Irritated skin - differin gel

[anitae09]

I have been using the LANEIGE Water Sleeping Mask 2.3 oz/ 70 mL for a few weeks, but the last two times that, and the First Aid Beauty Hello FAB Coconut Water Cream 1.7 oz/ 50 mL have been hot and burning on my skin after applying. Only thing different lately is I recently started using differin gel for my acne. Is it possible for my skin to be so dry that moisturizer burns it at first? My skin has been extra dry from the gel so I’ve been trying to moisture first. Any help is appreciated! 

[WinglessOne]

Hi @anitae09 ! Vitamin A and its derivatives, like adapalene (which is in Differin gel), can be quite irritating during the first 1-2 months of use. How frequently—how many nights a week—do you use Differin? 

Also, what products do you use for the rest of your skincare routine? 

[anitae09]

I use The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Cleanser 5 oz then was doing SEPHORA COLLECTION Vitamin Tonic Passionfruit and then differin in the morning. I’m wondering if I just dried out my skin too much 

[WinglessOne]

@anitae09  Yes, it’s possible that your skin’s so dry and irritated that your current moisturizers burn. 

The combo of salicylic acid and adapalene might be irritating your skin, which is why it feels so dry—especially if you use Differin daily. I asked how frequently you use it because it’s best to start very slowly with vitamin A/retinoids: use it just once or twice a week for a few weeks, then ramp up to 2 or 3 times a week, and so on, until you reach a comfy-for-you frequency of use. If you start out using it too frequently, you’re bound to irritate the heck out of your skin. Also, daily use of salicylic acid, even in cleanser form, can cause over-exfoliation which leads to painful dry patches and other badness, particularly if you've just introduced something like a retinoid (adapalene) to your routine. 

Consider these tweaks to your skincare routine: 

AM:

Spoiler

Stop using Differin in the morning. Use the salicylic acid cleanser just 2-3 mornings a week, and use a gentler cleanser the other mornings of the week. There are plenty of good gentle cleansers out there, including drugstore options by CeraVe, Cetaphil, and other brands. My personal favorite AM cleanser is made by Paula’s Choice (the Resist Optimal Results Hydrating Cleanser), but sometimes I even use The INKEY List Oat Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm 5/150 as a morning cleanser. In fact, some mornings I don’t use cleanser at all: I just gently wipe my face with a wet plush microfiber cloth and then apply my usual AM skincare products. 

That toner may or may not help your skin... eh, you could try skipping it for a week and see if your skin feels better. It's not that the toner's bad, it's just that your skin might be too sensitive right now to handle its ingredients. Once your skin's adapted to Differin, you can probably reintroduce that toner to your routine. 

Do you use sunscreen in the morning (on days your skin's exposed to sunlight, regardless of weather or season)? You should, to stop UV rays from further irritating your skin. 

PM: 

Spoiler

Use a gentle cleanser instead of the salicylic acid cleanser. Can be the same one you use in the morning, or something else if you prefer. Also use Differin at night. This way, you'll alternate the times of day you use adapalene and salicylic acid. At some point after your skin's adapted to Differin, you may be able to layer those 2 ingredients at the same time of day. But not right now. 

If you really wanna use Differin in the morning instead of night, just swap all the AM stuff I mentioned (except sunscreen and water-washing your face) to PM and vice versa. 

Moisturizer and hydration tips for AM & PM:

Spoiler

Make sure your skin’s damp before you apply moisturizer. You want to seal in hydration, not dryness. 

Consider adding a humectant product before your moisturizer that can draw moisture to your skin. My favorite of those is The Ordinary Buffet Anti-Aging Serum 1 oz/ 30 mL which is loaded with hydrating ingredients. Whichever product you choose, be sure to apply it to damp skin, then apply moisturizer, and then Differin. 

Your current moisturizers might not be enough for your skin since you’ve added adapalene to your routine. Or, something in those moisturizers might be further irritating your skin. Consider switching to a simpler moisturizer for now… something as basic as CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, Vanicream Moisturizing Cream, or Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer, for instance. (I often use the last one on that list.) You can use this type of moisturizer at night instead of the Laneige or FAB moisturizers. 

If you have a dermatologist or primary care doc helping with your acne issues, consult them as well. I hope your skin feels better relatively soon!