123 replies to this topic

[deebubs]

Just wanted to post a log on my experience with Differin. My Acne is compose of Cyst and comodones. This is the 4th week I have been on Differin and I am still breaking out more than normal, which is expected.

Week 1: Slowly used Differin every other night. No additional breakouts
Week 2: Using Differin every day. Two breakouts on chin area
Week 3: Broke out with little bumps on forehead. Skin is slowly peeling on the forehead.
Week 4: Bump on forehead have subsided. 5 more breakouts on chin area.
Skin is peeling and dry. Using Cetaphil after application of Differin.

Not sure if putting moisturizer after applying Differin is a good idea. Should I just put Differin at night after washing? If face is dry...skip every other day...or days until skin is no longer dry?


Morning:
Wash with Proactiv Cleanser 2.5% Bencyme
Apply Bobbi Brown SPF15 Moisturizer
Apply Bobbi Brown Oil-Free Foundation
Apply Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Power

Night:
Wash with Cetaphil Daily Cleanser
Apply Cetaphil Moisturizer (if dry)
Apply Differin

[deebubs]

Week 4: Bump on forehead have subsided. 5 more breakouts on chin area.
Skin is peeling and dry. Using Cetaphil after application of Differin.

Just additional update for Week 4. The 4 of the 5 breakouts on my chin have dried out..just have red marks. I did get 1 more next to one of the pimples that dried out. It seems the differin is pushing the gunk out of my comodones, which is all over my chin. I can see some of the comodones seem larger than normal..usually they are really small bumps only I can see. The pimples last for 4-5 days (from feeling the throbbing pain to drying out and becoming a red mark)

I am not sure if differin is helping in decreasing the lifespan of the pimples, but I do notice the size of my pimples are smaller.

I am using differin every other day right now. I walk around for exercise and seems my face is drier due to the cold air. Days I am not using Differin, I just use Cetaphil Moisturizer. I decided once my skin isn't so dry, will put the differin every day.


Morning:
Wash with Proactiv Cleanser 2.5% Bencyme
Apply Bobbi Brown SPF15 Moisturizer/Apply Cetaphil Moisturizer (Alternate)
Apply Bobbi Brown Oil-Free Foundation
Apply Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Power

Night:
Wash with Cetaphil Daily Cleanser
Apply Differin
Apply Cetaphil Moisturizer (if dry)

[deebubs]

Still week 4. That one zit I got yesterday morning is all dried up today. I also got 2 more small pimples on my chin last night (very small whiteheads) but it seems to have flatten out this morning. I still have one big one left...seems to be settling down..less red. The throbbing pain is gone so it maybe just slowly drying out. (I hope) No white head on it yet. I am hoping it will only last for 5 days, it's only the 3rd day today.

I've also notice my chin area is oozing this cream/white color gunk out of my pores...like toothpaste substance...it's probably at least 4mm long (I am serious!). I been noticing it because when I go to the bathroom I have the gunk sitting on my face (literally ON my face..not a normal white head..where you see white and thin skin over it) so I gently wipe it off. I'm not even squeezing it out or anything. Maybe it's bcos I am constantly munching and eating causing my skin to stretch out...or break. I figure Differin slowly thinning out some of the top layers of my skin...who knows.

I can't wait until week 12 to see how my face is, I am hoping this will help clear my face once and for all. Will keep posting until week 12 for anyone who is curious what it is like using Differin.

Morning:
Wash with Proactiv Cleanser 2.5% Bencyme
Apply Bobbi Brown SPF15 Moisturizer/Apply Cetaphil Moisturizer (Alternate)
Apply Bobbi Brown Oil-Free Foundation SPF15
Apply Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Power

Night:
Wash with Cetaphil Daily Cleanser
Apply Differin
Apply Cetaphil Moisturizer (if dry)

[/quote]

[JR86]

Sounds like it's starting to work, good luck.

[deebubs]

Sounds like it's starting to work, good luck.

Thanks! I feel it's working.

Anyway, update on the last day of Week 4:

The comodones (bumps) on my chin is slowly minimizing..I can see it's smoothing out. My forehead is smooth now...except the one zit right on top of my right brow (from tweezing!). Thank goodness it's small.

The one zit I have left on my chin is still there...slowly drying out. It should be flat by Monday. Other than that....I don't have any other breakouts.

I am using Cetaphil Moisturizer every other day right after differin to help with the dryness. I am trying to find a balance....to avoid additional breakouts during the 12 week of using differin.

<Sigh>

[deebubs]

5th Week:

Two of the zits I have on my face have dried out now. I currently do not have any breakouts on my face. I do skip using differin one day out of the week bcos my face feels so dry and slowly turning red.

Other than that nothing new...my face is slowly improving.

[deebubs]

5th Week:

Two of the zits I have on my face have dried out now. I currently do not have any breakouts on my face. I do skip using differin one day out of the week bcos my face feels so dry and slowly turning red.

Other than that nothing new...my face is slowly improving.

Just another update for Week 5. I got 2 tiny pimples on my chin last night...it's all dried up this morning..they are very tiny. One of my pore is ooozing out white/cream gunk..like toothpaste.

[deebubs]

It's the 6th week. I got two new zits..very tiny though, one on my left bottom cheek and one between my upper lift and my nose.
Seems to be drying up though..shouldn't last for more than 3 days. Differin is really making the size of my breakouts smaller and drying it out quicker.

[deebubs]

It's the 6th week. I got two new zits..very tiny though, one on my left bottom cheek and one between my upper lift and my nose.
Seems to be drying up though..shouldn't last for more than 3 days. Differin is really making the size of my breakouts smaller and drying it out quicker.

Still 6th week.. no new zits.. Just red marks from previous breakouts. I am at the halfway point. 12 weeks is the number of weeks to see Differin is really working.

[deebubs]

7th week!!! No breakouts this week (knock on wood).

[deebubs]

Okay, it's the 8th week now.

I got 3 small zits, 2 on my chin and one on the right side of my mouth. I am hoping it will all be dried up in 4 days.
Other than the 3 zits..no other breakouts. I am going to see the doctor next week regarding the regimine she put me on.

Overall, my face has improved. Instead of breaking out every week..I am breakout after my period and I have some blemishes on my face for a 1 week to 2 weeks max. At least I get to experience no zits for 2 weeks out of a month now.

[SMoothie614]

Okay, it's the 8th week now.

I got 3 small zits, 2 on my chin and one on the right side of my mouth. I am hoping it will all be dried up in 4 days.
Other than the 3 zits..no other breakouts. I am going to see the doctor next week regarding the regimine she put me on.

Overall, my face has improved. Instead of breaking out every week..I am breakout after my period and I have some blemishes on my face for a 1 week to 2 weeks max. At least I get to experience no zits for 2 weeks out of a month now.

Im glad things seem to be going well for you. Im on Differin as well..Im liking it so far! IM a bit newer to it, though. Are you on an antibiotic too..or just Differin?

[deebubs]

Im glad things seem to be going well for you. Im on Differin as well..Im liking it so far! IM a bit newer to it, though. Are you on an antibiotic too..or just Differin?

Hi SMoothie614...nope just taking Differin. I am really looking forward to seeing my Dr. next week. Will let her know I am now experiencing 2 weeks of clear skin but breaking out right after my monthly cycle. Dr. told me her goal is to reduce the number of weeks I breakout and when I come back she will see what type of regimine I can do or take to handle breakouts that are related to my monthly cycle.

[deebubs]

8th week is coming to a close. My 3 zits are all dried up...just red marks. I do have one right above my upper lip but has dried up overnight. I can feel one throbbing right below my bottom right lip. <OUCH> Hopefully it will be a small one. Jan 2 is the day I will see my Dr....4 more days! I am looking forward to what she has to tell me. I stuck this e regimine out for so long...didn't quit..and I do see a difference..but want to know if there is another medication, ointment that can prevent me from breaking out after my monthly cycle.

Overall, Differin has helped me and I advice anyone taking it to stick with it no matter what. Your face will breakout really bad after the 4th week...well that's what I experienced..but stick with it.

[deebubs]

Okay...I got one zit on the left side lower chin. The one on my right lower lip is slowly drying up. 3 more days until I see my doctor!!! I have been patiently waiting to see the outcome of differin. I got 4 more weeks until the 12th week hit. So far...although I have been breaking out...my breakouts had been smaller and the length of my breakouts are shorter. I am just waiting for all of it to disappear.

[deebubs]

Okay...I got one zit on the left side lower chin. The one on my right lower lip is slowly drying up. 3 more days until I see my doctor!!! I have been patiently waiting to see the outcome of differin. I got 4 more weeks until the 12th week hit. So far...although I have been breaking out...my breakouts had been smaller and the length of my breakouts are shorter. I am just waiting for all of it to disappear.

Happy New Year! No new breakouts...it's the 9th week!!!

[liveyourlife]

i'm glad differin is doing so well for you!

[deebubs]

i'm glad differin is doing so well for you!

Thanks for your support!

Anyway, I went to the Dr. today to get a follow up. She liked what she was seeing. She told me she can give me a stronger retinoid such as Retin-A or Tazorac..but if I experienced any dryness to stick to Differin. But...from her view Differin is working..just slowly.

One thing that was kinda weird was...she told me to use Differin twice a day. In my head..I'm thinking..."What!?!".. So I asked her what she meant by twice a day.. She responded...morning and night... Hmmmm.. I thought Differin was only made to be worn at night...since the chemicals don't like the light exposed by sunlight?!? Am I wrong...??? That's what I've been reading in the forums... Anyone using Differin twice a day..morning and at night???

[SMoothie614]

i'm glad differin is doing so well for you!

Thanks for your support!

Anyway, I went to the Dr. today to get a follow up. She was like what she was seeing. She told me she can give me a stronger retinoid such as Retin-A or Tazorac..but if I experienced any dryness to stick to Differin. But...from her view Differin is working..just slowly.

One thing that was kinda weird was...she told me to use Differin twice a day. In my head..I'm thinking..."What!?!".. So I asked her what she meant by twice a day.. She responded...morning and night... Hmmmm.. I thought Differin was only made to be worn at night...since the chemicals don't like the light exposed by sunlight?!? Am I wrong...??? That's what I've been reading in the forums... Anyone using Differin twice a day..morning and at night???

I haven't heard about using Differin twice a day, Im not so sure. I feel like my skin could tolerate it though. I haven't had ANY dryness issues with using Differin, and I didn't even peel after my laser procedure-- now that's impressive. What did make me peel was benzoyl peroxide-- I hate that stuff.

By the way, how long did your IB last? Where it seemed worse before it got better? And what weeks was it?

[deebubs]

I haven't heard about using Differin twice a day, Im not so sure. I feel like my skin could tolerate it though. I haven't had ANY dryness issues with using Differin, and I didn't even peel after my laser procedure-- now that's impressive. What did make me peel was benzoyl peroxide-- I hate that stuff.

By the way, how long did your IB last? Where it seemed worse before it got better? And what weeks was it?

Hi Smoothie. I am using a cleanser that contains benzoyl peroxide in the morning. That probably is why my face feels tight sometimes.

Anyway regarding IB, mine started towards the end week 3 to beginning of week 5. Week 4 I just got these whiteheads all over my chin. Some just lasted overnight while others lasted for at least 4 days. I do have a lot of close comodones (small bumps) on my chin. I have a friend who is also using differin...she experienced IB a week after I did (we started the using differin the same time)...she started experiencing bumps on her forehead...and brokeout on her cheeks..near her nose. Her IB lasted for 2 weeks.
She tends to breakout on her sides (around her face) rather than on her chin like me.