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Differin User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

Differin has an average rating of 6.1 out of 10 from a total of 344 reviews on Drugs.com. 53% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 36% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Differin

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Bre...
  • January 14, 2015

For Acne "I started having acne problems after a series of surgeries. I tried many different things to get rid of my acne, but nothing worked until I tried Differin. I've been using it for 2 years already, and since then, I've been acne-free. I still use it at night on occasional acne breakouts, and all disappear the next morning. Awesome acne medication!"

10 / 10
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85 Report
  • Rhi...
  • January 6, 2015

For Acne "So far, so good! I've been using it on and off for a while, but now I've finally started using it regularly, it's really started to work! One tip, though: make sure you wash your hands properly after using it. I didn't, then rubbed my eyes (having put it on before bed) and got really dry skin on my eyelids, which was super painful!!!"

9 / 10
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79 Report
  • gga...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 23, 2020

For Acne "Differin doesn't work for everyone, but it worked for me. The purging phase lasted about 2 months, but now my cheeks and chin are smooth, and the scars are healing. To get the best results: 1. Wash your face once at night with a mild, non-acne treatment wash. I use Glossier Milk Jelly. 2. Dry your face with a paper towel. If you research how much bacteria lives in your towel, this will make sense. 3. Put Differin on your face (don't overdo it. Use a small pea-size amount for the whole surface). Let it sit on your face without moisturizer for a few minutes. 4. YOU MUST USE A STRONG MOISTURIZER right after you use Differin and the morning after as well. This made all the difference. I wasn't doing this at first, and it changed everything and allowed my skin to heal. I used Weleda Skin Food. It's a little pricey, so sometimes I rotated it with Clinique Dramatically Different Lotion. They did the job! 5. Once a week, I'd use a gentle exfoliator to get rid of the skin coming off."

9 / 10
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33 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Cat...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 17, 2015

For Acne "I've had bad skin since 4th grade. I never did anything about it, I would just wear makeup and cover-up. Last year, in grade 9, I went on the pill for my skin. It completely cleared the acne on my back and chest, but my face was still bad. I eventually got put on Differin gel, and within the first week, my skin was clear for the first time! But I began getting a red rash on my face, and my skin was peeling and very sensitive to anything else I put on there, even my makeup. I've now been using it for about 4 months. To anyone who is looking to go on Differin gel, I highly recommend it, but do not judge your skin within the first few weeks because your skin will be getting used to it. I now have completely clear skin and am very happy."

10 / 10
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47 Report
  • Anonymous
  • September 16, 2020

For Acne "I recommend you to be very patient with Differin. In total, my skin had to support Differin for one whole year (with interruptions) + comedones to get better. It's a long process that has to be followed very rigorously. Exercising + eating good food + not smoking and drinking few + sleeping well really helps everything go faster. Keep going, you're gonna see the end of it."

8 / 10
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29 Report

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  • cle...
  • March 31, 2015

For Acne "Worked really well. After about 2 months, my acne was a lot clearer. I hardly get acne anymore. Hardly any irritation when I used the 0.01%, and I've had a pretty bad reaction to other acne creams I've tried before."

9 / 10
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57 Report
  • Mad...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • February 18, 2017

For Acne "I have only just started this product, but I'm in love! I usually don't leave reviews, but this felt necessary-DO NOT USE IF YOU HAVE NORMAL SKIN OR LITTLE ACNE. This product is clearly meant for us more oily skin types, and I can honestly say it's worked like a dream. Yes, my skin has become a little more dry and sensitive, but that's to be expected. It cleared up my super bad breakout in about a week, and now I'm working on getting rid of my blackheads and the scars. I definitely recommend this product, and be sure to moisturize when using!!"

9 / 10
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39 Report
  • how...
  • December 21, 2019

For Acne "I’m 20 years old and have had breakouts since I was about 16. I don’t necessarily have acne, but very bad breakouts, mostly hormonal. I started doing research and found Differin gel. Now, the reviews were extremely scattered. I saw plenty of good and bad reviews. I went out and got this gel at my local Walmart. The first 1-2 weeks were completely fine, no difference in my skin at all. The 3-4 week mark hit, I was breaking out BAD. PAINFUL HUGE PIMPLES, and my skin was dry too. I kept pushing and continued to use it, even though my confidence was out the window, I even struggled with wanting to leave my house. I’m on the 8 week mark right now, and my skin looks pretty damn good. Scarring, a few active spots. I like this product A LOT. I’m not even at the full 12 weeks yet, and things are looking up for sure. If you have the patience to go through the terrible purging phase, then get this product. KEEP GOING, DO NOT STOP. IT WILL BE WORTH IT."

8 / 10
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28 Report
  • Jes...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • February 22, 2015

For Acne "I had suffered with acne for about 4 years. I was 29 when I first started using Differin gel. After 2 months, my skin was completely clear, and I am so happy. I would recommend Differin to anyone. I didn't need to waste money on other products that don't work. Differin has changed my life. Flawless skin, finally. I'm 30 now, and I've been using Differin for 6 months. Best acne treatment on the market."

10 / 10
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45 Report
  • Sha...
  • February 12, 2017

For Acne "I started getting acne in my early 20s, and by 27, I was suffering from cystic acne. In total, I'd say I've tried 20 or more treatments without improvement. I did two courses of Accutane without improvement. About a year later, I went to a new dermatologist and was prescribed Differin gel. After three months, my face was perfect. No acne, no scars. Don't even judge it for two months. Waiting isn't fun, but discouragement can lead to quitting. Don't quit, you won't regret it. My skin did get dry and sensitive, but got better within a month or so. Don't scrub, use excessive products, and use moisturizer. Seriously, perfect skin!!"

10 / 10
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38 Report
  • Tan...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 9, 2015

For Acne "I'm 16, and I had really bad acne on my cheeks especially. The first couple of nights of using the cream made my skin pretty dry and flaky. The first thing I noticed with the cream is it got rid of all my pus-filled pimples straight away. It took a while, maybe 2 months, but by then my acne had cleared up so much! There were a lot of red marks left behind, but that's alright because they're not overly noticeable and they will fade away with time. For anyone that is suffering with acne, just go see a GP or a dermatologist, overcome the fear and the embarrassment of acne because the results are so satisfying."

10 / 10
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40 Report
  • lum...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 23, 2019

For Acne "I'm a 23-year-old male. I would have 1 or 2 pimples at most every 2-3 weeks, but I was looking for something to help stop these few pimples, and Differin seemed to have a good option. BAD IDEA. This has ruined my skin. I have never had so much acne, and the worst part is the acne scarring that every pimple leaves behind. I've never been so self-conscious of my skin to the point where I'm avoiding leaving the house. I'm a week away from being 3 months on Differin and have been 'purging' since the first week. I am going to stop using Differin and will use only the VERY basic stuff, like moisturizer, and will try to update to see if my skin improves within a few weeks. I'm sure Differin or other retinoids work for some people, but it seems like a hit or miss product. It's not worth suffering for so long just to hope for a chance at improvement."

1 / 10
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  • Now...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 2, 2020

For Acne "My acne wasn’t that bad to start with. I had 2 basic pimples that were very stubborn and just weren’t going away. I went to a dermatologist and she gave me adapalene (Differin). What followed was a terrible purge that broke out in those areas around my jaw and cheekbone (where the two pimples were). I had never broken out before, and I was so frustrated. 3 months later, my skin hasn’t healed from those breakouts, and still new pimples form on my cheeks. My jaw is left with hyperpigmentation from the acne the gel caused (I have never scarred before). Not to mention, while using this product, my face has become extremely dry, and I look gaunt and older than when I first started. I heard all these miraculous things about adapalene, but it seems my skin reacted opposite. I will say my skin is pretty smooth and “brighter,” but it’s not worth the damage it did to my face."

3 / 10
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24 Report
  • mar...
  • July 18, 2019

For Acne "I literally never leave reviews for stuff, but I had to for this. It changed my life, I am significantly happier and more confident since using this product. I had cystic acne like I had never experienced before. It was HORRIBLE-my face was extremely oily and covered in deep red blemishes. Experiencing this in college was honestly making me depressed. My friend recommended Differin, and at first I was hesitant but decided it couldn’t get much worse. Within the first week, I noticed a change in the overall quality of my skin. While the acne had of course not suddenly disappeared, my face was significantly less oily and appeared brighter overall. After a month, I’d say my acne had decreased by about 50%. After three months on Differin, I’d say my cystic acne was about 80% gone. After five months on Differin, I genuinely do not have acne anymore. Even when I get the occasional pimple, it comes to a head within a day and quickly disappears. It changed my life!"

10 / 10
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26 Report
  • Jo0...
  • March 14, 2017

For Acne "I've tried several over-the-counter acne medications and washes, homemade applications, and NOTHING seemed to work. I saw a commercial on Differin Gel and literally told myself, 'Sure, another acne med that claims to be effective.' I figured I might as well give it a try considering I was beginning to accept my terrible acne. I saw results in a week or so, and so did my family and friends. I am almost 2 months in, and my face is practically clear, even the dark acne scars vanished. I highly recommend Differin Gel to everyone that is suffering from mild to severe acne, I promise!! I always apply the gel after washing my face in the evening, applying the gel all over my face and jawbone. Good luck!"

9 / 10
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33 Report
  • Bex...
  • August 2, 2015

For Acne "I started using Differin in February after dealing with horrible acne my last semester of college. I think it was stress-related, because I've always had pretty great skin up until then. I went to my dermatologist, and he prescribed me Differin and antibiotics. All I can say is there is hope! It took me 12 whole weeks to have skin I was comfortable with, but it really does work. My skin was horrible at first when I began using it, the purge, as people like to call it, and I really didn't think there was going to be a light at the end of the tunnel. But seriously, week 12 hit, and it was night and day. I still use it every night with some days off in between, but now I am actually comfortable in my skin with only the occasional zit."

9 / 10
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38 Report
  • Nic...
  • February 1, 2012

For Acne "I've never had acne until November of last year. Due to large amounts of stress, I broke out all over my forehead and chin. It caused me to get stressed out even more! I went to my doctor to tell her about all the symptoms I've been having due to all this stress, and she gave me Differin for the acne. I've only been using it for about 2 weeks now, and I've definitely noticed a difference! The left side of my forehead is almost completely cleared up! I remember after only 3 nights of using this that I woke up and noticed my acne had gotten worse (this is a good thing, I knew it meant that it was pushing the acne up to the surface to get out). I love this!"

8 / 10
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51 Report
  • Thy...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 7, 2017

For Acne "I've always suffered with acne throughout my teenage years and adult life. I have PCOS, and I had a full thyroidectomy due to thyroid cancer last year. I'm now 38. My hormones went crazy after surgery. I was breaking out terribly. I've tried every over-the-counter and natural treatment you could imagine. Nothing worked. I saw the commercial and was, of course, skeptical. I picked it up at Target and started using it during my usual breakout time (week before my period). Within a week, it was cleared up! My acne scars are lighter as well. People at work are actually saying how good my skin looks! I wish I would've tried it sooner. I use a very thin layer in common breakout areas. I also moisturize with coconut oil. Fantastic product!"

10 / 10
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32 Report
  • Kit...
  • October 12, 2018

For Acne "I have to wonder if people leaving reviews are paid to do so or get some benefit out of it because Differin is terrible for me. I've been using it for a few days shy of two months, and it has not helped at all. It creates new cystic acne in places I never had it before, all over my forehead and the sides of my face. The stupid wash they tell you to use also burns while using Differin and makes my skin oily as hell. I am so embarrassed to leave the house, and all I can do is cry. Thanks for nothing!!"

1 / 10
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28 Report
  • Anonymous
  • October 17, 2015

For Acne "I've used this product for 12 weeks now. My comedone acne completely cleared after 8 weeks of use. Broke out a lot in the first 8 weeks, but once I reached 8 weeks and onward, my skin has drastically changed. Would definitely recommend this for comedone acne, and do try and persevere as it takes at least 8 weeks to work."

10 / 10
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35 Report
  • Sej...
  • February 21, 2016

For Acne "I've been using Differin 0.1 for years now (over 10 years) and swear by it. It keeps big cystic acne from breaking out too badly, clears up blemishes and marks fast, and most importantly prevents them from occurring in the first place. I have also read it's anti-aging... I'm 33 now, and people think I'm 26."

10 / 10
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37 Report
  • All...
  • December 26, 2013

For Acne "I've had acne since like the 7th grade, and I didn't really bother to do anything about it because it wasn't bad, but at the end of 8th grade, it got worse, so I went to a dermatologist, and she prescribed Epiduo to me, and I used it and had clear skin for almost the whole summer. But in August, when school started, my face started getting horribly dry and peeling, and it hurt. So I went back to the derm, and she prescribed Differin (0.3%) gel, and I've been using it now for 4 months, and it works great! I have to say it does get worse before it gets better."

9 / 10
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46 Report
  • Tii...
  • April 3, 2017

For Acne "I have been using this gel for about 2 weeks now and have had nothing but positive results. I'm not exaggerating when I say this started working on my skin immediately. I have been going through bad cystic acne breakouts and hormonal acne for the past two years now. Since I started using the Differin, my breakouts are minimal, with only one or two pimples, but nothing like before. I was breaking out with 3-5 new pimples daily, and the Differin stopped that from happening immediately. I have extremely oily skin, so the Differin did not dry out my skin. I have also changed my face cleansing products and also changed my foundation at the same time. I would highly recommend this product for anyone who is at their wits' end with adult acne."

10 / 10
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31 Report
  • mar...
  • September 25, 2016

For Acne "Struggled with acne for years, and this has honestly been a miracle worker. I've tried many different treatments (different strengths of benzoyl peroxide, oxytetracycline, and limecycline), and I decided to use Differin before trying BC or Accutane, and I'm so glad I did! The first week was tough because my skin peeled rather a lot and felt extremely dry. However, I didn't experience any 'purging,' and the dryness was easily solved with a light moisturizer. After about 2 weeks, my skin was significantly clearer and was nowhere near as dry as before. The gel has been the best treatment I've used by far, and I strongly encourage you to persevere with it as it's a game-changer! My skin is now really clear, and I have so much more confidence!"

10 / 10
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30 Report
  • meg...
  • June 24, 2016

For Acne "I've always had acne, ever since puberty started! I broke out really badly at the start of this year, probably because I went on a 'TRY EVERYTHING' rampage and destroyed my own skin. But yeah, it was one of the lowest points for me in terms of my self-esteem and confidence. I really hated looking at myself, and I was so depressed. Anyway, I was prescribed Differin by my dermatologist. Alas, after many painful months of breaking out, my skin slowly but surely cleared up. I would say the initial months were VERY TOUGH, but don't give up! BE PATIENT, and you will see your skin transform! Give it at least 3 months."

10 / 10
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31 Report

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