4 replies to this topic

[seattlesunshine]

I'm 27 years old and until November, had only very mild acne which I kept at bay with ProActiv plus a mild moisturizer. All of a sudden I found myself with moderate acne, enough that made me incredibly self conscious and embarassed to be seen without make up.

After a month I went to the doctor, who prescribed Clindamycin gel, an atibiotic. It seemed to improve the first two weeks, but after 8 weeks I saw no significant improvement and went back to the doc. For the past two weeks I've been on Differin (a Retinoid) and Duac (benzoyl peroxide and Clindamycin) and I'm not sure I can keep it up.
I'm don't know which product is causing it, but I look sunburned, sometimes badly. I'm constantly flaky or peely and I have little patches of eczema on my cheeks from the excessive dryness. To combat that, I use Neutrogena Sensitive skin moisturizer, which I've always used. Unfortunately, it seems to be having some reaction to the other products! I put it on and the stinging/burning/redness is almost unbearable! That makes no sense considering how mild it is.
Any suggestions? I don't want to stop using these medications if they will clear my skin (I'm desperate!) but I don't want to keep burning my skin!
Anyone experienced this? Suggestions? I appreciate the help.

[seattlesunshine]

I'm 27 years old and until November, had only very mild acne which I kept at bay with ProActiv plus a mild moisturizer. All of a sudden I found myself with moderate acne, enough that made me incredibly self conscious and embarassed to be seen without make up.

After a month I went to the doctor, who prescribed Clindamycin gel, an atibiotic. It seemed to improve the first two weeks, but after 8 weeks I saw no significant improvement and went back to the doc. For the past two weeks I've been on Differin (a Retinoid) and Duac (benzoyl peroxide and Clindamycin) and I'm not sure I can keep it up.
I'm don't know which product is causing it, but I look sunburned, sometimes badly. I'm constantly flaky or peely and I have little patches of eczema on my cheeks from the excessive dryness. To combat that, I use Neutrogena Sensitive skin moisturizer, which I've always used. Unfortunately, it seems to be having some reaction to the other products! I put it on and the stinging/burning/redness is almost unbearable! That makes no sense considering how mild it is.
Any suggestions? I don't want to stop using these medications if they will clear my skin (I'm desperate!) but I don't want to keep burning my skin!
Anyone experienced this? Suggestions? I appreciate the help.

I was on both...Duac about 13 yrs ago and Differen until about 6 motnhs ago.


Duac burned my skin just as you described...it felt like it was on fire.
Differen never bothered me.

mark

Thanks Mark. I read your story and it sounds like you're doing well! 3 times on Accutane though. Ugh. That scares me!
So do you think I should keep putting on the Differin every night but ease up on the Duac a bit? The burning and redness can't be good for me, but I want the medication to have a chance...

[keoke]

I am 43, and have been on differin/duac for six weeks. I had mild acne for YEARS, and just finally got sick of it after a flare up during the holidays made me miserable. The duac does burn, and tingle, but it works! I have not had a pimple for almost three weeks now, and I'm praying that it's permanent. Maybe you should change your moisturizer. I experimented with several. The cetaphil moisturizer without the sunscreen is the least irritating, for me. I also switched so that I am applying the differin in the morning, and the duac at night. This has made an incredible difference! The differin is not drying at all, so it is easier to apply makeup, smile, etc. The duac at night also seems more bearable, because I'm not moving my face around by talking, going outside into the harsh wind, etc.
Stick with it, it's worth it. I will keep you posted, but I'm thinking that my problem is solved (for now, at least!).

[seattlesunshine]

I am 43, and have been on differin/duac for six weeks. I had mild acne for YEARS, and just finally got sick of it after a flare up during the holidays made me miserable. The duac does burn, and tingle, but it works! I have not had a pimple for almost three weeks now, and I'm praying that it's permanent. Maybe you should change your moisturizer. I experimented with several. The cetaphil moisturizer without the sunscreen is the least irritating, for me. I also switched so that I am applying the differin in the morning, and the duac at night. This has made an incredible difference! The differin is not drying at all, so it is easier to apply makeup, smile, etc. The duac at night also seems more bearable, because I'm not moving my face around by talking, going outside into the harsh wind, etc.
Stick with it, it's worth it. I will keep you posted, but I'm thinking that my problem is solved (for now, at least!).

Thank you for the advice! That sounds like a plan. I will switch the Duac to night time. I think I'm just overly sensitive to the benzoyl peroxide, so maybe I 'll have to experiment with using the duac as a spot treatment only when my face is looking especially fried.

So happy to hear it's working for you! That gives me hope!

One more question. Along with the burning and dryness, I'm seeing wrinkles around my eyes, particularly crows feet. I'm hoping those will disappear as my skin balances and gets more moisture. Is that the case or are these wrinkles permanent? I'm too young for wrinkles!

[keoke]

The wrinkles are temporary. Your skin is overly dry, from the duac. You are probably getting some under your eyes. Even if you try to avoid this area, if you moisturize under your eyes, the lotion is probably picking up some of the duac.
I put my under-eye lotion on as soon as I wash my face. I wait 15 minutes, then apply the duac. I wait 15 minutes more, then apply moisturizer to my whole face. When I hit the under eye area, I try to apply it by spreading it down, so the moisturizer goes down over the duac and not vice versa. Now, you see why I like doing this at night when I have plenty of time!!!