Adapalene (Differin) Reviews

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Prescription summary (1,386 votes)

How well it works

:):):)
3.1/5
Agreeability

:):):)
3.3/5
Affordability

:):):)
3.4/5
Common brand names: Differin

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0 of 1 visitors found the following comment helpful.
Dennis, Germantown, MD
Aug 6th, 2009
How well it works
:):)
Agreeability
:):):)
Affordability
:):):)
Pros:Feels good when I put it on, very light
Cons:Does cause some dryness... will putting moisturizer over it interfere with what its supposed to be doing?
Not too thrilled about the initial breakout, but I'm optimistic for now
Recommended:Yes
Usage:Dennis has used this item for a day or two.
Acne severity:severe
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1 of 1 visitors found the following comment helpful.
Katie, Virginia
Aug 6th, 2009
How well it works
:):):):):)
Agreeability
:):):):):)
Affordability
:):):):)
Pros:-WORKS FAST
-reduces pores
-reduces scarring
Cons:None.
Bottom Line:I am sorry that this product didn't work for some people, but Differin was a mircale for me. I had had acne for over a decade. I am 22 and while I had managed to control my acne for short stretches I had never been totally clear. I was ready to take Accutane, but I was about to start a new job and didn't want to wait around for the moronic iPledge program. As a last ditch effort, my dermotologist prescribe .03% Differin gel and Duac. I used the Duac in the morning and the Differin at night, just a very thin layer followed by Cetaphil moisturizer once it dried and my skin began to feel a bit tight. Within 3 days my skin was clearer than it had been in 10 years. I feel better than I ever have. Use this product AS DIRECTED (sparingly, at night, wear sunscreen, wash your face when you wake up) and hopefully it will work for you like it did for me.
Usage:Katie has used this item for a few weeks.
Price Paid:50.00
Acne severity:moderate
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April, Canada
Aug 6th, 2009
How well it works
:):):):):)
Agreeability
:):):)
Affordability
:):):):):)
Pros:Clears up most blemishes pretty quickly.
Covered by my insurance.
Lightens dark marks left by old acne, and lightens new acne (my skin lightens and clears up on a nightly basis - every morning, the first thing I do is look and compare to yester
Cons:Severe drying in the first week - DO NOT cry. There's a lot that will hurt your face during this time. Stick it out.
It isn't the miracle cure most people think it is - it REALLY takes its time.
Bad flare-up, but at least the zits come and go f
Bottom Line:Buy it.

The flare up, for me, lasted between two and two and a half weeks. I looked worse than usual, and my skin was extremely dry at the creases near my eyes (even though I didn't PUT anything there), the corners of my mouth, and the insides of my eyebrows. At first, everything hurts your face: lotion, water, sunscreen - you name it! Then it gets better and better. It takes a long time to get rid of some zits, perhaps because as they're leaving, they're leaving red marks that are gradually being removed.

I have been using a combination of Differin and Stievamycin for a month, and the sudden acne that plagued me after my first year of university (which was possibly catalyzed by applying a brand of sunscreen to which I am allergic) has nearly cleared up. My skin doesn't feel oily anymore, but like it's reached a great balance. It's a good feeling.
Recommended:Yes
Usage:April has used this item for about a month.
Price Paid:20.00
Acne severity:moderate
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Anonymous, NJ
Aug 4th, 2009
How well it works
:):):):)
Agreeability
:):):):)
Affordability
:):):):)
Pros:gets rid of most of my acne, no scent to it
Cons:doesnt prevent future acne, at first my skin broke out but not a lot and it turned my face red often but maybe thats just me because my face turns red a lot
Bottom Line:I really hate products that make my face very red because my face turns red really easily but that happened with every prduct ive tried already. Ive tried acnefree before i tried differin and i loved it until it just stopped working. I heard somewhere that after a while some products will stop wrking for you after a certain period of time. Ive used differin for about 2-3 months now and i love it. Hopefully this one wont stop working for me within some time.
Recommended:Yes
Usage:Reviewer has used this item for a few months.
Acne severity:moderate
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0 of 2 visitors found the following comment helpful.
Keeley may, new yoirk
Aug 4th, 2009
How well it works
:)
Agreeability
:)
Affordability
:):)
Pros:Dont know yet..
Cons:Very itchy & very very dry skin..!
Bottom Line:Just been using it over a week..& omg...im having a severe breakout..! bad spots, red, and very dry skin.. but im also using clinque products..so unsure if that's why its so dry..! i have some acne scars on my cheeks so can't help but put make up during the day..which right now feels like im putting sand on my face.. im really hoping this settles and works..because i have been fighting with acne for years now and nothing works...
Recommended:Yes
Usage:Keeley may has used this item for about a week.
Price Paid:10.00
Acne severity:moderately severe
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Lindsey, MN
Jul 31st, 2009
How well it works
:):)
Agreeability
:):):)
Affordability
:):):)
Pros:dryed acne up AT FIRST.
Cons:VERY itchy skin, peeling. Didn't work fully as I hoped (but I have also tried everything.)
Bottom Line:If your Derm. tells you he is going to put you on it, save your time and money and ask for something else. I have spent WAY to much money at the Dermotologist over the years. SKIP IT. Because, it works like the rest of the ones you've tried, trust me. I have tried everything. I recommend M.D. Forte facial cleanser and the gel that you put on your acne that goes with it (1% Salicylic Acid) , your derm SHOULD be able to either give you a perscription or you can buy it in their office.
Recommended:No
Usage:Lindsey has used this item for a few months.
Price Paid:30.00
Acne severity:moderately severe
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0 of 1 visitors found the following comment helpful.
Ryan, Kerman CA
Jul 30th, 2009
How well it works
:):)
Agreeability
:):)
Affordability
:):):):):)
Pros:Limits breakout and somewhat fades macules caused by past acne
Cons:Very slow to work and never completely healed my acne
Bottom Line:I have been a religious user to Differin for 8 months now and am about to leave the product for accutane. I used a .1% cream every night for that duration and have had noticeable improvement, but still far from perfect. I never noticed any severe dryness or any peeling whatsoever, which actually is a disappointment. This product is still a cornerstone to prescription acne and must be tried before moving into more severe treatment options. I sincerely hope that this product works for you and that you experience far better results than I.
Recommended:Yes
Usage:Ryan has used this item for about a year.
Price Paid:10.00
Acne severity:moderate
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Anonymous, FL
Jul 30th, 2009
How well it works
:):):):):)
Agreeability
:):):):):)
Affordability
:):):):):)
Pros:It cleared my skin *really* well! I haven't noticed any minor/major side effects.
Cons:I broke out a bit more in the beginning, but that was expected and it didn't last too long. Also, I use this at night, and in the morning, my face is oily. No big deal though 'cause I wash it when I get up.
Bottom Line:Although I still have some pimples on my face, it's nothing compared to what it used to be. So far, I've been using it for about 2 months and I plan to continue for a while.
I would have described my acne as being between moderate and moderately severe, if that makes sense? Right now, I'm happy to say that it's light!
My advice is to stick with it, even if you break out even more while using it. The final result will be amazing!
Recommended:Yes
Usage:Reviewer has used this item for a few months.
Acne severity:light
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Anonymous, Dayton, OH
Jul 29th, 2009
How well it works
:):):):)
Agreeability
:):):):)
Affordability
:):):):)
Pros:my face has cleared up really well since i started using differin
Cons:it takes awhile for the medication to work. gets worse before it gets better. at first i was using a face wash with salicylic acid in it and the combination was really bad on my skin.
Bottom Line:before i started using this i had severe acne, now i just get a pimple every now and then. it is true that it will get worse before it gets better, but that is just the medication pulling out all the dirt and oil.
Recommended:Yes
Usage:Reviewer has used this item for a few months.
Acne severity:moderate
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Ariel, Hawaii
Jul 27th, 2009
How well it works
:):):)
Agreeability
:):):)
Affordability
:):)
Pros:Reduces inflammation almost immediately. Not overdrying.
Cons:it costs more than other products I was originally using.
Bottom Line:Differin helps existing pimples, but I find it doesn't prevent the acne from forming. My face doesn't get dry or red. Overall I am satisfied with the results.
Recommended:Yes
Usage:Ariel has used this item for a day or two.
Price Paid:30.00
Acne severity:moderate
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