Retinoids and Benzoyl Peroxide: How to Use Together

Update date: 01/21/2021 13:43:16 6743 Share:

Author: Maria Feldshtein

*Review of the best according to the editors of simplerule.ru. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective in nature, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

Differin and Baziron AS are two modern drugs used to treat acne. They are assigned together, so it is not entirely correct to compare them with each other. According to the international Consensus (Global Alliance) on the treatment of acne (Paris, 2002), drugs for the treatment of acne should affect the maximum possible number of pathogenesis links. The combined use of Differin and Baziron AS increases the effectiveness of therapy and helps to cope with the disease in more than 80% of cases.

The drugs are sold in pharmacies without a prescription.

Indications for use

For the drugs Differin and Baziron AS, the instructions state one indication - acne. This term refers to a chronic disease in which the sebaceous glands become clogged. If a plug forms in them, favorable conditions are created for the development of bacteria. This is how inflammation occurs and acne appears - on the face, neck, chest or back. To treat this condition, creams and gels are used to relieve inflammation and cleanse the skin.

Differin and Baziron AS are prescribed together.

Differin:

1. The main drug in the treatment of acne.
2. Affects the cause of acne development.
3. Prevents the emergence of new elements.
4. Affects both inflammatory and non-inflammatory elements (“black dots”).
5. Included in international acne treatment standards.

The effectiveness of Differin monotherapy in clinical trials is 58-73% for non-inflammatory and 52-65% for inflammatory elements.

Baziron AS:

1. Used as an emergency treatment for acne. Quickly cleanses the skin of inflammatory elements. After 7 days of therapy, 94% of microorganisms die.
2. It is not an antibacterial drug and is not addictive.
3. Baziron AS is used as monotherapy only for mild forms of acne. Its efficiency is 67.5%

.

The combined use of Differin and Baziron AS is up to 80% effective after 12 weeks (after the full course).

Differin and its analogues

Klenzit

The drug for acne is a substitute for Differin, as it contains the same active substance - adapalene. The therapeutic effect and the scheme of action have much in common.

But Clenzit is produced in India, so it is cheaper than French Differin. The difference lies in the release form: the Indian-made product is developed only in the form of a gel. In addition, there is a difference in the composition of the auxiliary components, the method of their preparation, and the presence of impurities.

It is impossible to determine right away what will help a particular patient better: Clenzit or Differin. Treatment results will vary for each person. We can only recommend starting therapy with a cheaper generic, and if it does not help, then switching to Differin.

Skinoren

When choosing Differin or Skinoren, one must take into account that the latter drug has a slightly different effect due to the presence of azelaic acid in it. it is used to eliminate hyperpigmented areas of the skin, as well as to treat acne. But in the latter case it has a less strong effect. Therefore, it must be used taking into account the severity of the defect.

Skinoren is used not only as the main remedy for acne, but also as a medication that supports the therapeutic effect. Thanks to its whitening properties, use after Differin helps get rid of pigmented post-acne marks.

Combined treatment regimens with Baziron

Due to their different therapeutic effects, drugs are often used in combination treatment regimens. In this case, there is no need to compare and choose which will help better: Differin, Baziron or Clenzit.

For example, a very good effect can be achieved if Klenzit is applied to the skin in the evening, and Baziron is used in the morning. In this way, foci of inflammation are suppressed, the skin dries out, and infection is eliminated. In addition, when constantly changing medications, the skin responds better to the effect they produce.

Alas, no cream or gel - Baziron, Differin or Klenzit - will help in the treatment of acne if the cause of the defect is incorrectly determined. Therefore, despite the availability of medicines and their free sale, it is not recommended to use drugs on your own. It is possible that the rash on the face is only one of the manifestations of internal illness. Before buying this or that cream, it is better to first be examined and only then make a choice between drugs.

How do drugs work?

The goal of treatment is to suppress the development of the inflammatory process, cleanse the skin and prevent relapse.

Differin

Adapalene is a metabolite of a retinoid (vitamin A). Previously, synthetic analogues of vitamin A were used to treat acne, which reduced sebum production, prevented the development of inflammation and accelerated skin regeneration. Today, adapolene has replaced the old drugs. It binds to the receptors of epidermal skin cells, reduces their “adhesion” at the mouth of the hair follicles and prevents them from clogging - that is, it eliminates the conditions for the development of the inflammatory process.

Effects of adapolene:

1. Comedolytic effect – prevents the formation of new comedones.
2. Keratolytic effect – eliminates areas of excess keratinization of the skin.
3. Anti-inflammatory effect - inhibits the migration of leukocytes at the site of inflammation and suppresses the cycle of arachidonic acid synthesis.
4. Adapolene is almost not absorbed through the skin - its absorption is very low. Only 4% of the total drug used passes through the skin barrier. The drug is excreted in the bile.

Baziron AS

Benzoyl peroxide is an antimicrobial agent for external use. Not an antibiotic! Active against gram-positive bacteria: Propionibacterium, Staphylococcus epidermidis - those that lead to acne.

Effects of Baziron AC:

1. accelerates tissue renewal;
2. prevents the formation of comedones;
3. eliminates dead areas;
4. improves oxygen flow to the skin;
5. reduces the formation of sebaceous gland secretions;
6. moisturizes the skin.

When used externally, it is practically not absorbed. A small amount of the drug passes through the skin and is excreted by the kidneys.

Description of Differin

Differin is available in two dosage forms - cream and gel. This is a drug for the treatment of acne. It has keratolytic, anti-inflammatory, comedolytic, sebostatic effects. The active ingredient is adapalene. Manufacturer: Laboratoires Galderma in France. Available in pharmacies without a prescription.

Adapalene is a retinoid metabolite with anti-inflammatory and comedolytic properties. The action of the substance is based on interaction with receptors of epidermal cells. Under the influence of adapalene, the prerequisites for the appearance of microcomedones are reduced. The substance acts on inflammatory factors by metabolizing arachidonic acid and inhibiting leukocytes.

Absorption of the local product is very low - up to 5%. It is excreted from the body with bile.

Research and effectiveness

Differin is a highly effective basic treatment for acne. To obtain the desired effect, it is recommended to use it for 4-6 months.

Randomized studies show that Differin reduces the number of inflammatory and non-inflammatory elements of the rash. For lasting results, maintenance therapy is required for 3 months.

The effectiveness of the drug largely depends on the particle size of the active substance. In Differin, this figure is 3-10 μm, which ensures delivery of the product to the sebaceous hair follicle. Distribution of adapalene occurs within 5 minutes after application.

Sources:

1. External acne therapy: medical choice. Pharmateka. Belousova T.A. 2012.
2. Read more about the drug Differin cream. Medi.ru. Details about medications. From March 1, 2012.

Contraindications

A strict contraindication to the use of cream and gel would be hypersensitivity to the composition, namely an allergy to retinoids, retinoic acid analogues and auxiliary components in the composition of the product.

It is not recommended to combine Differin with cosmetics that dry out the skin. Relative contraindications that require consultation with a doctor include skin tumors, eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, and burns. For children, during pregnancy and lactation, it is also not recommended.

Side effects

The gel and cream are well tolerated. Of the rare side effects, the most likely will be skin irritation, especially when exposed to sunlight.

Very rare unwanted symptoms include:

1. dry skin;
2. peeling;
3. burning;
4. itching;
5. hypo- and hyperpigmentation;
6. worsening of the rash;
7. allergic conjunctivitis;
8. increased likelihood of sunburn;
9. contact dermatitis.

Dosage

The product can be applied to the entire face and spot-on, directly on acne. For mild acne, using only this drug is sufficient. For severe acne, Differin is used in combination with other agents.

Before use, you need to wash your face. Differin is applied 1-2 times a day, without rubbing into the skin. The course of treatment is from 3 months. The maximum effect is observed from the first month of use. The gel is best used for oily skin types, but not for dry skin types.

Low absorption of the drug almost completely eliminates the possibility of overdose. With prolonged uncontrolled use, increased adverse reactions may occur. An overdose in this case may resemble hypervitaminosis A. A doctor's help is needed.

Who is it suitable for?

Differin is used for mild, moderate and severe acne. Can be used as a single drug and in combination with other drugs, such as antibiotics, antiandrogens.

Assessing the effectiveness of drugs

According to modern methods, external preparations are used to treat acne, affecting several stages of pathogenesis at once. That is why the treatment regimen includes two drugs at once - Differin and Baziron AS. Together, these drugs suppress the development of inflammation and destroy pathogenic microorganisms, reduce the formation of sebum and prevent relapse. When completing the full course of therapy, its effectiveness is 80%. Up to 60% of inflammatory and non-inflammatory elements disappear within 12 months.

When do you need retinol and benzoyl peroxide?

Retinoids and benzoyl peroxide are the ingredients of choice in the treatment of inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne . The Global Alliance of Dermatologists has developed treatment regimens recommended for acne professionals.

Zero and initial stages of acne (comedones, then single rashes) - the 1st line drug is retinol and derivatives.

Medium and severe stages with papulopustular rashes (up to 40 pustular elements), increased oily skin and comedones.

Recommendations

1st line drugs (the most effective therapy, recommended first) are a combination of two substances: retinoids + benzoyl peroxide (2.5 - 5%).

If there is insufficient effectiveness, 2nd line drugs are the addition of systemic therapy (antibiotic or antiandrogen) to topical therapy. Only a practicing doctor!

Summary : severe and moderate forms of acne require joint prescription of drugs from the group of retinoids + benzoyl peroxide.

Application diagram

Differin should be carefully and thinly applied to acne-affected skin once a day in the evening. Do not rub the drug in. One pea of ​​cream is enough to apply to the skin.

Baziron AS is applied pointwise to each inflammatory element 1-2 times a day.

The duration of therapy is at least 12 weeks.

How does Zinerit work?

Erythromycin is an antibiotic that fights a huge number of microorganisms that can cause acne. Zinc reduces the production of skin secretions and has an anti-inflammatory, astringent, and antiseptic effect. Both substances work by providing a synergistic effect, that is, they enhance each other.

It is necessary to prepare a two-component solution, which is applied to the skin with an applicator. Before each use, prepare a new solution.

• Apply to cleansed skin twice a day: in the morning and before bed, no need to rinse off. You can apply makeup over the drug.
• A noticeable effect is visible after 2 weeks, the course of treatment lasts 1.5-2 months (caution: long-term use of antibiotics!).
• "Zinerit" contains an alcohol component and can dry out the skin.

Prices, dosage, consumption of the drug

“Zinerit” is available in powder form, accompanied by a colorless solvent for preparing the solution. The volume of medicinal lotion is 30 ml.

The price for “Zinerit” varies from 500 to 900 rubles per package.

The manufacturer calculates the consumption of the product for 5 weeks, but for extensive lesions the drug is enough for 3 weeks.

Zenerit, Differin or Baziron?

To make a choice, it would be nice to know what causes the formation of pimples, comedones and blackheads. To do this, it is recommended to visit a cosmetologist-dermatologist and undergo the appropriate tests.

If acne is caused by excessive bacterial growth on the skin, then “Baziron” and “Zinerit” are suitable for treatment.
In general, doctors advocate the very careful use of antibiotics in treatment, because they can cause resistance and insensitivity of microbes to drugs. In the future, this may result in the inability to cope with pathogenic microflora in general. Therefore, it is better to use “Zinerit” only according to indications. If the main reason is disruption of metabolic processes in the skin and excessive secretion of keratin, then Differin will help.