Product Reviews Rated 3.91 out of 5 stars
180 Reviews
Most Helpful Positive Review please read, i was in the trial For everyone wanting to use, or currently trying this product, I wanted to say a few things. I was actually in the trial group of people that used this product before it was presented to the public without a prescription. It was a group of a few hundred people, we were monitored online, filled weekly surveys and presented pictures and experiences. I have a few tips. First of all, use once and only once a day. Apply a small amount to your entire face, not just your pimples. Use as the last step in your beauty routine. If you need to use moisturizer with it, please wait at least 30 minutes after applying Differin gel to let it absorb. A few days after starting, you will experience tenderness and redness, it's completely normal and fine. During this time, use gentle products on your face, apply sunscreen before going outside, and use a moisturizer often. Remember to moisturize 30 minutes after Differin. This will last a few days, it's called retinization. Remember to continue applying Differin once a day. After this process has passed, continue use once a day, and you will start to notice your face become clearer. It helps with pimples, white and blackheads, and spots and scarring. I'm telling you, if you hang in there and use these tips that I've given, you will start to notice a difference on your face within a couple months. Patience is the key, but if you follow these directions and use Differin only as your only acne treatment from here on out, it will pay off. Also, VERY IMPORTANT, do NOT use any other acne treatment with Differin. Using other acne products with Differin will make your face worse and could cause damage. Use Differin and Differin only. Thanks for reading, hope everyone takes my advice!
Most Helpful Critical Review Oh my god. Uh okay. Believe me when I say it works. Takes a bit but it works. It does burn during that process. For me, and maybe some of you reading this, after using it 2-3 times, your skin begins to dry your skin out severely. You use the product, wait 30-45 minutes to moisturize, but when I say moisturize, go big or go home. I have naturally very oily skin, and after using this product and it drying out my skin, I choose to oil up my skin now, because wow. It works but it burns before it does any good.
Reviewed by 180 customers Repeat buyer, and I buy multiples to give to friends 5
Cystic Stacy from Orlando Fl
I've been struggling with painful cystic acne for nearly 15 years. It's easy enough to cover up with makeup, but sometimes it would be so painful my face would be throbbing. The entire front of my chin would just be one giant painful sore. It was absolutely awful, and I felt like nothing could fix it. THAT medication was out of the question, and most topical products don't work on cystic acne. I really believed that none could and resorted to trying different diets and even considered pricey cosmetic treatments. I gave this a shot because it was cheap and oh boy. It worked SO well. In 2 weeks my skin was as clear as it's ever been in my life. I haven't had ANY not a SINGLE rash of cystic acne while using this and it's been 1 year. I buy it in multiples and will gift it to friends if they mention skin problems. Even if they don't, because personally I've seen great success with my wrinkles from this as well. I love it, and if they ever get rid of it I will fill a bunker with the stuff.
BEST ACNE TREATMENT 5
A from NJ
After seeing the reviews I bought this to give it a shot. My face was covered in acne even though I followed my routine. I still have a scars as well as a bit of acne but this gel really has worked wonders for me! It has taken away so much acne as well as leaving my skin smooth! Will totally continue buying it!
Great even for hormonal acne 5
Nicole from Queenstown
I know this is a spot treatment, and I do usually use it as such, but I typically just rub it in that specific area of my face. Last night, I could feel small bumps coming in around my chin (TMI but it's from a visitor). I rubbed less than a pea-sized amount of product on my jaw and chin and those bumps are gone! It's also very effective on larger acne problems, too! Based off of the reviews I read, it looks like it may be overdrying to some. I personally did not have that issue, but I do have combination/oily skin. I do not find any issue with my skin being irritated, dried out, nor did I find I had more breakouts than before I used it. I hope it works out for you! It's expensive, but a bottle will last you a long time!
Effective but drying 4
ShowMe Shopper from Cape Girardeau, MO
It has been fairly effective for me. As other reviewers have warned, I have to use this product judiciously and sparingly to avoid excessive dryness and peeling.
I regret ever using this. 1
Alexus from Redlands, CA
This ruined my face. I regret ever trying this product, my acne is 10x worse than it was before I started using it. I've always thought it was the "purge" but no. I was patient and kept telling myself it will work soon, but after the 12th week, my face was to the point where it hurted so badly and I never saw any progress. Now I have deep acne scars because of this product. Would not recommend! ZERO stars.
Definitely Re-purchasing 5
Ness from NJ
Definitely Re-purchasing. Cleared my acne flare-up immediately with the first use (must use a highly moisturizing moisturizer after every use).
smoothes texture on aging skin 5
tea divamuse from Pueblo CO
I have been using this for about 3 years and it makes my skin feel silky smooth. It is quite strong so I sooth it over my moisturizer, not on bare skin as the directions say. I know it is an acne treatment but it does not dry out my sensitive mature dry skin.
This really helps minimize pimples, even big ones. 5
Patty from Phx, AZ
I use this product nightly after washing my face & applying my skin moisturizer. I wait about 15-20 mins for my moisturizer to set in & then apply this to my affected spots. Everyone in my household uses this, from 16 y/o to 46. It works great!
definatly a good product!!!! 5
trixe from maryland
the best acne gel ive ever used
dry sensitive skin 3
Yee from brf wis
It burned so bad.
Magic in a tube 5
JesRaimo from Mechanicsburg, PA
For me, this stuff is magic. I've been using it for 9 months and haven't had a single pimple since. MAGIC. 12/10, already stockpiling this gem
Buy it 5
makeup enthusiast from CA
It's the only acne gel that actually dries up my pimples.
OML 5
Emma Jean from Mishawaka
I had severe cystic acne on my forehead, cheeks, and around my nose before I started to use this. I felt like I had used everything before my mom recommended this to me and I saw results over night. My pimples had lost all their redness and had calmed down almost completely. I definitely recommend using this once a day to get rid of spots and acne!
Scientifically Proven to Prevent Acne 5
Kim from Boston, MA
This has one of the few ingredients to scientifically prevent acne. I started using this during quarantine when my acne was pretty bad due to stress. I started off with 3x a week and then worked up to every other night use. Let me say my skin is probably the best it has been since I was a kid. I have only had one or 2 pimples a month while using this and they were very small and went away easily. This is honestly such a holy grail for me after dealing with acne and terrible products for 15 years. I recommend using this at night. I use the method from Dr. Dray. After washing my face I'll apply my moisturizer on my wet face and let it soak in. After I will take Aquaphor and apply to/around my lips, under eyes, and around my nose (anywhere that is prone to dryness). Then I will take a pea-size of it and apply to my face. The aquaphor has really helped with dryness from the product. If I notice my skin getting dry patches anywhere, then I won't apply it there and use aquaphor instead. This is so worth trying out if you are curious and are willing to take it slow.
for my teen 5
Jennifer from Woodbridge
I have been buying this regularly for my 13-year-old for at least a year. We are both happy with how much this clears up her skin. It is not perfect, but it's 90% better. She tried going off it, but the acne just returned full force. One con is that it makes her very susceptible to sunburn, but if you wear and reapply sunscreen, it shouldn't be a problem. She has added wearing a hat to her regimen.
I really wanted to love... 2
Izzy from Georgia, USA
I have oily-combination skin and I was really excited to try this product to help clear my cystic acne/acne scars. I made sure to moisturize prior to applying as well as applying a skin protectant(vaseline) around my eyes/lips. During the first couple of times, I would wake up with a super oily face and burning eyes (I think this was because it was so oily that it slid down to my eyelids. I then tried to widen the time gap between moisturizing and applying the product but that didn't help with the oily face and I could not bear my eyes stinging first thing in the morning. I then decided to only apply it below my eyes just to see if it would work. It didnt. I was still waking up with watery eyes. I finally decided after 2 1/2 weeks to give up because I couldn't bear dealing with all of it. Now, I am going back to the Cerave Skin Resurfacing Serum.
So far, so good 5
M from Washington DC
I've only been using this for a few weeks, and I've figured out that my skin can only tolerate it every other night. I put my Rules of Mastic cream (Too Cool For School brand) on over it, to make sure my skin doesn't dry out overnight. If I use it daily, my skin gets very flakey. I went through some initial purging and seriously considered stopping it, but I'm so glad I stuck with it because my acne has already noticeably decreased. Zits that come back regularly in the same spots are finally gone! I plan on using this for a long time, but will switch to whatever is considered a "maintenance" routine, many months from now. I recommend it, but be prepared for the initial purging that can happen in weeks 1 through 3, like with any retinoid or retinol. If you have an important event or something like that planned and you really don't want your skin to break out more, hold out until you have the time to let your skin do it's thing. It's so worth it, once it's cleared up
Clear Skin But at What Cost? 2
Julibean97 from San Jose CA
I typically don't write reviews, and I'm typically not sensitive to retinol , and if this product would actually stay in its place, I wouldn't dislike it so much. Do not get it near your hairline, your eyes (ESPECIALLY EYELIDS) or Lips! I got some of it on my hairline and my scalp burned and was flaky and just completely messed up and roughed up. Also my eyelids also experience almost eczema- scaly skin. Just be careful. I may right another review in the future , I might start wearing it only I. certain places.
Yes, it works 5
Ellie from Southbury, CT
I am 69 years old and still have hormone acne flare ups. I am currently wearing a mask for Covid protection and it is absolutely necessary for me to use this product. It is the only acne product that works for me. I would recommend it.
GET THIS PRODUCT ASAP 5
Clara from South Dakota
I would just like everyone to know that this product is awesome. I used to get cystic acne on my face and now it is gone. The first months are rough because I did go through a purging faze but trust me stick through it. My skin looks so much better!! The only downside is it does make your face a little bit dry, but that's typically normal for acne medicine. So use face moisturizer. GET THIS PRODUCT!!!
Stong stuff! 4
JM from Tennessee
Bought this as no retinol available from the ordinary. If it's good enough for Drs to prescribe, it's good enough for me. Just started using over last 2 weeks so not much to say about results. I do find this drying so following up with moisturizer is crucial.
amazing acne gel 5
Ari from Los Angeles, CA
This product could not be more great. Recently I've been breaking out due to stress and hormones, so the combination has made my skin go insane. I tried using this after I read someone's review and they recommended to keep the areas you apply the Differen gel clean with no other creams or serums underneath or on top of it. I've been doing exactly that and it's been working so well!! My skin hasn't freaked out or felt dry at all.
Amazing spot treatment 5
Lilly from Portland
I've been using this for about 6 months and I love it. I am 17 and frequently have acne. I use this as a spot treatment. I normally put it on before my moisturizer before bed and in the morning the acne has significantly decreased. This stuff is amazing.
A WONDER OF THE WORLD 5
anncynthia48 from NJ
So my dermatologist recommended this for everyday use. I used it every day and my skin became so dry that it was frosting up all white. Not a fan of that. Mind you, it may have been a skin type thing. I stopped using it then eventually changed it to a once-a-week thing. Babygirl LEMME TELL YOU, this made a huge difference. My skin is much clearer and I'm thriving!
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES!!!!!!! 5
M from Washington
This is a MUST. Yes, it did dry out my skin a lot because I have very sensitive (already dry) skin. But as long as you moisturize morning and night, dryness shouldn't be a problem! This helps immediately, and gets better every day. I recommend this product to everyone and will continue to do so, at the moment I'm on week 2 of using this and I've never got these results from any other acne treatments! BUY IT! (Also helped with my deep acne scars)
