Differin for Acne User Reviews

• Tob...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 12, 2024

"Compared to other acne medications, I think Differin should always be a first-line treatment. It is effective, not as effective as Accutane, but it comes with way fewer side effects."

• Pco...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 5, 2024

"I have PCOS. One of my main symptoms is hormonal acne. Not just once a month acne… all the time acne! My skin texture is also not the best. After trying many different diets, topicals, and woo-woo treatments, nothing worked! Then I decided to try Differin gel. Wow. I started seeing results in the first week! Seriously! My skin was brighter, and the texture improved so much. I haven't been using it that long, but I know I will be using it as long as I need to moving forward. Now, I will say that it doesn't come without side effects. When starting out, it says to use it once a week. I started out M W F and took S S off. Then the following week, I used it every other day. It does burn/sting when you put it on. My advice would be to use a very gentle cleanser, wait 10 mins, and then apply the Differin gel. Then wait 30 mins to apply a gentle moisturizer. I put a little Aquaphor around the corners of my eyes and mouth because those areas will dry out. WEAR SUNSCREEN."

• Gae...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2024

"This gel, applied once in the evening, has eliminated my usual weekly breakouts. My face is clear. I always get large, painful pimples after eating chocolate and, although I have eaten small amounts for several days in a row, I haven't had any acne."

• Rac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 31, 2023

"Legit AMAZING for small bumps/congestion. I had them for years and I've tried Tretinoin in 3 different strengths but could never get through the months of purging. I thought it might be fungal acne so tried Nizoral which dried tf out of my face and ruined my skin barrier. With Differin, I had about a month of flaking/peeling but wasn't bad at all. Now my forehead has NO bumps and I use it every night. Highly highly recommend."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 3, 2022

"Differin works. When I began Differin, I began to purge immediately. As some others have mentioned, don't expect your purge to get better and better linearly. Towards the end of your purge, your skin will repeatedly clear up for one or two days and then have a sudden outbreak in places you never had pimples before, and it gets very emotionally draining after a few of these cycles. My one piece of advice, which I wish my derm had told me about before starting Differin, is that if your purge becomes very severe, ask for a topical antibiotic like clindamycin, which is very anti-inflammatory and kills acne-causing bacteria, and also buy lots of hydrocolloid patches so you don't have to break your skin popping your pimples and risk scarring. Did the six-week purge suck? Absolutely. Would I do it again for the clear skin I have now? Absolutely, 1,000 times over. Push through those tough few weeks, and it will pay off, I promise. Sending you all so much love, you've got this :)"

• Vin...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 17, 2021

"Differin really works! I was very reluctant to start using it because of all the terrible reviews and horror stories, but my only regret is not starting it sooner. Yes, it does make your skin worse to begin with. It’s probably gonna get to a point where it’s the worst it’s ever been, but it’s only temporary, and here I am a year later with almost flawless skin. I get the odd pimple from time to time, but for the most part, my skin is completely clear, and all the hyperpigmentation has faded at this point as well."

• Gre...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 7, 2021

"Stops acne before it happens, cleared up my scarring and even reduces wrinkles!!!! Best product I’ve used!!! :) Some advice for new users: 1) DO NOT use much of the product. I put on a pea-sized amount on my trouble areas. That’s it, anymore and you’ll peel. 2) Wash your hands after applying the product. 3) DO NOT put it close to the skin under your eyes, or the skin will peel. 4) Wear sunscreen protector if you go outside, or you’ll burn. Trust me on this one… 5) When you first start using the product, your skin may actually get worse for a few weeks. Trust me, just keep using it, it’s just the product bringing the clogged pores to the surface. After this rough period, everything is cleared and your skin will be fine. 6) DO NOT mix the product with other acne products, or you will peel… This includes: face washes, spot treatments, masks, etc. 7) Use a very light, all-natural face wash and moisturize."

• Bro...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 3, 2021

"This product has positively changed my life! I did my research so that I use it correctly. I only wear it at night with my normal skin care routine. My skin has never been this clear. I did break out the first week, but I kept at it, and it’s almost completely gone. I have no noticeable acne. Wear sunscreen no matter what race!"

• paw...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 20, 2020

"I have struggled with acne since I was 18 years old. I am now 25, and Differin is the ONLY thing that has cleared my skin. I tried so many things before Differin and went to dermatologists that only recommended me Accutane, a treatment that I really didn't want to do. I started using the Ordinary retinoid about 6 months before Differin, so I had a lot of purging before and really feel like I prepped my skin for Differin by using lighter retinoids months before. At first, I did break out a little bit, and my skin sometimes is slightly drier, but those days I don't use Differin and deep moisturize, and I am totally fine the next day. I have never had clearer and brighter-looking skin in my life, and I feel so much more confident now. I would say you definitely have to take it slow and prep your skin, but for me, it has 100% worked."

• ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2020

"So...I never comment on these sites, but I HAD to for Differin. It works so incredibly well when nothing else would, such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, expensive face products such as NU Skin, no dairy diet, etc. Of course, the purge did happen, and improvement wasn't linear (It would get better and then worse and then better and then way worse) but eventually it got good and stayed that way. It took around 4 months though for it to be consistently good, SO STICK TO IT. That's the only advice I have. JUST STICK TO IT AND DON'T GIVE UP, and it will work wonders."

• Sam...
• February 26, 2020

"Did my fair share of research on this and finally bought this after being on Proactiv for 6 months (most recent product, many trips to the derm, and hundreds of $$). I use it at night followed by Hydro Boost for extra dry skin. I use Cetaphil cleanser AM and PM and Cetaphil lotion AM/as needed along with Differin PM and Hydro Boost PM. I had minor peeling and small bumps on my chin for a few days. Honestly, though, after reading the reviews, I was prepared for way worse. Don't let the reviews scare you from trying this. I'm 29, had acne since 13, and finally, I'm close to clear and my skin is glowing. Plus, my forehead wrinkles disappeared and it's only been a month."

• laz...
• February 16, 2020

"I’ve had severe cystic acne breakouts all over my face since the age of 18. I’ve tried every topical treatment, from cheaper drugstore washes to expensive ones from Sephora. I thought topicals would never work for me, and I thought I would have to just accept acne as a part of my life...until I tried Differin. I’ve had very minimal experience with dry skin side effects, but the effectiveness at getting rid of the acne itself was immediate. I use the gel as a full face mask and leave it on for 10 minutes. After that, I use oil-free, sensitive moisturizer. From other reviews, it seems like other people had a hard time when starting Differin? I didn’t experience this at all. Within a week, my skin was clearer, and new breakouts went away within a day or two. For me, the results were quick and painless. But my skin is built like steel and can withstand a lot. If there’s anyone else out there with very acne-prone, treatment-resistant skin like me, try this."

• 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."

• Sar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 30, 2020

"Okay, so my acne was incurable, horrifying, and painful. NOTHING helped until I tried Differin. It took about 2 months to clear up. It stung like crazy, and it hurt, and it burnt, but I went through it because it was my last option. After it finally cleared up, my face was like a baby’s bum. Perfect. I love Differin, but it’s super expensive."

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 3, 2020

"Been using for months. Works so well to get rid of acne! Love!"

• Tan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 26, 2019

"Words cannot describe how much this has changed my life. I’m now 40 years old, and my skin looks the best it’s ever looked. I’ve tried every product under the sun, from prescriptions to over the counter, for 20 years. Nothing ever worked. Finally, I realized that Differin was available OTC, so I had nothing to lose. After about 6 weeks, I noticed my acne slowly started subsiding. After about 12 weeks, I noticed my hyperpigmentation was starting to fade. And now, after about 6 months, I’ve noticed my old acne scars are starting to smooth out. Is this some sort of miracle gel? For me, it is. Because it gave me my confidence back. I can now look in the mirror every morning and not be ashamed of my skin. So thank you, Differin, for a wonderful product."

• Yay...
• October 19, 2019

"I was prescribed Differin by my dermatologist in March 2019, and it has been the best decision I've made for my skin. I complained to her about my acne and how I had hyperpigmentation from it. When I started using Differin, my skin was pretty sensitive for a week, it felt like I had a burn on my face, but it was bearable. I wouldn’t say my skin purged like crazy because, as I was getting more breakouts, the acne got smaller right after. Mind you, my skin is usually oily and not sensitive. After about two months, my skin was dramatically clearer. The red marks on my skin have also gotten lighter but still haven’t gone away completely. I love waking up with clear and smooth skin because I wouldn’t have thought this was possible seven months ago."

• Bar...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 9, 2019

"I got Differin Gel about 20 years ago. At that time, it was available by prescription only. It took a few months before my skin cleared up. It really works!"

• Ers...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 25, 2019

"I love this stuff. It’s working really well for me and was a fairly smooth transition. I have some advice—definitely layer this over a lotion. Still works really well but prevents irritation!"

• 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!"

• NCR...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 22, 2019

"I have oily skin. Since 2 years ago, I maintained a skincare routine that manages to get rid of my dry patches and dehydrated skin, but cystic acne is still a concern. BP doesn't work on me, and 2% salicylic acid ceased to work on me after a while. So I tried 0.1% Differin. First day, I experienced crazy itchiness, so the following day I decided to amp up my moisturizing game. DO NOT USE THIS WITHOUT A GOOD MOISTURIZING ROUTINE, BE WARNED. I apply Differin once every other night, and my routine for those nights is (in order of application) hydrating lotion, Differin, cream moisturizer, a spritz of hydrating mist, gel moisturizer, and sleeping mask mixed with tamanu, rosehip, and grapeseed facial oil. I don't have a waiting time, because my skin can tolerate it. I stopped having itchiness since the first day, and now my problem areas no longer have texture, and cystic/less severe acne goes away on its own with very minimal scarring (if any)."

• mar...
• July 18, 2019

"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!"

• 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."

• 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."

• Bel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 28, 2019

"I honestly love this. I guess everyone is different. I had sudden, severe cystic acne breakouts, and then someone told me to try this product, and I did, and it worked for me and worked rather quickly. I use the face lotion and then the gel over it. Honestly, I think the lotion alone is even great. Nothing else worked for me."