how to know a cream is benzoyl peroxide/retin a/bha/aha
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Sat Jan 04, 2014 3:40 am

Hi, happy new year!! Very Happy

So,
I just visited a dermatologist for acne issue.
He gave me an acne bar soap (yellow transparent bar, written "Acne T3 Soap"), a day cream, a night cream and a clear fluid used in place of toner.

I tried to find out the ingredients of the cream. I asked him, but he seems offended and wouldn't let me know.
So I search over the google, found out the toner is actually Dalacin T liquid (clindamycin solution). But has no luck finding about the cream. The derm is popular in that area, the queue was very long!

FYI, the container of the creams are simple white plastic container, while the wordings on the label only state the name of the skin specialist and address.

The day cream is white grainy and shiny look.
The night cream is a light beige-greenish thick cream.

Of course I have used whole set (but I add my C-serum, finacea gel and sunscreen) for about 4 days. And my skin PEELED.

I used microfiber cloth to rub them off, literally my whole face feels like baby butt. I rather like the exfoliation, BUT!

The fifth day (which is today), the peelies are still there. I'm worried, is that normal for skin to peel the next day again? Of course the intensity is def lesser than before.

Therefore I'm wondering, is the cream a benzoyl peroxide? or just simple AHA/BHA? or retin A?

I haven't had any purging. To be fair, my acne is mild, only clogged pores on lower cheeks area and jawline. Rarely white heads or bigger zits, except if those tiny clogged pores are inflamed when I squeeze.

The result has been positive so far, I haven't felt my skin this smooth and clear for the past 3 years. No new clogged pores come out yet.

I haven't bleached any of my pillow case or clothing (which I heard is one of benzoyl peroxide doing). I don't get purging effect yet (as per retin A). Whilst AHA, before treatment, I had my daily glycolic toner by the same dermatologist. I haven't tried a properly made BHA so I can't comment on that.

As for my skin, both creams sting upon application for like 5-10 mins. The day cream stings more painfully (more like burning sensation), while night cream only stings a while. Both are drying, hence I add a olay niacinamide serum between finacea gel and his cream

So my regime is:
wash - wait -
DIY C serum - wait 15mins -
Dalacin T liquid
finacea gel on PIH area only - wait till the itchy sensation subside totally (maybe 15-25mins)
Olay niacinamide serum if feeling dehydrated
Derm's day/night cream
AM: add sunblock

Some said that his wife is a pharmacist, and she is the one who compounds the creams.

So yeah, is there A WAY to determine a cream active ingredient?

free skin care · Sat Jan 04, 2014 7:18 am

Ive heard of this practice of dispensing unlabeled skincare products in UK. And of some derms' outrage when questioned as to what the products contain. One derm even told a girl to go somewhere else if she didnt want to do the program and refused to tell her the ingredients in the products. (Out of fear she would make them herself??)

Despicable imho, but if the program works, I guess Id suck it up and stay on board with it. Nice to know what a person is using tho.

Did this Dr give you any guidelines as to what to expect? I would question him pointedly about it, or ask to speak to his nurse or even the dispensing pharmacist. And I would ask about using your other products along with them. Hard to tell you whats going on when we dont know what youre using.

Sat Jan 04, 2014 8:50 am

hi fawnie
Yes! He's that kind of man, asking patients to go somewhere else. I thought the only one experience this is me. The derm is located in asia though. I live in Singapore (but the derm isn't from Singapore)

Actually my Mom has gone to him since the last 15 years, been using his product till now. I must say that his products do work as my mom really doesn't look at her age (46 now). Lots of people say the same thing to her, too.

That's why, I just take derm words and use it faithfully. Sigh. If only I can do something to check its active ingredient.

I must admit that my face improves in just few days, but the peeling is rather a pain.

Derm did say to expect peeling and stinging, he said to alternate if I can't stand it. e.g today I'll use day cream only. tomorrow use the night cream only.
But, I'm expecting good skin for Chinese new year (which will be 31st January), hence I bear this pain.

Ouch. "Beauty is pain" isn't a lie after all.

Question! Does benzoyl peroxide always stain clothing? I may as well try to 'intentionally' rub the cream on white clothing...?

free skin care · Sat Jan 04, 2014 10:05 am

I don't use Benzoyl Peroxide, but my understanding is that it doesn't stain, it bleaches.
So, to do your test, try rubbing it on colored fabrics, not white.

P.S. you could also test the pH ... AHAs and BHAs would have to be low pH to be effective; I believe BP is at a more neutral pH.

Sat Jan 04, 2014 9:40 pm

Hmm...I need to buy pH meter then.
It bleaches? I'll try it later.

Just to update, the peelies has decreased (6th day). The stinging sensation somehow also decreases. I somewhat feel tortured to apply his creams. sigh....

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