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Differin gel carries the day as the only over-the-counter retinoid acne treatment available in the market today. This gel contains .1 percent adapalene that helps clear acne by preventing the growth of acne-causing cells and decreasing inflammation and swelling.
Approved by FDA in 2016 for over-the-counter use, Differin gel helps clear breakouts deep in the pores and prevent acne before it starts. This gel is highly recommended for treating mild and moderate acne. Before applying this gel to your face, you must first cleanse it using a mild, non-drying, and non-irritating cleanser.
Washing your face with a cleanser helps get rid of all the makeup dirt, excess oils, and debris hence creating a clean surface for the gel to penetrate and heal your skin faster. But what is the best cleanser to use with Differin Gel? Read on to find out.
Best Cleansers to Use with Differin Gel
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser is a gentle face washing product that helps remove excess oils and makeup dirt. This cleanser contains useful ingredients such as ceramides, Niacinamide, and Hyaluronic acid, which help keep the skin hydrated and maintain the pH balance.
To use this product, wet your face using lukewarm water and massage it gently into your skin before rinsing it off. CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser works best with normal and oily skin types.
If you suffer from dry or highly sensitive skin, Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is the face wash product to go for. This cleanser contains useful ingredients such as Vitamin B3 and B5 that help keep the skin nourished and healthy.
Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser is formulated with Micellar technology that helps gently remove dirt and other impurities while keeping the skin hydrated.
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
CeraVe hydrating facial cleanser is best known for helping the skin lock in moisture. In addition to removing dirt, excess oils, and other debris from your skin, this cleanser will help maintain your skin’s natural protective barrier.
CeraVe hydrating cleanser works best with normal to dry skin types. It is non-comedogenic and contains three essential ceramides that help lock in your skin’s moisture and restore its natural barrier.
Kama Ayurveda Sensitive Skin Cleansing Foam
If you are a lover of herbal products, this is your go-to facial cleanser. Kama Ayurveda Facial Cleanser works best for sensitive skin. It’s 100% natural, paraben fragrance-free, and anti-inflammatory. In addition to getting rid of dirt and other debris from your face, this cleanser also helps in hydrating it.
Eucerin Gentle Hydrating Cleanser
Eucerin Gentle Hydrating Cleanser helps get rid of dirt and dead skin from dry and overly sensitive skins. One advantage of this cleanser is that it doesn’t leave any soapy residue on your skin when rinsed properly. Besides cleansing your face, Eucerin gentle facial cleanser will help hydrate it, leaving it refreshed and glowing.
How to Use Differin Gel with a Cleanser
Now that you have an idea of some of the best cleansers to use with Differin gel, it’s important we take a look at how to actually use this gel with your preferred cleanser.
Step 1; Wash Your Face with a Cleanser
The first requirement in using Differin gel is to wash your face with a cleanser to help get rid of all the makeup dirt, debris, dead skin, and excessive oils. This will help open the pores enabling the Differin gel to penetrate deep into where acne begins and stop its outbreak.
The cleanser you use on your face should be non-irritating, paraben and fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and greasy-free, as discussed above. Using a harsh comedogenic cleanser on your face is harmful as it blocks the pores leading to the increased outbreak of acne.
To use a cleanser on your face, first wet it using lukewarm water before applying the product of your choice. From here, you can gently rub the cleanser onto your skin to get rid of all the dirt before rinsing thoroughly with clean luck warm water. Lastly, pat dry using a soft clean towel.
Step 2; Apply the Gel
The next thing to do after cleansing your face is to apply the Differin gel. This is the most important step when using Differin gel to treat acne. For best results, you must ensure to use this gel consistently. To avoid forgetting to use it, you can incorporate this gel into your everyday skincare routine.
Always ensure to apply the same amount of Differin gel once every single day at a stipulated time. If you, for instance, choose to use the gel at night, ensure to apply it every single night at the same time for the given number of days without fail.
The right amount of Differin to use in treating acne is neither too much nor too little. A thin layer of this gel, when applied to a clean, dry skin area, will help fight acne breakout. Ensure to apply it all over your face instead of applying it on individual spots. Getting it all over your face will help fight future acne breakouts.
Also, do not wash it off after application. Instead, give it time to absorb deep into your skin and treat acne before it begins. If you notice your skin getting dryer, irritated, swollen, and itchy after application, apply a mild moisturizer to help hydrate it and ease irritation. The moisturizer you opt for should be gluten and paraben-free and non-comedogenic to avoid clogging your pores or irritating the skin.
Precautions to Follow In Using Differin Gel
Although Differin gel is sold without a prescription and is readily available over the counter, it is a harmful product and should never get into contact with your eyes or open wounds on your body. To get the best results from this product, ensure to use it as recommended by the manufacturer and avoid using too much of it.
Also, be consistent on its usage and stick to the given time. It may take over 12 weeks of usage before you can start noticing any improvements in your condition. Kindly be patient and use this product as directed.
During the first weeks of usage, you are likely to experience an upsurge of acne breakout, don’t freak out as this is normal, and it will slow down as your body gets used to the treatment. Stay away from this gel if you are expectant and allergic to adapalene. Don’t hesitate to consult your doctor if you notice any unusual reaction or occurrence as you use this product.
