Differin for Acne User Reviews (Page 4)

• Buz...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 18, 2017

"I used Differin when it first arrived on the market. I'm a black woman, btw. Stopped cause it was making my face peel. Maybe five years later, the derm told me to use it again along with doxy pills, and it cleared my skin up without flaking this time. Every time I stop using it for a while, I get acne again. I'm 25, and I still get breakouts depending on what I'm eating (I love junk). I think I will stick with it and not go long without using it even for tiny pimples. Only had the flaking and burning the very first time using, so my advice to newbies is to not use as much when you are just starting it. And take care of your insides. Stay hydrated. Your skin must get used to it for it to work. No more doxy, only this gel. Skin is supple again!"

• acn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2014

"I began to use Epiduo and Differin one month ago. At first, I was disappointed because I had unrealistically high expectations for how fast they would work, but once I got over that and realized it would take time, I was fine. I used Velocity moisturizer for the dryness, and it didn't work at all sadly, but then I switched to Cetaphil, and my skin began to improve because it was no longer too dry. My skin isn't where I want it to be yet, but looking back at older pictures before using the products, I know it's on its way."

• Anonymous
• June 4, 2020

"My acne returned when I turned 19 (I’m 29 yrs old now). Since then, I’ve had mild/moderate acne. I was just sick of having acne, so I gave Differin a go. The first 2 weeks, my skin didn’t form any new pimples, it was clear, with small spots, but my skin was very dry and irritated. By week 4/5, I had massive red irritated breakouts, my purge had begun. Several infected pores turned into a big spot. My routine: use hydrating serum, then apply an oil to my sensitive areas, such as around my eyes and nose. Followed by a pea-sized amount of Differin, I would wait for that to dry, then apply oil all over, then a moisturizer. I used a low pH cleanser. Week 6/7, my skin started to clear up, my forehead was clear. Week 8, I had a huge breakout on my chin and mouth. Some are reoccurring spots, I’m not sure if this is a 2nd phase of purging or ones that didn’t surface until now. I will continue with it up until the full 12 weeks, hoping this is the last of the purge!!"

• Get...
• June 4, 2017

"I have been using Differin for 15 weeks, and this is the best my skin has looked in years. And I am excited that it'll keep getting better from here. The initial breakout phase was terrible! So for anyone going through that now... keep going, there's a bright light at the end of the tunnel!! Antibiotics won't hurt too!!!"

• kan...
• March 5, 2016

"Acne has been a problem for me since 8th grade, and I started using Differin my first day of senior year (major mistake due to it making your skin 'purge' the first couple of days/weeks). By the end of October, my skin was mostly clear, and by the beginning of December, my face was completely clear except for the occasional pimple every once in a blue moon. At the beginning, it would make my skin burn, especially during sports. It's sensitive to sun, so definitely use sunscreen when you're out. All around, miracle medicine."

• Bar...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 12, 2019

"Differin really works for acne, you just have to keep using it. I remember when I was in my late teens, I started breaking out more than when I was younger. I went to a dermatologist. At that time, it was only available by prescription. I remember her telling me to wash my face and gently pat it dry. Make sure your face is very dry before applying a small, thin amount on your face. She also told me that I would start breaking out even more a couple of weeks after I began using it. It gets deep in your skin and pushes all the oil to the surface. Your skin may get a little red and itchy. You will also start to see a little flaking on your skin. Don't give up. Keep using it. Eventually, it will clear up acne. When I started breaking out more, I would apply my makeup to cover it up. I like to put it on at nighttime after I wash my face. Give it a try!"

• Kri...
• August 12, 2016

"This has worked wonders! A little rough for the first couple of months, but even then, my cystic acne lessened, and the pimples I did have were raised and easy to get rid of. Stick it out for 3-4 months, and you'll see!"

• ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 15, 2021

"I've just passed the 2-month mark after having my doctor prescribe it to me. I've always used benzoyl peroxide, which has always worked for me, but I told my doc I didn't want to put something on my face every single night for the rest of my life. She prescribed Differin. She said I had to wait at least a month to see improvements, as purging is normal. 2 months later, and I'm still purging. I've gotten painful acne in places I didn't have it before, and I'm overall very unhappy with the results. The prescription says it may take 1-3 months to see results, so I will continue for another month, but I don't think it'll make a difference. Would not recommend."

• Ary...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 3, 2021

"So I had high hopes for this product. Not only because I had exhausted most topical solutions for my acne, but because I had seen some great reviews online. My acne was mainly on my cheeks and some spots here and there on my forehead and chin. I never really experienced cystic acne until I started using this product. Three months in, and the purging hadn't stopped. I thought I'd give it more time. Four months in, the acne is cystic and has shifted to my forehead. My right cheek is mostly clear, but I have acne on my left cheek. I'm one week away from five months, and my skin feels greasy. I'm getting blackheads on my forehead, not to mention I now have pitted scars and hyperpigmentation from the ongoing purge. I'm contemplating whether I should continue with this product till month six or pack it in and start trying to clear my HPI and scarring. Right now I'm in the process of making my own coconut kefir so I can heal my gut using probiotic-rich foods. I honestly feel like I'm at my wit's end."

• Anonymous
• December 7, 2008

"This medication helped to clear up my acne within the first couple of weeks of use. However, I think my body developed a resistance to the active ingredient, and some (not all) of the acne returned. The severity of the acne was much less than before treatment. One negative side effect I experienced was increased sensitivity and a red rash that extended down my neck. Whatever you do, do not get your eyebrows waxed while using this product. My skin was ripped off with my eyebrows when I had them waxed."

• Cwe...
• June 16, 2017

"I've only been on Differin for about 3 weeks now, but I've been noticing huge improvements. I am going through an initial breakout but haven't experienced any burning or drying, not even the first few days. I use a CeraVe foaming cleanser, rinse, and immediately apply my moisturizer to my wet skin in the shower (to avoid water loss). I then apply Aquaphor to the skin around my lips, nostrils, and eyes. My dermatologist refers to this as preparing the orifices (to avoid any irritation or dryness). I then dot the Differin around my face and rub it in. In the morning, I wash my face with a 0.5% salicylic acid wash from Murad and apply a physical sunscreen (I use CeraVe's)."

• Tee...
• October 22, 2016

"Started Differin almost 2 months ago. I had some cystic acne on the chin and some pimples on the cheeks before starting Differin (i.e., mild acne). Three weeks after starting Differin, I started to get a bunch of whiteheads on one side of my cheek. It wasn't that noticeable until 1-2 weeks (4-5 weeks in) that the whiteheads became incredibly noticeable - very raised, incredibly itchy. The whiteheads eventually became pimples, meaning that I had 5-6 pimples in this little patch. Worst acne I have ever had (I am assuming this is the initial breakout period). Eight weeks on Differin now, and that one side and spot of my cheek that had all those whiteheads has cleared up over 50%. Can't wait to see what happens in the next 2 weeks! Hopefully acne-free!"

• Zam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 5, 2019

"I am 34 years old and female. For the past 6ish years, I started getting breakouts. Sometimes they're terrible. I get painful deep pimples, cystic acne, and blackheads. About 7 months ago, I started realizing how bad my scarring was getting. NOTHING WORKED THAT I TRIED. Well, maybe for a few days it would work. But nothing ever consistently worked. I tried salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, all at different doses with moisturizer, toners, etc. Anyway, when I tried Differin, it did not start working for a few weeks. Maybe 2-3 weeks. But I kept doing it. Initially, the side effects are facial redness and skin flaking. I pushed through that part of it, and my breakouts STOPPED. Like completely stopped. I will start to get minor breakouts if I skip a few days of Differin. Once I begin again, it starts working again. I always use a good moisturizer in the morning when I wake up, and I apply the Differin at night. This stuff is awesome for acne, and it really works."

• Tea...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 12, 2020

"This Differin stuff works so well. My skin can't handle applying it every day, so I do about every other day, but it is AMAZING for cystic acne. It doesn't do much for regular acne, but if you have cystic acne, it works. I used to get like 1-2 giant cystic spots on average a week, and now they have completely stopped. It's amazing. I might start to get one around my time of the month, but it'll go away quickly with this stuff. Start slow. Apply once a week for about 2 weeks, then 2 times a week for another 2 weeks, then bump it up to 3 times a week and see how your skin does, but you have to give it about 2 months to work. I didn't have any 'purge' like others have, but I also started incredibly slowly, which helps a lot."

• Kit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 15, 2016

"I've had a great experience with Differin gel. I was prescribed Differin for acne that got worse as an adult. When I was 31, the acne was so severe that I felt like a teenager. The first week was hard. My skin was very dry to the point where flakes would fall off when I touched my face. I used moisturizer in the morning and would still flake all day. After about a week, the dryness completely went away. I've been using this product for a few weeks now and have seen a HUGE difference in my skin. My acne is clearing up, and my skin has a smoothness that it has never had before. My skin is combination/oily, and it feels a little oilier now. I'm okay with that - with the smoothness of my skin, it looks dewy and clear."

• Joe...
• February 7, 2017

"It's been over a month using the over-the-counter. I posted previously. I had started out using once every three days and then went to every two days to make sure no issues. Skin got very dry at first. Apply each evening about two hours before going to bed. In the AM, I apply Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture with Sunscreen SPF 35 and reapply as needed. Had several blackheads mature during the month. Some were under the skin surface. All gone. A few whiteheads. Skin has calmed down considerably. Skin seems healthier. No longer use Benzoyl Peroxide."

• Car...
• December 9, 2018

"This product is awful and has made my life hell for the last 11 weeks. I am a 30-year-old with mild comedonal acne on my cheeks. Other products haven't worked for me, so after a LOT of research, I decided to give Differin a try. I knew I would experience redness, drying, and a purging period where my acne would get worse and that it's normal. I read hours of reviews where people told me to stick with it until the 12-week mark. I am 3 days away from that mark and my face has NEVER looked or felt this bad in my life. I have painful red pustules popping up every night and continued redness and drying despite constant moisturizing. It's bad enough I have adult acne and that I've been trying to stick it out with this product for 12 weeks, but this product has made it SO MUCH WORSE! I will be sure to tell everyone I know NEVER to use it. I am embarrassed and upset I wasted my time and money for the last 3 months to make my face look worse. Not only that, but now I have SCARS all over as well."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 15, 2019

"30, male, extremely oily skin. I had cystic acne, and I have some of the worst scars, and now I get the occasional huge cyst/pimple. I rotate my use of this daily-one day cheeks, one day forehead, one day nose, kind of like that, because all over every day, even a thin layer, it burns because it's too potent. On this, I realized my brow ridge and nose produced less oil, and they look less 'congested.' I've been on it 3 months now. For the first time, I've healed a cyst without a scar in my life. There are absolutely fewer lines on my forehead, my nose gets no cysts and looks smoother like my forehead. To prep skin for dryness this causes, I use the CeraVe PM moisturizer before Differin. It just dries me out too much on bare skin. I also use SPF 50 daily on my face. I live in an area with a high UV index all year."

• Jes...
• January 26, 2017

"After benzoyl peroxide made my skin worse, I was prescribed Differin cream 0.1%. Results were slow at first, but with maintaining a good skincare routine and a healthy diet, my skin showed huge improvements after about 2-3 months of use. Little side effects, some dryness, but as to be expected with any acne product and easily resolved with moisturizer. Felt a lot less harsh on my skin than benzoyl peroxide. I am left with some spots and scarring, but the effects have been overall brilliant. Would recommend sticking with it for a few months to see the best results!"

• Sen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 19, 2020

"I am 42 years old, and I have fair skin. Recently, I have had the worst acne rosacea outbreak I have ever had in my life. After a few months of antibiotics and Soolantra cream, the inflammation and new pimples were getting better. But, I still had rough, bumpy skin with lots of red hyperpigmentation where the acne has been. My dermatologist ordered azelaic acid, and I waited for over a month for it to come in at the pharmacy. It didn’t come, they claimed, because of Covid-19. I was furious and canceled my order. I decided to buy Differin to help skin turnover and prevent new pimples. My skin is so smooth! I have used it every night except 1 night for a month. The redness has improved, and if I get new pimples, they go away quickly. I never got the purge. I am wondering if antibiotics helped with that. Also, my skin seemed dry for a minute, but it was my skin getting ready to slough off. Overall, I believe the product is doing a fine job. I also use CeraVe day and night moisturizer recommended by my doctor."

• Gri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 28, 2017

"I've had acne when I was a teenager, it cleared up during my 20s, then came back - with a vengeance - when I was 33. Differin gel and cream have been the BEST stuff I've used, and I have used A LOT of different lotions and potions, which have cost me a fortune over the years. I'm now 39 and still suffer breakouts, but I keep a tube handy for them, and it clears them up in a couple of days. I would say to ONLY put it on the papule or pustule and not on any clear skin around them. That's when it will make your skin flake and peel off! If you use it on the spots ONLY, it will work just fine. I'm also a beauty therapist, and I recommend that some of my clients see their GP for it."

• Anonymous
• July 10, 2009

"I've been using Differin for 5 weeks now. My skin had seemed to be improving, but then, all of a sudden, the last few days I've had several new breakouts. It's a little frustrating, but I'll continue using it, as it can take up to 12 weeks for the best results. I'll just keep my fingers crossed."

• Car...
• September 25, 2018

"I purchased this product after seeing the commercial for it several times. I had tried everything OTC and thought that this might actually work. It didn’t. I’ve had moderate acne for about 5 years, and it always comes in spurts. I really didn’t notice anything the first week of using it. In the second week, I noticed my acne getting worse, and by the third week, my acne was unbearable. I had the worst acne of my life, and so I finally did research because I hadn’t before I started. All the reviews I read said that it gets worse before it gets better, but usually starts really working after a month or so. I decided to stick with it and kept hoping it would get better. It didn’t. After 12 weeks of using it, my acne was awful. I had developed more scars than I ever had before. I threw it away and went back to my old routine. My face started clearing up right away. Everyone has different reactions, but I wouldn’t recommend this product to any of my friends."

• lv1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 30, 2021

"Tried Differin for almost 4 months. In that period of time, it totally ruined my skin. I started with a few pimples, and now my face is completely covered. It has absolutely destroyed my self-esteem. I can hardly look at myself in the mirror. I see people stare at the sides of my face, and it is so hard on me. A kid even asked if ants had bitten me. Tonight, I'm done with this stuff."

• jmp...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 7, 2020

"Differin was absolutely awful! I was using a prescription tretinoin for anti-aging/clear skin purposes, but I lost my insurance, and the medicine is about $400 without insurance. I figured, 'Yay, I can buy Differin, it's similar and OTC now.' BIG BIG BIG MISTAKE!!!! My skin normally has one pimple at a time, AT THE MOST every 3 weeks around my cycle. I'm currently battling multiple cystic outbreaks, and it's week 5 of my Differin journey. I wanted to give it a chance, but I stopped cold turkey 3 days ago because this is traumatizing. I'm going back to my old routine. Please be careful with this product, and if you decide to try it, do it only 2x a week for 3 weeks, 3x a week for the next 3 weeks, 4x a week for the next 4 weeks, and so on because it WILL ruin your day."