Differin is a prescription acne gel using a 0.1% or 0.3% concentration of an ingredient called adapalene, which is basically a form of vitamin A. They claim that it will accelerate the rate at which the skin reproduces itself while also killing off bacteria to deal with even “more challenging” acne as they put it. Basically speaking, it is meant to give you prescription strength results and otherwise the benefits you are looking for.

Unfortunately, Differin is really just another form of vitamin A, and while you can change the side effects as we have seen with Accutane, the ultimate results and benefits do not really change. As with most other types of vitamin A, you can see results. But chances are you’ve already tried another product just like this, and you’ve already experienced the common side effects of allergic reactions, redness, dryness, scaly skin, burning, stinging, itching, irritation, and otherwise.

We would not recommend using Differin. It doesn’t measure up to the higher standard we are actually looking for, and it really doesn’t give you greater results. With Differin, you might see results, if that was the first acne treatment you’d ever tried. But if you’ve tried any other acne treatment at all, there’s a good chance you’ve already tried either vitamin A or benzoyl peroxide. Ie, there’s no reason to pay more for Differin.