Welcome back to my "diary" of my experience being on Differin. The first installment explains what Differin is—essentially, a topical retinoid used to clear up acne. It's available only by prescription, so if you're interested in it, see a dermatologist. And as always, this is just my experience; everyone's skin is different, and only a doctor can work with you to see which treatment is best.
Now that I've been on Differin (and Klaron, an antibacterial lotion) for a little over two months, I'm definitely seeing an improvement in my complexion. At first, there was some peeling, but it wasn't painful or red. That's stopped, and now my forehead and nose are almost completely clear. Although I still have a tiny bit of congestion around the hairline, it's minimal, and I haven't had a horrifyingly large pimple there in at least a month.
To find out where Differin isn't doing wonders, read more
The only problem spot that remains is my chinny-chin-chin. It's not that Differin doesn't have an effect; it does. The blemishes sprout faster than they did pre-Differin; I'll feel one coming on in the morning, and by the time I go home after work, there it is in its pustulent glory. So I guess that's a good thing, since the zits rise and fall quickly. Additionally, when I do have a clogged pore, it clears up with just the lightest touch of pressure.
Still, it's frustrating that while the rest of my face is mostly clear and healthy-looking, the chin is like a little oil field. Part of the problem is due to hormones, I'm sure. And I could probably be more consistent with my exfoliation schedule. I'm going to remember to exfoliate the chin every other day, and maybe this will improve things. Plus, I've been using my Zeno Pro in hopes that it will help kill some of the acne bacteria. I'll give it some more time and let you know how it goes.

















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Thanks for the update!
1Wow, just... WOW.
2I used Differin in HS, it worked pretty well.
3Looking forward to hearing how you get on with Differin and the Zeno product. I too want to start using the Zeno to zap my suckers!
4Glad Differin is working on the rest of your face! I don't think anyone is ever completely happy with their skin. I know I'm not! There's always something....
5What kind of exfoliant do you recommend? It sounds like we have a similar chinny chin chin problem!
6I have regular breakouts on my chin as well, but I know in my case it's from my bad habit of leaning on my hand when I'm in class. I really need to stop doing it. I'm glad your skin is reacting well to the Differin.
7I never had to use any acne products like this...which is a good thing, my skin gets so dry and sensitive. I can't imagine how it would have reacted to any of those creams.
I'm glad you're seeing an improvement!
8Have you thought about cutting out dairy products? There is some debate whether the naturally occurring hormones in milk causes acne (pregnant cows make milk therefore lots of hormones). The moment I cut dairy out my face cleared up dramatically. However this does nothing for my ice-cream addiction.
9Thanks for the write up Bella. I've been having problems with my acne. I've been using Acne Free, which worked great at first, but now it's not working as well.
10You're tough Helio, there is no WAY I could cut out dairy. I tried the Raw Food Detox Diet and quit after a week because I missed cheese. It allows goat and sheep's milk...but f that. Life's not so great without sharp cheddar and Triscuits!
11There are vegan cheeses you can try. They come in slices and shredded. I love them! Also, instead of dairy or soy milk, try almond, rice or hemp milk. A bonus is there are far fewer calories!
12I want to second that comment about dairy. I have problem skin and Ive cut out milk and cheese completely from my diet and my skin has improved dramatically. I still eat lots of yoghurt and chocolate though, so Im not a 100%.
13I've been using the NuvaRing to handle my acne (a good friend of mine with really severe cystic acne tried it with great results!). There has been a great improvement. Of course, during "that" week I have to deal. Instead of the chin I get the worst acne on my cheeks. They are always angry and red looking. It has been great having even, clear skin for awhile! However, it's "that" week and I confess, I did mess with my skin and now have some irritated marks. Boo.
14Foudini, what do these vegan cheeses taste like? I've never gotten them because I'm pretty sure I won't like it. But now I'm intrigued. And I second the almond milk...I love it!
15I'm not going to lie. I was eating a piece of cheese as I wrote the comment above. I'm not strict but I definitely stopped putting milk on my cereal and coffee and it's made a difference. I met the proactive ladies (the dermatologists) at Nordstrom's once and they said that hormones are the only cause of acne so going on the pill is the best bet (which I'm not into). They were really sweet and botoxed within an inch of their lives.
16I started it on August 10, and I see major improvement thus far. Of course, I'm still on the Solodyn and the Benzaclin, but supposedly the Differin is really what helps. The blackheads on my nose are gone, as are all the small pimple bumps under the skin that would not come to a head. My pores are smaller and my skin looks wayyyyyyyy better than it did. I'm on Differin .3, the stronger gel. I've been through different phases of peeling, but things look to have stabilized for now. I'm so happy.
17I use differin. A couple things that I don't think have been mentioned:
A. My dermatologist had to send a letter of authorization to my heath insurance company because I'm over the age of 25. Apparently, differin is being used to reduce wrinkles and insurance companies want to make sure patients are really using it doe acne.
B. In terms of not being able to get your eye brows waxed if you are on differin. Just stop using it around your eye brow area 2-3 days before your appointment. Put bacitracin/neosporin on it after if your skin is very red.
18i am also curious about some good exfoliators...i've tried a few but i haven't been wow'd by many of them. which one do you use bella? which ones work well?
19I've been using Differin too, but it wasn't really working for me. I mean, yes, it was clearing up my skin but my face burned all the time. I guess my skin was just too sensitive for Differin. I've got a new prescription now (I don't remember the name though) so maybe it'll work!
20i have not used differin, maybe i should try it. i've tried benzaclin, which caused my face to swell up like a red beach ball. retin-a micro worked for me for a while.
i find it interesting that so many people have cut out dairy in order to reduce acne. i'm not a big dairy-consumer; i never drink milk. however, my dermatologist told me that my breakouts are caused by bacteria infections under the surface...and i remembered that yogurt contains really good live active cultures that get rid of bad bacteria. so i've been eating yogurt everyday for the last couple of weeks, using pure tea tree oil on my skin, and a neutrogena at-home peel 3 times a week, and my skin is the clearest it's been in a long time.
i'm still always looking for the next best thing, tho...
21I use differin, benzaclin, yaz for acne and sulfa bactrim...oy. I'm in search of a good exfoliator; which one do you use bella?
22Ah, I'll do a post on exfoliators soon, but right now I've been working my way through Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion in a Jar. It's OK but way overpriced for what it does. I also like the exfoliant that Bliss makes. I used to use St. Ives scrub, but the particles are too rough on my skin.
I've heard that cutting out dairy has a lot of benefits (for your complexion and otherwise.) I don't drink milk at all, but I have yogurt maybe every other day, and I love cheese. I'm a vegetarian, so I want to say that vegan cheese is amazing, but—don't hate me, it's just not my particular taste.
23herjoiedevivre, or anyone looking into exfoliators , one that is really great and not that well known is EpidermxII by Naturederm. It's a microderm cream that's ok to use everyday. It's a little pricey ($25ish) so I don't use it everyday...but I don't think I'd need to either. It honestly works better than my Clarisonic. It helps me a lot with clogged pores...the main reason I break out is because I'll try to extract, and then the area gets inflamed. You can get a sample from their site (it lasts few days).
http://www.greatnewskin.com
24I used to use Differin but it didn't do much for me. Now I just use Desert Essence Organic Australian Tea Tree Oil for large zits and their face wash. I also just got the DermaStyle laser pen from Lumiport. I sometimes use MD Forte Glycolic wash and lotion since it helps exfoliate my skin.
25i used differin for a couple of years. some parts of your face get worse before they can get better. the differin forces all the bacteria and bad stuff to come out.
stick with it and eventually the breakouts on your chin will calm down!
26thanks dearmisspriss, im gonna check it out!
27I started using Differin last week and my complexion has definitely improved alot, but my skin is super dry in some areas. I put neosporin on the dry spots, and it's working really well... Sorry about your chin, though D:
28Diffrin is good ..but it i sooooo over priced ....get the same benifits by using Benzac 5/10 % or Panoxyl..the gel form is better.... I have done so much research to cure my acne !!
29Also the same active ingredients. benzac is kind of a generic version of Diffrin except for on particular ingredient which is found in most skin brightening product ..dont remember what it is right now but it start with a T....
anyways the same stuff is in Proactive .....except u are pushed to follow a routine which u should anyways ..so u are basically paying for the routine!!
DISCLAIMER
^^^PLEASE NOTE iAM NOT A MEDICAL DOCTOR ...SO DO NOT CONSIDER THIS A MEDICAL ADVISE ^^^
my doctorate is in web research ...specifically for designer looking clothes at less than half the price.
I'd never try it in fear of a reaction!
30I eat lots of yoghurt. Your doctor is right, yoghurt is chock-full of good bacteria for your body. The only thing Ive really cut out is milk. So no more lattes, no more milk in coffee, ice cream, milk-shakes, etc etc. I do however eat a lot of chocolate. Ive pretty much cut out cheese as well, which has been much harder for me since I love it so much!
31I love love love my Differin. My only caveat is that it seemed to increase the growth of my (ahem) chin hairs...maybe it is hormonal?
32Bella- my sister is a vegetarian and an active member of PETA so I know alllll about vegetarian alternatives lol... and yes you're right, the vegan cheese is pretty good! She has recently turned me onto tofu in a big way, so maybe I'll have to try to cut out dairy and see if she can teach me to love veggie cheese too! hehe
33Hy hy, I have been using Differin gel for over 6 years!! (since I was 15)
and I can
tell you it takes maybe 4 months.. but after that ur skin is really clear and clean (including when ur hormonal). Seriously, I wouldn't survive without it.
In the begining it dries out ur skin a bit, until 2 month later u get used to the use, then with about 1 year I started using it less and less (to once a day).. then I forget some days (maybe one day yes one no) and still no spots
Plus, in my case, it really helped against
black spots (reduced about 30%)
And one thing that is really important is the previous washing, so I use Avene Gel (the turqoise one in a clear bottle) as Lustrine was too harsh.
PS: my dermatologist is my best friend's father
34I just have to add my 2 cents as a lifelong acne sufferer. I'm in my 30s and have tried everything from antibiotics to Accutane. The most important thing I have learned is that your skin changes as you age. So what worked for you at 17 may not work at 27. I am now currently using Differin along with Duac which is a combo benzoyl peroxide and antibiotic cream. It is the BEST.
For people interested in Differin, there is a cream and a gel formula. Use the one that suits your skin type best. I use the gel because it penetrates more quickly and I have combination/oily skin. The cream formula is more moisturizing. Also, there are two strengths, one more gentle and the other more aggressive. I am also on birth control pills which has helped more than anything else in controlling my acne.
Of note, my boyfriend also uses my Differin and Duac combo as well as his Proactive. His skin has never looked better since starting Differin. Keep in mind that the bacteria on your skin can become resistent to antibacterial solutions, even just benzoyl peroxide. You'll probably have to change products throughout your life to keep it under wraps.
One more point, then I'll shut up. Although I have acne, I also have sensitive/dry skin. Those two things don't intuitively go together, but the biggest mistake I made in my 20s was attacking my skin with super drying, super aggressive products. That just made everything worse. Now I use products that are anti-inflammatory and calming, preferably with no fragrance. I like Aveeno's foaming face wash for sensitive skin and I use Alba Botanicals Aloe and Chamomile oil-free moisturizer.
Thanks Bella for pointing out that Differin is anti-inflammatory. I did not realize that, but it makes sense since those types of products have calmed the dry, redness I got with previous acne treatments.
35All that and I forgot one thing. I use Neutrogena gentle exfoliating wash in the baby blue tube/bottle. It really exfoliates without irritation. I only use it a couple of times a week because the Differin exfoliates on its own.
36I'll be interested to read your next installment to see how the Differin is working out now!
37Alright. Differin may work a little, but lets get real people. Accutane works the best. But it's side effects are way worst than differin.
If you wanna get rid of oily skin, look into Vilantae. It isn't a spot treatment or a face wash. It is really just like accutane, but it's actually safe to take with out crazy side effects.
You can keep taking Differin if you like, but I'd rather get right to the point.
38I just started using Differin and my face is looking worse and worse. It has been almost 2 months and i'm getting frustrated! On top of that, I'm getting married in a month and need some help! Does anyone know if you can use proactiv with differin? Any other suggestions?!? Please help or i could be the next runaway bride!
39Anon- if you're getting frustrated with Differin (as I did the first time around) try using it only every third night and apply an anti-inflamatory cream to any red patches the following day, like a cortisone. I have kept any extra acne or anti-aging ingredients out of my regimen, as recommended by my dermatologist at least while my skin is acclimating to the Differin.
Your skin will be extra sensitive and you need to wear sunscreen. I thought the appropriate move would be to use a natural sunscreen. However, I found that the natural ingredients can be very strong and irritated me more. I am now using Shiseido 55+++ (in the blue rounded bottle) and my skin is glowing and happy.
I hope this helps and congratulations on your upcoming wedding!
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