Differin for Acne User Reviews (Page 3)

• Anonymous
• January 14, 2016

"Absolutely amazing! Since I have used this medicine, my face has cleared up in less than a month! I had a lot of bumps on my forehead and pimples on my face, including cheeks. I also feel that it is helping with my acne scars. I really hope this helps and that more people can live with clear skin :)"

• Sad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 27, 2020

"I had like a few breakouts, so I went to the dermatologist for medicine, and they told me to use Differin gel. I guess it works for some and not for all. Because I started with 2-4 pimples and then used the Differin, and now I have full-blown acne. Like all over my face, I used it consistently for 6 months. Never stopped until I realized it wasn’t working, all it did was give me more acne, and I hate my face and regret using this product. It said I would see a difference in 12 weeks and no more acne, but I saw a difference, alright... made my face horrible. So... happy it works for some people, I guess."

• Ash...
• February 28, 2019

"My experience with Differin was horrible. I know they said you may get purging, but believe me it’s not worth the pain and scarring caused by the purging process. Research for more natural remedies that are soothing for your skin. This product is designed to keep you buying more since you think it will get better over time. I have read reviews where some said it got better after months, and then purging started happening again, so this sounds like a never-ending cycle. Please beware, this is not the only acne product on the market, and believe me all products don’t cause purging like this. My skin has never looked this bad. I’m in the medical field and feel so embarrassed going to work with my face like this. I figured makeup would irritate my skin more, so I’m trying to stick it out. I have stopped using Differin and wish I never started."

• Loo...
• October 16, 2016

"This cream has been amazing for me. At first, I wasn't seeing anything good except more spots and sore skin. My boyfriend said, "Why am I using cream to make me look worse?" But I knew you had to stick at it. I got frustrated, so I applied peroxide as well, which was great to rid the spots fast but meant my skin all flaked off. That was horrible at the time but got rid of every scar and blemish. Like a chemical peel, I guess. Then, 2 months in, I really noticed the difference. Now, about 4 months in and for about 2 months now, I have had skin I had wished for for years. Clear and no marks, and can leave without makeup. I honestly wish this was over the counter and don't get why it isn't because it would help so many more people who don't go to the GP."

• Jen...
• December 19, 2008

"My acne became worse within the first 2 weeks of using Differin, then all of a sudden it began to get better. The improvements must have happened at night because I would get excited in the mornings when I washed my face. I have to strongly agree with the person who posted before me. DO NOT GET YOUR EYEBROWS WAXED while using this product. My skin was ripped off and immediately turned red. A day or so later it left this large UGLY scar under my eyebrows. About a week later it peeled and was fine, but who wants to go through that."

• Dog...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 13, 2013

"When I first started using Differin, my skin was really red and peeled for several days. After that, it started to look a lot better, but then out of nowhere, it started to break out more, especially cystic acne on my face, and my skin is really hot to the touch and painful. I hope it's just that it gets worse before it gets better."

• Acn...
• March 24, 2015

"I tried this medication when I was a teenager but did not stick with it because the irritation it caused me was unbearable. I wonder if it was because my acne was worse and my skin more sensitive at the time, but I can't remember how long I stuck with it. I started my current try with it about nine months ago. I had about one to two months of redness, itchiness, and a lot of skin flaking, but as soon as this wore off (which it did completely) as my skin adapted to it, I started noticing big improvements: I have had almost no blackheads, which were causing me a lot of scarring. For most of the month, I get no spots, and when I do, it's just a few, and they are MUCH smaller, less painful, and disappear quicker, and my skin overall looks clearer and more youthful."

• Mik...
• August 30, 2013

"I had clear skin all the way up to junior year. I became stressed out due to the workload and decided to buy products that contained chemicals such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. I even purchased a system, but I believe that it dried out my skin and produced an oil flare-up. My acne was considerably worse after 30 days. I got cystic pimples. I finally convinced my parents to seek me a dermatologist. I was prescribed Differin lotion (0.3% adapalene) along with minocycline 100 mg, twice a day. I wash my face now with Purpose gentle cleansing bar. The first week I only used Differin because my insurance had not cleared minocycline yet. I saw significant improvement. Almost my 3rd month and breakouts have ceased."

• Ash...
• April 17, 2017

"I used Differin gel for almost 2 years on my face. I had moderate acne that no OTC medication helped, and some prescription medications didn't help much either. Differin took about 2-3 weeks of daily use before I saw any change, but about 2 months into the treatment, my face was pretty much all clear with no pimples. It was amazing. My skin did get red and itchy during those first few weeks, but my doctor said it was common and to keep using it because my skin would get used to it. It did, and it still keeps my skin the best it's ever looked. Also, it's now available over the counter at drug stores."

• 26w...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 1, 2017

"I have been using this product since it was made available without a prescription. If you are going to use it, be sure to read the instructions and warnings. This product has a period of time at the beginning of use that makes your acne worse and then clears it. I went through this process when I started taking Spironolactone, so I knew what to expect and I trusted that it would go away - it did. My skin looks and feels fantastic! I still get an occasional zit here and there - I'm pretty sure it's my fault as I'm a toucher/picker/popper. This is an easy product to add to your routine. Make sure to use it at night and wash off in the morning so you don't have to worry about sunburns. I highly recommend Differin."

• reb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 24, 2019

"I am on my 15th week of Differin currently, and my acne and scars are really clearing up. I still get some occasional pimples, but not a massive amount. Even at week 12, I had a ton of acne from when my skin was “purging,” and the scarring was unreal. I never got a massive amount of acne on my cheeks before using this product, but besides the scars left behind, which continue to clear up by the day. I’m very happy with how my face is looking, even though it took 14 weeks to be happy and see good results. Stick with it because I came on this website all the time and always heard bad reviews, but also good ones saying to stick it out, and I truly agree to just stick it out. Or try something else if you can’t/won’t be able to deal with the possible 14 weeks of unbelievable amounts of acne and scars."

• Miz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 10, 2017

"I started using Differin 0.1% in November 2016, fast forward to January 2017, and I couldn't be happier! I'm 26 and have been battling with acne since I was around 13. I have tried all sorts of products and regimes and sometimes had success, but it never lasted long. I had tried Differin before but never stuck it out long enough to see its full benefits, this time I did, and my skin is thanking me for it. I've kept my skincare regimen very simple. I use a very gentle cleanser in the morning, then a benzoyl peroxide 5% gel, then a moisturizer on top. In the evening, I use the same cleanser, then the Differin cream. I always allow it to soak in for at least an hour, then follow up with my moisturizer. This cream takes time to work, but be patient."

• Whi...
• April 5, 2017

"I will be 30 in 3 months, and my skin is worse than it was when I was 16! What the hell! I find it interesting that everyone who really enjoyed this product properly used this product. I was prescribed Differin when I was in my teens, and it worked wonders! Now that it's OTC, I recently started using it again. I am at the 4-week point, so yes, my face is breaking out. I remember when I first used it years ago, the same thing happened, and with patience, my skin cleared up. I have already noticed a difference in my cheeks, which seem to not be breaking out as bad. I am patiently waiting for this period of breakouts to come and go, so I can see those great results once more. I used Differin as a teen and loved it."

• Soq...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 20, 2017

"This stuff is AWESOME. Admittedly, it itched like fire for three days until I slacked off and used a good moisturizing cream. But my face is CLEAR for the first time in YEARS. I recommend Carmex to heal the dry flakes and Aveeno after that. If you have another breakout, go back to Differin. I can't recommend this stuff enough. It's worth it to itch and burn for a day or two; it's WORKING. Just deal with it. Thank you, makers of Differin!!! Screw makeup. I'm FREE."

• Kab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 5, 2016

"I had too many pimples all over my face. They were little ones and blackheads as well. I live in one of the hottest countries in the world where the sun is available throughout the year. Sandstorms occur often, which made dirt stick to my face and produce more pimples. I went to the dermatologist, he prescribed Differin 0.1 and Bepanthen (whatever how it spells). I've been using Differin since August nightly before I sleep. Now in November, I literally have zero pimples on my face, and the redness is gone. I'm really satisfied. Literally, all you need is patience for results. Bepanthen was prescribed for me for the scars and as a moisturizer, since Differin dries the face (just a little). Even though I don't have AC, I highly recommend it."

• Lil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 13, 2020

"Was on Differin for 3 months, and it never gets better. I started with 2 acne on my chin, and now I have it on my forehead, cheeks, and chin. Every day felt like a nightmare, and I had major breakdowns here and there. I had high hopes for this product, but I guess it failed me."

• nik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 30, 2020

"I was excited to start this product. I knew I was going to have a face purge. However, it has been over 2 months, and my face is really red and has so much acne. My face is worse than when I started. I don't want to give up, but it is making it so much worse, and I feel so ugly - disappointed."

• ahb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 8, 2020

"I have been on adapalene 0.1% for almost two months now. I had written a review previously, so this is an update. My skin is now mostly clear, and the quality of my skin is much better overall - I call it the 'retinoid glow.' I do still get one or two blemishes, but they aren't as inflamed. The purge is real, but for me, it only occurred when I increased my usage frequency from every other day to every day and when I increased it from twice a week to every other day. My purging phase consisted of inflamed blemishes that go away in two to three days. I used azelaic acid 20% in the day (which I had been using one month prior to using adapalene) and a sunscreen that contains 3% niacinamide. Moisturizer: Cetaphil lotion. Cleanser: Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser."

• Jes...
• August 31, 2011

"This summer, I've broken out severely. I've tried Proactiv, AcneFree, and Clean and Clear Advantage. Proactiv didn't work at all, and AcneFree was very harsh on my skin! Clean and Clear did help, but not that much. I finally went to the doctor, and she prescribed Differin. I've been taking it for a couple of weeks now, and I am starting to see a difference. I've even noticed that my acne scars are healing and getting lighter. I haven't got any of those huge hurt-your-face pimples either."

• tif...
• September 27, 2011

"The first topical treatment I used was Duac, and I didn't see a change in my skin. I switched to Retin-A, and I peeled so badly I couldn't use it at all. My doctor switched me to the generic adapalene gel 0.1%, and I've been using it for a few months now. It works amazingly. I can use it every night, and I've never peeled, and I was even able to stop my antibiotic. I LOVE it!"

• Che...
• August 16, 2017

"I needed to share an honest review. I got Differin to get rid of these stubborn invisible pimples around my chin. Basically, they're clogged pores. They appeared even though I wash my face daily and nightly and exfoliate regularly with expensive products. Then I found Differin. I've been on it about 3 weeks now. Although I have gotten breakouts all over, my forehead is its clearest it's been. The pores on my cheeks are getting smaller and clearer. My nose has practically no problem areas anymore. The invisible pimples/clogged pores are subsiding dramatically. I am getting breakouts in those areas, but my face looks radiant anyway."

• For...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 2, 2017

"I've been battling acne ever since I was a teenager, and now I'm 23, still battling acne until here recently. I had heard about Differin, and how adapalene can help stubborn acne. I purchased the gel about 2 weeks ago, and I must say my breakouts are almost gone. I dealt with dryness and a burning sensation the first few days, but my skin got used to it after that. What helps is washing your face, applying moisturizer, and then applying the Differin. This makes it less harsh for the skin. I can't wait to see how my skin will look in 2 months. Don't give up on this stuff, it's a work in progress."

• Anonymous
• May 28, 2019

"So I originally started using Differin when I thought my skin care routine wasn’t working any longer. I used this product for over 4 months before finally calling it quits because I feel like it just made my face worse and never got any better. It left my face with really bad discoloration and scarring, and the texture of my skin became worse as well. I have since switched back to my previous, more natural, and more general routine, and my face has started clearing up. I was originally advised to try this by my doctor, and I was hesitant because I never use products this harsh, and for my skin, personally, I regret it. I understand you have to go through a purging process with this product, but 1. It is not worth the scarring and hyperpigmentation, and 2. I don’t think you should have to push through with a product for over 4 months and still not see results. Not only did I not see results, but it made my skin significantly worse than when I started the process."

• Hil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 28, 2019

"I wanted to share my experience with Differin as someone in the middle of the dreaded acne purge. I am coming into 6 weeks, and I have to say this has been the worst my skin has looked since I first started breaking out 17 years ago. I am not only getting whiteheads that seem to burst at the most inopportune times, I am also getting a lot of actual raised acne. It is all happening in the majority of problem areas. The worst thing is that it is happening in clusters. It seems to be more painful than my normal breakouts since they come hard and fast. They also subside fast, but as of right now... more seem to be not far behind. Right now I can't help but give this 1 star because this is pure awfulness... plain and simple. That being said, I am moving forward using the medication. I will update next week and week 8 when most of the purging is supposed to be at an end."

• Bea...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 20, 2019

"My dermatologist prescribed this before it was OTC, and it may have been a higher dose then, but it still works with the 1%. I do not have severe acne, but it is cystic, especially around my menstrual cycle. What I have learned to use and what my doctor recommended was to only use Dove sensitive soap with the product. I wash my face with it before I apply it. You want to be sure to use it on your entire face, not just particular spots here and there. Sometimes I could even wear it under my makeup, but at night is easiest for me, once a day. Anyway, when my skin did get really dry, my solution is always Vaseline, all over your face for one night, maybe two. It's messy and feels very gross, but worth it. I always have baby soft skin without dryness, and my wrinkles are less present after a night of this. Lastly, although I do still get cystic acne on Differin, it's less often, and they come out more easily if and when I do pop them. Hope this is helpful."