Description
From the manufacturer
Let’s be honest, at a certain age you’d rather have another breakup than another breakout. We feel like acne as an adult shouldn’t happen, but it does. Over 50 million Americans suffer from it annually. So, you’re not alone. But before you head into that board meeting sporting your three-piece suit and your latest breakout — it might be time to give Differin a try.
Differin Gel
Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment
Differin contains the first OTC Rx-strength acne-fighting retinoid. Retinoids play a crucial role in the treatment of acne by regulating skin cell turnover & reducing inflammation deep in the skin to clear & prevent pimples. What makes the retinoid in Differin (Adapalene) so cool is that it’s gentler on your skin, while still effective — that means you get the clearer skin you want without having to do things like completely avoid sunlight forever!
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How to get the most out of Differin Gel
Use a mild face wash, like Differin Daily Refreshing Cleanser, to remove surface oil and dirt without overly drying skin.
Then apply a thin layer of Differin Gel once every day all over your face — even when you’re not breaking out. Differin Gel might take a few weeks to start to work, and during this time, you could experience some dryness and irritation while your skin gets ready for gorgeous.
Keep skin protected all day with a hydrating SPF lotion like Differin Oil Absorbing Moisturizer, and soothed all night with a gentle moisturizer like Differin Soothing Moisturizer.
Clearer skin, eventually! The retinoid in Differin Gel may take a few weeks to work, and it may seem like it’s getting a little worse before it gets better. But, like your old track coach used to say, ‘You just gotta push through it!’
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Why use Differin
Beauty Favorite
In 2020 we won an Allure Best Of Beauty award, and in 2018 we won a Glamour Beauty Award. So we’re kind of a big deal.
Trust the process
This stuff isn’t like the other OTC products you’ve tried. There’s no true magic wand to get rid of a bad breakout, but Differin Gel renews skin from the inside out, resulting in clearer, smoother skin over time.
Before & after
When used every single day, Differin Gel can reduce up to 87% of acne in just 12 weeks (Cunliffe et al 1998, Galderma Laboratories). That’s about the time it would take to leisurely binge-watch your favorite old TV series.
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Differin Gel (15g) Differin Gel (45g) Differin Gentle Cleanser Differin Soothing Moisturizer Differin Restorative Night Moisturizer Differin Dark Spot Correcting Serum Try Other Differin Products Clears and prevents pimples, blackheads, whiteheads and clogged pores to restore skin tone and texture. Up to a 30-day supply. Clears and prevents pimples, blackheads, whiteheads and clogged pores to restore skin tone and texture. Up to a 90-day supply. Gently removes makeup and other impurities, even on sensitive skin. Lightweight moisturizer for hydrated, healthy skin, with no greasy feel. Reduces appearance of redness from dryness and visibly improves skin texture by rehydrating skin overnight. Helps lighten post-acne marks, hyperpigmentation and blotches to improve overall skin tone and clarity. Category Treat Treat Cleanse Moisturize Moisturize Correct Size 15g 30-day supply 45g 90-day supply 4 oz 4 oz 2.5 oz 1 oz Added benefit Contains the retinoid Adapalene Contains the retinoid Adapalene Great for sensitive skin Relieves dryness for 48-hour hydration Contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid With hydroquinone 2% to fade dark spots Usage Once Daily, AM or PM Once Daily, AM or PM Daily AM and PM Daily AM or PM Daily PM Once Daily, AM or PM
About this item
- Clears breakouts where they start (Deep in pores) and prevents new acne from forming, which ultimately restores skin’s texture and tone
- Differin works differently than other Acne treatments by normalizing skin cell turnover and effectively targets two primary causes of Acne, clogged pores and inflammation
- Adapalene was created for superior tolerability compared to other prescription retinoid products not containing Adapalene; It is suitable for use as part of your morning or evening regimen
- Water based formula, oil free, alcohol free, fragrance free, non comedogenic; Helps reduce the risk of scarring and Hyperpigmentation by treating Acne
- In a clinical study, Differin gel provided up to 87 percent reduction in acne breakouts after 12 weeks, which will continue to improve with further use
PeanutButter92 –
Great product!! But there are side effects you should prepare for.
This is a great product! But there is a side effect you should make sure you’re ready for.I’m almost 26yrs old & I’ve been struggling with acne since I was a teen. I had been using Aveeno Clear Complection face wash for years & it usually kept it under control. The past few months my skin just kept getting worse & worse (no change to my diet, skin products, etc.) & no idea what caused my skin to have such horrible breakouts. I decided to look into Proactiv to help. I know a few people who have been on it & half loved it & half hated it. But all of them hated the price & how difficult it was to unsubscribe. That made me not want to get Proactiv. I did more research & found this product, Differin. It has the exact same amount of Adapalene Gel .1% as the ProactivMD Acne Treatment gel. It’s basically the same product, they just charge you 2x or 3x the cost for it, depending on the size you order.With that in mind, I order the Differin gel & Differin Gentle Cleanser. Now I did read the reviews on the Differin gel. I knew it would cause dry skin. But I didn’t worry about it because I knew I had a pretty good moisturizer (Bio Oil is not meant to be used as a moisturizer but I accidently discovered it makes an awesome one) that I’ve been using for at least a year.However, when I started using the Differin products, my beloved moisturizer did Not stand a chance. I switched to an Aveeno face moisturizer & Nope, that didn’t work either. My skin felt Raw. It was so dry, it started to peel which then made my skin feel raw, itchy & so red. I started shopping around buying different face moisturizers & every one I used made my skin feel like it was set on fire. It burned. I guess because it was raw, I’m not sure. I didn’t want to stop using the Differin product because I had read in other reviews that the dryness & peeling was normal & a good sign that the product is working (hard to believe, I know), all I had to do was use a good moisturizer.So I did some more research for what I could use for very dry & itchy skin. A few websites suggested a number of things that I already wasted money on except petroleum jelly (aka Vaseline). I know… Vaseline? On my face? It’s really thick, won’t it clog my pores? I had given just about everything else a try & my skin was screaming for relief. A website said the thickness of it helps prevent waterloss in the skin. So I decided to give it a try.Oh my goodness…. It worked!! After a couple of days the dryness, peeling, & itchiness was almost completely gone. After a little over a week, no more redness, no more rawness & no more anything. Well I still had acne, lol. The greasy texture takes some getting use to. I apply small dabs & rub it in, leaving a thin layer to soak in.Okay, I found an excellent moisturizer to combat the drying side effect of the Differin products. Since I’ve been using all three; Differin gel, Differin Gentle Cleanser, & Vaseline. My skin is looking Amazing.I started using the gel daily but it was/is too much for my skin. So instead I use it every other day but I use the cleanser & moisturize daily & nightly. You will go through a “purge” phase. This is normal for most acne products, even Proactiv. So don’t be scared away when this happens. Think of it like it’s digging out all of the built up junk that’s been lying under your skin, waiting to pop up at the most inconvenient time like a date or job interview.For me, it’s been about a month. I battled the dry skin side effect & patiently waited out the purge phase & now my skin is truly looking amazing & so much better. I still have acne but only about 50% of what I had when I started. Your skin might take longer or less time to purge before clearing up. Just be consistent. Be patient. Don’t chicken out. And be realistic, this is not a one week or one month cure. It’ll take time & you’ll have to continue using it even when you’re acne is gone. Or else it’ll come back. So you might as well buy the 2 large bottles. I’ve already order again & plan on using these products long term.My advice…. Buy this product!! You won’t regret it. Just make sure you have a really good moisturizer.I would add a photo of my skin now but it wouldn’t mean much because there’s no before photo so you would have no idea of how bad my acne was when I started. Just know, I’m very impressed after one month.
9 people found this helpful
Rob-E –
Great Product!
Been using this stuff for a while and it has effectively made me look younger. I Only apply at night so it can do the magic while I sleep. — The only issue I have is with the seller really, who keeps sending me only ONE tube per order (when I am ordering the 2 pack) so I have to go through a lengthy return and rebuy process and lose out on the subscribe and save % cause I’m ordering the product 1 at a time each time after returning the ONE tube. (no it did not give me the option to have the CORRECT amount resent at the same price after returning the single tube) – As soon as I can find another seller in a similar price range I will be switching since this has happened to me 3 times in a row now.
3 people found this helpful
Gary G. Thompson –
Found a product that works
My daughter has tried several different products, and this was the first that really worked. Within 2 weeks she was amazed with the results and after the first month she has totally clear skin. She does have some light sensitivity (wear sunblock) and has dryness/flaking (but good away with good moisturizer).
Amazon Customer –
Refund
That’s a great product which I have used for years.I have ordered 2 items of 180 day supply of acne differin gel( 4 tubes of 45g in total) . However, only 3 tubes were delivered. 1 tube is missing. Kindly give me a refund of the price of 1 tube.
One person found this helpful
itriedit –
Awesome product!
This works well. I was suffering with hormonal acne. Between changing my diet and applying this to the problem area, my skin is becoming clear again. I’ve also started exclusively using Korean beauty products and my skin is thriving, but the Differin was working before then. I will buy this again. Only a small amount is required for use so this bottle will take you to the recommended 3 months of use. It did cause some drying, but that was remedied with application of turmeric oil, instead of the Differin, for a couple of days. I use it as spot treatment.
FuzzyZ –
As expected
This is for our son who had moderate to severe acne. This along with a new soap and a medication from the dermatologist cleared it up very well and quickly (4-6 months). This Differin gel was prescribed by his dermatologist to attack the acne from the outside while the medication was attacking it from the inside.
AO –
Buy this
Listen, I have tried EVERYTHING to reduce zits as they emerge. This actually works as that emergency reducer. I put this on the area and by the following morning, the area in just about gone. I used for two to three days to get the over all outbreak on my face reduced. In combination with a daily product, I have not had the same outbreak since. I will ALWAYS use this product to get rid out any outbreak. Better than Zapzit.
Nicole dobos –
Great for Acne prone skin!
My dermatologist said that I should start taking this Differin for my acne. At first your skin will go through the flaking but if you fallow your dermatologist how to get through this your skin I hope clear up acne problems. Min got worse then got better. It took me 5-6months to stop the flaking of my skin. Plus my skin is looking better now
Lotus Moon 7777 –
Works just like it did 20 years ago
I used this product when I was in my twenties when it was prescribed and it worked wonders then . Now much later I’ve decided to try it again. I’ve spent so much money with an esthetician on products the last 3 years that just aren’t working .Only 1 week in and I have clear vibrant skin. I eat health I hydrate yet I still get break outs , uneven skin tone and now hyperpigmentation.I know this product has helped with skin break outs , dullness and redness. Not sure about hyperpigmentation.
2 people found this helpful
Amazon Customer –
The only thing that’s truly helped my acne
I’ve struggled with adult acne for years and this is the only product that has truly helped. I’ve tried everything, from proactiv, curology, drugstore brands, high end brands, natural products & prescriptions, you name it, I’ve tried it. This is truly a miracle product.Use caution because it can be drying. I personally only use it on my acne prone areas, and avoid areas of my face that don’t need it because it is drying. If you use a good moisturizer after, you should be fine
One person found this helpful
Jalen –
Watch a video on how to use first!!! I reccomend Dr dray on youtube
This product is amazing. I am 1 month in and my skin is reallt clearing up. I had cystic acne since i was 18. I did a round of accutane and my skin was pretty clear for like 5 years. Now i just recently started breaking out again and i found dr dray on youtube. She is a lifesaver. This product really works just be patient. Here is my routine:Morning: Cerave facial cleanser then Panoxyl 4% benozyl peroxide wash. Then i apply cerave am moisturizer that has the 30 spf in it. You need a sunscreen on with differen!Night: Cerave facial cleanser then moisturize with Cerave PM. Then apply differen. (Small thin layer). I use differen every other night so i dont get so much dryness and irritation.Just stick with it! It works!
8 people found this helpful
Private Profile –
Some important things to know before starting….
Here is what I did to avoid the fate of purging and negative skin rashes…..Don’t:1) Don’t use on raw EXFOLIATED skin. Wait a couple days after exfoliating.2) Don’t use a SUDSING cleansing soap prior. Use a mild hydrating Cleanser.3) Don’t use after getting your skin waxed or shaved.4) Avoid hot water and steam before use.5) Do NOT go stand in the sun after applying (retin works by thinning the top layer of your skin which is usually used for protection against the sun). Don’t take your chances!6) do not apply to eyelids or neck or other thin skin areas including the inside of your wrists. You can apply Vaseline to these areas if needed to protect them.7) don’t freak out if your face flakes and don’t scrub the flakes off. Moisturizer is your friend.8) don’t scratch at your skin if itches or burns, stay calm, rinse it off with cool water. Apply a gentle cream and then apply a cool wash cloth. Consider diluting before using again.9) don’t assume because your neighbor next door can use twice a day on fresh scrubbed skin with no adverse effects, that the same will be true for you. Adverse skin reactions can take weeks or months to heal from.10) do NOT apply generously all over your skin. Pea size only on face.Do:1) plan on using once or twice a week at first for the first month. Remember “sparingly” is your motto.2) Have a natural moisture barrier on your face first. Be sure you have not scrubbed your skin raw or clean prior and make sure face is danp prior to applying.3) if you have ultra sensitive skin, apply a gentle moisturizer FIRST before applying differin. Allow to dry before applying differin.4) do apply a creamy moisturizer after if needed. Wait five minutes before you do.5) do also apply sunscreen RELIGIOUSLY if you will be outdoors. So important!!!!6) do research “purging” and what you can do to minimize or avoid it.7) do remember that this product is a MEDICATION and not your typical OTC cream. Use sparingly and with caution.8) do remember that moisture is your friend. After cleansing, avoid drying your skin with towels. Avoid air drying as well.9) do remember that with this product “less is more”. It is potent stuff! Once or twice a week treatments alone will make a difference.10) keep a good repair Cream on hand in possible event of harsh reaction or irritated skin. I recommend “first aid beauty ultra repair cream”. This stuff is amazing. Hydrocortisone cream can also be used.MOST IMPORTANTLY: it takes 6-12 weeks of patient and measured use before seeing positive long term results for acne. It can take up to a year before seeing positive results for aged and wrinkled skin.MY RESULTS:I started out at a twice a week and had no reaction except for mild redness, itching and tingling the following two days afterwards. When I tried to increase to three days a week, I started having issues. The solution to this was to revamp my skin care routine (listed below). After that, I was able to switch pretty rapidly to nightly use. The GAME CHANGER was adding First Aid Ultra Hydrating Cream.I’ve included my before and six week after photos. My acne is gone and my pores most definitely shrunk. I used the same room and lighting and I notice that my skin has become much brighter and lighter. My guess is in removing the thing top layer of skin, we no longer see the old tanned skin I had. So far, I am happy with the results.I am 38 years old. My long term goal is to prevent deep wrinkles and shrink my pores and hopefully reduce white Milia bumps under my eyes as well as all random acne and age spots. I know from researching this can take months and years so I’m feeling patient.MY CURRENT DIFFERIN APPLICATION:My morning routine:- CereVe Hydrating Cleanser- After rinsing, I apply Timewise Vitamin C Serum with the added F acid.- Then, I apply a thin layer of Sunscreen: La Roche-Posay Anthelios with Mexoryl SXOR CeraVe SPF 30.*note: I believe the Vitamin C Serum helped with quicker skin cell turnover rate to prevent purging.In the evenings:- I double cleanse: first I use Yes To Coconuts Uktra Hydrating Creme Cleanser. After I rinse that off, I cleanse with CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser.- I allow skin to stay damp.- I then apply a pea size amount of differin to my face (never on neck or eyelids).- after about minutes, I follow that with First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream.- I apply CeraVe Skin renewing Serum to my eyes and neck and chest.- note: I only use retin A products at night to decrease sun sensitivity. In the mornings, I use all my other acids and Vitamin C.Be aware that most of the negative reviews on here are mostly due to user error and lack of knowledge in the product. There is no reason to have terrible breakouts or harm your skin. I’m horrified people are using this on their NECK right away. Poor skin! This is a potent product.Good luck!
174 people found this helpful
Amazon User –
Great for Cystic Acne
This is the only product I’ve found over the counter that helps my stubborn hormonal cystic acne. I use it once a day along with a moisturizer that has sunscreen in it. For the first few weeks of using this product, my skin was aggravated & seemed to get a little worse before it got better, but now it’s clearer & healthier than it has been all year. Definitely recommend.
Megan Wiedenfeld –
This stuff works
You really only need a little bit of this stuff to work magic. Definitely drying for my sensitive skin but it cleared up my chin pimples in a jiffy.
Olivia Nix –
Works! But…
It will dry out your skin! Not an overnight spot treatment, so your skin must get used to it. Gives me dry red patches, but it works very very well. I just have very sensitive skin.
Brittany –
Great product
This is a great product, and have had noticeable results (after a couple weeks) with regular use (at night, every other day). My skin feels much smoother, however, it can become super sensitive if used too often when your skin is not used to it or if using other active ingredients to treat acne. I have combination oily/dry, sensitive, and acne prone skin. I have had fewer breakouts since using it.
Johnebgood –
Decreases appearance of blackheads
Decreases but does not completely eliminate blackheads. Can make your skin peel if you overdo it. Good product for mature skin.
Kristin L. Volberg –
Amazing results!
I haven’t had acne in many years but suddenly was getting repeated breakouts on my nose. This was unrelenting. I purchased this product last summer but was hesitant to use it as I was out in the sun a lot. I finally started using it about 6 weeks ago. It began to work immediately. I haven’t noticed any redness and my skin is finally clear again. I’m extremely pleased and will continue to use if.
One person found this helpful
MJ –
Got Rid of Medication-Induced Acne After 90 Days (So 3 purchases)
Adapalene is one of the few active ingredients for acne out there and I’d found that salicylic acid & benzoyl peroxide on its own was not cutting it for a rash of medication-induced acne that had sprung up across my face. After 30days taking adaplene did not have much impact. I knew to take it with a thin layer of moisturizer underneath (Cerave moisturizing cream) as I have sensitive skin and wanted to reduce redness and peeling. (I highly recommend this if you have sensitive skin, it doesn’t impact Differin’s efficacy). After 90days of differin at night after my skin routine and benzoyl peroxide 4% in the morning (don’t use them back to back, too strong), my skin cleared up! I couldn’t believe it! Whenever I stop taking differin I get that strawberry nose look and some acne flareups so I maintain its use at least 5x a week at night. Highly recommend.
3 people found this helpful
Saby –
It Works
My acne started so diminish the day I started using it. It works! I don’t see any side effects as of now. Good product.
SAI L. –
improved my skin overall
I heard that adapalene has anti-aging function so I bought one to try. I have used for 2 weeks now and found that my skin overall looks brighter and smoother. It did make my skin very dry for the first few days and little flaky, but then I started to use Mizon snail wrinkle care sleeping pack for overnight, it magically deeply moisturized my skin so I feel much more comfortable with my skin now. I didn’t use that sleeping pack much becoz I found it too heavy for my skin, its probably for more mature skin type. But now I have very dry skin becoz of using differin so the sleeping pack becomes perfect. I even get back to use AHA but in the morning (must combine with sunscreen). I used differin gel on my crows feet and under eye area as well, I found it no problem as long as you properly moisturize the areas. I will keep using it and hopefully my fine lines can be improved after long term use!
7 people found this helpful
Soapmom –
GOOD PRODUCT. LOUSY SHIPPING
I use this for aging and wrinkles.It works and is marketed for this use. Not just acne.Its the same thing that’s in PROACTIVE BUT YOU WILL PAY MORE FOR PROACTIVE. I’m a regular to this product. I’ve bought it from several times but this time the package was absolutely squashed and about to break open.Luckily the product itself was intact..Excellent Product!
One person found this helpful
ED –
fine
it’s alright but it’s differin so
Jessica Sanders –
Perfect for Teens with Acne
My 13 year old son has tried other Acne treatments but this is the only one that has not dried out his skin, has cleared most of his acne and doesn’t make his face red.
Muhammad Ali Khan –
This STUFF actually DOES WORK!
I looked in the mirror one day and was just tired of the contanst breakouts, and deep acene spots present on my face! I dont serve this I screamed in my head! I had taken over the counter stuff before but it never helped!This stuff does work! It has helped reduce my acene over a peiod of 2.5 months down 70%, I still have some acene spots, and some smaller breakouts at times tbh, but overall the frequency and severity has done down, and my facr is finally SO MUCH CLEANER!Also when you get the product you might feel it really less, but itsnt, also make sure to apply all OVER your face throughly.
3 people found this helpful
Maria –
Patience can make a difference
Background on my skin:I have combination oily skin. I am pretty sensitive to things, especially due to eczema. I also have hormonal problems (which I am taking pills for) to add to that. So, I typically would get the big, hurtful, annoying, last for like ever cyst acne more so than the other kinds of acne. Because of my hormones, they most often were located on my chin. I use Clinique for my facial skin needs but more recently I had been having problems controlling the cystic acne, especially on the chin region. My friend started Differin a few weeks prior and said that I should try it/look into it. I read up on it and decided to give it a try.Here are my findings:1. I was not allergic to Differin. That’s a big plus. Sometimes my skin can be weird and it takes a few weeks before my skin decides that this is a bad thing and rebels. I am about 3.5 months into Differin and I have not had a reaction. (An allergic reaction for me is like getting a really itchy sunburn. It also takes forever to get back to normal.)2. This is not a quick fix. Consider it a lifestyle change. You will need to be consistent and I would suggest using it for at least 3 months before moving on. From what I read, this is because your skin is relearning and this takes time.3. You will most likely have a purging period and it really sucks. My purging period happened around week 4. You will get more acne than before. Yes, it really sucked and hurt because they were still cystic acne. However, you might begin to notice cystic acne does not last as long.4. This is not a cure for acne. You are not going to magically never get a pimple again in your life with this. It will, however, help make them smaller and heal a lot faster.5. This may be very drying for some people and you may have to change your routine up a bit. Some people found it better to apply their moisturizer (to clean skin) prior to using Differin – like my friend. I have oily skin so I did not. Find a routine that works. If you are using moisturizer and are still drying out, try cutting back the Differin at first. Then slowly add it in until you can use every day or every other.6. This should go without saying but…if you go outside, use a sunscreen. Differin can make you more sensitive to the sun. My other skin products already had the warning so I didn’t need to worry about changing this to my routine.7. Use only once per day. I do so at night.8. One tube should last between 2-3 months, depending on the size of your face. You really only need a pea-size portion. Do not overuse and do not spot treatment.So, about 3.5 months in, I have definitely noticed a major change for the good. I have cut all other acne products (minus the little bit in my foundation which I plan on stopping when I finish my supply. Wish me luck on that!) I still get random pimples but they don’t last long and thankfully, my chin does not look like bubblewrap hidden under makeup anymore.In summary:I would definitely recommend this product but suggest to be careful. Watch what you are using with it. You might have to change your skin regime. Use moisturizer and sunscreen. Take a breath and get through the purging phase. Obviously, do not continue to use the product if you are allergic. Have patience! It might really be worth it.Good luck to everyone out there. You’re not alone!
2 people found this helpful
James Horn –
It works like magic
This is the product for me
kittycat70 –
Works
This didn’t seem to work for me. I gave it another chance and now it seems to be working. I must some stubborn acne.
Kristen S. –
THREE MONTHS and not one Cyst!!!! 🙌🏻
As far as the product itself-I’m 40 years old and up until giving birth to my Son 3 years ago, I never had an issue with acne. But all of a sudden I started getting these painful cysts that were really deep and they’d take forever to go away. I wasn’t really concerned because I’d only get one cyst/month. It wasn’t until my family and I stayed in a Hotel that had different lighting in the bathroom, when I realized just how much havoc these 1 per Month cysts have created on my face.That’s when I finally started to try to take control of these breakouts-I tried every over the counter product imaginable, I went to a dermatologist and was prescribed all sorts of prescription strength topicals, I went to med spas, had laser treatments, etc. etc.I spent soooo much money and NOTHING worked!!So I spent the next few weeks researching like crazy and that’s when I discovered Diferin. Upon receiving the product, I had TWO active cysts and after all the research I had done, I decided to try something different… Microneedling!! (Dermarolling or Stamping) prior to application. Because these cysts are so incredibly deep, it’s nearly impossible for any product to reach them on its own. This right here was a game changer for me-I woke up the next morning and these cysts were no longer active. I know this because there was no pain and they were smaller. I continued to do this (along with my entire face), every other day until they were gone. Now I do my whole face and I’m thrilled to announce, I’ve not had a single cyst since October!! That’s 3 months!! I’d also like to mention the fact that I’ve done nothing else differently.No diet change, I’m still stressed out…(if not more so these days, etc).I continue to apply the product on its own every other day or so and I still like to throw in a few derma rolling sessions prior to application. But I only do this once or twice a week max.I know a lot of people have complained about the size of the tube. But I’ve been using mine since the beginning of Nov. and as you can see by the picture, I’ve not even gone through 1/2 the tube!!You only need a teensy, tiny bit and if you apply it after washing your face, it’s spreads easier and penetrates deeper.Lastly, if you’re interested in purchasing your own micro needling device, there are all sorts out there and they range in price.I have the Dr. Pen which is a lot more “sophisticated”; as it addresses multiple skin concerns. It’s also professional grade. So it’s more pricey. I also have a derma roller that I purchased on Amazon (although these are becoming more obsolete) and lastly, I have a Derma Stamper; which has been my go to for this process specifically. The Banisher is a great one. But if you’re looking for something more affordable, you can find a comparable device on Amazon.Hope this helps and good luck!!Please don’t wait like I did-For so long, I assumed I’d be fine because I never messed with my cysts. (I’d just wait for them to go away). But it doesn’t matter…these will leave you with scars either way.
Shaynanana –
AWESOMERE
Scentless, Can dry up your skin so it’s definitely not for moisture. This single handed Ku cleared my acne 10/10
TXMom –
Recommend asking MD before using if right for your typeof acne
I started pairing Differin Restorative Nightly Moisturizing Cream w/ Differin Gel to use nightly. I was using Differin Gel w/ another nightly moisturizer Ive used forever & wasn’t tackling the extreme dryness Differin Gel causes. Since adding the Differin Moisturizer Cream its been 100% better on dryness, redness, and irritation! Took about 2 weeks to actually clear all the way up. But saw improvement in 1 week (see pics). It says may also purge some new pimples to surface at beginning.Im in my 40’s and have adult cystic acne. Its pretty bad & hormone derived. Used prescription creams & meds for many years. My dermatologist recommended I switch to Differin Gel at night & a prescription compound antibiotic cream in morning. I ALWAYS use Elta MD tinted sunscreen SPF 44 also to avoid sun irritations as well. I hope after 6 months my cystic areas are no longer resurfacing, but so far Im very pleased w/ this product.So far this has worked very well! Im very happy w/ it & the moisturizer makes it possible to use comfortably!!! If a recurring cyst starts to surface (I have very deep areas that will resurface) it goes away in just 2 days & easy to coverup without pain or redness in that area. My face skin is tightening & younger looking w/ less wrinkles as a great plus also!This product is not for all types of acne. So I’d ask a dr if recommended. I highly encourage also pairing w/ the Differin Nightly Moisturizer Cream when using to reduce the side effects from the gel which is going to occur w/ this product guaranteed! I do not want to use generic accutane which has very high risks to liver & is really all that is left after this regimen per my dermatologist. I also see an Gynecologist for hormones.
6 people found this helpful
Kaylynn –
Research Before Use **ESPECIALLY SENSITIVE SKIN
So far I have been using this product mostly consistently for 1.5 months.1.) Apply toner2.) Apply two layers of facial lotion3.) Apply a pea sized amount of differin evenly over face, AWAY FROM EYES…What I’ve noticed and liked: My skin stays clear more consistently and I’m not getting large deep pore zits or larger zits anymore. A small one pops up here and there but quickly subsides. Feeling some less texture, but still dealing with small black heads on forehead and cheeks. Not noticeable unless lighting reveals texture of face. I’m okay with that, makeup applies beautifully and I just wanted more control of random large zits. Just a reminder to train yourself to not touch your face so much, and apply moisturizer as needed as to not clog your pores.Things that have happened using differin:I have read so many reviews saying to just stick with it and use it every night. Don’t do this, especially if you have sensitive skin. When first starting I recommend using it every two nights, and slowly progressing to every other night. I’m at the point now where sometimes I’ll use it two nights in a row, but if I notice redness, increased sensitivity, etc I don’t use it the following night.The redness and sensitivity is a breakdown of your skin barrier, and continuously using it every night I actually burned my face and it was extremely painful putting lotion on to counter battle the extreme dryness. I had to take a break for a week for my barrier to come back. Allow your skin time to adjust.Lastly, after applying the differin I immediately wash my hands with lots of soap and avoid touching my face as to not get it in my eyes. Your eyes have the slimmest skin barrier and it’s very easy for them to get irritated by the differin. Puffing, redness, sensitivity to lotion all applies if it gets too close to your eyes or you accidentally get it on your eyes. Before applying makeup in the morning I wash my face, apply toner and lotion and then continue as I normally would.I do like the product, but for those with sensitive skin I highly recommend being ready to change some habits.
34 people found this helpful
Seersha –
Good product for acne, hyperpigmentation, and minor wrinkles
I definitely recommend this for anyone struggling with acne, especially if your skin is irritated or over-dried by other retinols or acne treatments.When I was a teenager, before Differin was available over the counter, I was prescribed this by a dermatologist. I came back to using it as an adult, and it definitely helps keep acne under control, though I still struggle with my skin.The really great think about adapalene (the active ingredient in Differin) is that it is less irritating and drying than other retinoids. In fact, I would say this is one of the few effective products against acne with a minimal risk of irritation. Anything else that works effectively (benzoyl peroxide, retinol, RetinA, beta hydroxy acids) tends to dry or irritate the skin until your skin gets to used to it. Differin is an exception in that it is much better tolerated. I hear some people still experience a bit of irritation at first, but it is generally much more manageable, and I know multiple people who have given up on other retinoids due to irritation who are able to use Differin.Adapalene is also much more stable and less reactive than other retinoids, so you can use Differin with other acne treatments or apply it during the day without worrying about it degrading in the sunlight. However, you should of course still use a nice moisturizer and a good mineral sunscreen during the day.The other benefit: although this doesn’t have quite the same anti-wrinkle power as prescription RetinA, it has been shown to have some positive anti-aging effects. If you are looking for anti-aging benefits, but have easily irritated skin, you might consider trying this, even if you don’t struggle with acne.
8 people found this helpful
Biryani –
It works if you’re patient!
I have been using Differin for over a year now (around 14 months giver or take) and did not publish a review until now. If you want an in-depth review, read on. For the tl;dr version: it works, just stick with it. Btw, I was not paid for this nor was I sent this product (although they should be sending it, given how many tubes I’ve bought).I had the MOST TERRIBLE acne. No, I’m not talking about a small tiny excuse of a blemish that your friend with great skin complains about when she has her “bad skin” days. My face was RED and PAINFUL. My cheeks were COVERED all the time, and I had no area on my face where acne wouldn’t pop up. Nose, brows, chin, jaw, underneath the jaw, you name it. I had tried Curology and while my skin got amazing for the first 6 months, my acne returned with a VENGEANCE. I had tried so many things, clay masks, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, other AHAs and BHAs, sulfur, rosehip oil, and even supplements like zinc and milk thistle, you name it. Nothing worked at all. I was so so embarrassed of my skin, but I couldn’t wear makeup either since makeup made my acne SO MUCH worse.I heard about Differin and I figured “well, might as well give this a try cause it can’t get any worse”. Boy, I was wrong. It did get worse. Much worse. Suddenly I had SO much more acne and I felt like crap. I couldn’t believe my skin could get worse, but it did. Differin was the only thing I was using so I knew this was it. I was depressed but I stuck with it, cause I wanted to test it for at least 4 months. I thought I might as well test the claim, since my skin is so bad already.The first month was really really bad. It brought all underlying acne to the surface i.e. the purge phase. It did the purging for 3-4 months, but the first month was THE WORST. Not gonna lie to you, that first month will probably be the worst skin you’ve had in your life. Your skin will become SO SENSITIVE! Anticipate that! My skin has never been sensitive to products but while using this, my regular moisturizers and masks would sting like crazy (get stuff with no fragrance/alcohol or acids!). It didn’t affect my skin in any other way, it just stung a lot. Oh, and I used to get my upper lip and brows waxed. Not with this you can’t, the wax will tear off your skin since it gets much more sensitive. I learned the hard way. ONLY do threading!However, after I waited out the terrible, terrible first month, I slowly began to see improvements. Marginal, though. I had acne, but I probably had just a tad less. And it continued that way, it kept improving. Eventually, my skin was so much clearer than before! I still had acne, mind you, it’s not a miracle drug, but it was few and far in between. There would be times when I had no active acne, which was HUGE for me!! My face usually looked like a connect the dots game. However, I did hit a plateau. This worked phenomenally at reducing my ugly acne all over my face to a few zits here and there, however, my issue was deeper than that. Eventually, I went to a doctor and got on spironolactone.Now, I am both on my Spiro and this. The combo of these two have made my skin so clear! I could have never imagined this day! I still need to use this, I have noticed my Spiro is not enough to keep zits at bay and if I skip a couple of nights putting on differin, new zits come up. I am so much happier now that I don’t have zillions of gross zits on my face. I still get zits if I eat sugar or near my period but man, I am a long way from before! I have a few blemishes left over from before but I honestly don’t care, my skin looks wayyy better. I can hide my blemishes with a sheer foundation of spot concealing if I want.So if you’ve read till the end, the lesson is: be PATIENT and be realistic! Your acne did not appear overnight and will not disappear overnight. If you stick with this, it WILL work. However, your mileage may vary. My acne was extremely bad, so after I hit my “acne plateau” I went to the doctor. If your acne is not as bad, it’s likely differin is all you need for clear skin! If you’re on the fence, confused, depressed, frustrated and/or can’t afford a doctor, it’s worth a shot! Just be patient and gentle with your skin!
1,278 people found this helpful
Angelique –
Only took 30 years to find something that works!
These pictures are horrendous. I promise I’m much cuter in person, lol. But, they are exactly 5 months apart. I have literally struggled with acne since I was in 4th grade. often times I would get really deep painful cystic acne which left terrible scars, but other times it has been tons of smaller pimples that still left their mark long after the pimple was gone. It has been nonstop and I promise I’ve tried nearly everything. Some things would help control it to just a monthly breakout during “that time” but never have I gone months with hardly any blemishes at all! I’ve had 1 blemish appear since the first picture, and amazingly it was gone in a day, and didn’t leave a scar!!Now, full disclosure, I can’t give differin gel ALL the credit, but it certainly played the biggest role. FYI I have sensitive, combination skin that likes to alternate between being brittle dry and baby oil slick.Below is my routine:Morning-I wash my face with Versed acne calming cream cleanser. I then apply a vitamin C/hylauronic acid serum. Then I apply the differin gel. After that, I either use differin’s restorative night cream or cerave’s daily moisturizing lotion (depends on the mood of my face that morning. If I feel even a hint of irritation when I wash it, I go with the heavier more moistening cream). I follow it up with a sunscreen of at least 30 spf. My favorite has been the black girl sunscreen because it doesn’t leave a white cast and I’ve been using it for over a year with no issues.Evening: if I wore makeup, I’ll wipe it off using micellar water and then I’ll wash with Cerave’s hydrating foaming face wash. If no makeup, then I only use micellar water, no face wash at all. Then I use a good moisturizer. I’ve changed this a few times without incident so I won’t name a specific brand, I’ve been trying out heavier, “night time” moisturizing masks and haven’t had a problem.Other things: I try and watch my sugar intake. I love sweets so sometimes this is really hard, lol. But I do my best. I also TRY to change my pillow case twice a week…most of the time, it’s once a week. But I’ll flip it halfway through either way. I also notice the better hydrated I am, the less oily I am.I also want to mention I did not find this routine anywhere or implement all these things at once. My skin was actually much worse. I finally learned to be patient while trying to find what works best. I introduced one new product at a time and so long as it didn’t make things worse, I didn’t change it. For almost a a year, I was doing all of the above minus the face wash and the differin gel. I switched to the versed face wash in January and started to notice I was having less dry skin days. It has 1.5% salicylic acid instead of the normal 2%. I had been using benzoyl peroxide as a spot treatment until one day I had a dry patch almost as bad as the scarring. I began using differin gel about 2 weeks before the first picture. I saw hope when I made it through “that time” of the month without any NEW blemishes. That never happens!!Anyway, sorry for the lengthy review but hopefully someone finds it helpful!! It took a long time for me to get here and I was excited to share!
363 people found this helpful
Amazon Customer –
cleared my skin
my acne wasn’t great – not the worst i’ve seen but still definitely wasn’t where I wanted it, and more widely known brands’ acne products never seemed to help. this stuff did! it does make your skin quite flakey at first (as it says on their website – the differin brand moisturizers definitely helped me with this) but i just stuck with it and eventually the flakeyness went away along with most of the acne! of course it’s not 100% – I definitely still get acne when i’m stressed, have been touching my face a lot, or haven’t been eating well, but i still saw significant results!
2 people found this helpful
Nadia –
GIRL IT WORKS
Just try it. I have tried everything and this is the only thing that works. This is why- I am inconsistent because I am lazy but I can rub this product on at night even if I’m too lazy to wash my face and it stops breakouts. I’ve been using it for a month and have not had a new pimple since starting it. In stead of the regular chin pimples I’ve had 2 dried white heads pop up in my chin that I scratched off with out a scar or dark spot left behind. I use it once daily. Either on a dirty face with nothing else (lazy) or clean face followed by a thick layer of a light lotion (Aveno redness relief) . I can use any heavy lotions like the laroche posay popular ones.
4 people found this helpful
lkwilson06 –
The only thing that has cleared my adult cystic acne
If you don’t read any further in my review, please know this: IT GETS A LOT WORSE before it GETS MUCH BETTER. HANG IN THERE.I’m posting this in hopes this helps someone. First, some history: I’ve struggled with moderate acne from my teenage to adult years. In my early and mid 30s, my acne has turned into painful cysts that predominantly cover my cheeks, jawline and neck. I also have breakouts on my shoulders, back and chest, though they aren’t anything like my face. The areas I break out in would lead me to believe it’s hormonal. Since I’ve also had hair loss and have had cysts on my ovaries, there was a thought it was PCOS, but dozens of blood tests and expensive doctor visits later, that was ruled out.I spend COUNTLESS, and I mean COUNTLESS hours researching about acne. It’s ruined my self-esteem and confidence, I never feel attractive, and I even have trouble looking at people sometimes. My skin is PAINFUL due to the deep cysts and inflammation. So much so, some days I just wanted to cut my skin off. It’s been hard not to pick, but of course even if I don’t, my skin is left with red marks that are just has hard to cover up as the inflamed bumps.I’ve tried EVERYTHING over the years. You name it, I’ve tried it, and that includes Acutane (but I wouldn’t stay on it due to concerns over liver damage). The only thing I haven’t tried that I heard could work is Spirnolactane. I was actually prescribed it but decided not to take it, again, over concerns about what it would due to my health. I don’t even know how many dermatologist, primary care and OB/GYN appts I’ve had to discuss the matter. One derm went so far as to tell me, “If you still have acne at this age, you’ll always have acne.” In other words, I’m hopeless. I hated that guy. That was told to me when I was around 22 and I’ve never forgotten it 13 years later.Recently, I moved to a new town and got a facial. The woman that was treating me suggested Differin Gel. She mentioned she’d seen some success with it and that it was a fairly new OTC product. I figured, what in the heck do I have to lose. Desperate, I ordered it from Amazon.And after using it for the first time, I BROKE OUT EVERYWHERE, particularly my forehead. It was AWFUL. My only patch of clear skin was now what seemed to be infinite whiteheads. Every pore was a whitehead. It was awwwwwful!!! I immediately quit the product, and was so angry that another thing failed me. It took WEEKS for the whitehead breakout to clear up.While I waited, I kept researching it. I don’t know why. And I read how people talked about it “purging” the skin so people get a bad initial breakout. Ok. Well, I don’t know if it was out of frustration or a little nagging gut feeling, I decided to try it again.AND MY SKIN GOT SO RED AND DRY AND BURNED SO BADLY. I mean, excruciatingly painful. And it turns out that’s just because I was coating on a thick layer of it all over my skin. How embarrassing showing up for work and my whole face is just red and massive FLAKES.But after all that flaking and peeling, and using non-stop aloe on it (also borrowed my husband’s thick Aveeno Eczema lotion… it seems to really work!), I had…. clear skin. I can’t believe I’m typing this. It’s been weeks, and my skin has cleared up 98% (I did have a couple neck and jawling cysts this period cycle, though – but they’re not as hidden under the surface as they used to be). My skin doesn’t get nearly as oily (overcompensating for the dryness of Differin) or as flaky (because I’m using a little bit for the whole face with a little more added onto my problem areas). It seems to have finally balanced out.I really just can’t believe it, and I am so unbelievably happy and feeling so much more confident than I have in a long time. I truly hope this helps someone. Shoot me a question on here if you have one and I’ll be happy to answer.For the record, after a ton of my own research, I believe I have a sensitivity to DHT. My blood test DHT levels are normal, but as I understand it, sensitivity to DHT cannot be measured, and I believe that may explain my female hair loss and cystic acne. I recently purchased Saw Palmetto Extract to see if that can help — though it made me feel very faint so I stopped after a third day.
20 people found this helpful
Kimberly A. –
Consistency and patience is key!
Loved this product for my adult acne but it does take awhile to see results. Look online for usage recommendations like use on dry skin, only at night, SPF in the daytime, small amount to minimize reaction/dryness, keep skincare routine simple when starting, be prepared for the purge will happen, wait at least 3 months for results, etc.
Britt –
Has completely transformed my skin.
I used to get hormonal acne every single month, I still get it now but far less often and severely. Differin has really made a big difference on my quality of life. I have sensitive skin, so I only use it a couple of times a week and always over a light layer of lotion. When I first started using it, my acne did get worse for about a month and then magically one day my skin looked amazing. My sister has tried it because she developed severe acne since giving birth and it hasn’t made a difference for her, I think it is really hit or miss. It’s worth a try for sure!
3 people found this helpful
Archie –
great product
This is a product always in my medicine cabinet. it works great and clears up any blemish very quickly. I would recommend to anyone with skin issues or acne.
Avani –
Works perfectly
As recommended by a friend that retinoid helps for my need to reduce few fine lines and tighten the skin. I ordered this product. The retinoid does the magic. No issues with the product at all. Just a small thing, I’ve observed that continuous use for 4-5 days causes my skin to be super dry. The solution I’ve opted is to mix this with my night serum. It keeps the skin moisturized while letting retinoid do the wonders.Now about amazon delivery was smooth and on time with out prime.
3 people found this helpful
nicky j –
It works really well to get rid of acne
It is a very good product but you have to use a moisturizer with it because it causes dry skin. It didn’t purge my skin thank God.
Mark Schick –
Next best thing to a prescription
I’m a 55 year old male with moderate cystic acne. My face seems like it is always broken out. I was cleaning my face often, but nothing was really helping. I started following a dermatologist on YouTube and realized that some of what I was using was actually making things worse. I switched things up and now I’ve been using PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash Benzoyl Peroxide 10% every morning in the shower, followed by Differin Gel. In the evening when I get home from work I use a Neutrogena skin toner, and a small dab of Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Face Serum. It’s been about 30 days and my skin looks SO MUCH better. I’ve had no side effects, other than my skin is drier now. Which is fine with me because I have always had oily skin. You shouldn’t adopt a daily routing just because it works for someone else, but this may give someone a starting point. My results have been dramatic enough for me to write this review, so I hope this helps someone.
13 people found this helpful
Lizzy –
Cleared up most of my stubborn hormonal acne in just a few weeks
Like I mentioned in the title, Differin cleared up most of my incredibly stubborn hormonal acne within just a few weeks. I am super pleased and thankful!I had clear skin until I reached my mid-twenties; I began having terrible cystic acne while on the Pill, so I discontinued use — which unfortunately meant the start of hormonal acne.For the last few years, I’ve tried every cleanser and active (benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, etc.) to try to clear my skin. It all seemed to make the problem worse. I don’t wear concealer or foundation and am religious about my personal hygiene routine, so I was really puzzled as to why my acne was so bad. (For reference, most of my acne sits around my chin, jaw, and forehead, and it’s often a bunch of little, inflamed bumps that fill with pus.)That’s when I decided to venture into retinoids. I’d avoided them because I have dry, sensitive skin, but I wish I had tried Differin sooner. My skin is a little dried out, but it’s nothing that a little extra moisturizer can’t fix. Plus, the texture of my skin is so improved — like, I’m thrilled about the acne benefits, but my skin looks like it did when I was 15. The pictures are just about a month apart.If you’re on the fence but having trouble managing your acne, try this. I have a feeling you won’t regret it!
26 people found this helpful
Kat –
Works great!
Update: Third picture is after two months of once a day use. You can see my skin looks much more even and less bumpy, and the scarring along my jaw and neck has lessened.I was breaking out for months, the worst I had since I was a teen. I was trying different retinols and I know there is a purge period for a while, I’ve dealt with that with different exfoliants. This was so bad tho, very deep, painful acne all along my jaw and neck with no end in sight. After giving it about two months I couldn’t stand the constant angry breakouts anymore and quit using my retinol thinking that must be the culprit. Well my skin didn’t improve much. I’m sure the retinol made it worse and I probably didn’t give it enough time, only two months, but I think now I’ve probably been dealing with hormonal acne. I’m 28 and apparently hormonal acne along your jawline in mid to late 20’s women is very common. Well I started using this and almost immediately my acne started clearing up. It’s taken time as I had a lot of acne and scarring from the last few months but it’s gotten so much better over the last month. It is EXTREMELY drying! Make sure you have a good moisturizer to apply after. Also keep it away from your eyes, I wasn’t applying it around my eyes but even if it got too close to the outside of my eyes when I was applying it to the sides of my face it left the outside corners of my eyes red and irritated. As my skin has gotten used to it however the irritation has stopped and my skin doesn’t dry out quite as bad. Definitely worth it if you have acne prone skin! The first picture is not my skin at it’s worst, at it’s worst I had at least three times as many blemishes, I just wasn’t taking pictures at that time because it was so bad. The second picture is only a few active blemishes, the rest is scarring that’s fading from the breakouts and you can tell a bit how bad it was before it healed. I’ll try to remember to update in a month with a new picture.
3 people found this helpful
Amanda Adams –
MUST IN MY SKINCARE ROUTINE
This product was recommended to me by my dermatologist and I am in love! I have been using this since June 2022 and it has transformed my skin. I had very noticeable pores and pimples and redness on both of my cheeks for months and nothing seemed to work Using this every night made my pimples and pores disappear. I learned that little does go a long way so this bottle lasted me 4 months !! I will be using this product for the rest of my life.
Sofia Benzi –
Gets the job done
This differin gets the job done! Follow instructions and you’ll be good to go!
ashley –
Differin is the best
Best treatment there is. I love Differin it is the best over the counter acne medication.
gabriella –
Takes a while to work
I saw on tik tok that this product is for this super tiny white ball like pimples on the face. I have them near my under eye and cheekbone area. I would put a thick layer of medicine and go to sleep with it on my face. I used this for 3 weeks every 2 days and saw a difference. Some acne went away completly and some sofented so i just popped them.
One person found this helpful
Master 12 –
great alternative to benzol peroxide and salicylic acid
For those who need to treat acne but are sensitive to benzol peroxide and salicylic acid, this is a good option to try. I am sensitive to both, to the extent that they cause extreme dryness and breakouts, and this has done neither of those things. Don’t be told that benzol peroxide and salicylic acid are your only options!
HHYY –
It works
Better than most over the counter acne control cream. No prescription needed.
collegestudent781 –
Amazing for minimizing pores and smoothing blemishes on skin.
I have been actively using Differin for about 5 months now and have noticed a significant change in my skin. While it definitely is not for those with sensitive skin (you might want to use it only 3x a week), it has done wonders. Whenever those bumps begin to pop up on my face, I put on a thin layer and the bumps usually smooth down within the next 24 hours.I typically use the gel on my T-area (tops of cheeks, nose, nose bridge, and forehead) and the pores located in those areas have gotten super tiny and smooth it’s kind of amazing.
2 people found this helpful
Cameron Stussie –
Okay
This is a naturally drying product for acne so it was not moisturizing. I have very sensitive skin and it needed lots of cream after using this. I didn’t really notice a difference with my acne so I ended up giving it away. No scent, just an okay product.
Brian –
Patience is literally the key
Let me remind all of you that this product doesn’t work overnight or a month. it took me like 4 months to get close to clear skin, im still on this product. but it does work, i apply it after cleansing and toning and let it dry before applying it.
Sarah K. Whiteley –
Works great if you know how to use it.
This is not for mild acne. I don’t think people with moderate acne should use this as a first resort, either.This is a retinoid if I remember correctly. It speeds up cell turnover, and increases photosensitivity. If you’re using this, you MUST use a sunscreen, or acne scars will be more pronounced, your skin will get sun damage easily, and overall not look as great as this product can make you look. Do some research on sunscreens without comodegenic ingredients.I’ve been using the one month tube for about two months now, and I’ve used about 1/3-1/2 of the tube. You really don’t need much. You want to apply as little as possible, and start out using it only once a week. Otherwise, your skin, starting to speed up it’s cell turnover process, will start to peel, flake, among other unpleasant, dry and crackley negative effects. This can and will destroy your moisture barrier, making it 50 times easier for anything and everything to break you out. DON’T DO IT.How and when to use this:When you’re getting INFLAMMATORY acne. If you’re just getting blackheads and whiteheads, you can try a BHA or AHA, and start using 1-2 times a week. These are much less harsh and have a good chance of working exactly as intended. If you frequently get pustules, papules, cysts and nodules, this may be a good option for you. If you get a lot of cysts/nodules, go see a dermatologist. They can give you something stronger that will work better for you.This can also be used for texture issues, hyperpigmentation, and the like, but I recommend starting with a lower dose of an AHA product, because they are much less harsh and typically do a better job (faster, too) at fixing those issues.My issue: since 4th grade, I’ve had acne. I started to get cystic acne in 7th grade, and now as a college freshman, it was getting kind of annoying. I was rotating a BHA/AHA around before using this. Those worked okay, but I still had what would be considered moderate acne- not good. I DO have seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp, so it’s possible I also suffer from pittysporum folliculitis (spelling may be wrong,) aka fungal acne, on the face. That BHA/AHA combo, along with a mostly Asian, hydration intensive routine, didn’t do enough. My moisture barrier was incredible, though.I’ve used it two months now. You’re supposed to wait THREE months to start seeing any true effect. This is not for the impatient. DO NOT use this with any other acne product. You need a gentle cleanser, a hydrating toner/essence/serum/Ampoule, a moisturizer, and a good sunscreen to use in the morning. An oil cleanser is also a good idea to make sure you remove all sunscreen at the end of the day.What I’ve noticed:The only times I get deep, painful acne, are the days where I miss that spot.I’m getting blackheads less and less.I’m getting whiteheads, but much less frequently.Nodular acne? Nope, not since before I started.Cystic acne? A few, but I’m getting them less and less.Papule/pustule/other? Still getting some, but nothing like I used to. Mostly in under eye area which is too sensitive for differin.I have not paid attention to my scarring/redness, because I use other products for those. I do think my texture is a bit worse, but I intend to work on that more once my acne is maintained.I started at once a week. Skin handled it, no problem. Went up to twice. Doing fine. Decided to go up to four times because I’m a rebel (translation: impatient.) Then, did every other day. Now I’m using it daily. My skin is a tad overexfoliated, so I’ve cut back to 6 times a week for now, but it’s working very well.Please note: my skin can handle using 5 different high percentages of BHA products at once. Most people’s skin cannot tolerate that. Slowly work your way up. Do not expect immediate effects. Use sunscreen and an oil cleanser to remove it. HYDRATE- no one is too oily for a moisturizer. I have very oily skin and the right moisturizer/toner only help, and can make you less oily. Don’t overdo it. And lastly, BE PATIENT. I’m trying to work my way to being able to tolerate differin and my BHA. Not everyone can do this. This will not work for everyone, because everyone’s skin is different.
12 people found this helpful
Hailie Perry –
I finally beat acne after TEN YEARS!! THANK YOU!!
I have been ordering products off of Amazon for years but this is the first time I am going to write a review. I have suffered from semi-severe acne for the past TEN years and have tried many different things that promise clear skin but I have never found anything that worked. I even went to the dermatologist a few times and did not see any results with what they prescribed me. I was seriously about to just give up until I saw this mentioned on Reddit with someone who had similar skin conditions as me getting results with it. Even though I knew this probably would not work as everything does, I tried it out because $14 wasn’t too much to waste. Oh boy. I have only used this since March (about 3 months) and my skin is COMPLETELY CLEAR!!!! I was literally crying to one of my friends yesterday about how happy I was to be able to do basic things without the pain from my acne disctracting me. I haven’t had a single pimple in the past month while I used to get 3-4 a day. I can’t believe the day has finally come that I can glide a finger over my skin and it is completely smooth, I can finally wear makeup, I can sleep on the side of my face, I can wear a mask without changing it from getting acne gunk on it. I finally beat acne after 10 long years thanks to Differin.On that note, here is some advice for those who have just started using this. For one, use this at night and MAKE SURE to buy a sunscreen. Differin increases sensitivity to light and it can actually make your skin worse if you do not use it with a sunscreen. For the first week or two, I would reccomend only using it once a week and gradually increasing to twice/thrice a week. If you are like me and have sensitive skin this is a must or else you may have irritation which can inturn cause more acne flair ups. Additionally, once you have started using it for the first few weeks or months you may expirence what is called a “purge”. Differin increases cell turnover, i.e. speeds up the way your skin replaces old cells with new cells. As this happens, acne that is present in the lower cells waiting to come up is sped up and comes out all at once. This is what many call the “purge” and I expirenced it pretty bad for the first month. But if this happens to you it may just be a sign that the product is working, so try not to quit too soon. And remember: this may take longer to work for some people and may not work at all.But with that, I am extremely greatful for this product and hope that someone else can expirence the same joy as I did 🙂 Thank you.
44 people found this helpful
Pamala Roberts –
great product
This product was a mircle for my skin. This helps my acne clear up.
Tawny Atencio –
The only thing that relieved my hormonal acne
I’ve always been prone to acne, but over the last few months I have had horrible acne outbreaks that I can only describe as hormonal acne. I tried almost everything and it was only getting worse. I started using this product along with Clean & Clear moisturizer and Vitamin C Serum for the red patches all over my cheeks and chin, and this combo is the ONLY thing that has relieved my symptoms. I have sensitive skin and so far it’s caused no issues. It takes a few weeks to see the results, and I do have a few areas of acne left, but overall it is a life saver. I feel confident again.
5 people found this helpful
Maddy Camp –
great buy!
I recently had a bad acne flare and was looking for a good spot treatment, applied this directly to bad spots and after a night they were already looking better. if you get stress acne like me, this is a must have. differin gel is so good and you only need a tiny bit for a spot well worth the money.
One person found this helpful