Differin and Acne: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Anonymous
• January 22, 2019

For Acne "Before Differin, I had good skin but hormonal and cystic flare-ups. First 2-3 months, my skin was awful. More breakouts than I had in my entire life and even in areas I never had acne before. My skin was angry. I had several cysts and bumps all over. I kept reading to hang in there, so I did. After 3 full months, my skin finally started to calm down a bit. I still was getting a few pimples per week but noticed they were more surface level and healed much faster than before. I became pregnant and had to stop using it. My skin began breaking out a lot. I felt like I didn't know my skin anymore. I had bumps and cysts and my skin texture was also terrible. After 2 months, I noticed my skin getting back to normal. Not as many breakouts, texture and pigment returning to normal. I personally would never use Differin again. It was overall traumatic for me. It's taken a lot of patience to heal my skin. I'm glad to be done with Differin. I would never put myself through that again."

• Jam...
• April 29, 2015

For Acne "I have had acne on and off for around 5 years now. I am a 22-year-old male. I moved to Dubai, and it got gradually worse over time. I started taking Epiduo for around 8 weeks, and it helped a little. I then came off it due to my skin being pretty sensitive. My dermo prescribed me Tetralysal and Differin. Now the Differin is very delicate on the skin, in my opinion. I have taken it for around 2 and a half weeks. I am currently going through the initial breakout, and it's bad. My general skin tone is tons better, but we will have to see!"

• LLc...
• May 23, 2017

For Acne "I have been using the OTC Differin since maybe February. It's been so long. Maybe about 3-4 months. Some spots, like around my nose and forehead, would get clear for like a day, but then I keep having these massive breakouts. Really huge cystic acne on my forehead and the worst around my chin and jawline. It is much worse than when I started using this medication. I have always had hormonal acne. I'm 34 now. In my teen/college years, you name it, I used it, except Accutane. I had clear skin for about 8 months of my life. I was seeing a dermatologist and was on Spiro and a retinoid. I moved states and tried to avoid the costly doctor visits, but I give up, nothing OTC seems to help. After 3-4 months and now tons of scarring from it, this is back like college."

• Anonymous
• August 8, 2018

For Acne "I’ve only been on this for about a week and a half, and it started working immediately for me. It made me purge within the first few days, but I can definitely tell that it’s working. My skin now looks clearer and less congested. I am still getting spots (I get moderate whiteheads on my forehead and around my nose, and I get nodules on my chin. I am a teenager, btw), but I'm hoping that this will continue to make my skin improve. I am squeezing my spots, which I know I shouldn't do, but I'm pretty sure this gel makes it heal super quick, and it makes marks fade quite quickly. Apart from the marks and few spots I am still getting, my face looks a lot clearer already. I would say that my acne was moderate before I started the treatment, and it got a lot worse within the first few days, but things are now looking up."

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 5, 2019

For Acne "My 15-year-old tried this after antibiotics, all-natural products, diet changes, increased water intake, etc. It has only made her skin worse and looks like it is leaving scars. The first two weeks, there was some improvement, and then at least 10 weeks in, the acne became angrier and more frequent breakouts. Would not recommend use for hormonal cystic acne."

• Kan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 9, 2021

For Acne "So before I started Differin, I had moderate cystic acne. My skin quickly got used to the medication, and I was able to start using it daily without irritation. After about a month, the purge began. My skin got worse and worse, but I stuck with it because I knew the purge was part of the process. However, after 4 months, I’m now left with the most deep, painful cystic acne I’ve ever experienced in my life, and it’s spread across almost my entire face. I used to just have acne mostly on the sides of my cheeks and the occasional pimple or two elsewhere. I’ve decided to discontinue it after reading other reviews from people who had a similar experience of trying it out for 4+ months, and the purge never got better, only worse. Please use with caution."

• Kan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 9, 2021

For Acne "So before I started Differin, I had moderate cystic acne. My skin quickly got used to the medication, and I was able to start using it daily without irritation. After about a month, the purge began. My skin got worse and worse, but I stuck with it because I knew the purge was part of the process. However, after 4 months, I’m now left with the most deep, painful cystic acne I’ve ever experienced in my life, and it’s spread across almost my entire face. I used to just have acne mostly on the sides of my cheeks and the occasional pimple or two elsewhere. I’ve decided to discontinue it after reading other reviews from people who had a similar experience of trying it out for 4+ months, and the purge never got better, only worse. Please use with caution."

• ede...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 23, 2021

For Acne "It was my fault for not reading reviews, particularly this site, before trying. I'm 26 now, never had a breakout. I have combination skin; my T-zone is oily, but the rest of my face is normal. No pimples on my cheeks until I started adapalene. When I first used it, it did nothing. I applied a thin layer and locked it with moisturizer. Until one day, I woke up with several whiteheads on my cheeks. I honestly thought it was the result kicking in. Fast forward to 9 weeks later, now my skin is horrible. I have tons of whiteheads on my cheeks, my forehead, and my chin. I tried applying it anyway, but it gives me no result other than a lot more whiteheads. It drives me crazy so much I feel like my anxiety is coming up, but for a different cause than usual; my own face."

• Acn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2020

For Acne "After suffering with acne for 10 years, I finally had it under control. It broke out a little on my cheek, so I went to a dermatologist who prescribed Differin. One side of my face (the clear side) was left glowing, but the side with a few spots has never been so painful. It caused deep, painful cystic acne so severe that I couldn’t touch my face, smiling was excruciating, and putting my face in the shower felt like it was melting off. It’s starting to spread across to my forehead. During my worst acne breakouts, I’ve never had spots this painful. Hoping it will clear up fast now that I’m not using it anymore."

• Mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 5, 2019

For Acne "Before I started using Differin, I had a few pimples here and there. After using Differin, my entire face broke out. I went from 2 pimples to about 30 on my face. 8 weeks to see improvement is too long. Having to see your face break out to such an extent. Not worth it!"

• Emi...
• December 23, 2015

For Acne "After Retin-A seemingly stopped working, my doctor put me on Differin. I had high hopes, but it didn't work out. This gel didn't cause the dry irritation in my skin but instead caused my skin to become excessively oily, which then caused blackheads to pop up all over my face, which I've never had a problem with, except maybe a few on my nose and in the creases of my nose. I started getting blackheads on my forehead (and I'm not talking about them being barely noticeable, they were large and made noticeable bumps on my skin), on my chin, between my eyebrows - everywhere. I also started developing acne on my cheeks, which I've never had before, so I stopped taking the medication after that completely."

• Emi...
• December 23, 2015

For Acne "After Retin-A seemingly stopped working, my doctor put me on Differin. I had high hopes, but it didn't work out. This gel didn't cause the dry irritation in my skin but instead caused my skin to become excessively oily, which then caused blackheads to pop up all over my face, which I've never had a problem with, except maybe a few on my nose and in the creases of my nose. I started getting blackheads on my forehead (and I'm not talking about them being barely noticeable, they were large and made noticeable bumps on my skin), on my chin, between my eyebrows - everywhere. I also started developing acne on my cheeks, which I've never had before, so I stopped taking the medication after that completely."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 21, 2019

For Acne "I've been using Differin for only 6 weeks, and my skin isn't perfect, but I can definitely see a difference, and I can tell it'll get even clearer! I was really worried about the purging and the dryness, but my dermatologist gave me minocycline (prescribed pill for acne) and also a really nice coconut oil-based moisturizer, and I haven't had any issues except a couple of minor breakouts! I definitely recommend going to the dermatologist before using this product because they can give you products or tips to prevent any irritation!"

• Rep...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 7, 2022

For Acne "Differin sucks! I suffered from moderate closed comedones around my forehead, so I started using it, but it only made my condition 100 times worse and even started having pustules, cystic acne, and closed comedones on my cheeks and chin! I tried to persist, but even after 6 weeks of use, it still continued getting worse, so I went to a facial to have them all extracted and discontinued it! Now my skin is much smoother, but Differin has left me with so much post-irritation redness/hyperpigmentation. Waste of money and affected my self-esteem for so long!"

• Rep...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 7, 2022

For Acne "Differin sucks! I suffered from moderate closed comedones around my forehead, so I started using it, but it only made my condition 100 times worse and even started having pustules, cystic acne, and closed comedones on my cheeks and chin! I tried to persist, but even after 6 weeks of use, it still continued getting worse, so I went to a facial to have them all extracted and discontinued it! Now my skin is much smoother, but Differin has left me with so much post-irritation redness/hyperpigmentation. Waste of money and affected my self-esteem for so long!"

• thi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 25, 2018

For Acne "This was an absolutely awful product for me. It made my face burn, cannot use the skin products you’re used to using. It will make you get HUGE red marks all over your face because of how inflamed it makes your face. It does not assist in fading scars, your face will look AWFUL even if you do go through with the full product for the 6-month MINIMUM span. Absolutely ridiculous! It will cause cystic acne all over and will lower your self-esteem rather than fix the acne! My recommendation? Go to your local doctor and get a prescription for pills that will help your acne! Three months in, my friend's face is very clear, I will take her recommendation! Awful product."

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

For Acne "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."

• Bow...
• January 12, 2020

For Acne "In November 2019, I noticed a couple of breakouts (one or two per week) on my left cheek and decided to use this product. It’s week 7 and my acne is so bad. I started out with one big papule on my left cheek and one pustule. Clear everywhere else. At the moment, everything is inflamed (7 weeks in), and I have 3 big papules, 1 pustule, and 1 cystic pimple on my left cheek, 2 papules on my right cheek, 1 papule on my forehead, and 3 cystic pimples on my chin. Plus, I’m left with deep red marks from all of these pimples. I haven’t changed my skincare routine, same birth control, etc., so I know Differin has had a bad effect on my skin. I do, however, have no blackheads on my nose and chin, which I used to have a lot of. Still hoping that it might get better. Pretty much given up, as you should start seeing improvement by week 8, and my skin won’t be looking like week 1 or better any time soon. However, it may work for you! Just beware as the “purge” ruined my skin!"

• Bow...
• January 12, 2020

For Acne "In November 2019, I noticed a couple of breakouts (one or two per week) on my left cheek and decided to use this product. It’s week 7 and my acne is so bad. I started out with one big papule on my left cheek and one pustule. Clear everywhere else. At the moment, everything is inflamed (7 weeks in), and I have 3 big papules, 1 pustule, and 1 cystic pimple on my left cheek, 2 papules on my right cheek, 1 papule on my forehead, and 3 cystic pimples on my chin. Plus, I’m left with deep red marks from all of these pimples. I haven’t changed my skincare routine, same birth control, etc., so I know Differin has had a bad effect on my skin. I do, however, have no blackheads on my nose and chin, which I used to have a lot of. Still hoping that it might get better. Pretty much given up, as you should start seeing improvement by week 8, and my skin won’t be looking like week 1 or better any time soon. However, it may work for you! Just beware as the “purge” ruined my skin!"

• not...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2019

For Acne "A bit of a backstory: earlier this year, I started breaking out quite badly with cystic acne all over my forehead and chin. I was prescribed benzoyl peroxide, which cleared my face completely in a matter of months. However, everything came back when I stopped treatment. This time, however, benzoyl peroxide did not help, so I was prescribed Differin cream about 8 weeks ago. I introduced it gradually, trying to avoid the dreaded 'purge.' My forehead and chin did clear up mostly; however, I noticed that with the cream, the marks that are left after the inflammation take significantly longer to fade, and I have been getting acne in places where I haven't before. Overall, its effect is evident, and it does keep (most of) the violent cysts at bay, but my face is still far from clear."

• Tic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 3, 2019

For Acne "Nope, nope, nope... I’m getting married soon and thought it would be a great idea to use this product and clear my minor adult acne so my skin would look nice for photos, and I’ve never had my face break out so bad! My chin, cheeks, nose, and forehead are all breaking out with painful cystic acne. I know it says, “wait it out,” but there’s no way I’m continuing like this. Shame."

• Zoe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 6, 2018

For Acne "I don’t know why, but for whatever reason, I’m the only person who became an oil factory after using the gel cleanser. Everyone is talking about how harsh and drying it is, causing burns and flakes and whatnot. I experienced none of that. It made my face feel soft and seemed to really help speed up the healing of a few popped zits that I had when I began using it. But within 3 days, I realized my skin was literally greasy to the touch, which is something I’ve never experienced ever. I’ve never really understood what oily skin even meant until now. I’ve always been borderline dry but mostly normal, but after a week of use, I could take my fingers and swipe them under my eyes and around my nose, and instantly my hand would be shiny, greasy, and most disturbing of all, really smelly. The oil created literally smelled like a perm! I tried to push through, but I started getting blackheads everywhere, which is also something I’ve never dealt with. No thank you, Differin!"

• Anonymous
• May 4, 2022

"I switched to Differin after using rejuvenating sets for almost a year since that's the 'trend' and 'quickest' way to get clear, smooth, renewed-looking skin. A few months back, I decided to stop using those sets since I noticed my skin got flaky, dry, large-looking pores, blackheads and whiteheads, blemishes, and a few acne started to pop up (I have oily skin). My skin looked so dull. It's been more than 2 weeks since I started using Differin (night) and TO niacinamide followed by TO alpha arbutin (morning), and I can see my skin started to look dewy, pores less visible, and blemishes started to fade. I still got acne but only 1 or 2 that did last for 2 days for the first week. Today I only have bumps on my forehead and cheek near the ear on both sides of my face. I hope these bumps will be gone and clear my skin out just like it does for other users."

• Anonymous
• May 4, 2022

"I switched to Differin after using rejuvenating sets for almost a year since that's the 'trend' and 'quickest' way to get clear, smooth, renewed-looking skin. A few months back, I decided to stop using those sets since I noticed my skin got flaky, dry, large-looking pores, blackheads and whiteheads, blemishes, and a few acne started to pop up (I have oily skin). My skin looked so dull. It's been more than 2 weeks since I started using Differin (night) and TO niacinamide followed by TO alpha arbutin (morning), and I can see my skin started to look dewy, pores less visible, and blemishes started to fade. I still got acne but only 1 or 2 that did last for 2 days for the first week. Today I only have bumps on my forehead and cheek near the ear on both sides of my face. I hope these bumps will be gone and clear my skin out just like it does for other users."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2019

For Acne "After my daughter's 6 to 8 weeks of use, acne has turned into a massive breakout, the worst ever during her 10 years, from a zillion pus-filled spots on her forehead down to her entire face and down her neck. Red, painful, and bleeding areas. Oily all over the entire area. Like an oil spill, production is high. Using acne face cleanser and moisturizer. Any advice? Calling primary care doctor to see dermatologist. At first, it seemed all was going well."