Here's my background- I have what I consider moderate acne, mainly red bumps (papules?) and red bumps with [gross] pus in the center (pustules?- I'm not up on the acne lingo), as well as a few of those irritating little whiteheads. I'm currently using Benzaclin (1% clindamycin and 5% BP) and I think I'm going to ask for Differin to add to the regimen next time because I'm not satisfied with the results I get with Benzaclin alone. Would Differin work on the acne type that I described, or is it more for blackheads and small whiteheads?

Im currently on Clindoxyl (5% benzoyl and 1% clindamycin... also known as benzaclin). I use it in the morning and before I goto bed I wash and apply Differin... sometimes my face seems to be dry but mainly these two medications are not irritating.

I had the same type of ance that you do and it has done so much for me in the past 6 weeks or so. I get very clogged in my chin and jaw areas and it has really helped unplug me. At first you get all these blackhead and all of these hidden things bubbling up to the surface but if you can be patient and allow yourself to get through this process, the results, I feel are worth it. Now I am pretty clear now but if I have a pimple, a night or two of differin pretty much clears it without any bruise-causing squeezing needed. In addition, I had an adverse reaction to Retin A, I hated it. But with even sensitive skin, i find differin is easy to tolerate. The first couple of weeks just use a teeny bit and maybe on alternating nights. you can go cautiously so that you don't get too red and raw which can happen as the vitamin A makes your skin's own process of exfoliating speed up. PS you will also need a good spf and moisturizer too! good luck!

Theoretically, Differin should work with inflamed pustules or papules, and blackheads or whiteheads. However, Differin doesn't do a thing to prevent or calm the inflamed acnes. It pretty much cleared the whiteheads and blackheads though. Now, I use C-mycin (Clindamycin) in the morning and Differin at night. C-mycin only works with inflamed acnes. So far, it has worked wonders for me. I only apply C-mycin to areas where there are inflammation.

Yes I agree, Clindamycin is great to calm the red stuff...Differin gets it our from deep down and Clindamycin calms what bubbles up...they work well hand in hand. Duac is also good which is BP and Clindamycin together...