24 Aug 24
tl;dr: 10/10 recommend, leaves my skin smooth, no breakouts since I started. Def wash your hands after applying, as small traces will transfer on other parts of your skin if you touch - I got a reaction this way on my arm and knee. Once I started washing my hands after use, no problem. I also find myself using a bigger scoop of face lotion as it does dry me out a bit.A quick backstory about my skincare. I had horrible acne as a kid. After high school, thinking it would always just get better, my mom took me to a dermatologist to get treatment. For reference, my acne was so bad the first recommendation was Accutane. Thankfully, my mom said no, and I went on antibiotics that helped clear me up. Additionally, I?m a night shower girly, so I apply this at night with all my skincare, not in the morning. I?d say I?m normal skin but slightly oily in the t-zone.Now, 27, I?m trying to just get nicer looking skin. I?ll get a break out during my period of 1-3 pimples, all hormonal and really what can you do lol, but sometimes I just get that nasty cyst and want to cry. Years of horrible cystic acne has just left me with poor skin texture as I was a picker, so I?m looking to improve it. I also just have large pores on my nose and a bit on my chin. 7/23 - Got the Differin gel. This is my timeline of use.7/28, about a week in, and I felt the side effects of the tingling/burning. This only was prominent when I put my skincare on, lasted less than 20 seconds. In the morning when I put on spray sunscreen it also burned. The burning feeling is very minimal, 5-10 seconds. I overall have sensitive skin everywhere, not just my face. This was a prime side effect when I read up on use. One thing I did notice is I was a bit more dry than usual, developing dry patches (pretty small, flaked right off and not itchy) and the unevenness in my skin seemed to be more prominent - I looked more red and splotchy. My skin just got really irritated more since using. Online reviews recommend 2-4 weeks of these symptoms and needing to get through the month, so that?s the goal!8/1, almost two weeks, redness flair has died down and burning is noticeable less when makeup or skincare/lotion is applied. Dry skin and the patchyness is about the same.8/8 - Burning feeling is gone. One thing is that I apply this at night after I shower (night showers) and then I apply my body lotion. That small residue that is going on my body has caused parts to get really dry and small pimples. Make sure if you are applying this that you are washing your hands afterwards before you apply anything else on another part of your body. The dryness on my arms killed!8/25 - Overall, my skin always feels smooth! I would wake up in the morning and where I have larger pores it would feel bumpy, but not anymore! Will continue to use!
4.0 out of 5 stars Spot treatment
25 Jun 24
This spot treatment has been a game changer for me. I can put this on a spot at night and notice it is gone or a huge change the next morning.
5.0 out of 5 stars Differin held my hand and told me everything was okay
26 Jul 22
I've been using Adapalene.1% (the active ingredient in Differin) since 2017ish. I struggled with acne scars causing hyperpigmentation spots. I was first given a topical cream by my primary care physician that helped calm major acne, but I was left with almost PURPLE scarring. Over the course of 5 years, I used Differin just about daily and it calmed down the frequency/TENACITY of my breakouts, evened my skin texture, and helped a bit with the scaring. I was so embarrassed to take pictures until my skin began to clear.I pair this with benzoyl peroxide 4-5% wash and 1-4% for spot treatments when I feel acne coming up/treat breakouts. Benzoyl Peroxide and Adapalene are a dream team!In the morning, I apply an occlusive moisturizer to protect my eye area that is prone to eczema, and then apply Differin to a wet face followed by a basic moisturizer and sunscreen. My skin at age 24 looks better than it did when I was 19! I experienced dryness and slow improvements the first 4ish months, and it wasn't until a full year later when my sister gasped when she noticed the absense of my spots.Staying consistent, using a pea sized amount, and wearing sunscreen is key. You only need a very tiny amount all over your face for it to be skin AND cost effective. I've had periods of time in which I stopped using Adapalene in lieu of trying other trendy ingredients and noticed that my acne popped back up, not to the severity of how it once was, but enough to make me go BACK to Differin.In the past month or so, I've been supporting Differin's anti-hyperpigmentation efforts by pairing it with Vitamin C in the morning, and not using it at night to use Faded by Topicals. I think I'll need another year to see the full results of that experiment, but I can always rely on Adapalene.1% to be there for me.
5.0 out of 5 stars Works great! Buy it!
24 Apr 22
I have Rosacea and Sebbhoreic Dermatitis - an inflammatory response to EXTREME stress (my best friend passed away suddenly 3 months ago) because I have several auto-immune conditions. I have redness on cheeks and white flaky patches on my face caused by a fungus that is not contagious. My doc told me Differin was OTC now and I needed a face cleanser with Benzoyl Peroxide, Differin gel with Retinol, a good non-oily night-time moisturizer, and a good non-oily daytime moisturizer with a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher. He also wants me to wear a hat with a big brim to protect my face. So, I came home and was happy to see I could order all of these Differin products. I started using them 4 days ago. The cleanser was great, the gel seems to be working, the night moisturizer is fabulous, too. The only product I don't recommend is the sunscreen. Read my review on that product page. I highly recommend this particular product, though!
5.0 out of 5 stars Stick with it! It?s worth it!
7 Jul 20
Differin changed my life. I suffer from severe cystic acne on my cheeks, surface acne on my forehead and temples, large pores, rosacea, and hormonal acne around my jaw. I?ve tried every non-prescription product on the market with no resolution. Literally... EVERY PRODUCT. I started breaking out when I was about 12, and it?s been a battle ever since.I?ve been using differin for roughly five and a half months. I initially found it at a drug store, and figured ?why not?? I had tried everything else, and was on the verge of consulting a dermatologist.The ?purging? phase around weeks 4-6 was anything but awesome, but I stuck through it knowing that it was temporary, and that the acne that arose during that time was going to ?pop up? regardless. Differin just made it happen all at once Instead of having random break out back to back. I suffered from really sever redness, sensitivity, and peeling skin around my nose and mouth. By week 10, most of my acne had greatly reduced, my pores seemed smaller, and the dry skin around my mouth and nose had resolved (I bought the night moisturizer, and it helped a ton!).Now, five and a half months later, my pores are barely noticeable, my redness is all but gone, and I have ZERO breakouts for the first time in the last 20 years.Before you buy differin, don?t expect instant gratification. Be aware that it?s a process, but if you stick through it, the results are worth it. Things WILL get worse before they get better (so I guess it?s a good thing we?re all wearing masks to cover our faces during the purging phase, right?). Be sure to use a really good night time moisturizer. I bought the differin night moisturizer, and it worked great (not too thick, and doesn?t smell). I also applied a light SPF moisturizer during the day. You will develop dry skin if you don?t moisturize, and there are times during the purging phase when your face will be sensitive to touch (but not overtly painful).Picture collage for progress:Upper left -Day ZeroUpper middle- Week 7Upper right - Week 14Bottom - Week 22(Top row is immediately after washing my face or using the product. Lower photo is the morning after using the product. This is without makeup!)No airbrushing/photo editing/or makeup have been used on any of these photos. My pores are TINY now and my redness is almost resolved. I initially went in hoping that it would clear up acne, but was pleasantly surprised that it also helped with pores and redness! I feel incredibly confident now, and never dreamed my skin would look this good.
5.0 out of 5 stars Believe the hype, this stuff really works
4 Jun 20
Using Differin has been the best ?first step? in eliminating acne breakouts and improving the skin tone of my adult acne-prone skin.I was scared to use this product at first, especially after reading all about this so-called ?purge? period. Sincerely worried to pieces that I would wake up looking like the guy in Hitch (not Will Smith) after he had the allergic reaction!! LolBut it actually wasn?t that bad for me. I ended up buying Dermalogica?s Super Rich Repair cream to use on top of the Differin at night.... (sometimes under the Differin depending on how dry my skin was at that moment). And that stuff turned out to be absolute magic in and of itself.The purge for me was mainly severely dry skin, and flaking that wasn?t cute under makeup. Mostly around my nose and mouth. After a couple of weeks, the dryness subsided and my skin started to become smooth and clear. I also began using the Differin Spot serum on top of the acne gel at night, and my skin improved even more. (Apparently using them together facilitates how well both products work)I am not a very patient person but I am glad I waited it out with this brand. Plus I kept reading about the benefits of Differin ingredients on adult skin (wrinkles and lines, etc). Be advised though, this is definitely not a moisturizer. You will absolutely need a moisturizer with this, regardless of skin type (mine is combo). I use Cetaphil Gentle Face cleanser too since Differin is potent.At this price point, I would recommend Differin to anybody wanting to see a huge improvement in hyperpigmentation (dark spots from acne past), acne breakouts, and uneven skin tone/texture. It improved all of the above for me! I ended up adding a few serums from The Ordinary after several months of Differin and I promise I can?t remember the last time my skin was this amazingly clear, smooth, bright, and glowy (not greasy). Blemishes be gone.... Good luck y?all!!
4.0 out of 5 stars Start slow, and don't use daily at first. Use sparingly ALWAYS.
25 Sep 18
At first this stuff was a nightmare for me. It made my acne terrible. Worse than ever. It was really awful & irritating to my skin. I believe this is called the purging phase. I had to cut back. It takes time for your skin to adjust to this product. I quit using it for awhile, started antibiotics, and then slowly reintroduced it. I've been off the antibiotics now for a month, but still apply differin before bed every night. Differin is really something you have to stick to to see results. I advise using less than a pea sized amount. I mix it with aloe vera gel so that it spreads easily across my face(I found the aloe vera gel has also really soothed my skin, and reduced redness). You don't need to lather differin on. Doing so will cause redness, dry skin, and itchiness. The awesome thing about this product is it also reduces wrinkles. This was a major bonus. My face is now the clearest I think it's ever been in my life. This is the only chemical I use on my face now. The rest of my regimen is natural. I use witch hazel in the morning, shea moisture clarifying mud mask every night, and wash only with shea moisture african black soap bar. I also bought a spray bottle of rose water(soothes& tones). For me, personally, these products in combination have changed my life. I have struggled with horrible acne for over a decade. I do not recommend using any other chemical acne products with this period. Doing so produced bad results for me. Start slowly, use sparingly, be consistent, and moisturize for best results. Good luck! Anyone curious about the brands of the other products I purchased feel free to ask!
5.0 out of 5 stars So glad I stumbled upon Differin because I am three weeks ...
21 May 17
I don't remember how exactly I found out about differin but it was probably through my hours of research on the internet I did on acne.Male in my 20's that recently broke out on my cheeks and my temple area. I used to have clear skin but I believe my acne was caused by stress/lack of sleep. Anyways I was trying every product out there... proactiv, retinols, face washes from Target (Neutrogena, Clean and Clear, etc). One of the workers at target informed me that her dermatologist told her that over-the-counter face washes are designed for "white people skin" and that I should try getting rid of all those products. (I'm Asian American)My routine right now is: Morning - Wash face with bar of Clinique soap then apply Radha Rosehip Oil.Night - Wash face with bar of Clinique soap then apply Differin all over.I only write long and glowing reviews if I believe in the product which is why I'm doing this. So glad I stumbled upon Differin because I am three weeks in and the results are definitely noticeable. Although I did not experience a "purging" stage where you break out more than usual, I got a few pimples the first few days but I think that was just by chance. Every day after that I noticed a small improvement. They say you should stick with Differin for atleast 3 months and I can see why because the improvements are gradual but really there.Needless to say, my overall acne + hyperpigmentation has improved in three weeks and I can't wait to see how it'll be in 3 months time. Honestly I look forward going to applying Differin at night and going to sleep because I know in the morning there will be a small improvement.
5.0 out of 5 stars Works for rosacea, but took a while!
27 Apr 17
Ok, to begin, give this stuff about 2-3 weeks of use before judging it. Secondly, I use this for rosacea, not acne, so if you are looking to use it for that, keep reading.I was diagnosed with rosacea about a year and a half ago. I get rough red bumps on my cheeks and forehead. They aren't super noticeable, but they make my skin not look as smooth and sometimes get worse depending on what I eat/drink. My dermatologist wrote me a prescription for Finacea foam, but the cost of it keeps going up. I was paying $240 a month for it. Rosacea is considered a cosmetic condition, not something detrimental to your health, so insurance doesn't help out a lot for the meds. Anyway, after getting sick of paying so much for a prescription, I started looking at other options. On a rosacea forum I saw a dermatologist recommend Differin and decided to try it. Here's my experience.The first two weeks were hell. I put on Differin every night before bed and it would burn the heck out of my face. My cheeks would get redder, my skin would feel overly tight and almost like I had a sunburn, and the dryness was unstoppable. No matter how much lotion I put on my skin was constantly flaking.Then on top of that, from the constant lotion use I started to get pimples. I never get pimples. Ugh!! I honestly only "hung in there" out of desperation. After about roughly 2 weeks of use, my face stopped drying out, and the rosacea is just as minimized as when I was using the prescription foam. I am so thankful I stuck with this! I do not have to constantly slather on lotion, and my skin looks great. If I may suggest a tip though...use a good facial cleanser in the shower that smooths your skin. I started using Cetaphil in the shower on my face and it has done wonders in combination with the Differin. The Cetaphil was cheap (roughly $6 at Target) and it makes my skin soft and clean while the differin keeps the rosacea away.I've attached a picture from this morning, after about 3 weeks of Differin use. It is a super close up so you can see how smooth my skin looks. Yes, I have a lot of pinkness in my cheeks still due to the rosacea, but I don't mind that...I only mind the gross bumps I get that make me look like Freddy Krueger.I hope this review is helpful if you are suffering like I was. Best of luck to you on your journey to fight rosacea.
