Product Reviews Rated 3.91 out of 5 stars
199 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 199 customers Works! Takes awhile. 5
Shell from Minnesota
After about 3 weeks my skin became so clear. Very easy to use and so effective!
Saved My Skin 5
KS from Florida
I had been suffering with bad hormonal acne along my jawline for four years. I had spent, no doubt, thousands of dollars on products. Nothing helped except for this. At almost three months my skin is the clearest it has been in years. I have one or two, where I used to have masses of painful cystic bumps. And the seldom few that do come up now are no where near as painful, irritated, and long lasting as the ones before. At night I use a gentle cleanser, this gel, and a simple no fuss moisturizer. My skin is clear and looks radiant.
Yes, you DO have to be consistent. You DO have to follow the directions (read the directions!!!). And you most likely will go through a purging period (mine lasted from about week 3 to week 8) but this stuff WORKS. There is no overnight cure for severe acne. You did not get it in a week and you will not cure it in a week. I can't help but think some of the poor reviews are from people who used this improperly.
Did nothing for me 1
Sahagun19 from Palos Hills, IL
Did nothing for my acne, returned after a few uses
at 4 week, but not feeling it 3
Jenny from Chicago, IL
I decided to start using this product after getting some texture/little bumps all around my chin. I have had acne since I was very young and it has only gotten worse (thanks cysts). the pilll has helped me a lot but even then, i'll get breakouts, hence this weird texture. I thought I could use this product only a couple of days a week and use BHA too on only some of the off days but no don't use anything else. This burned my skin and so I gave it some time off from anything and that seemed to do the trick. BUT then came the purging. I now have a mountain of pimples around my chin/jawline. Granted, this is probably all the little bumps coming to head but honestly, I should've just gone to an esthetician because now it's just so hyper pigmented and full of zits, it's horrible. I'm going to stop and go back to my normal routine and probably going to have to get some chemical peels or something just to get back to where I was before. I'm also on Spiro now so I'll just let that do the trick instead. For those who are struggling with very dry skin from this, I do have some tips! I did experience the dryness at first, but it's minimal now. also this is my winter routine. At night, I use an oil cleanser and follow up with a creamy cleanser (la roche posay), then toner (unscented and alcohol free) the product, wait abt 40 mins or so, then niacninamide and finally fab ultra moisturizer. in the morning, i use toner again the vitamin c serum then a ointment. also, always use sunscreen, whether using this product or not
Great Retinol!!! 5
VNobes from Florida
I decided to try this out after seeing a board certified dermatologist and board certified plastic surgeon recommend. Although I don't have acne, the ingredient in here is a retinol; which is how I use it. I have had incredible results so far. And it's budget friendly!!! I am 49 with super oily skin, some texture, and enlarged pores. This has improved my texture as well as the overall condition of my skin. Use VERY sparingly, and start out using only 2x a week. Build up from there ir you can burn your skin. Highly recommend.
give it time, it works 5
pinkordie from colorado
after watching videos on how to introduce this slowly into my routine, I did just that and have noticed a great improvement. I have dry skin so I think the slow introduction was crucial to my success
Be patient 5
Jess from Michigan
I started using this 3.5 months ago and I am emerging from the purge with the best skin of my life, I am doing double takes in the mirror because I can't believe how clear and bright my face looks. I wanted to give up after 2 months but I'm so glad I didn't.
This is the perfect time to let your skin purge while you keep that mask on in public ;)
I'm having a good experience! 5
Sarah from US
Honestly I have had a great experience with this product. It smooths my skin and has definitely seemed to keep away breakouts. I suffered from hormonal acne and this has reduced the number of cystic pimples I get. I experienced a slight increase in acne at the beginning but not significant
Good for oily skin with large pores 5
Blackhead and Large Pores Person from CA
I have bad blackheads and very oily skin. At the same time it's sensitive and gets red and flakey easily with the occasional breakout. I have tried many, many products to control my oil. This is the only thing that finally helped my skin, along with a good/conservative AM and PM skincare routine. My skin was irritated for I'd say the first 2-3 weeks, but then gradually my oil production DRASTICALLY went down. I don't wake up with a thick layer of oil on my face anymore. Of course, a good skin care routine helped immensely but this is the product that had the most effect on my oily skin. I went from using this after moisturizer every other day (more gentle that way) to applying directly on dry skin before moisturizer everyday. This helped my oil production and my BHA product that I alternate this with helped my blackheads.
My perfect skin secret 5
Lauren from Louisville
The first 3 months you use this, you will have the worst breakouts of your life. After those 3 months, your skin magically becomes super smooth and perfect. I use this nightly on my acne prone oily skin. It also has retinol in it, which is great for preventing fine lines and wrinkles. I swear this is what makes my skin have no fine lines, wrinkles, or blemishes. Just be careful to have sun screen in your daily lotion because it can cause sun sensitivity. I am not kidding, the 3 months of horrible breakouts was totally worth having perfect skin. I don't even wear foundation anymore because my skin is that good. I started this in my mid 20s due to adult acne and continue to use it through my late 20s. If you have adult acne and also want to prevent signs of aging, this is the holy grail. Just stick through the 3 month period. Results do happen and it is worth it.
For my husband 5
Jasmine from Midwest
My husband has some deep frown lines and has been breaking out due to wearing a mask at work all day. Every other night he puts this on with a moisturizer and we can definitely tell the difference in his skin at a few months. It takes time.
Very good for oily acne prone skin 5
Maggie from Los Angeles
I read some comments that it takes a while to notice any real difference on your face, but I noticed a clear difference in about a week. Used it once at night before bed. Skin did get flaky but the acne went away so I didn't really care. I cleansed my face with a moisturizing wash and it was just fine. Also exfoliated with a silicon brush once every two weeks or so just to get a bit of the flaky stuff off. It honestly works.
yes. 5
s from france
i'm in love w it. it has saved me but wait it out. it took a month or two for me to have almost clear skin. definitely worth it.
Wanted to love this so bad 1
Patty from Florida
So I have oily/acne prone skin, large pores and have wanted to incorporate some sort of anti aging treatment. This gel seemed like the perfect serum for me considering my skin type. After only using it for a couple of days my skin became very dry, patchy, red, irritated and I broke out a lot. My skin can handle a lot but hated this product. I've never had to deal with dry/flaky skin and painful break outs. Needless to say, I will be returning this.
Holy Grail! 5
SV from Kentucky
My fine lines started practically disappearing after the first couple of uses, I had some blackheads I couldn't seem to get rid of that have also disappeared.
My pores appear to look smaller and overall my complexion just looks healthier.
I've only experienced very mild irritation, it's barely noticeable with a bit of redness than goes away relatively quickly.
This is by far my favorite product in my skincare routine now!
My saving Grace 5
Amber R from Louisville, KY
I'm tired of my acne and I've had it since I was 12, I'm now 23, I read such great things about this product so I gave it a go. I'm so glad I did!! It's very strong and my skin did flake in the areas where my acne is the worst. I had a huge flare up but apparently that's my body purging my acne, it took about a month of use. My face is now finally calming down and I'm over joyed to not have huge cystic acne.
"Purge period" isn't real 1
Nicole from Indiana
I have deep underground hormonal acne that flairs up around my periods. I've read several reviews about a "purge period" with this product but I was 4 months in before I threw in the towel and went to the dermatologist. Don't waste your money.
Better retinol options 3
Ashley from Wisconsin
I really wanted to like this product, but it's a no from me. 2 months in and my skin looks so much worse than when I started, and it was never that bad to begin with. I get this is the purge, but there are other retinol products that achieve similar results without destroying my face in the process. If you're like me, and looking for help with minor skin issues, maybe try a different retinol product.
Please don't use if you have eczema 1
IntlSunni from Houston
I can honestly say this is probably my fault. I wanted to try this because it lauded as an excellent choice for people with stubborn acne or acne that tends to be more cystic in nature.
I was so excited as I don't get many pimples but when I do they tend to stick around for more than month, just a knot on my face never turning into a whitehead.
But I was wrong I didn't know this product wasn't designed for people with eczema and unfortunately because of that I am going through the worst flare up I've had in years.
My cheeks are scaly,red, flaky and tender. Please don't make the same mistake I did. Definitely do your research before using any new products on your face. And if you have the ability (I do understand that we can't all afford to) see a dermatologist or at least consult one.
I should've done it and now it seems as if I'll be waiting months for my face to heal and the kicker is I've still got those same pimples :)
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).
