Adapalene topical and Redness: What Users Say

• Wil...
• September 3, 2020

Adapalene topical for Acne "I started Differin 3 months ago. I began with inflamed hormonal acne on my cheeks and chin. My dermatologist prescribed me clindamycin topical, and recommended I also use Differin. The first month I did not notice a difference in my acne, but I did notice my overall complexion was looking more even. The second month the purging started, and it was bad. Then it would seem okay, and then get bad again. Push through this, I know it's hard, but purging is essential for clearing your skin with this medication. I started to get breakouts in new places which was rough. I'm now on month 3 of Differin and I have no active breakouts! I do have some red marks on my cheeks from hyperpigmentation, and I'm now using some serums to help with that, although the marks will fade naturally with time. Be consistent and persevere because this medication does truly work, I promise! It will be a rocky road but there is a light at the end of the tunnel :)"

• Lif...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 9, 2013

Adapalene topical for Acne "I am a 29-year-old female who has suffered from severe acne vulgaris all my life and was recently diagnosed. I used everything known to man, and when I finally saw a dermatologist, he prescribed me this as well as a face wash. The first two weeks, I had experienced redness, peeling, pain, hot to touch skin (I used cocoa butter to soothe it) just as the doctor said I would, but later into the 3rd and 4th week and even now, my skin is extremely clear and almost flawless. The difference expedited the shedding of my skin and caused the old dead scarred skin to peel off, revealing new soft, youthful, and unscarred skin. My skin is very beautiful now, and I will continue to use this medicine until my acne subsides. Great product."

• Jen...
• December 19, 2008

Adapalene topical for Acne "My acne became worse within the first 2 weeks of using Differin, then all of a sudden it began to get better. The improvements must have happened at night because I would get excited in the mornings when I washed my face. I have to strongly agree with the person who posted before me. DO NOT GET YOUR EYEBROWS WAXED while using this product. My skin was ripped off and immediately turned red. A day or so later it left this large UGLY scar under my eyebrows. About a week later it peeled and was fine, but who wants to go through that."

• Dog...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 13, 2013

Adapalene topical for Acne "When I first started using Differin, my skin was really red and peeled for several days. After that, it started to look a lot better, but then out of nowhere, it started to break out more, especially cystic acne on my face, and my skin is really hot to the touch and painful. I hope it's just that it gets worse before it gets better."

• Acn...
• March 24, 2015

Adapalene topical for Acne "I tried this medication when I was a teenager but did not stick with it because the irritation it caused me was unbearable. I wonder if it was because my acne was worse and my skin more sensitive at the time, but I can't remember how long I stuck with it. I started my current try with it about nine months ago. I had about one to two months of redness, itchiness, and a lot of skin flaking, but as soon as this wore off (which it did completely) as my skin adapted to it, I started noticing big improvements: I have had almost no blackheads, which were causing me a lot of scarring. For most of the month, I get no spots, and when I do, it's just a few, and they are MUCH smaller, less painful, and disappear quicker, and my skin overall looks clearer and more youthful."

• nik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 30, 2020

Adapalene topical for Acne "I was excited to start this product. I knew I was going to have a face purge. However, it has been over 2 months, and my face is really red and has so much acne. My face is worse than when I started. I don't want to give up, but it is making it so much worse, and I feel so ugly - disappointed."

• Bar...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 12, 2019

Adapalene topical for Acne "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!"

• Car...
• December 9, 2018

Adapalene topical for Acne "This product is awful and has made my life hell for the last 11 weeks. I am a 30-year-old with mild comedonal acne on my cheeks. Other products haven't worked for me, so after a LOT of research, I decided to give Differin a try. I knew I would experience redness, drying, and a purging period where my acne would get worse and that it's normal. I read hours of reviews where people told me to stick with it until the 12-week mark. I am 3 days away from that mark and my face has NEVER looked or felt this bad in my life. I have painful red pustules popping up every night and continued redness and drying despite constant moisturizing. It's bad enough I have adult acne and that I've been trying to stick it out with this product for 12 weeks, but this product has made it SO MUCH WORSE! I will be sure to tell everyone I know NEVER to use it. I am embarrassed and upset I wasted my time and money for the last 3 months to make my face look worse. Not only that, but now I have SCARS all over as well."

• Dba...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 31, 2017

Adapalene topical for Acne "Awesome! Best thing I ever used on my cystic acne. Bought OTC Differin about a month ago, and I haven't had a cyst since, which is unheard of for me. For the first time in years, my complexion is smoother, skin is clear, and pores look smaller. Some dryness and redness at first, but it subsided. Love this stuff!"

• Sor...
• August 5, 2017

Adapalene topical for Acne "I used this acne gel before. First time by itself. It irritated my skin. My skin was red, dry, and patchy. I stopped, thinking maybe this was like a reaction. To later find out, it takes a little while to get used to. But as for the second time, I used the whole range. The cleanser, the gel, and the moisturizer. Then I started to see the difference everyone has been raving about. It has been only 3 weeks, but my skin is softer and less patchy. My forehead acne has completely gone away. But my chin cystic acne is apparent. But it had definitely gotten smaller. However, this product made me break out like never before. Basically, my whole face became a whitehead central. But it is working. My acne marks, scars, and acne are less apparent."

• Lee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 13, 2019

Adapalene topical for Acne "I started using Differin at 48 years old. I really got into skin care in the last 8 years and could never get rid of my blackheads and bumpy skin texture. Seriously, I’ve tried all OTC products from drug store to department store. The dermatologist told me to try Differin, and it might even help my wrinkles. Differin has cleared my skin to the best texture I’ve ever had without one blackhead. My skin is so soft. I’ve been using it for seven months. I started slow, using it every 2-3 days because of redness and burning. I found an extremely heavy-duty moisturizer without any retinoids in it, which helped me work up to using it daily. Make sure you’re not exfoliating with any other products in the first month or two. If you’re burning and red, then skip a day or two. It takes your skin a while to adjust, but the outcome is so worth it. Some of my sun spots have lightened as well. As far as wrinkles go, I’d say they are a tad better."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 20, 2016

For Acne "Pros: My breakouts are almost completely gone. The breakouts I do get are usually because it's 'that time of the month.' Pimples usually disappear after 1-3 days and are much smaller. No more painful cystic acne. Cons: The first month sucks. Dry, scaly skin (especially around the eyes). Skin was red and blotchy, and makeup just made it hurt worse. You just have to keep pushing through and accept your face will be ugly for 1-3 months. Night routine: Wash face with plain water (cleansers just made my skin irritation worse) and a clean washcloth. Apply a pea-sized amount to whole face (spread thin over everywhere but my cheeks since I didn't have acne there, and they were just getting dried out). Make sure to moisturize and never skip a night."

• diz...
• October 1, 2015

For Acne "This week is my 8th week in using this product. I can say now that it really works. Before I started using this, I had cystic acne all over my face and neck, but after 7 weeks of using, things change. For the first 6 weeks, expect peeling, redness, scaly face, breakouts. I had all of this. But now I only have two pimples, not cystic acne. At first, I really wanted to stop using this because of the negative effects. Really, patience is a virtue."

• Ems...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 20, 2015

For Acne "I am on Differin gel 7 weeks now. I have to say the first few weeks my skin got worse and very red and sore, but I stuck with it, and in week 3 I started to see an improvement. I had a lot of red spots on my cheeks, and so far they are clearing up. I would suggest only using a small amount. 'Cause if you use too much, it can irritate your skin more. You need to be using it at least 8 weeks before you really start to see a difference. So stick with it. It's worth it in the end even though at the moment you think it's never gonna clear."

• Kai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 5, 2015

For Acne "I don't know how long exactly I've been using this treatment (probably about 1-2 months), but I have to say it's the most effective medicine I've tried. I've suffered with acne since the age of 10, and ever since I started this lotion, my skin has become so much clearer. The flaky skin and the tingling and redness are so worth it if you want clear skin in the end! Highly recommend using this for effective results."

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

Adapalene topical 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."

• nsf...
• April 27, 2018

For Acne "Seriously, stick with it. I hated this product at first. I would cry every day for the first month because it made my acne so much worse and made my skin so red. I wanted to stop using it so bad, but all the reviews said to stick with it, and I'm glad I did. My skin is so much better. I still have some pimples on the side of my chin (hormonal acne), but it's not nearly as bad as what I had before."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 5, 2017

For Acne "I've been using adapalene 0.3% for 11 weeks now. I've read other users' reviews, and it seems like people tend to negatively rate it due to the irritancy that occurs initially. You should expect irritancy when you first start using this. I've experienced flaking, redness, and itchiness, which have mostly subsided now. The right support products help minimize irritancy: a gentle, non-foaming cleanser, moisturizer, and daily SPF are essential. Learn from my mistake: I used an AHA-based product to help loosen the flakes, but it only exacerbated the irritation, so I'd recommend avoiding chemical and physical exfoliants until your skin seems well-adapted to adapalene. The bottom line: my skin is smooth and acne-free after 11 weeks of use."

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

Adapalene topical 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."

• Bar...
• February 26, 2016

Adapalene topical 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!"

• 10y...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 6, 2017

For Acne "In August 2016, my face broke out really badly, and I had a ton of little dots all over my face. I was prescribed adapalene 3%. When I first started using it, it made my face peel, it was so dry. I started using it with the ELF face moisturizer, and it got a little better. My face was extremely red, acne-filled, and painful for a couple of months. BUT in December of 2016, my face was completely acne-free. This stuff makes your skin worse before it gets better, but if you're patient with it, it is so worth it! My nightly routine is to wash my face, apply the adapalene, and then apply Persa Gel 10% on top. Then in the morning, I use a gentle, oil-free face wash and the ELF moisturizer. Now (June 2017), I only get a pimple or two when I'm PMSing."

• Dep...
• November 11, 2016

For Acne "This cream has ruined my life! About 2 years ago, I had pretty moderate acne, and my dermatologist prescribed me adapalene (Differin) gel. Now, before this, I had perfectly white skin, which almost never got red. After a few weeks of the drug, I, of course, got little red patches around my face, which I expected because I was told that's what would happen. Lo and behold, my acne goes away, so I stop using the cream to make the redness go away. But it only got worse and worse, and now, two years later, my arms, neck, and face are all constantly red. DO NOT USE ADAPALENE IF YOU HAVE SENSITIVE SKIN, IT WILL RUIN YOUR SKIN."

• Dep...
• November 11, 2016

For Acne "This cream has ruined my life! About 2 years ago, I had pretty moderate acne, and my dermatologist prescribed me adapalene (Differin) gel. Now, before this, I had perfectly white skin, which almost never got red. After a few weeks of the drug, I, of course, got little red patches around my face, which I expected because I was told that's what would happen. Lo and behold, my acne goes away, so I stop using the cream to make the redness go away. But it only got worse and worse, and now, two years later, my arms, neck, and face are all constantly red. DO NOT USE ADAPALENE IF YOU HAVE SENSITIVE SKIN, IT WILL RUIN YOUR SKIN."

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

Adapalene topical 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."

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 17, 2015

For Acne "I used adapalene and clindamycin last April, but I gave up after a few weeks (which is a HUGE mistake) because it made my acne worse, and I just couldn't talk to people without feeling insecure. So anyway, I started using it again this summer, and it has been 10 weeks, and it's clearing up my face little by little. I honestly think I had fewer pimples before I used these. I'm just hoping these will clear up my face completely soon. Also, one tip on using adapalene is to remember to put it ONLY on your acne (which is hard for me because I have small pimples). I used to spread it on my cheeks and forehead, and that's probably one of the reasons why it made it worse. Now I have red marks, but they will probably go away."