Differin Gel should not be used in conjunction with products containing alpha hydroxy, salicylic or glycolic acids, which may worsen irritation.
Q. Can I mix adapalene with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid? Do not use adapalene at the same time as products containing alpha hydroxy acids (i.e. glycolic acid or lactic acid), benzoyl peroxide, or salicylic acid. This combo can be extra irritating, so you'll have to make a choice.
“To compensate for being overly dry, skin will ramp up oil production, which can create a vicious cycle of dryness and acne,” says Sikora. The fix: Use salicylic in the morning and your retinoid at night.
But overall, stick to using water-based products and serums together. AHAs and BHAs, such as glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids should never be used with Vitamin C. Vitamin C is an acid, too, and is unstable, so the pH balance will be thrown off by layering these ingredients together and might as well be useless.
Adapalene and benzoyl peroxide combination is used to treat acne. It works by killing the bacteria that cause acne and by keeping the skin pores clean (tiny openings on the skin). This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Differin Gel should not be used in conjunction with products containing alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or salicylic acids, which may make irritation worse. Irritation may occur if you use more than one topical acne product at a time.
Don't use with: Although salicylic acid can be combined with other exfoliating ingredients, Mudgil says that in order to avoid irritation, it's best to stick to only one exfoliant at a time.
Niacinamide & Salicylic Acid
Niacinamide, a water-soluble form of vitamin B3, and salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid, work particularly well when combined together. Both have anti-aging and anti-acne effects and offer some level of UV protection.
Salicylic acid may be used morning and night. Because it's so gentle, it may also be applied as a midday spot treatment.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU USE A SALICYLIC ACID? While the frequency of application will vary from product to product, most will recommend use twice daily.
Can niacinamide and salicylic acid be used together? The simple answer is yes. They complement each other well. Being oil soluble, salicylic acid can penetrate deeper into the skin layers, but it can also dehydrate and irritate skin.
Using both benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid together can help increase their effectiveness. Many OTC products contain both benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. You could even use a cleanser containing salicylic acid, for example, followed by a benzoyl peroxide lotion.
Adapalene and clindamycin have been reported to have a better effect in acne treatment when used together. This new formulation is also easier to use as it combines two products into a single gel and only needs to be used once a day.
So if you're currently battling a bad breakout and have already applied some of your trusty benzoyl peroxide, it's best to hold off starting your Differin treatment. Other products to avoid would be chemical exfoliants or drying agents like toners. After all, Differin is a retinoid that increases cell turnover.
Studies have also shown that niacinamide reduces the irritation of retinoids, (7) so it's a good companion to have should you decide to try differin.
What goes first salicylic acid or niacinamide? It is considered the best idea to apply niacinamide before salicylic acid. This is because the humectant traits of niacinamide ensure the natural skin barrier contains the correct levels of water.
"If salicylic acid is an ingredient in your cleanser, it is fine to use it every day." However, if you are using an exfoliant that salicylic acid in the formula, Dr. Hu advises only using the product three times per week, to avoid over-exfoliating the skin and drying it out.
By using a salicylic acid enriched wash after cleansing the skin of any remaining makeup, you are helping to rid the skin of any dead skin cell build-up allowing any nourishing products applied afterwards to absorb quicker into the lower layers of the skin and show results quicker.
“AHAs and BHAs can certainly be combined. For example, for oily skin, a salicylic-based cleanser can be used followed by a glycolic acid toner. Generally, a glycolic acid is great for dry, dehydrated or combination skin, whereas salicylic acid would be perfect for oily/spot-prone/acne skin.
The best time to apply toner is right after cleansing your skin. You don't need to wash toner off after applying it to your skin. Toner with salicylic acid is one of the best ways to fight acne. Toner can be drying, so start by applying it a few times a week to see how your skin reacts.
Salicylic acid works best when applied to your entire face (avoid eyes, lips, and mouth) because it removes dead skin cells from your pores and cleans out excess oil from pores. This helps prevent future breakouts. Only use a pea sized amount or less for your entire face. Too much can cause irritation.
Yes, you can, but ensuring you apply them in the correct way. When using salicylic acid and retinol together you will find they are both great at combating any skin concerns that include breakouts or blemishes.
Generally, it is not recommended to use a Salicylic Acid cleanser or leave-on exfoliant with Retinol since it can lead to dry skin, leading to other irritation. However, for people with oily acne-prone skin or oily mature skin, the combination can be beneficial.
Just like in the morning, "a pea-sized amount of Differin should be first on cleansed skin and then layer creamier formulations on top," says MacGregor. Be sure to apply Differin all over your face rather than as a spot-treatment to defend against future breakouts.