Differin Reviews: Before & After Using Adapalene

When you are choosing an acne treatment such as Differin gel, cream or another product, you need to get the full perspective. It is important to take the advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Firsthand user reviews — many of whom may have experiences similar to your own — can prove to be beneficial.

We publish our reviews on an independent third-party platform called Trustpilot. Differin reviews from Trustpilot can provide a non-biased insight into how Differin gel or cream will work for you.
 

Differin Cream vs. Gel

Differin is available in two different forms. So, which one to choose — Differin cream or Differin gel? 

Differin cream tends to be gentler on the skin and does not dry it out as much. As a result, those with sensitive or dry skin may prefer the cream option. Older acne patients may also prefer the cream.

Differin gel dries quicker, which can increase the chances of irritation for patients with dry skin. If you have oily skin, the Differin gel may be the best choice for you.

Both the gel and the cream contain the same concentration of Differin's active ingredient, adapalene. 

Differin vs. Epiduo

Both Epiduo and Differin contain adapalene. The main difference in terms of Differin vs. Epiduo is benzoyl peroxide. Epiduo contains benzoyl peroxide, while Differin does not.

This makes Epiduo better suited to treating the inflamed acne, as well as blackheads and whiteheads. Meanwhile, Differin is focused on treating blackheads and whiteheads. The lack of benzoyl peroxide means that Differin causes less dryness and irritation than Epiduo.

Differin vs. Tretinoin

Tretinoin has been used as an acne treatment for decades, while Differin is a relative newcomer to the market. But what are the key differences when considering Differin vs. Tretinoin? Many users report that Differin is a gentler option compared to Tretinoin and can be used in conjunction with other acne treatments under the guidance of a medical professional. Despite this, Differin is still an effective treatment in its own right for many patients.

Differin vs. Duac

Duac vs. Differin — which one is right for you? Like Epiduo, Duac contains two active ingredients – benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin.

Owed to the antibiotic, clindamycin, Duac tends to be tougher on the skin than Differin. Duac is usually the next option if Differin has not been successful. Depending on the severity of your acne, your doctor or pharmacist may recommend starting with Duac, and moving to Differin once your acne is brought under control. Duac can only be used over a 12-week treatment course, while Differin may be more suited to longer-term application.

Differin Before & After Results

Depending on your skin, Differin can take a while to work. It is important to remember that your skin may initially feel as though it is getting worse. This is known as the purge, and effectively, it is Differin working to push all of the gunk out of your skin. This, factored in with increasing cell turnover to regenrate newer skin, can cause irritation. It is likely to last a couple of week, but after 8-12 weeks, you should start to notice an improvement in your skin. 
 

Differin Gel Price: How Much Does Differin Gel and Cream Cost?

Differin gel and cream products start from £24.49 for a 45g tube.

Chemist Click also offers a parallel import of Differin products, starting from at £21.49 for a 60g tube. Parallel imports are products that have been produced by the same manufacturer, in a country outside of the UK. They are then sold to UK wholesalers.

You can see Differin prices on our product page.  

Differin Reviews: A Summary Results From Our Customers

We've summarised some of the key results from our Differin user reviews to give you an overview of treatment. Take a look at what our customers have said about this product and learn a bit more about how this cream or gel will fit into your own personal skincare and acne treatment routine.

1. Treatment Effectiveness

Users find Differin treatment to be highly effective, although the process is a lengthy one. Reviews discuss how the treatment led to clearer skin and reduced acne symptoms in the long term. Low-level results typically began to appear after four weeks, and users recommended continuing with the treatment for four months and beyond to get the best out of it.

2. Cost and Value

Differin is a relatively low-cost option for treating acne, compared with competitor products such as Duac and Epiduo. Its low price point, coupled with the good results that users were able to achieve when working with the product, means that Differin is very good value for money. One tube can also last a long time, depending on the area you are using it.

3. Comparisons with Other Products

Customers tend to find that the Differin product is gentler on the skin than other treatments such as Epiduo or Duac. This means Differin can be used over a longer term of treatment, and many users eventually switch to Differin after the 12-week period of Duac treatment is complete. This should be done on the advice of a medical professional. Because Differin is a gentler treatment, some patients with more serious acne symptoms find that it is less effective than other products.

4. Ease of Use

In general, reviewers reported a great experience when using Differin. They were very impressed with how easy the product was to use and to incorporate into a longer-term skin health routine.