Can I use CeraVe SA Cleanser with Differin in winter?

Why winter makes this pairing harder

Adapalene is a retinoid, a medicine that helps prevent pimples from forming. Wind and cold can be particularly irritating during treatment. Salicylic acid and adapalene both tend to dry and irritate skin, so winter is a sensible time to simplify the routine rather than add exfoliation.45

CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser washes away dirt, oil and makeup while exfoliating and softening rough skin. Cleansing and exfoliation are separate jobs, even when one bottle has appointed itself to both. The cleanser contains ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to support the skin barrier and hydration, but the salicylic acid still matters when choosing a cleanser for a Differin routine.2

Can I use SA Cleanser in the morning instead?

Using SA Cleanser in the morning and Differin at night does not remove Differin's advice to avoid salicylic acid products. Choose a mild cleanser for both washes instead. Do not add extra washes or scrubbing to compensate for dropping the exfoliating cleanser; overcleansing can also affect your skin.16

How to use Differin in a simpler winter routine

1. 1Wash gently with a mild cleanser in the morning and at night. Do not scrub. CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser is an option designed for normal to dry skin.
2. 2At night, pat skin dry with a soft towel. Apply a thin layer of Differin Gel over the whole acne affected area, not just individual pimples. Keep it away from your eyes, nose and mouth.
3. 3Follow Differin with moisturizer. Use moisturizer daily when skin feels dry, choosing one labelled oil free, noncomedogenic or won't clog pores.
4. 4Use sunscreen as labelled when going outdoors, and limit unnecessary sun exposure. If you apply Differin in the morning instead, let the gel dry before sunscreen.

Check the cleanser formula, not just its name

Differin Daily Oil Free Hydrating Cleanser contains 5% polyhydroxy acids and is marketed for pairing with adapalene, so it is not an acid free substitute. CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser's listed formula has no salicylic acid. Check the ingredient list on your own bottle, because the name on the front is not a permanent contract with the formula inside.37

What should I expect from Differin?

Dryness, redness, scaling and burning or stinging are most likely during the first two to four weeks. Acne can initially worsen, and full benefit can take eight to twelve weeks or longer. Apply Differin only once daily as directed; extra applications will not speed results. Moisturizer helps skin tolerate acne treatment, rather than replacing the treatment itself.145

When should I stop or get help?

Stop Differin and contact your doctor if irritation becomes severe or persists. Ask about stinging, burning or irritation; your doctor can advise whether to use it less often. Do not apply adapalene to broken, sunburned or eczema affected skin until it heals. Seek immediate medical help for hives, difficulty breathing or swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.14

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding, and call if you become pregnant during treatment. If you use prescription skin treatments, discuss those and your cleansers before combining them with Differin.4