That's all differin did for me, was make me oily. Almost like it was bring out the oil but wasn't strong enough to bring the dormant zits to the surface. It didn't work for me, but then again my skin is very stubborn even to bp. Also, if spiro doesn't work for you, another good alternative is yasmin. Good luck.

I've heard so many people talking about how red and irritated Differin made their skin, but I have had absolutely NO redness, peeling or irritation. It's been completely the opposite. When I put it on at night it feels like I'm coating my face with a really oily moisturizer, and my skin is still oily feeling from it in the morning.

I'm so confused...??? I thought I was supposed to have major irritation, not the complete opposite.

JamieLynn...are you using Differin Cream or Differin Gel?

Big difference between the two, IMHO. The cream can tend to make your face greasy, while the gel tends to work a bit better. I have used both meds, alternately, for the last few years. At any rate, you can expect an "initial" breakout from either one of these meds, approximately 4-6 weeks into treatment. It will last for a couple/few weeks, then your pores will be nice and clean.

I also use Spiro (started 8 weeks ago) and I haven't noticed any depression or anything. So...I am not sure if there is a link. I have heard some women claim that Spiro messes up their hormones. I don't have that problem, so I dunno.

JamieLynn...are you using Differin Cream or Differin Gel?

 

Big difference between the two, IMHO.  The cream can tend to make your face greasy, while the gel tends to work a bit better.  I have used both meds, alternately, for the last few years.  At any rate, you can expect an "initial" breakout from either one of these meds, approximately 4-6 weeks into treatment.  It will last for a couple/few weeks, then your pores will be nice and clean. 

 

I also use Spiro (started 8 weeks ago) and I haven't noticed any depression or anything.  So...I am not sure if there is a link.  I have heard some women claim that Spiro messes up their hormones.  I don't have that problem, so I dunno.

 

 

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Yeah, I've heard there is a big difference betweeen the gel and cream versions of Differin. My question is, will the greasiness alone of the cream version cause me to break out? It doesn't seem like they would make a medication for acne that would actually clog your pores more... I'm hoping that just because it's greasy doesn't mean it's going to break me out...

Is the Differin SUPPOSED to make your skin peel? Because I have experienced practically no peeling.

Yeah, I've heard there is a big difference betweeen the gel and cream versions of Differin. My question is, will the greasiness alone of the cream version cause me to break out? It doesn't seem like they would make a medication for acne that would actually clog your pores more... I'm hoping that just because it's greasy doesn't mean it's going to break me out...

 

Is the Differin SUPPOSED to make your skin peel? Because I have experienced practically no peeling.

 

 

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I haven't had breakouts from the cream, but there are many on this board who claim that it has happened to them. If you are experiencing excessive greasiness, you may want to consider switching to the gel. Any initial dryness you experience from the gel should subside within 1-2 weeks, as your skin gets used to the meds.

And no...Differin isn't supposed to make your skin visibly "peel" but it does cause exfoliation. So it is normal to notice some flakiness. This is your skin shedding the old skin cells so that the new ones can appear. This act of exfoliating the dead skin cells prevents your pores from getting clogged in the first place, thus getting rid of your acne.

Wow! Since last week something has really been changing. I'm kind of hesitant to be optimistic, but something that I'm using is really whooping my acne's ass. I'm using so much stuff right now that I have no idea what it is though! Since this time last week I've been on 200mg of Doxy/day (100mg in the morning, 100mg at night), 100 mg of Spiro (one pill once a day) in addition to using Differin Cream at night and Spot Treating with Benzaclin in the morning. Plus, I threw out my "Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser" and have been using Burt's Bees Garden Tomato Complexion Bar and toner twice a day(sometimes 3 times) instead. Actually I think I've noticed the biggest change since I've been using the Burt's Bees. Less redness!

Just thought I would let you all know what seems to be working, in case it might help someone else! I really think there is something to be said about the man-made chemicals that are in those supposedly "gentle" face washes...

In February of this year I was on doxycycline acticlate and 150 mg of spironolactone. I have to warn you that this is the WORST medicine combo I have ever taken in my life. I had a bit of acne before I started and it was bothersome enough to make me go to the derm for the millionth time and I totally regret staying on these worthless pills for 3 and a half months. The spironolactone imbalances your hormones and I don't know why dermatologists insist to take it because it made my skin so bad. After 3 and half months of hell and an erupted face I had to take accutane because of those pills. Also, if your taking doxycycline acticlate, TAKE A PROBIOTIC. A month of taking it I had diarrhea every single day. That stuff kills your stomach. If I were you I wouldn't take those pills, HORRIBLE.

I never had an issue as far as mood when it came to Spiro, my mood was mostly attached to how my acne was at the moment. Just wait it out a little longer, spiro takes a couple months to kick in. Granted, it never did anything for me, but so many people have had success with it that it's worth sticking out and trying. The Differin will probably make things worse before they get better, so stick that out too! Also Differin worked wonders for keeping me from getting hyperpigmentation after acne has healed.

~U.S.