Should I stop Differin after 3 months?

Author: Oda Cremin  |  Last update: Sunday, November 16, 2025

It's the general trend that matters, so see how your skin is responding from week to week. A full course of Differin treatment is 12 weeks, and unless you're getting absolutely no positive results after 6-8 weeks, we recommend following it to completion before deciding if it's worth using it again.

Should I stop using Differin after 3 months?

Differin can be used long term (for many months or years) if needed. If after 8-12 weeks use, the acne has not cleared then other treatments can be used. These could include; combination topical skin treatments, antibiotics, the contraceptive pill in women or specialist prescribing of Roaccutane (isotretinoin).

Do you have to keep using Differin forever?

To help clear up your acne completely, it is very important that you keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment , even if your symptoms begin to clear up after a short time. If you stop using this medicine too soon, your acne may return or get worse.

How long are you supposed to use Differin for?

Differin® Gel starts working immediately, and results may be seen in as little as two weeks. It may take some time to see significant results, but with continued use, it's been proven to work, so hang in there. In a clinical study, patients reported up to an 87% decrease in acne after 12 weeks of use.

Can you use Differin long term?

More Benefits Of Adapalene

It's more stable in sunlight than other topical retinoids. Some prescription retinoids such as tretinoin or tazarotene become deactivated under UV light –– making them less effective. 3. It can be used as a long-term, maintenance treatment for moderate acne, chronic acne or inflammatory acne.

Is Your Skin Purging or Just Breaking Out? Dermatologist Explains | Dr. Sam Ellis

How do you know if you should stop using Differin?

How to tell if you're suffering a reaction
  1. You break out in new areas. The Differin purge will only bring existing blockages to the surface, not create new ones.
  2. The acne gets significantly worse than ever before. ...
  3. Major side effects become apparent. ...
  4. You see no improvement after 2 months.

Can I use adapalene lifetime?

Furthermore, adapalene, like other retinoids, increases the efficacy and penetration of other topical acne medications that are used in conjunction with topical retinoids as well as hastens the improvement of the postinflammatory hyperpigmentation caused by acne. In the long term, it can be used as maintenance therapy.

What does a Differin purge look like?

APPEARANCE: A purge can look like whiteheads and blackheads, but it should not look like tiny red bumps—that's a sign of irritation, not purging. If you're experiencing dry patches or stinging / sensitive skin, that's a sign of irritation. Sometimes your skin just needs time to adjust to the stronger active ingredient.

Is Differin anti-aging?

As an OTC product classified as a retinoid and FDA-approved for acne treatment, Differin Gel offers several anti-aging benefits. Retinoids boost collagen production, which reduces fine lines and wrinkles. They also enhance skin circulation and vibrancy by stimulating the production of new blood vessels.

Is Differin good for hormonal acne?

You might try the over-the-counter prescription-strength retinoid (vitamin A–derived anti-acne ingredient) adapalene, found in Differin Adapalene Gel . 01% and La Roche-Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel . 01%. Remember to use a pea-size amount only and to ease into it with gradual use at least every other night.

When to give up on Differin?

There are two main reasons why you should stop treating your acne with Differin and pursue a different type of treatment:
  1. You see no improvement after 6-8 weeks. ...
  2. The treatment is consistently making things worse.

Is Differin addictive?

This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription. DIFFERIN is not addictive.

Can I use adapalene as maintenance?

Adapalene was safe and well tolerated. Conclusion: This study clearly demonstrates the clinical benefit of continued treatment with adapalene gel 0.1% as a maintenance therapy for acne.

Will my acne come back if I stop using Differin?

Acne treatment reduces oil and bacteria and clears out dead skin cells. If you stop using the treatment, your acne may return.

How to heal hormonal acne?

How do I treat hormonal acne?
  1. Blackheads and whiteheads: Topical cream (tretinoin).
  2. Inflammatory acne: Topical retinoid and/or topical antibiotic and/or benzoyl peroxide.
  3. Moderate to severe acne: Antibiotic and/or isotretinoin (retinoid).
  4. Cystic acne: Steroid injection (intralesional triamcinolone).

How long should I stop using Differin before waxing?

We have information for our patients on our skin care usage instructions: “Discontinue the retinoids: Refissa, Renova, Retin-A, Differin, or Tazorac to affected area 1 week before waxing or bleaching, or before other procedures as directed.”

Do retinoids age your skin?

Retinoids reduce fine lines and wrinkles by increasing the production of collagen. They also stimulate the production of new blood vessels in the skin, which improves skin color. Additional benefits include fading age spots and softening rough patches of skin.

Is Differin stronger than retinol?

Between adapalene and retinol, adapalene is stronger than retinol because adapalene can directly bind to retinoic acid receptors. This means that adapalene does not have to undergo conversion processes in order to be active and start working on your skin – it already is!

Is Differin Gel like accutane?

Are Accutane and Differin the Same Thing? Accutane (isotretinoin) and Differin (adapalene) are forms of vitamin A called retinoids used for the treatment and prevention of severe acne. The brand name Accutane is discontinued in the U.S., but generic formulations are available.

Can I use adapalene forever?

How to use Adapalene gel? One must follow the doctor or label instructions before using this gel. Apply a thin gel layer on the acne affected area, excluding the area below the eyes. Continue the usage once daily for 4-8 weeks.

What's better, tretinoin or Differin?

Both adapalene and tretinoin will effectively cure your acne and dark spots, although tretinoin is likely to produce results more quickly, but adapalene gel is less irritating for patients.

Does skin look better after purging?

In the long run, skin purging helps us shed dead skin cells more effectively which reduces pore-clogging build-up and breakouts, and it does settle down after a few weeks. But you do have to buckle in and ride out a few weeks of discomfort to see the best results.

Is long-term use of adapalene safe?

Burning, stinging, and peeling can also occur. However, adapalene doesn't usually cause long-term side effects.

Does adapalene affect the liver?

Metabolism: Information regarding adapalene metabolism in humans is unavailable, although it is known to accumulate in the liver. The major products of metabolism are glucuronides. Approximately 25% of the adapalene is metabolized, and the rest is excreted in unchanged form.

Do I need salicylic acid if I use adapalene?

Adapalene is a type of retinoid that you should not use with other skincare products like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, chemical exfoliants, or drying agents. Keep in mind that Differin Gel is best for preventing acne breakouts instead of treating active ones.

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