How fast does differin gel work

Since buying it, I'd been applying the gel infrequently at night to avoid drying out my skin the one caveat to the supposed miracle product. My skin had been comparatively good, but I hadn't noticed a huge change. On vacation, though, turning to it out of necessity, I realized it's not your average product. Years of buying the same salicylic acid blend in differently branded tubes had lowered my expectations.

After the first night's application, I woke up relieved to see my skin was already clearer: problem areas had diminished in size and severity, and no new blemishes had appeared.

After two nights of application, all my blemishes were gone. This is not standard for me. Usually, I have to dedicate a week to fighting a breakout — products like Mario Badescu's cult-favorite Drying Lotion help me, but far less drastically or immediately. And, far too often, I forget the pre-emptive measures of using my other Holy Grail products, like the Aztec Mask or Drunk Elephant's Babyfacial and have to deal with the consequences. With Differin, I spent two days of vacation concerned about my skin rather than five.

The difference between this and my other underwhelming CVS purchases was its prescription strength. Differin contains 0. It's anti-inflammatory, so it reduces redness and swelling, and it helps assist in skin cell turnover, meaning pores are less likely to get clogged in the first place. If you're going to buy it, do your due diligence.

If you're allergic to adapalene, this isn't for you. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, ask a doctor before starting. It's known to make your skin more sensitive to light — like most acne treatments — so you should wear sunscreen.

It's also good to note that it will likely cause your skin to feel dry. This depends on how much product you use, how often you apply it, and what your skin is like normally. I have sensitive combination skin and started with every-other-night applications to figure out a routine that worked. It works best on its own at night not layered under lotions , so you'll need to budget time to moisturize in the morning or on the nights you don't use it. Thankfully, you only need to apply it over the affected area, so if you just have one spot that's breaking out, you won't experience dryness all over.

The side effects generally peak around week two of use, and subside around week four. Tretinoin is a synthetic version of vitamin A.

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. Differin Gel has been widely reviewed by consumers. On Amazon alone, Differin Gel has more than 42, reviews and maintains a 4. 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.

The complaints on the Better Business Bureau disclose instances of reimbursement challenges. Most appear to be rectified. Acne is a very common but difficult condition to treat.

In , Differin Gel was approved for over-the-counter sales. 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. Tracee Herbaugh is a writer and journalist who lives in the Boston area. She writes about culture, lifestyle, health, and family relationships. You can view her work online or find her on Twitter.

Vitamin A is an important nutrient we need every day, though we generally get enough in our diet. But what about using vitamin A for acne? Here are…. Your skin has tiny holes called pores that can become blocked by oil, bacteria, dead skin cells, and dirt. When this occurs, you may develop a pimple…. We spoke with skin professionals for the best face washes for acne based on skin type, skin concern, and types of acne. At the end of my month, my face needed a restart and I resorted to going back to sensitive products only.

It was also where I finally saw a dermatologist who suggested laser treatments. Like, LOL. Real Life. Sex and Dating. What does Differin do for your face?

Unlike many people, I had perfect acne-free skin until I turned However, that may not be the truth of the matter. It's believed that this purging period actually results from existing clogged pores coming to the surface, giving the inaccurate impression that things have got worse.

If you keep applying Differin as recommended, you should see improvement once the purging period has concluded usually after weeks at the latest.

Differin is produced in two formulations: a gel, and a cream. Differin gel is transparent and quite dense - when applied, it will be absorbed relatively quickly. Differin cream, though, is white and much oilier - it will take longer to be absorbed, but it also has moisturizing properties that will help if the affected area is uncomfortably dry.

In most cases, the gel formulation of Differin is easier to use because it applies clear and soaks into the skin rapidly, but it will depend on your particular case. If you're not sure, you may want to try each form to see which you prefer.

As a mid-range treatment, Differin is an excellent first option for acne sufferers - other available treatments can be weaker for very mild cases , stronger for particularly severe acne , or designed with broader actions often containing antibiotics. For a more detailed explanation of how Differin and its active ingredient adapalene compares to other treatments, you can view our acne treatment comparison page.

Whether you get Differin as a gel or a cream, it should be applied to the affected area daily as long as you continue to suffer from acne. If your acne completely clears up, you can stop the treatment, but be aware that your acne may return at some point. To apply Differin, take a pea-sized amount and spread it thinly across the affected area until it has been fully absorbed - if you don't notice a difference a week or so, try applying a little more, but be careful.

To avoid disrupting the effect, you should apply it in the evening before sleeping, and ideally after showering or bathing to clear your skin.

If you experience significant discomfort trying to spread the gel across the affected area, consider using the cream instead. Alternatively, apply a small amount of moisturiser to the area before applying a slightly larger amount of the gel. Make sure, however, the moisturiser you use is non-comedogenic, so it doesn't make your acne worse and make sure it is fully absorbed into your skin before you apply the Differin gel.

Note that applying Differin will raise the affected skin's sensitivity to UV light, so take steps to avoid exposure to direct sunlight or you'll risk further skin damage.

Keep the skin covered during the day though allow it to breathe or when around strong artificial UV light sources. Vitamin A a form of which constitutes Differin's active ingredient confers various benefits to the skin, so Differin - on the advice of a dermatologist - can be used for off-label purposes:.

Be mindful not to do anything unusual or extreme without the advice of an expert, because things can go easily go wrong. For instance, if you use it to reduce the appearance of wrinkles but fail to keep the skin suitably moisturized, the wrinkles will likely end up looking worse.