Differin Acne Gel Review: Everything to Know About the Retinoid Treatment
Anyone whoโs experienced acne knows how difficult and frustrating it can be to treat.
Differin Gelย is the first and only over-the-counter (OTC) retinoid acne treatment thatโs been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
This topical medication contains adapalene, a form ofย retinoidย (derived from vitamin A), that has been found to slow the process of excessive growth in the lining of pores and desensitize the skin to inflammation. This makes it an excellent treatment for acne.
What is Differin Gel?
Differin Gel is manufactured byย Galderma Laboratories LP. The gel contains 0.1% adapalene, a third-generation retinoid, meaning itโs a derivative of the first retinoid used as topical medication (sold as Retin-A).
Differin Gel is the first acne treatment the FDA approved in more than 30 years. Adapalene has been used to treat acne forย more thanย 20 years.
Retinoid is a compound of vitamin A, which helps regulate cell turnover. This means it helps with the shedding of the initial layer of skin cells to promote the production of new, healthy skin.
In addition, this fat-soluble retinoid penetrates the skin cells and, according toย 2019 researchTrusted Source, it reduces water loss and protectsย collagenย (a protein in your body that improves skin elasticity) from degradation.
โVitamin A and its derivatives are among the most effective substances slowing the aging process,โ the research states.
Differin Gel was launched in 2017 and is available widely in U.S. pharmacies, retail stores, or online.
There are other products on the market that contain adapalene. For example,ย Proactiveย sells an adapalene gel, as doesย La Roche Posay, neither of which requires a prescription. Both of these gels are comparable in price to Differin Gel and use the 0.1% suspension.
If you have a prescription, Differin Gel is also available in a 0.3% concentration.
How does Differin Gel work?
Differin Gel treatsย acne vulgaris, a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit, which contains the hair follicle and sebaceous gland.
Acne may beย causedย Trusted Sourceby a variety of reasons, including:
- Higher oil production.ย Having oily skin doesnโt mean youโll have acne. But if the oil gets trapped because old skin cells are not sloughed off quick enough, this starts an inflammatory process that leads to acne.
- Microbial changes.ย Experts know the delicate balance of the microbiome affects many parts of the body. In particular,ย Cutibacterium acnesย (C. acnes) andย Staphylococcus epidermidisย (S. epidermis)ย play a role in the process of inflammatory acne.
- Abnormal keratinization of skin.ย When too muchย keratinย (a protein in hair, skin, and nails) sheds inside the hair follicle, near the pore opening, clogging often happens.
- Inflammation.ย This happens when a pore gets clogged and a cascade of cellular processes are set off. When thereโs blockage, blackheads can form.
Differin Gel works by increasing this cell turnover, leading to exfoliation of the skin.
If you have blackheads on your nose that you canโt get rid of, itโs likely caused by trapped sebum. Differin Gel also works by allowing those oils to escape faster.
Because Differin Gel works at the cellular level, rather than treating existing pimples, thereโs generally a โpurgeโ period when acne may worsen. This is your body adjusting to a new regimen. The clogged pores will eventually get pushed to the surface because of cell turnover.
Youโll notice Differin Gel working after 12 weeks of consistent use.
How to use Differin Gel
Prior to applying Differin to the skin, you should wash your face with a mild and non-irritating cleanser. After that, you can apply a thin layer of Differin Gel to dry skin and follow up with a moisturizer.
You shouldnโt use Differin Gel more than once per day, but it can be applied in the morning or at night. If you decide to integrate it into your morning skin care routine, allow it to dry before applying SPF. You should also try to apply it at the same time every day.
Who should use Differin Gel?
- If you have persistent acne, Differin Gel is a good option to get rid of chronic breakouts. The 0.1% solution used in Differin Gel works best for mild and moderate breakouts.
- If you haveย severe acneTrusted Source, you may benefit from a stronger suspension, like the 0.3% adapalene, but youโll need a prescription for this higher concentration.
- If your acne has left scarring and redness, Differin Gel may help promote a more even skin tone and decrease the appearance of scars.
- As aย 2006 studyTrusted Sourceย pointed out, Differin Gel is a good option for people who have had acne and are looking for a product that will help prevent future acne. While this study examined a stronger suspension of adapalene, the results showed reduced scarring in patients who used this treatment over a 4 month period.
- If youโre pregnant or breastfeeding, be sure to speak with a doctor first. Retinoids can be harmful to those who are pregnant. Itโs also not approved for anyone under the age of 12.
- Differin Gelย should not be usedย in conjunction with products containing alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or salicylic acids, which may make irritation worse.
- Irritation may occur if you use more than one topical acne product at a time. You also shouldnโt use wax to remove unwanted hair in areas where youโve applied the gel.
What are the side effects of Differin Gel?
Mild redness and irritation are commonly experienced within the first 4 weeks. Doctors refer to this as retinization, the process in which your skin begins to adjust to new levels of vitamin A.
According to the companyโs website, common side effects include:
- dryness
- redness
- irritation
- burning or stinging
These symptoms usually peak around 2 to 4 weeks. They should subside shortly after, but if they donโt, you should consult a dermatologist or doctor. You can use a mild moisturizer to lessen some dryness.
Differin Gel vs. Tretinoin Cream
A common alternative to Differinโs adapalene isย tretinoin, a medication used to treat acne and sun damage. Like adapalene, tretinoin has also been found to improve the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots.
Tretinoin is a form of retinoic acid and is also known as Retin-A. The prescription-strength topical cream works by irritating the skin and speeding up the life cycle of skin cells. It makes the cells divide and die faster, promoting the production of newer and healthier cells.
Tretinoin is a synthetic version of vitamin A. This means that itโs stronger, and youโll have to obtain a prescription for the product. Itโs also stronger than retinol and isnโt tolerated as well by sensitive skin.
You should steer clear of tretinoin if youโre:
- pregnant
- breastfeeding
- frequently exposed to the sun
If youโre on any other medications, you should tell your doctor to make sure it wonโt interact with tretinoin.
Tretinoin is also used topically. You should wash your face and wait 20 to 30 minutes before applying the medication to the specific areas that you need it.
Reputation and reviews
Differin Gel has been widely reviewed by consumers. On Amazon alone, Differin Gel has more than 42,000 reviews and maintains a 4.5 star average rating. Consumer reviews tend to be positive, touting the results theyโve seen after consistent use.
Other reviewers talk about skin dryness that accompanies Differin Gel use. Others warn that dryness may increase if you apply it right after washing your face.
Negative reviews note burning sensations, side effects, and redness.
The complaints on theย Better Business Bureauย disclose instances of reimbursement challenges. Most appear to be rectified.
Frequently asked questions
Does Differin Gel really work?
The short answer is yes. Most dermatologists love and recommend Differin Gel, and the slew of positive reviews probably speak for themselves. Additionally, as an olderย 2006 studyTrusted Sourceย pointed out, Differin Gel is a good option for people who have had acne and are looking for a product that will help prevent future acne.
While this study examined a stronger suspension of adapalene, the results showed reduced scarring in patients who used this treatment over a 4-month period.
How long does Differin take to work?
During the first few weeks of using Differin Gel, your acne might appear worse because the medication is working on pimples forming inside the skin. You should notice Differin Gel working after 12 weeks of consistent use.
Does Differin Gel remove dark spots?
Differin has another product for that:ย Differin Dark Spot Correcting Serum. It helps to reduce the appearance of post-acne marks, hyperpigmentation, blotches, age spots, and even freckles.
Takeaway
Acne is a very common but difficult condition to treat. In 2017, Differin Gel was approved for sales over the counter.
The 0.1% active ingredient, adapalene, has been shown to be an effective treatment when it comes to acne. It can also help minimize scarring and improve skin texture.
For Differin Gel to be effective, it must be used consistently and for an ongoing period of time, usually 3 months. Differin Gel has been shown to be safe and effective, and itโs not harsh on the skin like some other retinoids.
