i am 26 years old and i've had severe acne ever since i can remember. i have tried pretty much everything. nothing seemed to help me. differin has changed my life. if you have bad acne you know what i'm talking about. people are so mean and i have cried many many tears. differin didn't work for me overnight. it actually made my acne worse. i was so disappointed but kept using it because i spent $150 for it. but i'm glad i did. i noticed my face started clearing up in different sections. first my forehead, then my cheeks. my major problems was my chin and around my chin line. it took a long time but it finally cleared up. it was so worth going thru the first six months to finally having clear skin. and one tube lasted over eight months and thats with putting it all over my face. it is not a overnight cure, at least it wasn't for me. this is my first review and i'm doing it because if i can help anybody with acne, it is worth my time. oh yea, make sure you don't get in the sun with it. it will burn your face.

My dermatologist gave me Differin today and said to only put "a little" on ONLY THE PIMPLES !.. and from what I've read .. people put it on their whole face! maybe that's why it's not working well for them ... so make sure to Only put it once at night only on the pimples .. =]

Differin is not a non-presciption Gel. It is prescribed by a dermatologists office and is a medical and strong medication that should not be compared to over the counter products. It works for some and not for others. Work with your dermatologist to find the right solution. I have three teenagers with mild to medium acne (no cysts are extreme breakouts) and differin has worked for them at different levels.

I think my skin has cleared up some ive been on it for over 2 months now...but strangely its made me scar much worse when I do get a pimple. But I'm going to stay with it for now because I'm currently in the process of getting new insurance so from there well see. And my pores have gotten larger Im very confused cuz this is the opposite of what I was told would happen its really upsetting because I loved my pores before couldnt see them at all now there huugggeee. My skins much oilier to. Maybe my hormones are just changing though ugh i dont know

My son is only 10 but his skin is already breaking out badly. The doctor told me to get differin 3. He had very bad pimples on his forhead and on his nose. One got very large and broke. He has a scar from that one and he never messed with it at all. After about a month of putting the differin on his forehead and nose every night his skin is almost cleared up. Right now it is Febuary in Florida so the sun isn't bad but during summer the sun is horrid so I don't know what we will do this summer, epecially considering he goes to summer camp all summer and they are in the sun every day all day long.

There is no quick fix nor a miracle remedy. Good clear skin starts from the inside, plenty of water, eat well, vitamins, exercise, etc. We are what we eat/drink. For those of us that suffer from acne, we need more help such as antibiotics and topical medications. Believe me, I know. I had perfectly clear skin until age 20, then it was devastating with the embarassment, sore cysts and pimples and I was scurrying to try every remedy advertised out there to end the pain. Though my doctors kept telling me it was a hormonal imbalance, i was determined to rid of it, and soon!

Over five years, I tried two different antibiotics (e, t) and many topical creams (including Proactive) and nothing seemed to work. I finally tried Accutane at age 28 and this killed the severe acne (the cysts), but I do occasionally get a few outbreaks every now and then but nothing like before with the painful cysts that causes scars. I started Differen gel .1 then .3 a year ago only as a recommendation of a new dermatologist after seeing about removing my old acne scars and he recommended completly clearly the skin with differen to be sure that all impurities were pulled out of my sking before attempting an expense scar-reducing surgery. With DIFFERIN, I noticed the skin flushing out the underground bacteria immediately. My skin is normally dry and I do not experience excessive drying; however, I do apply a light moisterizer before bed. It's very important, please keep in mind, to always moisterize and apply sunscreen every morning as well. There are good-skin habits, and again, PLENTY of water (6-8 glasses per day). You will see immediate effects, that same day, after drinking 8 glasses of water the day prior. Just try it.

I will also share something. Now, in my late 30's, my healthcare company disputes every time I have differen refilled because it is also used as a cosmetic anti-wrinkle remedy! So, the only way I can get it refilled, is to prove from my dr that I have acne. Interesting, huh?

So, stick to your routine, find what works best for you, we're all different. But, remember, eat well, exercise, consume alot of water, take your vitamins, don't scrub your face, treat your face like tissue, be patient, perhaps combine antibiotics with topic solutions and most importantly, don't let your not-so-perfect skin stop you from enjoying your life and missing out on events. Life's too short.

Used Diffrin, before my derm put me on Retin A. Diffrin did not seem to work at all and REtin A made my face very flaky and dry. Finally, my doc put me on Solodyn and a retinoid antibiotic combo gel called Ziana. The combination of the two have really worked for me.

I was on this for about two months and I didn't see any results. Last week I went to the doctor depressed because my acne had not improved at all. He put me on Sulpha (an antibiotic taken orally) and Tretinoin (generic for Retin-A). I can already see results from the combination of these two medications, and I've only been taking them a few days. Tretinoin is topical cream and it actually grows new skin, causing you to shed the layer you already have. It helps with scarring and wrinkles as well. It is God-sent. I feel blessed to find something that is actually working for me, because the Differin made me lose hope for a future with better skin.
You have to try both though. Some people love Differin. Some people are terrified of Tretinoin and I've read many horror stories about it. I didn't go through the massive breakout phase with it because I had already brought up all the dormant pimples with Differin. But there will be a period of time with these medications when you first start using them that you will breakout like mad for a few weeks before you start seeing any results. Don't lose hope though. Tough it out and if the acne doesn't improve at all, just go switch to something else. Different people react differently to meds, and you just have to find the one that's right for you. Good luck!
PS - Taking an antibiotic with a topical is the best way to fight acne. Try to get both.

Hi, well im using the 5% differin gel. its worked really well for 3 months, then i stopped because, there was none or little acne left. But then for about a month or so after acne started appearing again, and got a little strong, went back to the doctor again and he said that it should be used for 9 months non-stop then acne should stop or won;t be as strong as before. im just wondering, if this has happened to more people, or is this situation just happening to me.

This is my 4th weeks on differin. I do not see any improvement. My face is horrible. I am becoming so depressed. I do not want to even go outside. The acne has increased. I want to call my doctor to try something new, but I will try to put in my remaining 8 weeks. I think I will feel better if I can see a slight improvement.

ive been using differin for over six months. first things got worse then they got a little better. now im stuck with a little more than moderatley bad acne on my cheeks and some pimples in other places on my face. i wash my face when i wake up with gentle soap, then again before i go to bed, then i put diffwerin on. can someone tell me what im doing rong and what i shuld do?

thanks  do you think i should use a lower dose? i used to use 1% and dident have any promblems noow my derm put me on 3% and its much worse.

AlexandraRipp, yes continue using it. All the acne you see was hiding under your skin and this medication is purifying your skin. Trust me, KEEP GOING.

Im not sure wat did it but i all of a sudden like overnight really got moderate acne. It was weird over the period of a week i went from no acne at all like perfect skin to moderate acne. I started using a bunch of stuff like proactiv and this natural remedy but nothing until i went on the combo of differin monoxicylin and panoxyl soap so for acne really u need to try all three methods of treatment to get results internal and the two externals of benzoyl peroxide and retin A. I now have light acne that is almsot all gone and now compeltely under control. Differin is known for light side effects so burning only happens with sensitive skin but lower usage until u get used to it. like every other other day for a few days then every other day and so on till its every day. Dont mess around with acne hit it hard from all angles possible when u start getting it and if that doesn't work use the miracle drug accutane for severe acne. its the only thing that works for all my friends who had it way worse than me. it will suck for a month tops then about 1 or 3 months to around 6 months u will have clear skin trust me.

I tried Differin .3 gel for three months with no results. I called back my doctor and he switched me to Retin A Micro. Within two weeks my acne was clearing, and my doctor said because it was in a pump, I wouldnt overuse the product. Hands down, my vote goes to Retina Micro.

Differin may work for some people, but its side effects turn me off. Try something all natural like Vilantae instead.

I'm only 16, but I did have random breakouts like twice a month, and it was getting so annoying and it was just distracting. So I tried ProActive, and it did not work. And It's frusterating having to wait month after month for results. So I tried Acne Control, no luck with that either. So I'd seen a commercial for Differin and thought what the heck, I had a physical comming up anyway. I got Differin, awhile ago but just got around to using it last night, And some of you say how it takes months, and months. Well, My face is practically cleared up. But I also didn't use it the right way xD. I just massaged it on for about 5 minutes last night then washed it off, and I think I'm going to stick to doing that because if I leave anything on my face over night it makes its all dry in the morning. And even not using it the right way, it was AMAZING! I can't wait to use it again tonight.

I was very skeptical when I was prescribed differin gel. My face never got dried out or irritated. My face instead became super greasy everyday and the acne got worse, much worse for months and months! I had it worse than I ever had in my life! I thought it probably wasn't working since my face was so oily instead of overly dry like every one elses experiences, but I kept using it, just in case. The way I used it was, I cleaned my face everynight with a gental facial soap, then applied differin gel before bed. In the morning, I'd wash it all off really well with facial soap and apply clindamycin gel. I NEVER wore differin during the day and would recommend you not to as well. My doctor told me too many horror stories of how differin reacts badly with sunlight.

It's been about 6-7 months now, and this week, for the first time ever, I have stopped getting acne. My blackheads, whitehead and cystic acne are all gone! After suffering with ance from age 13 to now, age 27, I'm still in disbelief that the acne is finally gone! It really was worth the wait. I almost gave up several times but I'm really happy now that I stuck with it. My face is clear and smooth! I do have a lot of very apparent scars still, but I think getting a couple micro dermabrasions will remove the scarring.
I would recommend differin to anyone, but just make sure you stick with it. It may take 6-7 months of torture with worse than ever acne, but it needs months to expose all that built up acne under the skin. But it does finally work!

Basically you have to try it because it works on some people and not others. I tried differin and it cleared my skin immensely at any given time I only had one pimple on my face or none.

Question about Differing and sun exposure(and my review below).

How strong does sunblock have to be when using Differin? I know some people said they got very painful and ugly burns by being exposed to sun while on differin. Is sunblock something that can prevent it? HOw strong does it have to be? I have vacation in Hawaii coming up, so no way I can avoid the sun and I don't want to get painful/ugly burns on my vacation.....Any input appreciated. Thanks.

I've been using Differin for about 7-8 weeks now (the .1%). First time I tried Differin, it was PAINFUL. I know I have very sensitive skin, but the way my skin reacted was NOT expected. After only 3 days of using Differin, my face was peeling really bad (like think sunburn kind of peeling + cracking skin) and my skin constantly felt like it was burning and itching. It actually hurt to talk...any action that cause the skin on my face to move HURT. Not to mention my skin got super dry and red.

I gave my skin about 2 weeks to rest/heal and tried Differin again...but I this time I used it every other day, instead of every day. By skipping a day, my skin wasn't getting as nearly irritated...just felt a little dry, that's it....After about 9 days, I switched to using it every day. I think by first using it every other day, allowed my skin to adjust because now I'm not experiencing any of the side effects as I did with my first attempt (which was very painful and looked HORRIBLE).

Yes, my skin got worse initially, but it's slowly clearing up. I don't get those painful pimples anymore and the pimples I am still getting, go away practically overnight. I know Differin takes time to work, so I expect my skin to keep improving.

BTW, I'm 26 and although I never had acne as a teenager, it all started up around 20 for me and got pretty bad. I'd have to say I had moderate to sever(when close to my period) acne.

For some people....it takes 6 months for it to work. For me, I saw results over night! It works! And don't apply it all over your face...just in the affected area. I use the Differin GEL 0.3%. TRY IT!!!  ?

This gel is genuinly very good but i do not recommend using it if you suffer from severe acne because at first - as it works under the skin - your acne may get worse and the bacteria would be too strong. 1st of all i recommend visiting your doctor and pick up some Doxycycline and Dalacin T. This combination works well on acne prone and acne skin. It also reduces oil and kills bacteria. It additionally helps the pores to let excess sebum flush out as acne is caused by excess sebum and bacteria. After about 3 months of this combined treatment you should allow your doctor to examine your progress. They will either allow you too continue on the combined course or change the course. If your acne has improved and you only have a few blackheads and pimples, now is the time to request Differen gel. 1% for sensitive skin. The gel will remove any leftover active acne and make your face feel smoother. Only use at night. Do not worry about a shiny complexion when you apply the differen and even when its dried. Simply wash your face gently and thoroughly in the morning and do not despair if you see little improvement in the first week or two! Finally, I have a few tips to staying relatively acne free and healthy: 1. Drink 2litres of water each day. Thats about five pint glasses. This will hydrate your skin and make your skin looker fresher even if you do still have acne. 2. Eat chocolate! Yes i know some people say it causes acne but if eaten in sensible quantities its fine! 3. Eat a balanced diet. Not too much dairy produce but enough to stay healthy. 4-5 portions of fruit and veg. Brown bread. 4. Acne is normal! Dont be ashamed! Enjoy life no matter how much acne youve got! People like you for who you are - not your skin! :) 5. Ignore make-up ads, celeb pictures and spot treatment ads - they are all airbrushed!

okay, i HAVE to say this.
i freakin LOVE this stuff.


people whine and say ooh ti makes my skin dry, it made me break out.

it works under the skin, so it's going to get worse before it gets better.

i used it about 3 years ago, but stopped just because my problem went away. well, it came back recently, so i started using it again.

WOW my face looks sooo much better <3

i use the lowest level because i have sensitive skin.

the 3% is for MAJOR breakouts, and yeah, it WILL hurt because it's trying to clear everything out.
but i can't use the 3% because it literally burns my flesh, so yeah xD

it's not the stronger you get it, the better the results.
if you have bigger, harder to deal with breakouts, get the 3%

but if you're like me, with only a few breakouts, and sensitive skin, then 1% is pwn.

differin is a good product that'll get rid of acne. One advice would be to NOT use differin after putting on moisturizers. The moisturizers kind of blocks out the differin and you will break out. ONLY use differin on clean dry faces after washing it with warm water and gentle cleanser.

Ive been on Differin for nearly 6 months now. First of all, let me start off by telling you my background. Im 29 years old and have noticed acne forming around my chin and neckline. The rest of my face is relatively clear. I decided that I needed to go on prescription strength acne medication because my chin and neck seemed to be breaking out a lot more. The more I read about it, the more I learned that this type of acne develops due to a hormonal imbalance. I always seemed to break out about a week or so prior to my menstrual cycle. I would say that I experienced anywhere from mild to moderate acne since I was in high school and I have really oily skin. I never experienced acne like this before though. Before, it was always on my face rather than around my neckline.

I personally didnt have a problem with dry skin, but I always used a moisturizer (Cetaphil). I also used Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser because it had a less drying effect than other cleansers on the market. I used Differin the evening before I went to bed and applied 10% Benzoyl peroxide in the morning along with a moisturizer (although, if I were to do it over again, I would apply 5% directly on active pimples only). Try to resist popping your pimples and clean your face gently by washing your face with your hands. I think that it took longer for my face to clear up because I was using a wash cloth, which was too rough on my skin and possibly spread the bacteria on my face. The tube will last for 4 months if you use a pea size amount. You really dont need any more than that. If you use more, it will only dry out your face.

It took about 3 months for my face to really clear up to the point where I was happy with it. The first 2 months were awful. My face broke out worse than it ever had in my entire life! Lucky for me, it was winter time and I could cover it up by wearing turtleneck sweaters. I would have been mortified if the acne was all over my face rather than just on my neckline. I would not recommend starting Differin if you have any big plans in the next 2 -3 months. Your face WILL get worse before it gets better. So, if you have a big wedding coming up or a graduation ceremony soon, skip the Differin until you have a good solid three months to suffer through the worst part of your acne management. Also, if you have severe acne, you may want to ask your doctor about being put on antibiotics when you start the medication. It will probably take at least 5 or 6 months for your face to clear up if you have severe acne.

My face is perfectly clear now, with no active lesions. I had a few dark, red spots on my face that eventually faded. I am grateful that my acne is now under control. I have to tell you, after 3 months, I was ready to call it quits. It was a rough three months, but Im so happy that I stuck with it! If you have lots of patients, than I say give it a try! If not, skip Differin and stick with on the spot Benzoyl Peroxide to dry up pimples that show their ugly, little heads! But, BP will not do the trick to completely rid your problem skin. I feel, with time, only Differin can do that. Good luck!

do not use differin!!!!!!! At first the medication helped with my acne but then i had a severe allergic reaction to the medication causing my skin to become extremely sensitive. My face is now swollen and i have severe itching due to hyperlysensitive skin which i have been dealing with for the past 7 months because every dermatologist i have been to latley is a complete idiot and has provided no help whatsoever.

do not use differin!!!!!!! At first the medication helped with my acne but then i had a severe allergic reaction to the medication causing my skin to become extremely sensitive. My face is now swollen and i have severe itching due to hyperlysensitive skin which i have been dealing with for the past 7 months because every dermatologist i have been to latley is a complete idiot and has provided no help whatsoever.

I used Differin Gel for approximately 6 mths. It was the worst experience of my acne-saturated life. I broke out with big, juicy, bacon-filled looking pimples that hurt worse than a root canal, minus the anesthesia! It was horrible and very humiliating. I cringed at the thought of facing the public. Fortunately, I was a housewife at the time and could seclude myself to the confines of my home. Perhaps it was an allergic reaction or a warped display of God's humor, but whatever it was, I will not be so asinine as to indulge in its ill-fated effects again! ~Sharika~ from North Carolina

I've been using differin for 2 weeks now. I am 24 years old and I have been struggling with acne for as long as I can remember. About 6 months ago it got even worse, I didnt think that was possible- but it did. I have not been out in public (as in out of my house- not even on the pavement) without makeup since i was old enough to wear make up.

2 weeks ago I visited a dermatologist and she recommended 3 things for me. 1 an antibiotic, 2 benzol peroxide to be used during the day and 3 differin at night only.

All three were by RX only.

within days my skin had begun to look and feel better

the dark marks from the old acne is still there but the peroxide is supposed to help that in time (you can only use it sparingly or it will irritate your skin)

I really think that if you are like how I was and you spent a small fortune in over the counter acne meds and face washes - give differin a try. Talk to a dermatologist, the visit is fairly cheap and let them try it on you.
My skin is steadily getting better and I hope one day soon I can feel comfortable without make up. My skin is also smooth and soft- and that amazes me, I was never that smooth and soft skin type of girl.
It makes me feel better about me and I hope it keeps getting better

Good luck to everyone out there who have had to go through this.

give it a try

I've been using differin gel for just over two months alongside oxytetracycle and my skin has really improved. I'm 19 and have used pretty much everything you can get over the counter and this is the first thing to work. I now use a clean and clear wash and then differin gel at night. The differin gel really dries my skin out so i use bio-oil to moisturise it and help the scarring, plus being in better condition my skin can heal itself quicker. I think it's the oxytetracycline, not the differin gel, that has cleared my skin but it is really good for individual spots as it reduces redness and helps it clearer up quicker... though it needs to be used sparingly so it doesn't dry your skin too much.

Ok, I've been using differin 0.1% for A YEAR now and it did not improve my skin. It made my skin really dry and it didn't get rid of my break outs. Also, it did not prevent me from future breakouts. My blackheads are still there, nothing has been improved.

I've been using differin for about 4 weeks now. it's really working for me, but I'm worried because I have bumps on my cheeks that have been there for years. I mean they're not red or blackheads or whiteheads or anything they're just little bumps all over my cheeks that are they same color as my skin and I'm worried with differin that it won't make those go away. besides that my forehead and chin look the best they've looked in years :)

Probably the best out there! it is effective but not too harsh. I was my face with Neutrogena Deep Clean cream cleanser & use this Differin gel. The gel worked better than the cream.

Cetaphil wash + Differin gel 0.3% + two Bactrim pills a day = my face FINALLY clearing up and starting to be touchably soft.
I've been prescribed EVERY medication there is over the course of 8 years, except I refused to use Accutane for the obvious risk involved. I have never tried hormone pills or any type of birth control-- my mother is against using such things until trying everything else.
I began the combination above about 6 months ago, but a couple of months into it I was so fed up at not seeing results that I quit all of my medication (topical and oral) and tried Clean & Clear's products again. That was a horrible mistake. I switched back after about a month. It's been about 2 and a half weeks since going back to the Differin and Bactrum and I'm seeing results. I was initially worried that my skin would need time to readjust to the medication again, but it seemed to pick up exactly where it left off. So I can honestly say that it does take some time. I wish I had been more patient and not quit right before the medication could work for me inside and out.
Another piece of advice: I was on Proactiv for about two years. It was the first thing that ever worked for me. BUT shortly into the second year, my face became immune to the medicine. Maybe it continues to work for some people, but my face wasn't responding to it after that first wonderfully clear-faced year. Good thing that it was my senior year of high school then.
victoriafirefly below: You sound like you could be me. I'm also 19 and have the same EXACT story. I hope to soon be able to break my make-up conscious habit also!
Good luck, everyone. I hope you all find what works for you.

this prodcut is the worst
it caused me the hair loss for real
i am so scared if my hair will completely grow back like before
piss the hell out of me
dont use this there are some side effects that are not even listed
Just dont use this
if you have acne dont go to dermatologist

Differin for me was the last acne medication that my dermatologist prescribed for me. I have had acne since i was 11 when I started menstruating, and now i am 19 and let me tell you, it has been nothing but an uphill battle. I never thought that I would see my face without whiteheads,blackheads,lesions,or just that overall red blotchy color that covered my face. When I first started using the gel, i just put a small amount just to cover my face before I went to bed, for the first couple weeks nothing really happened, it didn't irrtate my face or anything but my skin was still dry in some spots, oily in others, and you could definitely tell I was struggling with acne. Then it was almost like one morning I woke up without pimples, I washed the gel off in the morning and my face was almost completely smooth, just blackheads remained. After about a month or two, Differin completely cleared up all my blackheads which I had accepted and thought would plague me for the rest of my life. Differin saved my face and seriously changed my life, It feels so amazing to be able to go outside without make up and not be afraid to spontaneously jump in the pool without my make up bag on hand. I would definitely reccomend this product to anybody suffering with acne because I'm sure after you try it your suffering will be over. :)!

heres what i think about differin.. i used it about tw0 years ago.. and at first it made my acne way worse.. really bad but i barred through it and by the 3rd 4th month i was the clearest i have ever been!! not 1 zit... but then i went to ecuador and i was in the sun and my forehead (where i was applying differin) got a terrible burn .. like a weird looking red spot not like a normal sun burn .. so i stop useing it cuz it was summer.. and recently i have had really bad acne about 20 zits at one time mainly around my chin.. so i started up differin again and i think its been about 3 months and i still have acne .. so i dont know if its because its my second time useing it .. and my skin a little more immune to it.. but i am going to keep barring through it because i really think this stuff works just takes a ton of patience!!! and i dont know about you guys but i get pissed of when my acne wont go away!! even when you constantly do everything you know possible to do to help.. like drinking tons of water.. exercising, washing gently, and twice a day, even taking hormonal pills.. but whatever anyways i think overall differin gel works especially for first time users just BE PATIENT! yeah anybody who hasnt used it for at least two months shouldnt be reviewing it.. 4-8 weeks .. and maybe longer in some cases..

I love differin gel. I have had moderate acne problems since I was 13 and it wasn't until about 6 months ago when my doctor recommended Differin Gel that I finally have clear, baby face skin. I am 24 now. This product has made all the difference in the world for me. I noticed results within the first month I started using it. I do however use this product with proactiv, per my doctors instructions. She recommended that I use proactiv cleaser, toner and cream in the morning and at night just the cleanser and the differin gel. I hope this product works for you just as it has worked wonders for me.

When I started breaking out horribly when I turned 19 I headed strait to the dermatologist who prescribed me Differin gel and tetracycline. I udes the medication correctly everyday and after two months my face had almost cleared up. I continued to use it and my face was clear for a while, even after i stopped taking it. Now, 2 years later it is back in full force. So I got on differin gel and tetracycline again. Its only day 4 so my face is really dry and itchy, but i can already see a major improvement: the zits are getting smaller, and no new ones have appeared. It takes time people, its not going to happen overnight or in a week or even 4 weeks. Like I said, my face was damn near clear after two months, so it was worth the dry, red, and itchy skin.

 Ok, here is my opinion on differin gel.  I would advise NOT to use this product.  My 13 yr. old daughter had been using it for 3 months and it was doing nothing but making her skin waaay worse than it was.  After 3 months and one last trip to the dermatologist, (he actually accused her of not using it since her skin was not improving) we went home, talked it over and thought it best to discontinue the use.  We put her back on her old products from her skin specialist and her skin has improved immensely!  We still have a ways to go, but at least her skin isn't dry and crusty anymore.  My opinion is this product sucks you dry!  My daughter does not and did not have oily skin but this product made her greasy.  It did unblock some of her pores, but it was not worth going through the mess we did with it.  Also, since the differin gel was not clearing her up fast enough, he then gave her benzaclin to add to the differin.  This made her skin burn and extremely sensitive!  This is the second dermatologist we had been to.  The 1st one I saw for roscea and she also put me on medication that was very harmful to my skin.  So I tried another dermatologist for my daughter.  After our experience with these two doctors I will only go to a dermatologist for skin conditions such as a change in a mole or a rash.  They are only guessing at what people should use.  When one thing doesn't work, they try something else, and on and on.  I can play the guessing game myself.  The skin specialist I go to is a nurse who used to work for dermatologists and plastic surgeons and recognized they hand out medicines that usually are way to harsh for the skin.  I believe one would have to be extremely, extremely, extremely oily to be able to tolerate these medicines.  I have also learned that if you skin is too dry that also causes break outs.  The idea that the skin has to get worse before it gets better is simply ridiculous.  Just like my daughter, once I got off all harsh medications my skin began to improve and no longer break out.  Or only minor break outs.  As of now my skin only continues to get better and better.  I've been off all medication for a good 3 to 4 yrs. now.  I no longer waste money on the high priced make-up and products you buy in department stores.  My skin specialist told me once I tried the products she recommended she was certain I would not go back to old ways.  And guess what, she was right!  I am never tempted to buy the over-the-counter products and go from different cosmetic line to different line always seeking that one line that was going to make my skin healthy.  Some of us just have more sensitive skin than others and simply cannot tolerate what the big lines have out there.  I wear far less make-up than I ever have and have gotten off the merry go round.  I know with continued use my daughter's skin will only continue to get better and better.  If only dermatologists would care more and have more of an open mind that there are other ways rather than always medicine, we'd all be better off.  Good luck to all who are using the differin or benzaclin, maybe it will work for you, but for me, I'm done with the medicines and will make a better effort in trying to eat healthier, get plenty of rest, keep on a good skin care routine and take my vitamins.  This all I believe needs to be done. 

I am rating this product with one star only because I have to give a rating to submit, but in actuality, I would NOT recommend this product for anyone.

I have been using the new differin gel 3%. Before I was using this, I had been suffering with mild acne for about 6 months. Before that 6 months, It seems as though I barely ever got a "real" pimple. Maybe a little zit every now and then, But I just turn 17 in Sept. of last year (2007) and it seemed like I was getting attacked by zits, and pimples like never before. As soon as they were going away or I guess, "subsiding" somewhat, they would come back again. I've tired the stuff you could get in any other store. I gave up on that bullshit and went to a dermatologist. I have been using differin now for about 3 weeks maybe little longer and now they seem like they are more under control, but I know that you have to have a real dream about how it's going to be. You have to let time heal your "wounds". So it says there is a possibly it might make the acne worse of the time being because it's so called as my doc told me, "bring the dirt out of the pores and being it to the surface...". So I'm not to fazed. But I'll make another note of my progress after my next month maybe. I'll let you all know how it's coming. Hopefully wishes!

I have been using differen gel 3% now for about 8 weeks and Im not sure if I am seeing much of an improvement I am having a really bad breakout all around my chin that is extremely painful which I know that is normal to have a bad breakout period but I have tried everything even accutane and I never try that again(has way to many side effects). I just wanna know how long does this last and when will I see improvement????

I have been using Differin gel .1% for the last 7 weeks (going on my 8th week beginning tomorrow) and have not seen any improvements in my skin condition. Like many of you have also experienced, my skin has actually gotten worse. However, I have used this gel before, several years ago, and know you really do have to be patient to see the results. However, I just noticed that there is now a stronger Differin prescription, Differin gel .3%, and was wondering if any of you have seen better results with this prescription. Would anyone be bale to advise me, based on your experience, as to whether I should consult my dermatologist for the stronger prescription, or just continue using the .1% until at least the 12 week mark to see if the .1% will work for me after all. Any advice would be appreciated!

I have moderate acne and Differin is just plain great. I have been on differin now for 23 days and It has cleared up like Magic I will tell you. If you just started taking Differin DO NOT get down about everyone giving Differin horrible reviews. If you actually read the package that comes with Differin is says (4-8 weeks) and I have read replys that said 1st week it sucks. Well duh is says 4-8 weeks. I am very excited for that 4th week to come this Thursday it's gonna be great. I wonder if some of you ladies and gentlemen can read properly.

I'm 18 years old and when I was younger I used to have moderate acne, but it cleared up toward the end of high school. Then, towards the end of senior year my face, back, and chest erupted. I called mt dermatologist and i've been using differin for over 5 months. At first, i would have never recommended this product, because it just didn't seem to work with the severe acne I was getting. However, I got off the birthcontrol that I was recently put on and it turned out that it was the main cause of all this horrible acne. I still get little breakouts now and then, but the differin controls a lot of that now. I would not recommend this product to someone with severe acne that wants immediate results. It doesn't work like that; you HAVE to give it TIME. But, now I find that it works wonderfully on the acne I get on my chest and back.

I am a 17 year old girl with very little acne. However, i do work in skin care, the Clinique counter, so those 2 or 3 pimples i always have can ruin my credibility with my customers. When i was younger, my acne was much much worse. I used to have cystic acne, so my doctor prescribed me Retin-A. This didn't work at all so i got off any acne treatment for about 2 years. My skin finally cleared up, but i still have those 2 or 3 wandering pimples. My dermatologist recommended Differin along with clindamycin. I've been using it for about 3 weeks now and i have seen results. Although my skin does get dry, i moisturize and exfoliate with a mild physical exfoliator every day. I am really happy with this. My doctor said my acne was going to get worse before it gets better because differin attacks the pimples that haven't popped up yet. Ive seen some increase in the amount of pimples i have, but i know i have to be patient and just wait a few months to have beautiful, clear skin.

I have been using Differin Gel for almost 4 weeks. I have moderate acne, but the gel has been making it worse. My face is red on some parts and my acne is getting worse and my self-esteem keeps decreasing. I am aware that it could take months to see the results. That is why I do not plan to stop using it because I know that I will have clear skin in the end.

Okay readers, here's the truth about Differin Gel. As soon as I was prescribed this medication for my moderate adult acne, I headed to this website and was scared off by all of the negative reviews. Many people say that their skin just got worse, and dry, and red. But as my dermatologist ALREADY told me, you absolutly have to stick with it for at least 2 months. TRUST me on this one. If you look at the majority of negative reviews, these people stopped after a few weeks of usage. The first month is a little rough. My acne turned from moderate to bad, and my sensitive skin was dry and red. I even had to coat my eyelids and nose area with a little vaseline at night because of dryness. But I'm on my second month, my skin has gotten so much better. Better yet, I don't have dryness or redness anymore. Retinoids have also proven to be some of the best anti-aging regimens out there. And reviewers, please write reviews after you've tried the product for longer than a week. Otherwise you'll people away from a great product.

my name is Goliath Jones, my dad died from differin, call me1 847 553 6232 if this has happened to u =[

I was prescribed Differen gel about 4 weeks ago, and so far so good. I had moderate acne before (a few pimples on each cheek), and now my skin is smooth. Differen does make your skin drier, so make sure you use a greater amount of moisturizer in the morning and at night. I am just trying to work on the dark spots that previous pimples have left on my cheeks (even though I've never been one to pop pimples, for some reason I still get black heads). I just hope for continued improvement.