26 replies to this topic

[Estranged]

Hi everyone, I've been on differin for about 7-8 months now and it's working great on my skin. Only downside is that it makes my face a little red, and it gets a little worse when I go out in the sun. This really annoys me. Would it be okay for me to use differin every other night instead of every night? Will it make me break out if I do? :/

[Vabgom]

I think it should be fine since you are probably well past the adjustment period by now I read on the internet (nothing scientific, just an Q and A on some beauty website) that once your skin adjusts you can cut down and it will be just as effective. The article I read was about anti-aging, though.

When I used differin I eventually decided to cut down, also. When I went from using it every night to every other night, I noticed a couple of very small pimples at first, but beyond that it was just as effective.

[Estranged]

I'm just scared of a breakout, my face has been doing so good

[Vabgom]

Well it's up to you! Everyone's skin is different, but I can tell you that in my experience, the one or two pimples tiny that I experienced after cutting down were worth the convenience of only applying every other night. They were gone quickly and they could have been purely coincidence, anyway. I think my acne is moderate, by the way. I don't know if that helps at all.

[Estranged]

Did it reduce redness for you? I also was just using cetaphil gentle cleanser morning and night with differin every night too, I wasn't moisturising or anything, last week I started using dove essentials protective day lotion, but the week before that i used qv moisturising cream and I have suspicions it broke me out.. :/

[Vabgom]

Yes, I feel like it helped with redness a little although it had not been making my face that red to begin with. :/ Since you mentioned you're experimenting with moisturizers, you could always try a moisturizer that's meant to reduce redness and that way you wouldn't have to cut down on differin if you're not comfortable with that?

Haha I am definitely not an expert on this but I understand the stress of trying to figure out how you should change up your skincare routine so I'm just trying to throw down possibilities.

[Estranged]

Nah I just spent quite a bit of money on this moisturiser, bought like 3 others before that within a week and they were greasy, wasted about $70 :/

[Vabgom]

Awe I'm sorry, that's a bummer. Unfortunately I don't have anything else to offer besides personal experience. But good luck!

[Estranged]

Thanks a lot

[Michelle Reece]

Hi everyone, I've been on differin for about 7-8 months now and it's working great on my skin. Only downside is that it makes my face a little red, and it gets a little worse when I go out in the sun. This really annoys me. Would it be okay for me to use differin every other night instead of every night? Will it make me break out if I do? :/

Yes, you'll be fine if you apply every other night. Dermatologists often recommend doing this if you're still a bit sensitive to retinoids, which sounds like you are. Don't forget to apply sunscreen while you're at it!

[Estranged]

I won't! My moisturiser has SPF 15. I'm just a little scared of a breakout

Edited by Estranged, 26 November 2012 - 03:37 AM.

[Estranged]

Still compensating on whether or not I should switch to every other night, still too scared of a breakout :/ My face isn't really staying AS clear anymore, I've gotten a small amount of pimples over the past few weeks and I'm worried differin is going to stop working :/

[Michelle Reece]

I won't! My moisturiser has SPF 15. I'm just a little scared of a breakout

SPF 15 is too low, especially if you're fair-skinned or are prone to skin discolorations like melasma! Dermatologist often recommend using SPF 30 or higher, not only for better protection but also people tend to apply much less than what they should. Look for an SPF 50 sunscreen, preferably with physical protection like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

[Estranged]

I won't! My moisturiser has SPF 15. I'm just a little scared of a breakout

SPF 15 is too low, especially if you're fair-skinned or are prone to skin discolorations like melasma! Dermatologist often recommend using SPF 30 or higher, not only for better protection but also people tend to apply much less than what they should. Look for an SPF 50 sunscreen, preferably with physical protection like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

Yeah this comes into what I need in a non oily moisturiser. Why does it have to be so hard to find one :/ I need some recommendations from people for a non oily-looking, spf 30 moisturiser that doesn't break people out. I also still don't know whether to switch to differin every other night?

[Michelle Reece]

I won't! My moisturiser has SPF 15. I'm just a little scared of a breakout

SPF 15 is too low, especially if you're fair-skinned or are prone to skin discolorations like melasma! Dermatologist often recommend using SPF 30 or higher, not only for better protection but also people tend to apply much less than what they should. Look for an SPF 50 sunscreen, preferably with physical protection like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

Yeah this comes into what I need in a non oily moisturiser. Why does it have to be so hard to find one :/ I need some recommendations from people for a non oily-looking, spf 30 moisturiser that doesn't break people out. I also still don't know whether to switch to differin every other night?

Search engines aren't always helpful when looking for the best products and it kind of depends where on the Internet or the stores you look.

The Skinceuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50 is a really nice physical sunscreen, albeit a little pricey. A budget-friendlier option is the Equate Clear Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Cream SPF 50, although the formula is thicker than the Skinceuticals one.

There are a few chemical sunscreens more suited to oilier skin types, namely Cetaphil DermaControl Oil Control Moisturizer with Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30. Another good one is La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid Extreme with higher SPF (and yes it is pricey though I wish it wasn't!)

If you use differin every other night; there really wouldn't be any decrease in effectiveness from just one night. Some people can't tolerate retinoids in every night and if you can't, then it's okay! But if you're still a bit frightened, go back to your derm and put your mind at ease.

If you have any more questions, feel free to PM me.

Edit: If you are light-skinned, you could easily use a physical sunscreen without fear of a white, ghostly cast. If you are darker-skinned, you can opt for a chemical sunscreen!

Edited by Michelle Reece, 04 December 2012 - 03:33 PM.

[Estranged]

How about Dove essential nutrients protective moisturising lotion with spf 30? And what's YOUR opinion on me switching to differin every other night?

Edited by Estranged, 04 December 2012 - 12:08 AM.

[Michelle Reece]

Is the Dove one discontinued? I've seen it on Amazon but it's from a third party, and sometimes those sites sell discontinued products. I can't find the ingredients label on that one, but from what Dove normally sells their products are generally for normal-to-dry skin types. It may be a bit too heavy if you're oilier than anything.

Yes, in my opinion using Differin every other night won't cause a breakout, also for reasons I've stated before. You'll be fine with every other night!

[Estranged]

Yeah I thought it was too, until I found it at a chemist here in Australia. I can post a photo of the ingredients?

[Michelle Reece]

Yeah I thought it was too, until I found it at a chemist here in Australia. I can post a photo of the ingredients?

Sure, I'd like to see it. I'm curious about the ingredients and if it does in fact have heavier occlusive agents. Dove products typically do!

[Estranged]

Here.

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