Differin and Dry Skin: What Users Say (Page 2)

• mad...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 26, 2017

For Acne "I've been using this product (Adapalene 0.1% gel) for 13 months now. I had a lot of small zits on my forehead and a good amount of acne on one of my cheeks. The first week or so is the worst, it dries your skin and is very painful. After a month, you start getting huge cysts and under-the-skin pimples, especially in the areas where there were little zits before. It's embarrassing, but push through. After about three months, my skin started clearing up. I still use this product daily, and my skin is better than before I started, for sure. Around my period, I get more acne, but it goes away quickly. This product is not a fun process, but it works decently in the long run. Make sure you invest in a good moisturizer to use daily."

• KAR...
• October 14, 2017

For Acne "This gel has been a lifesaver! I went off birth control last August. My acne was out of control. I tried Differin, and I noticed a change immediately. I've been on it since August 26th. It's now October 14th, and my skin is clear and glowing. I even went off of it for a week to see if there would be a difference, and all my acne did come back gradually... so I recommend this to anyone willing to try a new acne cream! I'm Canadian, and I go out of my way to pick it up in the US when I visit. My only complaint is that my skin is a little dry, just moisturize an hour after application to reduce sensitivity."

• Dir...
• November 8, 2017

For Acne "For a while, I was struggling with the worst, most painful acne of my life. I bought a tube of Differin for $15, and within a week, inflammation was down and things were looking good. Two months into it, I don't have a single pimple on my face. I only wash my face once every three days to help prevent over-drying, and every night, I remove my makeup, use micellar water, apply a layer of Differin, and then an oil mixture to moisturize. I've found that facial oil, rather than a moisturizer, increases the effectiveness of Differin, it almost seals it close to the skin at night. I wouldn't recommend Differin to everyone, but it worked wonders for me. It's all about patience and dedication."

• wir...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 11, 2017

For Acne "I began to have breakouts after the mastectomies... had to take hormonal pills. I tried so many things, went to a dermatologist and tried stuff. What really worked was a skin regimen and taking a low-dose antibiotic (doxycycline). Then my daughter told me about Differin. I have been on this for almost 3 months. There has been some good clearing up, dry patches where the blemishes were. My face is very oily, and so this didn't bother me. I never moisturize because of the oil.. all of them make my skin break out even more. Expect to have some breakouts as you get used to this. I am almost down to the wire, things are clearing up slowly but surely. Medicare doesn't cover lots of meds like this, so OTC."

• Mar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 6, 2018

For Acne "I've been struggling with adult hormonal acne for a while now, I would always break out on my jawline and have tried everything. I saw a post about Differin gel and some good experiences with it, so I decided to give it a try. I started using the product last December. By mid-January, my face was clear. And it has continued to work. I use it faithfully every night. I did experience very dry skin in the beginning, but I found a great face lotion to help with that. I recommend this product to anyone struggling with acne."

• Fro...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 30, 2020

For Acne "Alright, so I just finished my 6th week of using Differin, and I decided to switch it up. Also, if you're new to reading this, maybe read my other posts. Anyway, I decided to start putting this on every night after moisturizing, and let me tell you, my skin is flaky. It's weird because my skin isn't really dry, the top layer is. Later, I woke up and looked in the mirror the other day, and I could rub off the dead skin, kinda satisfying tbh. Anyway, since I increased my dosage, I started breaking out, but it'll hopefully go away soon."

• Joe...
• March 25, 2017

For Acne "At the three-month mark using the over-the-counter, I posted previously. I started out using it once every three days and then went to every two days to make sure no issues, and eventually each day. Skin got very dry at first. I apply each evening about two hours before going to bed. In the AM, I apply Benzoyl Peroxide and then Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture with Sunscreen SPF 35. Wash and dry, and reapply as needed throughout the day. At the 9 or 10-week period, I had a serious outbreak after a calm period, but it cleared up. What works for me... When applying Differin, use an ample amount and massage into areas where you need it most. My sunglasses were irritating my nose where the pads sit. Turned out I was not making sure moisturizer was being applied in that region of the nose. Same for around the eyes."

• bgu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 10, 2019

For Acne "I used Differin Gel, hoping it would help with my minor acne as well as my cystic acne. I used it on my chin and around my nose. I only used the product for 6 days before it started to dry my skin out to the point where it would peel off in several layers and then scab over. It made my skin inflamed, and even lightly touching it was painful."

• Bar...
• February 26, 2016

For Acne "2 weeks into the treatment, the first week was awful, burning, redness, peeling, more pimples. Slowly improved. I'm feeling a lot better, still a little bit of peeling and dry skin and a pimple here and there, but it doesn't burn anymore. They say 8 weeks, others 3 months to see results, so although it's too early to say that Differin won the battle, I have to say that I'm satisfied. Also, I use Clinique bar soap in the morning, Clinique acne cream, and tonic. And at night just St. Ives scrub and Differin. I wear my regular makeup, Revlon, but I want to switch to Clinique. It doesn't hold all day, my skin starts to get itchy in the evening. Just be patient!"

• Kaz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 22, 2018

For Acne "I used Differin as well as about 6 other prescription acne products in high school. They didn't work so well or clear up the acne, but left me with painfully dry, patchy, flaking skin. I tried Differin again after about 10 years because the sulfur products that were working stopped being effective. After about 4 months of use, my skin is completely clear and feels so soft. My skin was already looking better after one month. It had also helped fade the dark marks from my acne."

• Rac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 24, 2018

For Acne "I’ve been using this product for about 4 months now, and it really does help your skin, and I recommend you use it at night before you go to bed. For me, the only side effect I’ve had was SUPER dry and flaky skin, that’s the only downside to this product. I try to moisturize my face right after I get out of the shower in the morning, and then I put on my makeup. Some days in the morning, even though I do moisturize, I put on my makeup, and when I’m done, I realize it looks like I have a beard because that’s how dry your skin gets. But if you do remember to moisturize, it won’t be as bad."

• Hlg...
• May 25, 2017

For Acne "The first 2 days of using Differin gel were a little rough. My skin was super dry, and I had to keep caking on the moisturizer. I took a couple of days off from use and then started back daily use with no problem. I just moisturize every morning. My skin still isn't perfect, but it at least dries up the larger cystic acne. I still get blackheads around my nose and small 'under the skin whiteheads' around my chin. But I don't exfoliate like I should, so that's my own fault."

• Mad...
• December 17, 2020

For Acne "I started using Differin 4 years ago, and my skin is definitely completely adjusted by now. It helped me get rid of the small bumps and pimples all over my forehead, chin, and cheeks. The first couple of months that I used it, my skin was very dry and painful, and I had many large cysts come to the surface before disappearing. Four years later, I still use Differin every night, and I get breakouts every month in sync with my menstrual cycle, but it definitely helps get rid of the pimples I do have very quickly, and in general, my acne was helped a lot by Differin, especially considering my bacne is still where it was 4 years ago and my face acne has improved a lot with the use of Differin. I do wish my acne problem was solved completely, but I would much rather just keep using Differin and have occasional breakouts than go on Accutane and maybe never have acne again. I would recommend it if your acne is moderate to severe, but you must have patience for it to do its thing."

• Por...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 2, 2018

"Starting to use Differin (suggestion from derm) to fade some hyperpigmentation and to reduce fine lines. My skin has never been so smooth, and it also reduced pore size. I had been debating Botox for my furrow lines between my eyes, and they're gone after using Differin. The hyperpigmentation is noticeably lighter too. I did go through a phase of slightly dry, red skin but used Vit V & E with Clinique Dramatically Different gel. Worked perfectly. Truth be told, I tried Differin 14 years ago by prescription when I was 19/20 years old with pretty bad hormonal acne, and it didn't work, but now in my mid 30s, it's a dream!!"

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 2, 2022

For Acne "I started Differin on the 20th of October, so it’s been just over 10 weeks. I have consistent acne that just won’t go away no matter what I try, and even if it does go away, it will shortly come back. The acne is normally around my chin and cheeks, and I also have prominent post-inflammatory erythema (PIE) in those areas. Till now, my skin is really dry and flaky in some areas, but that’s my fault for either using too much or forgetting to put on moisturizer. My diet probably doesn’t help either. But I can say that I have seen some difference in the quality of my skin and a reduction in acne on my cheeks and chin. While I’m still getting whiteheads in the areas I would normally get them, I’m still considering that as purging, as I would normally break out in those spots, and I do think with continued use it will stop. It’s also helped with my PIE. I do think there are upsides and downsides to using this product, but I do think it’s worth a try if you have acne and it’s the last resort."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 2, 2022

For Acne "I started Differin on the 20th of October, so it’s been just over 10 weeks. I have consistent acne that just won’t go away no matter what I try, and even if it does go away, it will shortly come back. The acne is normally around my chin and cheeks, and I also have prominent post-inflammatory erythema (PIE) in those areas. Till now, my skin is really dry and flaky in some areas, but that’s my fault for either using too much or forgetting to put on moisturizer. My diet probably doesn’t help either. But I can say that I have seen some difference in the quality of my skin and a reduction in acne on my cheeks and chin. While I’m still getting whiteheads in the areas I would normally get them, I’m still considering that as purging, as I would normally break out in those spots, and I do think with continued use it will stop. It’s also helped with my PIE. I do think there are upsides and downsides to using this product, but I do think it’s worth a try if you have acne and it’s the last resort."

• tor...
• February 11, 2017

For Acne "FP prescribed this to me while I was on the waitlist for a dermatologist. I've used this for 7 months now. I still have a lot of acne, although less. The dermatologist prescribed me Alysena (BCP) to use with Differin XP. Three months later, I had little improvement, so she also prescribed a topical antibiotic (Aczone gel), which she told me to apply with Differin. I still use Differin because it has completely removed my blackheads (they used to be HUGE and very noticeable). My skin is also much drier now."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 16, 2017

For Acne "I had to stop using this product very early on because it ruined my skin. It made my skin unbelievably dry and made me break out on my forehead worse than it had in 5 years. I also developed red blotches all over my face. Don't buy this."

• cmf...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 15, 2017

For Acne "(A little background on my skin, I get a pimple here and there and overall have pretty normal skin.) I saw a commercial for Differin and immediately went online to buy it. I thought that the product sounded great for the price! After I purchased it, I started looking into side effects and reviews on the product. They were pretty mixed, with some people saying they loved it and others saying they hated it, but the main thoughts were that it might make your breakouts worse for a few months, then get better, and it can make your skin dry and sensitive. Well, let me tell you I used this product as directed for 3 nights in a row, and it gave me a chemical type burn on my face. My skin is flaking off, and I am using a TON of moisturizer to try to keep it as hydrated as I can, and it hurts to even touch my face. And I don't mean like when your skin is dry type of flaking off, I mean like worse sunburn in your life type of flaking off. I also have a pretty high pain tolerance, and anytime I touched my face, took my makeup off, put makeup on, or used my moisturizer, it felt like 10,000 needles stabbing me in my face while getting burned by a hot iron. I have now stopped using the product, and two days later, my skin is still the same; flaking, red, and hurting like no other. Do NOT use this product unless you are ready for some serious pain and skin damage."

• Cic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 7, 2018

For Acne "I decided to give Differin a try after seeing the commercials. BIG MISTAKE! I have been using this product once a day for a week and have broken out! I have an incredibly large zit right above my lip, and my skin is so dry. I bought moisturizer thinking that would help, but it didn't. I have flaky skin all around my nose and even around my lips. Do not buy this product, I promise you'll regret it!"

• Rea...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 19, 2015

For Acne "I find that this acne cream either makes my acne worse or dries my skin out. I am tired of my doctor prescribing it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2020

For Acne "No effect whatsoever after 2+ months. I had irritated and dry skin for the first month, which I expected, and afterwards it stabilized."

• Anonymous
• February 2, 2010

For Acne "I only used this product for a few days. I had to quit because not only did it dry out my skin, but my eyes would dry out in my sleep, and I couldn't open them. Not a good feeling!"