The drug "Differin" is an excellent tool to eliminate acne and other annoying skin defects. It is actively used in their practice by the most famous cosmetologists. But this medicine has a side effect - in the first days of use, it can cause peeling and redness of the skin. This is a natural and transient process, but it quickly repels some patients. Of course, they are trying to find a remedy with a similar therapeutic effect and less pronounced side effects. But is it worth it and what drugs can replace the proven Differin? You can find reviews, analogues and other information about this tool from this article.
general characteristics
The drug "Differin" is a drug designed to combat acne. By its chemical structure, it can be attributed to retinoids, and by pharmacological qualities - to dermatoprotectors. This medication normalizes the metabolism in the skin, nourishes and protects it from the negative effects of the environment. The drug "Differin", analogues of which will be considered in this article, has the ability to control the rate of occurrence of epithelial cells, as well as the process of keratinization and transformation into scales. In addition, it prevents the formation of hyperkeratosis (excess stratum corneum). Thus, this tool has an exceptional therapeutic and cosmetic effect. The medicine “Differin” (gel or cream) can be used as monotherapy against acne. It is also suitable for the treatment of acne in combination with other drugs.
Release form
The drug "Differin" on the modern market is available in two dosage forms - gel and cream, having an identical concentration of the main active ingredient - 0.1%. They are sold in 30 gram plastic tubes. The medicine is produced by the French pharmaceutical company Laboratoires GALDERMA, which is focused on the development and production of cosmetics with a healing effect. Differin Lotion is also available in the United States and Europe, the properties and active substance of which are identical to other products under this name.
The composition of the gel "Differin"
The main active substance of the drug "Differin", the analogues of which will be listed below, is adaptal. In addition, as auxiliary components in the gel are usually added:
- propylene glycol;
- carbomer 980;
- sodium hydrochloride ;
- sodium edetate;
- poloxamer 182;
- phenoxyethanol;
- methyl parahydroxybenzoate;
- distilled water.
The composition of the cream "Differin"
The medicine “Differin” (cream) contains a wide range of additional substances that give this dosage form the ability to moisturize and nourish the skin, due to which this product dries the skin much less than gel. In addition to adapalen, it includes the following components:
- polyethylene glycol-20;
- carbomer 934;
- glycerol;
- methyl parahydroxybenzoate;
- natural perhydrosqualene;
- sodium edetate;
- propyl parahydroxybenzoate;
- phenoxyethanol;
- methyl glucose sesquistearate;
- 10% caustic soda solution;
- distilled water;
- cyclomethicone.
Therapeutic properties
The therapeutic effect of the drug "Differin" (cream and gel) is due to the properties of adapalene. This substance belongs to the last generation retinoids. It is a synthetic vitamin A in active form. The main therapeutic property of Differin is the reduction in the number of skin rashes - comedones (black spots), acne, acne. It is able to reduce the number of rashes and prevent the appearance of new ones due to the healing effect of adapalene on the body: sebostatic, comedonolytic, anti-comedone, anti-inflammatory.
The sebostatic effect of this agent is to reduce the production of sebum. Due to this, the epidermal fat content is significantly reduced, the pores become much freer, and normal microcirculation is restored in the skin.
The anti-comedone and comedonolytic effects of the drug are interconnected and are due to the influence of the same mechanism. Adapalene has the ability to dissolve fatty plugs that clog pores, and also reduces the rate of formation of horny skin flakes. This makes the preparation "Differin" from black dots very effective.
The anti-inflammatory effect of the agent described by us is associated with the ability to adaptably level the activity of enzymes that cause this process.
Thus, the use of the drug "Differin" can significantly improve the appearance of the skin. However, the price of this drug is quite high, so some patients are trying to find a worthy replacement for it. As mentioned above, this product is produced by a French cosmetic company. Perhaps in Russia they produce cheaper, but no less high-quality drugs? Let's look at this issue in detail.
Analogs and synonyms
It is well known that synonyms of a drug are drugs that contain the same active substance. But analogues are medicines with similar therapeutic properties, but with different active components. The drug we are describing has both.
Differin (gel) has the following synonyms:
- “Adapalen”;
- "Klenzit";
- "Adolen."
A synonymous drug for another form of drug release is Adacline Cream.
Of course, drugs with a similar therapeutic effect are also available on the modern pharmaceutical market. Especially a lot of medicines, reminiscent of the effect on the body of "Differin" (cream). The following drugs have similar properties:
- ointment "Videstim";
- ointment "Radevit";
- retinoic ointment.
Each of these tools has its own advantages. Usually owners of dry skin use oily creams and ointments, because it needs constant hydration. However, patients with oily epidermis most often suffer from various rashes. They are most preferably used for the treatment of skin "Differin" gel. A similar effect on the body is exerted by the funds listed below:
- gel "Isotrexin";
- Retasol solution.
- Effezel gel.
In addition, there are drugs that, strictly speaking, cannot be attributed either to synonyms or to analogues of Differin. However, they are also designed to combat acne and are effectively used both in monotherapy and in combination with other drugs. Such are, for example, Baziron and Skinoren. Which of these remedies is better? Everyone should answer this question for himself, because the body of any person is individual. Let us dwell on the description of some tools in more detail.
Klenzit or Differin?
These drugs are synonymous, that is, both contain adapalene. However, the original “Differin” product is produced in France, and the generic “Klensit” is produced in India. Therefore, these medicines have varying degrees of effectiveness. The analogue of "Differin" in some patients causes rave reviews, while it does not help others at all. After all, generics are funds in which there are the same active substances as in the original medicines, but here the technology for their manufacture can be very diverse. In addition, the purity of the chemical compound in the original preparation and analogue may also vary. Therefore, if you wish, you can try the cheaper Klenzit, but if its application seems ineffective, it is better to switch to Differin.
Skinoren or Differin?
Skinoren, like Differin, is available in two dosage forms - gel and cream. By and large, it is ineffective. This analog of Differin deserves attention because it is often used for maintenance therapy after treatment with other drugs. For example, after a course of treatment with Differin for three months, experts recommend switching to a weaker Skinoren, which should be used several times a week for preventive purposes. In this case, patients can find, so to speak, a marble complexion, since the medication has a whitening property. In addition to this effect, this remedy has practically no side effects.
Baziron or Differin?
In fact, Baziron is not an analogue of Differin, because these drugs have different mechanisms of action. Even their therapeutic effect is somewhat different. Cream "Baziron" fights against external manifestations - relieves inflammation, eliminates bacteria and thereby reduces the number of comedones and acne. Differin also helps with black spots, but it fights the causes of acne: it reduces the production of sebum, frees pores from it, reduces the number of dead skin, improves breathing and microcirculation, preventing the growth of microbes that cause inflammation in it. Both medicines can provoke irritation, however, a similar effect is still more pronounced in Baziron.
Thus, an effective and safe "Differin" is the most suitable option. However, often these two drugs are used together. Beauticians recommend applying Baziron cream on the skin in the morning and using Differin in the evenings. The effectiveness of this combination is very high, but when used, there is a risk of excessive drying of the skin and even burns. Therefore, in the presence of severe inflammation, it is better to use Baziron, and then switch to Differin.
Magic "Radevit"
The drug "Radevit" is a worthy analogue of "Differin" in Russia. It can be used both for caring for healthy skin and for healing various epidermal diseases. The range of its use is very wide:
- restoration of the skin after a burn, including sun exposure;
- removal of peeling and dryness after insolation;
- prevention of photoaging;
- skin adaptation to climate change;
- protection of the epidermis from the negative effects of the environment (smoke, smog);
- increased immunity in adults.
The therapeutic effectiveness of this drug is due to the composition of the above drug. It contains vitamins D, E, A. They have a beneficial effect on the skin and effectively stimulate the production of collagen, which ensures its elasticity.
So, Differin is effective only if it is used to regulate the sebaceous glands in the skin and eliminate blackheads and acne. And the drug "Radevit" has a wider spectrum of effects, but it is usually not used to eliminate acne. It would seem that these two drugs complement each other, but they should not be used together. The fact is that “Radevit" in no case can be used with other retinoids in order to avoid their excessive accumulation in the body.
Reviews
In the vast majority of cases, the reviews about the Differin preparation are positive, since it is highly effective, it really removes acne and improves the condition of the skin of the face. However, there is a negative point - this cosmetic product in the first weeks of use causes painful redness and peeling. Over time, the above phenomena disappear, and the skin condition improves significantly. However, some patients cannot withstand psychological stress and begin to look for an analogue of Differin.
A positive opinion about this drug is supported by the ability to use it for the treatment of acne, black spots and acne, as well as retinoic peeling. In rare cases, “Differin” causes intense irritation, which causes people to stop using it. This fact creates in individual patients a negative opinion about it, and, as a result, we have negative reviews.
Now you know what Differin is and what drugs it can be replaced with. However, when choosing the right remedy, it is better to consult a competent cosmetologist.