Using Differin has been the best "first step" in eliminating acne breakouts and improving the skin tone of my adult acne-prone skin.

I was scared to use this product at first, especially after reading all about this so-called "purge" period. Sincerely worried to pieces that I would wake up looking like the guy in Hitch (not Will Smith) after he had the allergic reaction!! Lol
But it actually wasn't that bad for me. I ended up buying Dermalogica's Super Rich Repair cream to use on top of the Differin at night.... (sometimes under the Differin depending on how dry my skin was at that moment). And that stuff turned out to be absolute magic in and of itself.
The purge for me was mainly severely dry skin, and flaking that wasn't cute under makeup. Mostly around my nose and mouth. After a couple of weeks, the dryness subsided and my skin started to become smooth and clear. I also began using the Differin Spot serum on top of the acne gel at night, and my skin improved even more. (Apparently using them together facilitates how well both products work)
I am not a very patient person but I am glad I waited it out with this brand. Plus I kept reading about the benefits of Differin ingredients on adult skin (wrinkles and lines, etc). Be advised though, this is definitely not a moisturizer. You will absolutely need a moisturizer with this, regardless of skin type (mine is combo). I use Cetaphil Gentle Face cleanser too since Differin is potent.
At this price point, I would recommend Differin to anybody wanting to see a huge improvement in hyperpigmentation (dark spots from acne past), acne breakouts, and uneven skin tone/texture. It improved all of the above for me! I ended up adding a few serums from The Ordinary after several months of Differin and I promise I can't remember the last time my skin was this amazingly clear, smooth, bright, and glowy (not greasy). Blemishes be gone.... Good luck y'all!!

Differin changed my life. I suffer from severe cystic acne on my cheeks, surface acne on my forehead and temples, large pores, rosacea, and hormonal acne around my jaw. I've tried every non-prescription product on the market with no resolution. Literally... EVERY PRODUCT. I started breaking out when I was about 12, and it's been a battle ever since.

I've been using differin for roughly five and a half months. I initially found it at a drug store, and figured "why not?" I had tried everything else, and was on the verge of consulting a dermatologist.

The "purging" phase around weeks 4-6 was anything but awesome, but I stuck through it knowing that it was temporary, and that the acne that arose during that time was going to "pop up" regardless. Differin just made it happen all at once Instead of having random break out back to back. I suffered from really sever redness, sensitivity, and peeling skin around my nose and mouth. By week 10, most of my acne had greatly reduced, my pores seemed smaller, and the dry skin around my mouth and nose had resolved (I bought the night moisturizer, and it helped a ton!).

Now, five and a half months later, my pores are barely noticeable, my redness is all but gone, and I have ZERO breakouts for the first time in the last 20 years.

Before you buy differin, don't expect instant gratification. Be aware that it's a process, but if you stick through it, the results are worth it. Things WILL get worse before they get better (so I guess it's a good thing we're all wearing masks to cover our faces during the purging phase, right?). Be sure to use a really good night time moisturizer. I bought the differin night moisturizer, and it worked great (not too thick, and doesn't smell). I also applied a light SPF moisturizer during the day. You will develop dry skin if you don't moisturize, and there are times during the purging phase when your face will be sensitive to touch (but not overtly painful).

Picture collage for progress:
Upper left -Day Zero
Upper middle- Week 7
Upper right - Week 14
Bottom - Week 22
(Top row is immediately after washing my face or using the product. Lower photo is the morning after using the product. This is without makeup!)

No airbrushing/photo editing/or makeup have been used on any of these photos. My pores are TINY now and my redness is almost resolved. I initially went in hoping that it would clear up acne, but was pleasantly surprised that it also helped with pores and redness! I feel incredibly confident now, and never dreamed my skin would look this good.

After years of hormonal acne and cystolic acne ruining my self esteem and every special occaision, I found this gel. It is unlike all the traditional acne treatments that burn and peel your skin and are worse than the acne! I put a tiny amount on my problem area daily. If I see anything starting, I dab a bit extra on that spot and let in sink in and dry. What used to be a 2 week at a time disaster on my face is now not happening. A huge swollen lump can be resolved overnight significantly. I could not believe when I got up in the morning, the swelling was almost gone. If you have just about given up and are depressed by your acne, try this! It has really made a huge difference in my life. I feel more confident, I get ready so quickly in the morning now I have nothing to cover up, and I feel liberated. I think anyone who is plagued by constant break outs and is down about it should try this gel. I could not believe it. I wasted so much money trying EVERYTHING for YEARS. If you look at the price and hesitate, do not! A little goes miles! This is gentle and really works! It is my insurance policy that I will always be confident for any special occasion as well as just everyday. My battle of years and years is over.

I never had acne as a child or teen, but at age 35 I suddenly had nearly constant breakouts on my neck and jawline. The first time I broke out I didn't even know what it was - I thought I had poison ivy or shingles. They were painful and ugly, usually just cysts, but sometimes they came to a head like a zit.

At that time in my life I was going through a lot of stress (a divorce) and I attributed it to that. I gave it more than a year to calm down on its own, but it didn't happen. Finally I went to the doctor and she recommended this product before moving on to any kind of prescription. It took 2-3 weeks for it to really be noticeable, but my acne breakouts are all but gone. It is a life-changing difference. I will get the occasional spot, but it's not that DEEP, PAINFUL acne like I know you know I mean. I will get lazy and comfortable with my clear skin sometimes and stop using the product for a while, then the acne comes back to remind me, so I have to go through the process again.

It does make my skin pretty dry, especially during the initial "breaking in" period if I've stopped using it for a while. Get a good, natural moisturizer for dry skin. No fragrances.

I am glad this product works because I was considering getting back on hormonal birth control (I have a copper IUD now) to control this "beard" of acne and I really didn't want to start yo-yoing my body's hormones again.

It's great stuff, just STICK WITH IT and moisturize!

I've been using Adapalene.1% (the active ingredient in Differin) since 2017ish. I struggled with acne scars causing hyperpigmentation spots. I was first given a topical cream by my primary care physician that helped calm major acne, but I was left with almost PURPLE scarring. Over the course of 5 years, I used Differin just about daily and it calmed down the frequency/TENACITY of my breakouts, evened my skin texture, and helped a bit with the scaring. I was so embarrassed to take pictures until my skin began to clear.

I pair this with benzoyl peroxide 4-5% wash and 1-4% for spot treatments when I feel acne coming up/treat breakouts. Benzoyl Peroxide and Adapalene are a dream team!

In the morning, I apply an occlusive moisturizer to protect my eye area that is prone to eczema, and then apply Differin to a wet face followed by a basic moisturizer and sunscreen. My skin at age 24 looks better than it did when I was 19! I experienced dryness and slow improvements the first 4ish months, and it wasn't until a full year later when my sister gasped when she noticed the absense of my spots.

Staying consistent, using a pea sized amount, and wearing sunscreen is key. You only need a very tiny amount all over your face for it to be skin AND cost effective. I've had periods of time in which I stopped using Adapalene in lieu of trying other trendy ingredients and noticed that my acne popped back up, not to the severity of how it once was, but enough to make me go BACK to Differin.

In the past month or so, I've been supporting Differin's anti-hyperpigmentation efforts by pairing it with Vitamin C in the morning, and not using it at night to use Faded by Topicals. I think I'll need another year to see the full results of that experiment, but I can always rely on Adapalene.1% to be there for me.