Differin and Peeling: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Jul...
• August 12, 2018

For Acne "I have been using Differin for about two months. I use the face wash and the moisturizer at night. Using the moisturizer, I did not experience the dry, flaky skin others have. My acne is definitely better. I am able to use less makeup and less concealer now."

• Bri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 20, 2018

For Acne "I've dealt with acne since my early teens. Tried many prescriptions and OTC remedies to no avail. Now that I am in my 30s and taking skincare much more seriously, I decided to try Differin again since it's available OTC along with the face wash. I use the face wash every morning and night and the gel every night. I got the normal side effects in the beginning: dryness, some peeling, and redness, but I didn't let that deter me. Now I am going into week 7 and am beginning to see the difference. I still get little breakouts, but it's nowhere near as bad as before. Persistence with this medication is key. Give it time to work. I can tell that my skin tone is becoming much more even. My old scars are starting to fade. For the first time since my early teens, I am confident in my skin."

• Luc...
• December 3, 2018

For Acne "I had clear skin more or less until I was 18, then my skin broke out so bad, and I had spots all over the lower sides of my face for so long. I tried literally everything. At 19, I tried Differin, aware that my skin might get worse for a bit from the reviews I had read. The purge was pretty bad. My skin was red, raw, flaky, and so dry. It brought out all the spots from under my skin and didn’t seem like it was going to get better: the spots under my skin were still there, but the surface of my skin was so fragile. I decided to squeeze all my spots on my face (risky, I know). The scars lasted maybe like 4 months, but the spots stopped spreading after I did that and kept applying the Differin. Now my skin is so much better. I maybe get 1 tiny spot every two weeks instead of waking up with about 3 new spots a day. Differin was definitely a long-term solution for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 11, 2015

For Acne "I've been using this for almost a month, and my skin is extremely sensitive, red, and peeling like crazy. When I began using this, my skin broke out like crazy as well. I start school in 3 days, and I am so embarrassed."

• 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!"

• NBP...
• November 2, 2018

For Acne "I am almost 32. Don't have acne, but I get occasional breakouts. Proactive was the ONLY treatment that worked to clear and even out my skin, but it's so expensive. I'm always running out of the toner before I'm finished with the 3 steps, and it's not readily available in all stores. Tried antibacterial washes, benzoyl peroxide products, acne kits...still had the occasional pimple. Tried baking soda and apple cider vinegar, which is what led me to Differin. ACV purges your pores, so my entire face was covered in tiny pimples under my skin. After the first day of using Differin, I saw results, it had only been one day, but I could tell the breakout from the ACV wasn't worsening. Day 4, I have no pimples, but I noticed my face by the sides of my mouth was dry and red. Day 6, the peeling. Almost like using Retin A, but not even close to severe dryness. Says side effects should subside, but in all honesty, this product is not complicated to use, results are fast."

• Mia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 25, 2015

For Acne "I've always had really mild breakouts ever since college started, but I gradually lost them through Clearasil and St. Ives. But now that I'm in my junior year, I'm breaking out twice as much. My dermatologist prescribed me Differin (0.01 cream adapalene), and it was quite pricey because I was taking it alongside clindamycin, which I only put on my pimples, whereas I used a pea-sized amount of Differin on my entire face. I'm currently on my third day of Differin and clindamycin, and I have been experiencing skin peeling on my nose and a little bit of redness and tenderness. There have been more breakouts (I now have 6 pimples), and I hope it gets worse before it gets better now that it's still holiday break."

• Ash...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 31, 2015

"I'm 18 years old and started having breakouts in the beginning of puberty. Even though it's a part of your hormones changing and stuff, I am really insecure about the acne on my jawline and chest area. My dad took me to a dermatologist, and I got prescribed Differin. I've used the cream for about 2 weeks and can start to see small improvements. However, I have started getting flaky skin as well. Overall, it's a good product, but you need to be patient."

• 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."

• sis...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 16, 2020

For Acne "I’ve been using the Differin adapalene gel for a year now, along with the Differin moisturizer. I have also been using the new cleanser since it came out. Differin, for me, started out horribly. My skin burned, peeled, then purged, and it was awful, but afterwards, it got better. However, the gel is NOT a miracle product. It does work to heal breakouts faster, however, it does not prevent them. I struggle with acne on the face, chest, shoulders, and back. I would recommend the cleanser 100% for the face, and I would recommend the gel to people with mild acne on the face. I think if benzoyl peroxide could be sold higher than 10% and they had that, it would be better for the body, as it does make breakouts smaller and helps them heal faster, but for me, it feels like a waste of time and product for the body. The moisturizer is great. If you have dry and/or sensitive skin, I do not recommend the gel for you!!"

• LJA...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2018

For Acne "I first started using the 0.1 gel with Aczone for the first 10 weeks of use. I had been using Aczone for a few years prior and pretty sure it wasn’t working anymore, and all the Differin did was make me constantly break out throughout those 10 weeks (keep in mind I had mild acne when I first started). Finally, at 10 weeks, I switched to the 0.3 gel (nighttime) and clindamycin phosphate 1% gel (morning and night), and now I am starting to see improvement. I’ve been using that combination for the past 3 weeks and currently only have 1 active tiny little pimple as opposed to the multiple I had 3 weeks prior. My face is currently red, peeling, and burning from increasing the dosage as it gets used to it, but I didn’t have any more of a purge than the active pimples I had before switching. If anything, my face is dramatically clearer since switching. I’ve also cleaned out all facial moisturizers/makeup and have switched to silicone and oil-free to help keep my pores unclogged."

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

For Acne "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."

• fla...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 30, 2024

For Acne "So I'm a teenager with mild/moderate acne, and I decided to give Differin a try since benzoyl peroxide and other treatments weren't helping anymore. I followed every step, watched numerous reviews, and started using it. Let me tell you, my skin immediately went berserk. On the second day, I had deep red burns, peeling, and my eyelids were crusting and hurt so much. Moisturizers didn't help and just burned (yes I used gentle ones). It got so bad I threw it away and put Vaseline all over my face. The next day my skin was healing, and the burns were getting better. Do not use this product unless you know what you're doing!"

• 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."

• K M...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 31, 2019

For Acne "I’m in my late 30s and deal with mild adult acne (mostly hormonal). After the first week or so, I thought I was off to a great start, and then everything changed. My face burned and peeled. Then the “purge” made me so self-conscious, embarrassed, and downright sad that I quit after week four. I had pimples popping up everywhere except my eyeballs. Seriously. There were pimples where I never break out. I finally searched online and read reviews NOT on the Differin website. Some said it cleared up after 12 weeks! I was never going to be able to deal with that outrageous skin for 8 more weeks! It’s not worth your money. No one should have to deal with weeks of extreme breakouts for a chance at clearing up acne 3 months later. I can’t believe they sell this. Please don’t buy this. I don’t want anyone else to feel as sad as I did."

• Sam...
• September 22, 2015

For Acne "A dermatologist (a different dermatologist than I usually see) recommended starting to use Differin along with taking my Doxycycline. I have been using the topical gel for 3 days on my face and back, and I only have negative things to say. My face is peeling badly, and the skin is very red and irritated. I have tried different moisturizers, and they just burn. The outer corners of my eyes are red and painful. My back broke out with large blister-like pimples. I do not have sensitive skin, and my acne is not very bad. I feel this product has actually worsened my condition. I am going to stop using Differin immediately. I don't know how long it's going to take my skin to heal."

• ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 15, 2019

For Acne "The first 2 weeks while using Differin, my skin seemed to clear up and didn't break out as much. However, when the 3rd week of me using this treatment commenced, I woke up with leathery skin and flaky skin on my upper lip area below my lip and on the side of my lip (basically my mouth area). I'm in so much pain, and I look horrible and feel horrible. I've never cried so much in my life. DO NOT buy this!"

• Ash...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 9, 2020

For Acne "Starting from age 15 till now age 33 I’ve fought the good fight against acne. Nothing worked. I saw a dermatologist and was prescribed Differin gel. The first four applications or so, all good. After that, peeling and pain. I thought about pushing on, but I decided clear skin wasn’t worth that much pain. I stopped using it after 6 applications, but it took a few weeks for the pain and peeling to stop. After that, I suddenly had terrible acne. I had it in places I had never had it before. My face was covered. After a couple of months, my face returned to semi-normal acne levels. I decided to try to treat the acne at its source, so I got a small tube of benzoyl peroxide and applied it. It was like a miracle cure. Overnight I had clear skin for the first time in years. I use it every few days. I recommend it to anyone suffering like I was!"

• 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!"

• Kp1...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 21, 2016

For Acne "This stuff is horrible. Doctor prescribed it because I was getting eczema next to my chin and a few breakouts. And now my face is on fire, is burning, itching, peeling, scabbing, and all, and it's made my face 100 times worse. Worst experience ever. I don't want to leave the house, this is ridiculous. Don't buy it."