How Long Does A Differin Purge Last?

Everyone who decides to start using Differin to heal acne asks this one question:

How long does a Differin purge last?

A Differin purge can last anywhere from four to twelve weeks, although you should already see significant improvement at the eight-week mark.

However, not everyone purges with Differin, and the dreaded purge can depend on several other factors, which we will talk about below.

So stick around to find out how to deal with a Differin purge and how to take care of your skin during this vulnerable time.

What is Differin?

Differin is the brand name for a product containing the active ingredient adapalene, a type of retinoid.

Once applied to the skin, the active ingredient in Differin travels deeper into the epidermis, where it binds to specific receptors involved in cell growth and differentiation and adjusts the speed at which skin cells are produced and shed.

Under normal circumstances, dead skin cells shed and renew themselves every 30 days.

However, this process can slow down due to various internal and external factors.

When this happens, dead skin cells accumulate on the skin’s surface, causing clogged pores.

Pores clogged with cellular debris attract bacteria that feed on it, which leads to inflammation and acne breakouts.

By regulating the speed of skin cell turnover, Differin effectively reduces the cellular debris causing the pores to become clogged, preventing new acne from forming and clearing existing breakouts.

The Benefits of Using Differin

Differin, with its active ingredient adapalene, is a potent tool in the battle against acne, offering a plethora of benefits, especially for acne-prone skin:

• Regulates Skin Cell Turnover: By controlling the speed at which skin cells are produced and shed, Differin reduces the accumulation of dead skin cells – a primary factor contributing to clogged pores.
• Prevents Acne Breakouts: Differin helps clear existing acne and prevents new pimples from forming by keeping the pores free from cellular debris.
• Promotes Skin Healing: It aids the skin’s natural healing process, creating a clearer and more even-toned complexion.
• Reduces Inflammation: Differin has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce redness and swelling associated with acne.
• Improves Skin Texture: Regular use of Differin can result in smoother skin texture, owing to its ability to promote cell regeneration.

The Side Effects of Using Differin

Despite its numerous benefits, Differin, like any other active skin treatment, can cause side effects due to its potency and function:

• Skin Irritation: You might experience redness, dryness, or peeling, especially in the initial stages of using Differin.
• Increased Sensitivity to Sunlight: Differin can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, increasing the risk of sunburn.
• Initial Acne Flare-ups: Sometimes, your acne might seem to get worse before it gets better, a phenomenon known as purging.
• Skin Discoloration: Rarely, Differin may cause changes in your skin color.
• Allergic Reaction: Though rare, some people might have an allergic reaction to Differin, experiencing symptoms like itching, swelling, or rash.

Remember, most side effects are manageable and subside with time as your skin adjusts to the treatment.

However, if you experience severe or persistent side effects, such as an allergic reaction, it’s important to discontinue using the product and seek medical attention to avoid any potential complications. 

What is Purging?

Purging is a reaction to an active ingredient that increases the turnover rate of the skin cells and appears as mild to moderate breakouts on the skin.

Some ingredients that cause purging are exfoliating acids, such as salicylic, mandelic, and glycolic acid, and retinoids.

When incorporating these ingredients into your skincare routine for the first time, your skin cells will become stimulated to regenerate faster, pushing out any impurities or clogs that were previously building up under the surface of your skin.

This means the clogs that were going to become pimples at different times over the next few weeks will come out on the skin’s surface at the same time.

However, once your skin adapts to the increased cellular turnover and the clogs, now pimples, start to heal, you will see an improvement in your skin’s overall clarity, tone, and texture.

While purging may be alarming and frustrating, it is a sign that the active ingredients in your skincare routine are working and clearing your pores.

However, while the purging process is temporary, it can be prolonged with cosmetics containing clogging ingredients that continuously create new clogs that need purging.

Does Differin Cause Purging?

Yes, Differin can cause purging in some users because its active ingredient, adapalene, increases the cellular turnover rate, pushing impurities and clogs to the skin’s surface.

As these impurities surface, they can lead to temporary breakouts or what is commonly referred to as “purging.”

This process might give the initial impression that your acne is worsening.

However, it’s a temporary phase and signifies that Differin is effectively working to clear your pores.

Once your skin adjusts to the treatment, you should notice an improvement in your skin’s overall clarity, tone, and texture.

It’s important to continue using Differin through the purging phase to reap its full benefits.

When Does Differin Purge Start?

Differin purge usually starts within a week or two of incorporating the product into your skincare routine.

Your skin might start getting dry only a few days after incorporating Differin, and you may even start to notice mild peeling and flaking, especially in the area around the mouth.

By week one, you may notice increased pimples in areas where you usually break out, such as the forehead, chin, and temples.

By the end of week one, your pimples may appear more inflamed, with prominent redness surrounding them, and may even have a white tip, which you shouldn’t squeeze.

During this time, dryness, redness, and irritation may persist, which indicates your skin is still adjusting to the treatment.

If your skin takes to the treatment exceptionally well, you should start noticing a decrease in inflammation, redness, and the number of pimples by week four; however, this timeline may vary for each individual.

That said, even if your pimples persist past week four, you will likely notice that they don’t last as long as a regular breakout and tend to heal faster.

Finally, by week eight, you should see a significant improvement in your skin’s overall appearance, with fewer pimples and smoother texture.

Your pores will also look clearer and more refined, and the red marks left by acne should be fading away, leaving you with a more even and uniform complexion.

How Long Does Differin Purge Last?

The duration of Differin purge varies for different individuals, but typically, it lasts between 4 to 12 weeks.

This is mainly because Differin, with its active ingredient adapalene, accelerates the skin cell turnover process, leading to the rapid surfacing of hidden impurities and clogs.

During the initial weeks of using Differin, you may experience a surge in breakouts – an indication that the product is effectively flushing out debris from your pores.

With consistent use, these breakouts (purge phase) should gradually decrease as your skin adjusts to the treatment.

Also, it’s worth noting that not everyone experiences a purge.

If you have a routine that works for you and is already helping your acne subside, but you decide to introduce Differin to speed things up, there is a chance that you won’t experience a purge.

But it’s also worth noting that this is rare, and not everyone can expect such results from using Differin to treat their acne.

As with most treatments, Differin works differently for everyone.

How to Avoid Differin Purge?

Unfortunately, you can’t avoid Differin purge, but you can lessen the symptoms by minimizing your skincare routine, not using other active ingredients, increasing skin hydration, and regularly applying sunscreen.

If you stop taking Differin suddenly after a purge period has already started, you would just be cutting its due course short, and you may even end up stuck with these new pimples that you have no way of treating.

So, the only way when you start using Differin is forward, and the best thing to do is to stick through it.

You are not alone in this, and luckily, many online communities can help by offering advice and comfort during this challenging time.

Try searching for Facebook groups on the topics of retinoids, tretinoin, and acne support, as well as Reddit communities with similar names.

Here, you will be able to read about other people’s experiences with the same products and connect with people who are going through the same thing, which may help you feel better about your situation.

How Long Does it Take for Differin to Work?

Differin starts to work as soon as you apply it to the skin; however, it usually takes 4-6 weeks of consistent use to start seeing results.

Even if your skin is going through a purge at that time and you see angry and inflamed acne, you should also notice clearer and more refined pores in areas that aren’t affected by pimples.

Therefore, if your skin seems to be improving by then, you will likely have good results and should stick around and wait up to twelve weeks to see them.

However, if you continue to purge for over twelve weeks with no signs of improvement, this might mean that Differin is not working for you, or there could be a different cause for your acne that needs to be addressed.

This is a good time to look into the rest of your routine to see if there are any culprits that may be causing your breakouts by clogging your pores and keeping you in the purging loop.

Additionally, if your skin continues to feel dry, stretched, irritated, and uncomfortable after twelve weeks of using Differin, it’s important to adjust your usage and incorporate more hydrating and soothing products into your routine, or consider discontinuing the product altogether.

What Makes the Purge Worse?

The purge itself is not what makes the purging worse; it’s actually how you handle the purging that makes a difference!

Therefore, avoid using heavy oils or excessively drying products while experiencing a Differin purge.

Oils may soften the skin and make it seem hydrated, but in reality, they would clog your pores and further prolong the purge.

On the other hand, excessively drying products will definitely affect your skin’s moisture barrier, resulting in dry, itchy, irritated, and inflamed skin, making Differin a very unpleasant experience for you.

Tips to Relieve Symptoms of Differin Purge

Here are some tips on how to soothe your skin during Differin purge:

Minimize Your Skincare Routine: To help your skin adjust during the Differin purge, consider minimizing your skincare routine. Stick to the basics, such as a gentle, non-irritating cleanser, a nourishing moisturizer, and a broad-spectrum sunscreen.

Use Gentle and Non-Irritating Products: Avoid any products that can irritate your skin further during the purge. This includes any harsh cleansers, toners, or exfoliants. Opt for gentle products free of drying alcohol and irritating fragrances and cater to sensitive skin.

Use Nourishing but Non-Comedogenic Moisturizers: Dryness and irritation are common during a purge. Combat this with a nourishing moisturizer that won’t clog your pores. Look for products that don’t contain heavy oils, emollients, and silicones, as these are common comedogenic culprits.

Apply Differin Over Moisturizer to Buffer: To minimize irritation, consider applying your moisturizer before Differin. This technique, known as buffering, can help reduce the intensity of the side effects without compromising the effectiveness of Differin.

Protect Your Skin with Sunscreen: Differin can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, increasing the risk of sunburn. Protect your skin by applying broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 daily and reapplying every two hours when you’re in the sun. 

Consider Taking Antibiotics: Antibiotics such as tetracycline can help deal with the inflamed breakouts caused by a Differin purge while also destroying the overgrowth of bacteria from the inside.

Does Everyone Get the Differin Purge?

No! Some people don’t get the Differin purge at all, or they experience far fewer and less severe symptoms than others.

It depends on how severe your acne is, your skin type, how your skin adjusts to new treatments, the skincare products and other cosmetics you use, etc.

Where Can Differin Be Purchased?

Differin is easily available for US citizens and can be purchased at any drugstore such as Target, Walmart, and even Amazon.

Europeans are sadly more restricted when purchasing Differin, and the only online pharmacy that carries Differin in Europe is Biovea.

Please note that this is the only pharmacy I know of, so if you are in Europe and know other places where Differin can be purchased, drop the names in the comments below!