal by unblocking your pores allowing natural oils to escape and boosting the exfoliation process. Proving effective in mild to moderate cases, Differin has great reviews and is a great choice for many acne sufferers because it provides enough potency to make a difference without being strong enough to cause major harm.

That said, it does have one notable issue known as the Differin purge - an initial period during which your skin seems to get worse, not better. However, that may not be the truth of the matter. It's believed that this purging period actually results from existing clogged pores coming to the surface, giving the inaccurate impression that things have got worse. If you keep applying Differin as recommended, you should see improvement once the purging period has concluded usually after weeks at the latest.

Differin is produced in two formulations: a gel, and a cream. Differin gel is transparent and quite dense - when applied, it will be absorbed relatively quickly. Differin cream, though, is white and much oilier - it will take longer to be absorbed, but it also has moisturizing properties that will help if the affected area is uncomfortably dry. In most cases, the gel formulation of Differin is easier to use because it applies clear and soaks into the skin rapidly, but it will depend on your particular case.

If you're not sure, you may want to try each form to see which you prefer. As a mid-range treatment, Differin is an excellent first option for acne sufferers - other available treatments can be weaker for very mild cases , stronger for particularly severe acne , or designed with broader actions often containing antibiotics. For a more detailed explanation of how Differin and its active ingredient adapalene compares to other treatments, you can view our acne treatment comparison page.

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 or bathing to clear your skin. If you experience significant discomfort trying to spread the gel across the affected area, consider using the cream instead.

Home Learn What to Expect. Week 0 Apply a thin layer of Differin all over your face once every day whether you have just a few spots or a full-on breakout. Apply all over your face, not just on acne spots Differin Gel goes to work deep in your pores, where acne starts.

Week 2 You may see some mild redness or irritation on the treated area. Acne inflammation is noticeably reduced which leads to restoration of skin tone and texture Continued daily use keeps pores clear and helps prevent breakouts.

Things to watch for. Tips for best experience Use Differin Gentle Cleanser to keep skin clean. Next apply a thin layer of Differin Gel once every day all over your face — even when your face is clear — for long-term results. At night, help decrease dryness and other signs of irritation with a non-SPF moisturizer such as Differin Soothing Moisturizer. Before you achieve your best skin, you may experience a few mild side effects that subside after about week 4.

Retinization occurs most frequently during the first part of treatment, when your skin is getting used to Differin Gel. When you're faced with a breakout, it can be tempting to load on the acne products, but that could actually be counterproductive. Other common ingredients, like benzoyl peroxide and sulfur, can have the same effect.

If you go the benzoyl peroxide route, Dr. Shah notes that an alternative to using a cleanser with benzoyl peroxide is to try "short contact therapy. For a gentle leave-on product, Dr.

Shah recommends Bioelements Breakout Control , which contains benzoyl peroxide, and Philosophy Clear Days Ahead Acne Treatment and Cleanser , which is an oil-free cleanser that contains salicylic acid. As for frequency, Dr. For cleansing products that you rinse off, she says you can use them as often as twice a day, every day because they tend to be "more readily tolerated".

But if you have sensitive skin you may want to try every other day at first. In fact, when you use this ingredient — which Dr. Suozzi says is the best for preventing and treating comedones — your acne may get worse before it gets better.