Adapalene topical and Peeling: What Users Say (Page 3)

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

Adapalene topical 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

Adapalene topical 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."

• Em_...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 2, 2017

For Acne "Been on adapalene (Differin) for nearly 4 years now. It's a godsend. I started getting acne in my early 20s, and it ruined my life at the time. I tried every OTC product you could think of. Went to a dermatologist who prescribed adapalene 0.1 Gel since I have stupidly sensitive skin. The first few months, the side effects were skin peeling and my very favorite, redness. Every time I blushed, my face would look like a tomato, every time I was embarrassed, tired, or had any sort of emotion, my face would turn bright red! At first, I thought there was something wrong with me, but the doc said it was the gel. The side effects went away over time, though. I do get acne still from time to time, but nothing the gel can't handle. I would recommend."

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

Adapalene topical 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."

• Sha...
• August 23, 2019

For Acne "Okay, so I would like to re-review this product. I had been using it last year, and I wrote a terrible review on it in January. My skin completely dried out and became super flaky and irritated. It ended up destroying my skin’s moisture barrier. However, I recently discovered how to correctly use this product. After following her tips-the biggest tip moisturizing prior to product application-my skin is clearing and is glowing! And... wait for it... it’s only been 3 weeks! If only my dermatologist had taken the time to go over proper application of this product, I would have had clear skin a long time ago. So, if you are not getting the results you want, I suggest you give it another chance! I am so happy I decided to give adapalene another chance! At 28 years old, and dealing with awful acne the past year, I’ve felt hopeless. Finally, I feel like this product could be my answer to clear skin!"

• 112...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 21, 2016

For Acne "This medication worked perfectly fine for me in the beginning. Regular dryness and flaky skin. But now my face looks like a war zone. There was more acne than before, and my skin still has the dryness with a moisturizer. There's even flaking. But I think it will get better in the upcoming months."

• 112...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 21, 2016

For Acne "This medication worked perfectly fine for me in the beginning. Regular dryness and flaky skin. But now my face looks like a war zone. There was more acne than before, and my skin still has the dryness with a moisturizer. There's even flaking. But I think it will get better in the upcoming months."

• Gib...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 15, 2016

For Acne "I had a great experience using this product when using the appropriate skin care routine (using harsh products will make your skin peel and burn and can be frustrating, even painful). I wanted to share what products work for my sensitive skin (I don't have any discomfort using Differin since). Clinique Take the Day Off Oil Balm, Fresh Soy Face Cleanser, Costco Kirkland Makeup Wipes (only makeup wipes gentle enough for my face). After putting on my eye cream and Differin at night, I moisturize with Seaberry Face Oil Moisturizer from Fresh, then follow with a lip balm."

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

Adapalene topical 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!"

• Jes...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 10, 2018

For Acne "Adapalene helped clear my skin within two weeks. The one downfall is I experienced extreme flaking and dryness, particularly around my eyes. I used Aquaphor to maintain my eyes and made sure it got nowhere else as it is so thick and will clog your pores! Other than that, I stick to a Cetaphil moisturizer and face wash and had wonderful results. My skin looks better and feels better. I found acne that was coming in would disappear in a day or two when usually it’d be there for weeks. I also take Minocycline, but the two together have really changed my skin."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 28, 2015

For Acne "After changing my pill after being on the same one for 10 years, I broke out in terrible acne. I had never had bad skin when I was growing up, and I have become so self-conscious. I have only been using Adapalene for two weeks. After reading so many reviews, I was prepared to go through a really bad phase before any improvement. In these first days, I broke out worse than ever in my life, but it felt like Adapalene was pushing dirt out of my pores that had been stuck in there forever. Right now, my chin and jawline are very sore and flaky, I have been moisturizing as much as possible, but even this is irritating the skin. I am pushing through because I really think I am starting to see a change already!"

• Anonymous
• May 4, 2022

Adapalene topical "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

Adapalene topical 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."

• lzt...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 7, 2016

For Acne "This is so good. Initially, I was not keen because of what most said about having a bigger breakout on top of what I was already suffering. Well, I did :-( but I started in the summer holidays, so I didn't have to go out. After the breakout, it was about a month that I started to see change :-) Yes, your skin peels, gets very dry and uncomfortable. I recommend a fragrance-free moisturizer, put it on, don't rub it in, just let the skin absorb it. You'll find after the dry period your skin becomes greasy a little. This helps after extreme dryness. Overall, it's really worth a go. I'm also on lycimic tablets. Just need perseverance, as the cream draws out underlying spots which causes the initial purge at the beginning. Just have to avoid the sun."

• gre...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 28, 2017

For Acne "At first when I started using it, I had really terrible dry peeling skin, and it burned so much. Your doctor will tell you that it works in a few months, but that was not the case for me. I just kept using it because I was not done with the tube, and at about 6 months, I was about 80% clear. Right now I am at 8 months and only have a few pimples, which can be easily treated with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. However, if I stop use for an extended period of time, acne gets worse. Adapalene is useful, but the side effects at the start are really terrible and include peeling skin and more pimples. To combat this, make sure to get a moisturizer, especially for dry skin."

• Jla...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 22, 2019

For Acne "I'm a 24-year-old male, and I developed some minor acne on my chin, despite never having had acne before. Nothing I got over the counter worked, so I went to the GP and was prescribed adapalene alongside an oral antibiotic. The side effects were nasty; I had red, dry, peeling, and itching skin for three weeks, even in places I hadn't applied the gel. By week four, I was past the 'purge,' and my breakouts slowed. However, this was short-lived, as by week six, my skin got worse; I broke out in places I had never broken out (my jawline, forehead, cheeks, and all around my mouth were covered in angry, inflamed spots, and my chin started breaking out again too). While these spots were coming to a head and healing faster, they left red marks like never before. My neck was also red and itchy all of the time, despite not applying it anywhere near my neck. I carried on using the gel for 12 weeks to see its full effect. Honestly, I wish I never bothered; it's made my somewhat minor acne almost severe."

• Leo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 12, 2018

"I use this for skin resurfacing (unlicensed indication), and my skin is definitely smoother, and my blocked pores are hugely better. I do have to scrub every 2 days to keep sloughing and flaking in check, but I’m so glad I tried this and continue to use it 3 months down the line. A work colleague I’ve not seen for probably 8 years spontaneously stated I looked no older since I last saw him, and that tells me a lot!"

• Sam...
• September 22, 2015

Adapalene topical 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."

• Imp...
• July 15, 2016

For Acne "I've had acne-prone skin for as long as my memory allows, and it never really seemed to be calm. This past year, my scarring and acne seemed to be at its height. Recently, the doctor prescribed adapalene gel to me, and I was automatically seeing the already on my face pimples disappear, and my skin got softer. However, I am now on week four and a half, and my acne is getting to be awful all over again. I have not experienced skin sensitivity or peeling like my doctor said to expect, but it's so much breakouts I feel like it's worse than before. However, I do notice my scars are lightened tremendously, I just can't seem to be patient enough to wait to see my pimples clear up."

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

Adapalene topical 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!"

• xxx...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 22, 2017

For Acne "Yes, adapalene did work, but the side effects were terrible: dry, flaky, irritated, wrinkly skin that won't go away after weeks of not using adapalene. Adapalene, for me, should be used as a last resort if you're just starting, because having lumpy and irritated skin that won't go away even when moisturizing every day is actually painful to feel and to see. I also wouldn't recommend seeing a dermatologist if you don't have cystic acne, seeing an esthetician is better (to me)."

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

Adapalene topical 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

Adapalene topical 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

Adapalene topical 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

Adapalene topical 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."