Dermatologist said not to use moisturizer while on adapalene, clindamycin lotion, and minocycline ?!?

Hi all!

Just saw a dermatologist for the first time and she said that I stop using moisturizer because it’s clogging my pores and causing the stubborn bumps/whiteheads on my forehead/chin.

She recommended I use adapalene at night followed by the clindamycin lotion 1% in the morning after cleansing but to skip moisturizing.

I just went through my first day without it and I cannot imagine doing this for any longer. My face is flaking already and it feels so tight and dry.

Any recommendations on how I should go about it? Or moisturizers that WON’T clog my pores? Idk what to do with my face feeling so tight nonstop : (

Thank you!

You do need a moisturizer. Your derm is wrong. I’d aim for an oil-free moisturizer with ceramides.

Bad advice. Always use moisturizer. If you don’t like the weight of your usual ones then try a lighter gel-cream. Not using moisturizer is a recipe for damaged skin barrier.

Here are better directions for how to use adapalene. Retinoid reccs and guide https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/s/zOFmgUd3R5

Bad advice. Always use moisturizer. If you don’t like the weight of your usual ones then try a lighter gel-cream. Not using moisturizer is a recipe for damaged skin barrier.

Here are better directions for how to use adapalene. Retinoid reccs and guide https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/s/zOFmgUd3R5

Try a lightweight, noncomedogenic moisturizer like Neutrogena Hydro Boost or La Roche posay. patch test first!

Does it matter if I put it on before or after the adapalene?

For a light gel moisturizer, I recommend the Naturie skin conditioning gel - it feels like water on the skin. Only issue is it might not be moisturizing enough with the prescription products you are using.

And it has vitamin c in it too:(

You’ll be all right with a super light moisturizer especially if it’s in a gel form, all skin needs moisturization it doesn’t matter if you’re acne prone or not. I know CeraVe PM moisturizer is super light, or one of the Neutrogena hydro gel moisturizers.

Moisturizers can clog pores. Coconut oil high up in the ingredients list usually clogs my pores.

Dermatologists on YouTube usually recommend sandwiching adapalene between one or two applications of moisturizer. It seems your dermatologist has a difference of opinion.

Vaseline advanced repair lotion is pretty basic, lighter lotion but still moisturizing. It’s cheap, around $4 for 10 oz. I think it can help you.

If you don’t want to use moisturizer then slow down your use of adapalene until it doesn’t irritate. Try once every three days, then once every two days, and so on until you’re at the recommended dosage. Also make sure you’re using only a pea sized amount and avoiding your eyelids and lips and possibly your nasal folds.