Unlisted Brand • Differin Cream • Treatments
(105 reviews)
| Average Rating. | 3.9 |
| Would buy this product again. | 77% |
| Package Quality | 3.9 |
| Price | 3.4 |
| Ingredients | |
nana_karina on 5/16/2013 9:17:00 AM more reviews by nana_karina
Age: 44-55 Skin: Very Dry Hair: Red Eyes: Green
Best retinoid for very sensitive, rosacea-prone skin.
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cldurkin on 1/1/2013 4:29:00 PM more reviews by cldurkin
Age: 19-24 Skin: Acne-prone, Tan Hair: Brunette Eyes: Brown
There are many reviews, but I had such great success with Differin I had to add my story!
I have had mild/moderate acne since I was around 13 years old. It has never been horrible, but I would usually always have at least one pimple, even with careful cleansing process and several types of treatment including proactive which I used for years. I guess since it was never terrible I did not feel the need to see a dermatologist, and thought it was a part of being a teenager.
I am now 22 years old, and have stopped taking birth control (just wanted a break from it) which made my acne slightly worse. I decided that enough was enough and saw a dermatologist. She prescribed Differin lotion, and said I may possibly need an oral antibiotic if it did not clear.
In the beginning, I used too much. USE THE LEAST AMOUNT AND THINNEST LAYER POSSIBLE to cover the face. NOT IN CREASES, SUCH AS AROUND THE NOSE. It's hard, I just wanted to slather it all over my face and wake up with clear skin! BUT patience is key. My skin worsened slightly, and I did not see progress until about a month later. My skin got better and better, and now (3 months later) I do not have ONE pimple on my face and have not for some time. Went back to the derm and she said the oral antibiotic was not needed.
Sorry for the long post, basically- follow the instructions, don't over use, and be patient. ITS SO WORTH IT. just wish I had done this earlier in life. Only reason it did not get all 5 lippies because it was a bit expensive, and it can be irritating if use too much.
Good Luck!
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amary18 on 12/11/2012 9:12:00 PM more reviews by amary18
Age: 19-24 Skin: Acne-prone, Medium Hair: Black Eyes: Black
I have mild acne, with some scarring. With the cold weather here in Canada my skin has become super dry. I switched my facewash and moisturizer regime to Cetaphyl face wash for normal/dry skin and the "bootlegged" drugstore version of the Cetaphyl moisturizer (I can assure you it's the exact same ingredients without the "brand name"). Since switching from Spectrum facewash (which I normally use in the summer time) I have felt an immediate difference in my skin. Goes to show the importance of "know thy skin."
The guy at the NARS counter recommended this product to me, and I got it today from my family doctor. I will provide updates in weeks to come on the results I experience.
UPDATE:
This is my second day using Differin cream. I apply it in the night and wash it off in the morning using Cetaphyl face wash. I then moisturize and apply loose powder. --I noticed that my skin felt really dry, really tight. It felt irritated. Midway through the day I wanted to wash my face to hydrate it anyway possible.
When I came home I noticed that my eyes swelled up. My forehead has also broken out under the skin. My skin is at it's worst condition...I really wish I never tried this product. I'm using some aloe vera to relieve the dryness and hydrate it back to its normal state.
I'm so done with trying skin products with chemicals.........definitely won't be using it again. Thank goodness my plan covered this so I only paid $20. --Such a waste.
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Rakhiv on 8/14/2012 11:59:00 PM more reviews by Rakhiv
Age: 25-29 Skin: Acne-prone, Tan Hair: Black Eyes: Brown
Let me just begin by saying I have EXTREMELY sensitive skin with relentless acne, including large cysts near my jawline. I'm 26 (my derm gave me a special card to get Differin for free because my insurance company says I'm too old to use Differin) and have had severe acne since I was 10 years old. I have very oily, inflamed, easily irritated skin.
I have never had any acne routine do what the below routine does for me:
Products Used (4):
Dove Sensitive Skin Unscented bar soap
St. Ives Collagen Elastin Facial Moisturizer
Sodium Sulfacetamide (prescribed by dermatologist)
Differin gel (3%, pump) (prescribed by dermatologist)
My Daily Routine:
Morning:
1 - Wash face with Dove Sensitive Skin Unscented bar soap
2 - Apply a small amount of St. Ives Collagen Elastin Facial Moisturizer around my mouth area until dry
3 - Mix 3 drops of sodium sulfacetamide liquid into a small amount of St. Ives Collagen Elastin Facial Moisturizer in my palm and gently massage into skin until absorbed, avoiding eye area
Night:
1 - Wash face with Dove Sensitive Skin Unscented bar soap
2 - Apply a small amount of St. Ives Collagen Elastin Facial Moisturizer around my mouth area until dry
3 - Mix a small, pea-sized drop of Differin gel (3%, pump) into a small amount of St. Ives Collagen Elastin Facial Moisturizer in my palm and gently massage into skin until absorbed, avoiding eye area
To answer your questions...:
- I use a basic cleanser because I don't need any extra medication on top of the two prescriptions. I really don't recommend using a cleanser containing ANY kind of medication, like salicylic acid, etc because it's just extra and doesn't make the prescription treatments work any better, seriously. I actually remember my skin being more irritated when I insisted on using a cleanser that had salicylic acid (I paid a lot for it, and I wanted to put it to use, but it wasn't worth the trouble).
- I apply a small amount of moisturizer around my mouth each time after cleansing, and before applying treatments because I want to avoid the dry, flaky mouth area that I generally get from all acne treatments.
- The sodium sulfacetamide is absolutely necessary because I'm deathly allergic/reactive to benzoyl peroxide. It's a perfect substitute for me because it works to eliminate bacteria on my skin without the horrible side effects I suffer with benzoyl peroxide. I suggest avoiding Benzoyl Peroxide like the plague if you can, because the damage it can cause is irreversible and it's hard to determine whether or not you're allergic until it's too late. Sodium Sulfacetamide is where it's at.
- The Differin gel at 3% is perfect for me, and I only need a small pea-sized amount because they aren't joking around when they say applying more won't help you. It doesn't. In fact, I get better results when I use less as opposed to more of this product. I realize this seems backwards, but remember it's a good thing when less really is more! That means you're getting serious bang for your buck.
- I mix my prescriptions into my moisturizer because:
A - I hate feeling like I'm rubbing medication off my skin or that I'm layering gobs of products on my already oily, cloggy skin
B - Both of the prescriptions mix with the moisturizer so well that it's pointless to do two applications when I can do just one (yup, I'm lazy, but in this case, it works to my advantage)
C - I feel like it's so much easier to apply the medications when they're mixed into the moisturizer - the moisturizer does not "block" the medication from getting into my skin. In fact, I feel that mixing the prescriptions into my moisturizer has actually made them work even BETTER.
Results:
My skin is far less inflamed and irritated than it was before I started my treatment and I have nothing except a three tiny pinhead pimples that I expect to not even see in a few days. I'm amazed.
My thoughts:
The above routine is my daily routine and I do not change it, EVER; I don't have a separate exfoliation routine. This is ALL I do (and yes, I have super sensitive skin that is prone to drying and flaking, but basic moisturizer actually is effective against the very mild peeling these products cause for me). Literally four products, that totaled to less than $30 for me. The products all last me several months on end.
In fact, I have yet to re-purchase ANY of the above-mentioned products and I've been using them all for about two months now... I don't think I'm even getting CLOSE to the bottom of anything. I expect to still be using the same bottles through the end of the year and it's only August.
I like that these products are so cost-effective, and most importantly EFFECTIVE! I'm thrilled at my results, especially with such a simple routine. At first, I did feel like I was breaking out worse than before, and that my skin was peeling too much. So I remained patient and made the minor adjustments to my routine (like switching from the salicylic acid cleanser to plain bar soap, and mixing my products with moisturizer instead of layering) and the changes have really made such an incredible difference. I will also mention that I'm non-compliant on a regular basis and skip my routine often. And yet it still works. Incredible.
(As an aside, mixing mineral makeup into your everyday moisturizer creates a whipped makeup. Mixing mineral makeup into fresh/refrigerated aloe very gel creates a stain that is easily applied with a makeup brush)
I am so, very happy with the way my skin looks and feels with this routine. I'm so comfortable in my own skin right now. The only thing I'd change is that I wish I started using these products years ago. My skin just looks and feels so good, and I'm forever indebted to my dermatologist and the people who developed Sodium Sulfacetamide and Differin.
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ClaraJ23 on 7/10/2012 4:24:00 PM more reviews by ClaraJ23
Age: 30-35 Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Warm Hair: Brown Eyes: Green
I had high hopes for Differin .1% cream, they were quickly dashed. I used this cream every night for 6 weeks. I wanted to address wrinkles on my forehead and the occasional breakout. I had a bout with acne after coming off the pill 5 years ago so was a little weary. I should have NEVER tried this cream. After 6 weeks my forehead EXPLODED in zits. I would have maybe 2 zits a month before, and now it feels like I have gone back 4 years. I tried green cream before so maybe I will go back to that.
If you are thinking of trying a prescription retinol, don't.
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nikiboshell on 6/17/2012 11:51:00 PM more reviews by nikiboshell
Age: 25-29 Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Cool Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine Eyes: Blue
I have mild acne, occasionally inflamed pimples around that time of the month but usually non-inflamed tiny bumps/clogged pores on my forehead, chin and around my cheeks next to my nose. Not very noticeable but still annoying. I tried almost every OTC acne treatment, and while they would help with the occassional whitehead or acne that was at the surface, nothing seemed to help the small bumps that are under the skin. I picked at them because they never seem to budge and seemed to become permanent fixtures! My face looked like a war zone. So I decided to try the Differin I had laying around that I never used when I was prescribed it (Differin .1 cream). Within one day I saw an improvement, within two days I saw a DRASTIC improvement.
Within two days, the bumps I had picked at were flaking away revealing fresh looking skin underneath. I could easily cover them with concealer. Usually it takes at least 1 week for my skin to get to this point after picking at it. The one inflamed pimple I had was gone. The bumps I didn't pick at are going away one by one, and I am not getting any new ones. Nothing has ever worked so fast. I also have several small raised scars on my chin that are flattening out/flaking off. Post hyperpigmentation spots are also fading.
Most OTC acne treatments make my skin red, irritated and flaky. I am getting some flakiness with this, but nothing moisturizer doesn't fix and my skin does not look angry or red. It is worth noting I use this in conjunction with Plexion SCT mask which I apply for 10 minutes to problem areas after washing my face. Then I apply Differin to problem areas, let it dry, and then apply an oil-free moisturizer. I've only been using it a few weeks but I am definitely impressed with this product! I will update if anything changes!
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salbaliao on 5/27/2012 10:29:00 AM more reviews by salbaliao
Age: 19-24 Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium Hair: Black Eyes: Brown
My skin break out during that time of the month, and I use Differin during those time and I find that I really does clear it up faster.. It is also not drying, but that's also probably because i use the low dosage version. I use it both night and day as a spot treatment, I don't use it all over my face. I really think it's working and would purchase it again but only if I have medical benefits. The reason why I gave it a 3 for price is because it is quite pricey if you don't have medical benefits, if you do, then it's almost free, so a lot cheaper and a lot more effective than buying drug store brands.
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nkar23 on 5/23/2012 2:35:00 PM more reviews by nkar23
Age: 19-24 Skin: Combination, Olive Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium Eyes: Brown
i remember my derm prescribing this to me back in the day (middle school, im 23 now) to treat my acne. i remember not liking it because it didnt clear it up as much as i hoped and it made my skin dry and flaky. and it wasnt cheap!!!
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patroulla on 5/23/2012 7:58:00 AM more reviews by patroulla
Age: 25-29 Skin: Combination, Olive Hair: Brunette Eyes: Brown
I have adult acne (blackheads on my nose and chin and forehead and tiny bumps on cheeks - which are only noticeable in the sunlight). I decided to try differin and i have been using it for exactly seven weeks today. - for the first 3-4 weeks i had an initial breakout, it was so scary as my acne worsened - i had read about this, so i decided i should stick with it and be patient. By the fourth week my skin got a bit dry (around chin and nose) and i developed post inflammatory hyper-pigmentation - this was the most frustrating part as i have red marks where the new pimples formed. so i started using AHA (glycolic acid) during the day and then the differin at night. i must say i have seen a massive improvement. The scars are fading, the tiny bumps are practically gone. This product does work - you just need to patient, i was skeptical at first - but it really does help.
i also got benzyl peroxide just for any new break outs to help heal it and avoid the red marks. Also im using yardely even skin face wash and moisturizer with SPF!! PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO USE SUNSCREEN as this makes your skin very sensitive to sunlight!!
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Becky2009 on 5/13/2012 5:39:00 AM more reviews by Becky2009
Age: 30-35 Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Cool Hair: Brown, Wavy, Fine Eyes: Blue
I've had moderate adult acne for about 5 years now (I'm 30), with sometimes long periods of good skin then long periods where I'll have around 3 biggish breakouts in my jaw area at any one time. There are a couple of products I've used that seemed to help - clay masks for example - but nothing really improved my skin. Benzoyl peroxide helped, but it also ripped up my skin and it made scars take longer to fade (even without it they take ages on me!). Oral antibiotics helped, but who wants to be on antibiotics indefinitely?
I was prescribed with Differin 5 months ago and oh my god I wish I'd had this earlier. If I'd been using this 5 years ago I'd probably have no acne scars now. But I'll try not to get angry about that and just be grateful that I've now found it. Differin has really cleared up my skin. I still get the occasional pimple, but it genuinely is "occasional", and one at a time. And they are much smaller than I used to get and clear up much more quickly. I mean there is just no comparison.
I'm going to write about my experience with my skin getting used to Differin in the hope it might help others. I was very worried about purging before I started, as my skin was already in one of its bad phases and I didn't think I could take it if it got worse. So I started very slowly - only once a week at first. I got no irritation or purging from that so I moved up to every 3 days, and stayed there for 3 weeks. I never experienced purging, but my skin didn't immediately get better. I was still getting new pimples, but at the same kind of rate as before so I don't think the Differin was making it any worse. At around the 1 month mark, my skin started to look a lot clearer. It has just improved from there really - every month my skin looks a bit better.
After a month I went up to every other day, then every day for a bit. But I've now gone back to every other night because of the irritation and my skin doesn't seem to need it.
On the irritation: Yes, that is a drawback, but it's definitely worth it. I only put Differin around my jawline, but oddly the place where I get irritation is around my eyes and the sides of my nose. I normally don't have sensitive skin at all, so I do blame the Differin. Applying only every other night helps a lot. I also find that slathering my face with argan or camellia oil is very soothing - nothing soothes me like oils. Honestly there is no "sensitive skin" cream that is anything like as effective for me as argan oil.
I use my Clarisonic a couple of times a week (not on the Differin nights, although it probably wouldn't be that bad) to get rid of the flakes.
I was hoping the Differin would help fade my scars, but I don't think it really has to be honest. They are fading slowly but surely, but I don't think the Differin really has much to do with it. But probably the best thing for fading acne scars is just not getting any new ones, so I am happy enough.
I really can't over-state the change Differin has made to my skin, and consequently to my general happiness. Anyone with difficult skin knows how bad it can make you feel about yourself. Differin has changed that for me.
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beclowe87 on 4/30/2012 7:24:00 AM more reviews by beclowe87
Age: 19-24 Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium Hair: Blond Eyes: Green
Ever since I went off BCP my skin has been ridiculous. I have been on doxycycline for about 2 and half months and my skin broke out loads (I think as an initial breakout). Anyway, my derm had me using eryacne as a spot treatment but it just wasn't cutting it, it would take weeks for a breakout to go. So she prescribed me differin cream instead and told me just to use it as a spot treatment, unlike what everyone else seems to be doing. But it works fantastic as a spot treatment, it gets rid of them if not overnight, within 2 days and then I am just left with scarring which sucks but thats what concealer is for! My skin has a tendancy to get dry so thats why my derm gave me the cream and it doesn't really dry out my skin at all. I only had a little flakiness around one spot. Hopefulyl it will continue to do such a good job and I will start to see clearer skin soon... I have been waiting for clear skin for too long!!
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mrocd on 12/8/2011 6:44:00 AM more reviews by mrocd
Age: 18 & Under Skin: Normal, Fair Hair: Black Eyes: Brown
I was prescribed this along with Panoxyl face wash by my derm. This one I felt helped clear up the last of my spots. I don't have sensitive skin so it doesn't sting/itch or anything like some have reported. It causes some redness though when first applying.
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nico678 on 11/26/2011 12:14:00 AM more reviews by nico678
Age: 30-35 Skin: Acne-prone, Medium Hair: Brunette Eyes: Hazel
I am using the generic version of this since my insurance, well, you know. Anyways, was on differin gel for years and never ever should have stopped because my skin was relatively flawless and I didn't know it because I wasn't really paying attention to it. Fast forward a few years and I lost my insurance and therefore stopped using differin. Then I struggled with my skin for two years and did a lot of damage with over the counter products (glycolics were too strong and I used them too often). So I buy some insurance, go to the derm, and get back on my old buddy differin but the cream since my skin was a bit dry and damaged (nothing terrible, just like weird cracks and wrinkles in certain spots). So it has been like six months now and my skin is okay. I did breakout in a lot of little bumps all over my face at first and had to incorporate benzaclin for the first few months too but I stopped using that because I hate what bp does to my skin after longterm use. I'm sure if I stuck with the combo I would be breakout free, but bp dries me out to the point of looking kind of old. So anyways, DIFFERIN CREAM! My damage is fixed. Like for real, fixed. My skin is pretty supple and renewed, a bit shiny sometimes but a little powder helps that. I am still breaking a little, but really small breakouts that my own stupid picking exacerbates. Breakouts heal quickly and I old marks have faded. So the cream is definitely greasier than the gel so I have a hard time putting this on my forehead and nose cause I kind of "gunk up" but using a mint julep mask once a week helps. I also gently wash my face with a washcloth at night, a lot of people say don't do that while on retinoids as your skin is already shedding but I get flaky if I don't gently exfoliate often. Anyways, I hope to stay on this sh*t for life this time.
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amandalhill on 10/18/2011 9:33:00 AM more reviews by amandalhill
Age: 19-24 Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium Hair: Blond Eyes: Green
PLEASE READ!
I just joined makeupalley JUST to write a review on this.
I have EXTREMELY sensitive skin and have recently developed an allergy to benzoyl peroxide which has made my skin sensitive to everything (in all the spots where I used to break out in hives from the BP, my skin is susceptible to redness/dryness/irritation)
I get red painful breakouts on my chin (hormonal), on my forehead I get TONS of small whitehead (just annoying), and blackheads on my nose, and general breakouts throughout my face once in a while)
I was using clindoxyl gel (BP and clindamycin antibiotic) for 5 years and it worked BEAUTIFULLY, until one morning I woke up with a face like a balloon. =/
I started on differin 0.1% cream 2 weeks ago. The first 2 or 3 days were very good, and my skin seemed to be going back to normal; less breakouts, less redness, less oil. Until the 4th or 5th day when my face started to HURT like CRAZY; red spots that were EXTREMELY itchy, overall redness, bumpiness on my cheeks from irritation. Needless to say, I was terrified because of some of the reviews I had read. What I am writing this review for is to say the following:
This stuff CANNOT be used without a heavy moisturizer and SPF to counteract the dryness.
IF YOU ARE THINKING OF DISCONTINUING USE OF THIS PRODUCT DUE TO ITCHING, BURNING, REDNESS, GENERAL DISCOMFORT, ASK YOURSELF WHAT OTHER PRODUCTS ARE YOU USING WITH IT?
You MUST be using a GENTLE cleanser morning and night (NOT a scrub, NOT a cleanser with BP or any other drying agents, but instead A LIGHT BALANCING CLEANSING MILK OR GEL, something that SOOTHES, I am using Avene Anti Redness Cleansing Milk)
You MUST be using a moisturizer WITH the differin at night. (I have been using Bio Oil on my face for years and love it. If you don't like putting oil on your face, use a good SOOTHING moisturizer that you like.)
You MUST use a moisturizer AND/or SPF during the day. If you are using ONLY an SPF it MUST be say that it is a MOISTURIZER swell, but I still recommend using a moisturizer AND SPF. (I use Avene soothing adjuntice care for acne treatments (moisturizer), and on top I use Cetaphil SPF 15 (it is winter now, in the summer I will use a higher SPF)
IF YOU ARE SUFFERING FROM THE SIDE EFFECTS I MENTIONED, AND THE THOUGHT OF PUTTING DIFFERIN ON YOUR FACE AGAIN MAKES YOU CRINGE, TRY THE FOLLOWING:
Wait 4 or 5 days (or longer if necessary) for your skin to go back to normal (start using the soothing cleanser, moisturizer and SPF to prepare your skin for the differin)
Start again, but this time, either apply your moisturizer before applying the differin, or mix 1 part differin to about 2 parts moisturizer and then apply. ALWAYS AVOID EYE AREA.
Apply this every 2nd night until your skin gets used to it
(I found my skin still got a bit red and itchy, but NOTHING in comparison to what it did when I was using it on its own, this irritation at the beginning is apparently normal and subsides after 8-12 weeks MAX)
After your skin feels like it had balanced, try applying every night (if necessary)
If applying every night seems to irritate, continue with every 2nd night.
* Another tip: Be EXTRA gentle with your skin while using this cream, no HOT water (lukewarm or cool), no exfoliating (this stuff does enough of that), and no rubbing your face with a towel (blot it instead, or just let it dry on its own)
And if you breakout MORE at the beginning of this treatment, DONT stop it is completely normal, these are just breakouts that were under the skin coming out.
I really hope this helps. Like I said I am only 2 weeks in, but my skin looks better than it has since I was using the clindoxyl gel and that was a year ago. Hopefully the results will last.
Good luck =)
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LauraLo on 9/22/2011 9:31:00 AM more reviews by LauraLo
Age: 36-43 Skin: Very Oily, Fair Hair: Brown Eyes: Blue
I’ve had acne for over 30 years, so long that I’ve learned to live with minor bumps and blackheads and be grateful that the major eruptions are now a thing of the past. But a few months ago, the discovery of yellow (yes, yellow!) growths on my cheek sent me running back to the dermatologist, who diagnosed me with seborrheic hyperplasia, a lovely condition where one’s sebum glands start to grow out of one’s skin (yet another reason to stay out of the sun and slather on the sunblock, ladies!). He prescribed this cream in a low concentration and pointed out that in addition to treating the yellow bumps, I could rub a thin layer of this over my forehead to clear up the small rashy pimples there. What can I say – this stuff works slowly, almost glacially slowly, but work it does! I apply a very thin layer every night with a Q-tip and after two months, my skin looks so much clearer and smoother! And unlike almost all acne medications, it didn’t worsen the acne at first, or make my face red, raw and peeling. If you have adult acne, Differin is definitely worth a try!
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ProudLashes on 9/9/2011 6:03:00 AM more reviews by ProudLashes
Age: 19-24 Skin: Combination, Fair Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine Eyes: Hazel
Excellent product! was prescribed by my dermatologist along with Ginette 35 and wow my skin has improved, was suffering from painful acne all around my chin, cheeks and jaw, it took a while to take effect but im glad I held on!
Quite expensive though about R320, but it lasts a really long time and you don't need a lot, money well spend and will def get it again once up, its been about 6 months since I started using and I still have about 2 months worth left, as prescibed I only apply at night. also doesn't cause any skin irritation whatsoever!
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Haiya on 9/8/2011 7:15:00 AM more reviews by Haiya
Age: 19-24 Skin: Combination, Olive Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown
THIS STUFF IS AMAZING!!!!!! My dermatologist prescribed me it and oh man, it'll clear up those cystic acne bubbles overnight. I'm obsessed with taking care of my face, but I'm obsessd with cake too... hence, no matter how dedicated I am to keeping my face clean from the outside, I will occasionally break out. And when I do, it's real ugly. This cream is like my savior. I love it so much. Sometimes though, it takes 2 days to get rid of a pimple. But regardless, it truly gets rid of the little punks! It Yeah, it's a little drying sometimes–but nothing some nice moisturizer cant fix. I will definitely use this forever. There's nothing like this cream! In conclusion, THANK YOU DIFFERIN COMPANY!!! Thank you sooooo much!!
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PrettyGrlB on 8/8/2011 3:22:00 AM more reviews by PrettyGrlB
Age: 25-29 Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium Hair: Brunette Eyes: Blue
I went to my derm to put an end to the mild breakouts i get. I was put on clyndamycin/alcohol Topical solution 2x's daily and Differin cream at night. With in 1 day I noticed a difference. I consider myself sensitive skin and no irritation. W/out insurance its about 225.00 with my insurance 10.00 I would pay 225.00 for this seriously. Its hit or miss for anyone looking for acne relief.. i am so happy it has worked for me..hope it will for you too!
Regimen:AM
Johnson and Johnson Baby shampoo
(wash face)
clyndamycin/alcohol Topical solution
(all over..let dry)
Clinique city block spf 25
Neutrogena Combo skin oil free moisturizer
Regimen:PM
Johnson and Johnson Baby shampoo
(wash face)
clyndamycin/alcohol Topical solution
(all over..let dry)
Differin Cream
(all over)
Neutrogena Combo skin oil free moisturizer
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tightkitty on 7/18/2011 6:40:00 PM more reviews by tightkitty
Age: 25-29 Skin: Acne-prone, Tan Hair: Brunette, Coarse Eyes: Grey
My HG acne treatment!!
AT FIRST-Prior to using this product,I've struggled with acne since I was about 12. My skin would fluctuate greatly from a few random pimples to cystic ruptures that would scar my face. My skin had always made me self conscious and I always cursed my friends with perfect skin, because they never knew the continuous struggle people with acne face.
When I entered my early 20’s my skin went from unpredictable to my cheeks covered with persistent medium-sized pimples that would never come to a head and large, painful cystic pimples mainly cluttering all around my cheeks. Some pimples were sticking out and some were deep cysts underneath that would take weeks to months to finally go away and most times leaving me with dark marks or hyperpigmentation that took months to fade. This was the worst my skin had ever been. But, how could that be? I’m not a teenager anymore but at this point I have tried everything OTC including some persriptions,retin-a,benzamycin,sulfur wash to name a few..even I had already tried Differin but this time I followed directions lol I was 14 and I was applying WAY to much back then and becameto irritated to continue..
03/11-My derm prescribed this product as part of an anti-acne regimen: Differin cream .1 + oral antibiotic(doxy or mono) or one that you can handle, topical antibiotic (she gave me clindamycin lotion to offset the dryness that may occur), Cetaphil cleanser, and olay sensitive skin sp 15). She also wanted to put me on b-control but that's not an option for me since I tried that before and my blood pressure rose to levels that could give me a stroke but anyway--- To be completely and utterly honest, the first two weeks were a little rough. Initially, this product did dry out my face and it became more sensitive to skin care products. But since I have oily skin it kind of made it NORMAL from drying it out a little.Adapalene (Differin) has been shown not to break down in sunlight like other Retinoids. Adapalene is actually a synthetic version of Vitamin A. It can make you photosensitive and the sun be sure to use a gentle sunscreen!!! I did get some dryness and flaking and a little discomfort. My skin felt, flaky, tight, irritated, felt raw,and at sometimes felt like I had slight windburn. But all the meanwhile my skin was steadily improving!!! Make sure you do not get this anywhere near or under your eyes btw.Like many of the other reviewers, I did suffer an "initial breakout" of sorts but if you take an oral antibiotic with it,it minimizes with your purging process . Some will purge more then others depending on how many pimples you have under the surface that did not come out yet. My derm also recommended if the purging becomes to much or to painful to use a PEA size every OTHER night,a few nights I did do that but for the most part I would still apply but do what works for you. Sometimes I would wake up and my face would be an absolute oil-slick overnight. I'd wake up in the morning and my face would be completely covered in oil, That has since stopped. I don't know if that was part of the purging process of oil and impurities or what but still my face was steadily improving!! I could quickly see a change in the way the pimples that were forming. During my purging process I got small pimples that quickly went away ,that was already a big difference since I was used to getting huge painful cysts!!!! just small pimples that go away quickly sometimes even over night if I apply to my face and then apply and a good dab on that pimple as a spot treatment as well. I find that differin clears up my acne without giving me down time or looking a mess..I only went through a short time of discomfort and it was so worth it. I love when I get little flakies and new baby skin is waiting for me!! There are no instant results. But with any Retinoid product you have to have patience. It clears the gunk out of your pores, revealing fresher skin and helps with cell turnover. I haven't had any major problems with more breakouts I still do get an occasional stress or hormonal pimple. My skin texture and tone were improving and many of my acne scars were beginning to fade very happy.
10/06/11-Now my skin is clearer than it was back then, I still get an occasional pimple due to stress and hormones. I still have a few old marks from past volcanic pimples that are fading from YEARS of eruptions. My skin's now also really soft and smooth, which was never the case on other topical treatments. I no longer use the oral and topical antibiotics, I only prescription medication I use is the Differin and it has been a godsend for me!! I have since bumped up from the .1 lotion, I now I alternate the .1 gel with the .3 gel nightly and love it. But if you never took Differen I would suggest starting with the .1 lotion and take it slow since the .1 gel seems stronger. Some days I'm even brave enough to go without foundation before I had to cake it on.
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ScottishgalAli on 7/7/2011 6:54:00 PM more reviews by ScottishgalAli
Age: 36-43 Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium Hair: Blond Eyes: Other
I'm into my 40's and have suffered with acne since age 12. Its been a long, depressing and frustrating road where so many assume that you 'grow out of spots'. My father who is 72 still suffers with acne! I relocated from the UK to Cnada 6 years ago and 4 years ago started seeing a dermatologist and we tried various creams. Last November I embarked on the Accutane rd. Accutane changed my life. It was a tough 6 months of drugs as the dryness and flaking was very difficult, especially during a Canadian winter, (scalp, nasal passage, cracked lips etc) but worth every crack. Within 2 months cysts and scars were dimishing and at the end I couldnt believe I'd endured 30 years of spots and most people have this skin ALL the time!
Now I am using Differin to ensure no return outbreaks. I've been using it most days for 10 weeks and am relieved there is no sign of any return of pimples let alone cysts. My dermatologist assures me this is the best and I have no complaints so far! No dryness, no irritation and no side effects. Its fantastic. My experience shows hang in there, sometimes you need to wait for results but when they come, they are well worth it!