You must have experienced breakouts when you introduced new active ingredients to your skin, such as Differin. Don’t stress; you are just going through Differin Purge. However, Purging can be difficult to deal with, and many acne-prone people experience this on a regular basis.
Moreover, It can be caused by anything, from a new skincare product to a new anti-acne or anti-aging product. Although it’s a good sign that your skin is responding to the treatment, Purging always seems like a huge setback when it occurs.
But does Differin produce purging? This new anti-acne gel has made headlines for being one of the first over-the-counter topical retinoids approved for acne treatment.
However, unlike any other anti-acne product, it works a bit differently. Many people start using every and any product that claims to be ‘anti-acne.’ Which can make your skin even worse. Hence you should never start using any product blindly.
So before using Differin, you need to do proper research, and this article is all you need. We are going to take you through all the pros and cons of using Differin and how to deal with Differin purge as well. Let’s get started
What is Differin?
Differin is an exceptionally effective drug for acne that has an active ingredient Adapalene. which is a retinoid (a vitamin A derivative) that has been used for decades in anti-acne treatments.
However, this active ingredient is used to treat acne and is also used in many anti-acne products. Moreover, It can reduce the amount and severity of acne pimples while also promoting rapid healing of pimples.
Differin belongs to the retinoids family of medicines. It acts by inhibiting cell development and lowering inflammation.
Moreover, the drug is focused on pimples growing inside the skin, your acne may seem worse during the first few weeks of treatment. This phase is known as Differin Purge this drug may take 8 to 12 weeks to show visible results.
To get the most out of this Differin, include this in your daily skincare regimen. Moreover, you need to be consistent with this product only then you’ll see a remarkable improvement.
You should not use more than the recommended amount or concentration of Differin. By doing so, your skin is not going to recover any faster, and you will be more likely to have adverse effects (such as redness, peeling, or soreness).
Other topical retinoids exist to treat acne, most notably tretinoin and tazarotene, but what makes Differin so popular is that it is available without a prescription.
However, unlike other retinoids, Differin does not require a prescription from a doctor or dermatologist. But I would still recommend you consult your dermatologist before using Differin.
Moreover, most retinoids require a prescription since they are quite powerful and can potentially harm the skin if taken too generously or improperly.
What is Purging?
If you’re not familiar with the term, purging refers to the period of time when a new skincare product causes your skin to break out. However, Purging is often induced by a skin-clearing product or products that accelerate your skin cycle. Which clears the pores and takes out any stored oil, sebum, or germs from the skin’s surface.
This might result in patches and pimples, giving you the impression that your new skincare product is a flop or is not working for you.
You might think it’s a bummer but Purging, on the other hand, isn’t always a terrible thing. Many anti-acne and anti-aging skincare products warn customers that regular usage may result in a purging phase that lasts for a few weeks.
Purging can occur with a variety of skincare products, although it is most commonly associated with retinol, acids, and other exfoliants.
Many products, when used for the first time, can cause purging breakouts some of them are:
So, Does Adapalene Cause Purging?
In a nutshell, sure. Adapalene (also known as Differin) might induce skin purging. Adapalene, as a retinoid, helps your skin turn over cells at a faster pace.
While this can assist in improving the look of acne, acne scars, wrinkles, and lines, it can also indicate that your skin is pushing out blocked pores more quickly.
This can result in a brief period of purging, which is quite normal. Purging, as previously said, is most typically connected with retinoid treatments, as well as other chemical exfoliants and acids.
However, not everyone that starts using Differin goes through purging. However, if you are going through purging, accept and embrace it. As this is a natural response of your skin to an active ingredient. Thus, Differin purging means your skin is responding to the treatment.
When Should I Expect to See Results with Differin?
Even if your skin is purging at the moment, you should observe benefits within three to four weeks of introducing Differin to your skincare regimen.
Despite the furious and inflammatory acne, you should notice cleaner pores in places that aren’t impacted by pimples and redness, as well as a natural glow at the same time.
As a consequence, if your skin appears to be improving by then, you are likely to notice visible results and should remain around for up to twelve weeks to observe them.
How to deal with Differin Purge?
The purge itself does not make the treatment worse; it is how you handle the purging that matters!
- My first recommendation would be to avoid using heavy oils or extremely drying products while going through a Differin purge.
- Oils may soften the skin and provide the impression that it is moisturized, but in reality, they will clog your pores and prolong the purging timeline.
- While excessively drying products, on the other hand, will undoubtedly be harsh on your skin’s moisture barrier, resulting in dry, itchy, irritated, and inflamed skin, making Differin a very unpleasant experience for you.
- While going through a Differin purge, you should try to avoid picking at pimples and maintain a decent skincare regimen.
- Make sure to have a balanced diet and avoid dairy products. You can opt for dairy-free options like oat milk.
The minimal skincare routine to follow when taking Differin is not very complex and includes only a few items:
- A non-clogging moisturizer
- a mild cleanser
- sunscreen!
Furthermore, Differin acts significantly faster when used with antibiotics, especially when the purge occurs, which normally occurs right after a week of use.
So, if this is a possibility for you, talk to your doctor about getting a course of antibiotics like tetracycline (minocycline, doxycycline, lymecycline), which will help deal with the new breakouts caused by a purge while also eradicating and killing the bacterial overgrowth from within.
A course of antibiotics typically lasts three weeks, which should be enough time for your skin to adjust to both medications and give you visible results.
Trust the Process!
Skincare requires patience, and you have to be consistent with your routine. I know the Differin purge can be a bummer, but it’s just like getting sick after getting a vaccination jab. Although there is no way, you can skip to the good part!
Hence, accept and embrace your skin and give your skin barrier time to heal.
