Differin 0.1% gel
Differin is a prescription-only treatment that is used to treat mild to moderate acne on the face, chest or back. It cannot be purchased over the counter and must be prescribed by a registered prescriber.
Containing adapalene 0.1%, Differin works by regulating skin cell turnover. This clears dead skin cells which unblock pores, preventing blackheads, whiteheads and inflamed spots from developing. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can calm redness and swelling.
At a glance
Targeted acne action: Normalises skin cell turnover, clearing pores and preventing new spots.
Reduces inflammation: Calms red, swollen pimples.
Tailored formulation: Available as a gel form for oily skin, or a cream form for drier skin types.
Prescription delivery: Available online in the UK through Quick Meds following a consultation.
Differin Product Summary
Feature | Clinical Details |
|---|---|
Active Ingredient | Adapalene 0.1% w/w |
Used for | Mild to moderate acne |
Medicine class | Topical Retinoid |
Available strengths | 0.1% w/w |
Suitable for | Adults and adolescents over 12 years old |
Pregnancy | Contraindicated. Must not be used during pregnancy. |
Breastfeeding | Use with caution as per prescriber advice. Do not apply to the chest area. |
Dose | Applied once daily in the evening |
Time to work | Initial improvement within 4 to 8 weeks |
Typical treatment length | Reviewed at 8 to 12 weeks, often continued for several months. |
How to buy Differin Online In the UK
As a prescription only medication (POM), to order Differin you must complete an online consultation. This is to ensure a prescriber reviews your treatment request for safety and suitability.
Select your product: Choose between Differin Gel or Cream based on your skin type.
Complete the consultation: Fill out a short questionnaire asking about your acne history, skin type, medical history and any current medication.
Clinician review: Our in-house**, UK-based prescribers** review your responses, making sure Differin is clinically safe and appropriate for you.
Approval and dispatch: Once approved, orders are dispensed in our GPhC-registered dispensary, and shipped in discreet, plain packaging.
Strengths, packaging and what you receive
All Differin products contain adapalene 0.1%, but is available in two forms:
A gel form - suitable for oily skin
A cream - suitable for normal to dry skin.
The package you receive will contain your prescribed medication and the manufacturer's Patient Information Leaflet (PIL).
Delivery Information
All orders approved by 2pm are dispatched on the same day using tracked delivery methods. All orders are packaged in plain, discreet packaging, maintaining your privacy.
Differin Pricing
Pack Size | Price |
|---|---|
Differin 0.1% Gel - 50g | £28.95 |
All Quick Meds prices are inclusive of your clinical consultation and prescription issuance, with delivery charges calculated at checkout.
What is Differin And How Does It Work?
Differin is a topical treatment containing adapalene, and belongs to the retinoid family of medicines (Vitamin A derivatives).
Adapalene works to regulate skin cell turnover, i.e., managing the cycle where new skin cells form in the deeper skin layers, move up, and shed from the surface.
In acne prone skin this turnover is disrupted. Dead skin cells stick together, clog pores and create an environment where bacteria can infect the skin. Adapalene normalises the shedding process keeping pores clear and preventing spots from developing.
Differin Gel vs Differin Cream
Both Differin Gel and Cream formulations contain the same concentration of adapalene (0.1%), but are designed for different skin types.
Differin Gel: Absorbs quickly, feels light and is ideal for oily, or acne-prone skin.
Differin Cream: Contains emollients that provide moisture, making it better suited for dry, sensitive skin.
How To Use Differin: Application And Administration
Differin should always be used in line with your prescribers guidance and the instructions in the product packaging. Differin is usually applied once daily at bedtime, using the instructions below.
Cleanse the skin. Gently wash the affected areas with a mild, non-medicated cleanser and lukewarm water.
Dry thoroughly. Pat the skin dry with a clean towel. Applying Differin to damp skin can increase irritation.
Apply. A thin layer of cream/gel should be applied over the entire affected area (not just to individual spots). The treatment is for external use only.
Avoid sensitive areas. Keep the treatment away from eyes, eyelids, lips, nostrils, and any open wounds or broken skin areas.
Wash hands. Thoroughly clean hands after application.
Missed Doses and Irritation Management
If you forget to apply the treatment and miss a dose, skip the missed dose and apply your next dose the following evening. You should not double up to make up for a missed dose.
If you experience mild irritation, dryness or skin peeling, your prescriber may advise to reduce application to every alternate night until skin settles. Additionally, using an oil-free non-comedogenic moisturiser can help settle skin.
If you experience severe burning or swelling, stop using the treatment and consult your prescriber.
Using Differin With Other Acne Treatments
Combining treatment with other acne treatments should only be done under medical supervision. If combining Differin with other topical treatments, you should avoid using other retinoids or aggressive exfoliants. This combination may increase the risk of severe irritation. Differin may be combined with oral treatments if prescribed by your healthcare provider.
Storage Recommendations
Store below 25°C in its original container.
Do not freeze.
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
Do not use past the expiry date stated on the carton and tube.
Stopping Treatment
You should not stop using Differin without consulting your prescriber, even if skin begins to clear up. Stopping abruptly may reverse results as skin cell turnover slows down again.
How Effective Is Differin For Acne?
Data from clinical trials supports Differin (adapalene) as an effective first-line topical treatment for mild-to-moderate acne. Using the treatment regularly reduces both inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions. Individual results can vary depending on adherence to treatment, skin type and severity of acne.
What Acne Types Does Differin Help With?
Differin can help treat comedonal acne, where blackheads and whiteheads occur due to blocked pores. Differin helps clear these by keeping pores open. It can also help with inflammatory acne, where its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce red spots and pimples.
Differin is generally not used for severe or cystic acne, especially on its own. This type of acne usually requires systemic treatments managed by a GP or dermatologist.
Does Differin Help With Acne Scars?
Differin can help reduce some scars, particularly those left behind after a spot heals, by speeding up cellular renewal. However, it cannot repair true atrophic acne scars (pitted, indented scarring) which involves tissue loss in the deep skin layers.
How Long Does Differin Take To Work?
To work effectively, Differen requires consistency and patience. During the first month of treatment, the skin starts to adapt to treatment. Some may experience mild dryness or peeling.
Initial visible improvements can start to show from the second month (weeks 4 to 8), but it’s not until month 3 (week 12 onwards) when maximum clinical benefits are usually observed.
If you see no improvement after 12 weeks of consistency use, you should speak to your prescriber to evaluate your treatment plan.
Who Is Differin Suitable For?
Differin is licensed for use in adults and adolescents aged 12 and over with mild to moderate acne.
Here at Quick Meds, a clinician assesses suitability based on your online consultation. Make sure to discuss the following cautions if you:
Have previously used any acne treatments
Have sensitive skin conditions, such as eczema, rosacea or severe contact dermatitis.
Have frequent sun exposure or UV light exposure.
Have had recent cosmetic procedures, such as chemical peels, laser treatments.
Who Should Not Use Differin?
Whilst a generally safe treatment, Differin should not be used by anyone who:
Is allergic to adapalene or any of the other ingredients in the formulation.
Is pregnant, or planning a pregnancy.
Is under 12 years of age.
Has severely broken, sunburned, or eczema affected skin in the application area.
Side Effects Of Differin
Like all medicines, Differin can cause side effects, though not everyone experiences them. Most skin reactions are mild and usually occur within the first month of treatment as the skin adjusts to treatment.
Common side effects, affecting up to 1 in 10 people, include:
Dry skin
Redness
Skin peeling
Mild burning or stinging.
Less common side effects, affecting up to 1 in 100 people, include:
Contact dermatitis
Sunburn-like reactions
Itchiness
A temporary acne flare-up
If you experience any of the following severe side effects, you should stop using the treatment and seek immediate medical attention:
Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat, eyelids
Difficulty breathing
Widespread blistering.
Refer to the patient information leaflet, including in the box, for a complete list of potential side effects.
Interactions And Things To Avoid
As a topical treatment that is applied externally to the skin, very little of the drug enters the bloodstream, reducing the risk of drug interactions. However, it is still important to always disclose all other medication being used.
Medicines and Products That Interact With Differin
Other topical acne treatments: Do not combine Differin with products containing benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or sulfur unless instructed by your prescriber.
Drying cosmetics: Medicated soaps, astringent cleansers, and high-alcohol products will worsen skin drying and irritation.
Other Products To Mention in Your Consultation
If you are taking oral antibiotics, using hormonal contraception or using any other cosmetic product, including skin lighteners or exfoliants, it's important to mention these to allow your prescriber to completely assess your health and treatment outcomes.
Differin During Pregnancy And Breastfeeding
Differin is strictly contraindicated and must not be used in pregnancy, as retinoids can harm an unborn baby. If you become pregnant whilst using Differin, stop treatment immediately and inform your doctor.
For breastfeeding patients, Differin can be used but with caution, and only under prescriber guidance. You should avoid applying the product to the chest area to reduce the risk of transferring the treatment to your baby.
Sun Exposure, Sunbeds and UV
Adapalene thins the outer skin later, making it much more sensitive to UV light. Whilst on Differin, you should avoid using sunbeds and prolonged sunlight exposure.
At the same time, patients are advised to apply an oil-free sunscreen every morning on affected areas.
What Are The Alternatives To Differin?
If Differin is not suitable for your skin type or symptoms, there are multiple alternative prescription options available. Working alongside your prescribing team can help you select the most appropriate treatment.
Duac Once Daily Gel. A combination treatment containing an antibiotic (clindamycin) with benzoyl peroxide for inflammation.
Epiduo Gel. Combining adapalene with benzoyl peroxide.
Lymecycline Capsules. An oral antibiotic usually prescribed for moderate to severe acne.
Treclin Gel. combining tretinoin (another retinoid) with an antibiotic (clindamycin)
Why Choose Quick Meds
Quick Meds is a fully regulated UK online pharmacy dedicated to providing safe, convenient, and discreet healthcare services.
GPhC-registered: Operating under strict UK regulatory oversight.
Qualified prescribers: All consultations are reviewed by registered healthcare professionals.
Fast, discreet delivery: Royal Mail tracked delivery in unbranded packaging, dispatched same-day for orders approved by 3:00 PM.
Patient aftercare: Direct access to our clinical team via phone, email, or live chat for ongoing support.
References
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/921/smpc#gref
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/921/pil
https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00210
https://britishcosmderm.com/resource/topical-retinoids/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2374937/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6002315/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/comedonal-acne
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22765-inflammatory-acne
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21737-cystic-acne
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know
Can I buy Differin over the counter?+−
No. In the UK, Differin is a prescription-only medicine (POM). Before it can be legally dispensed, you must complete a clinical consultation with a registered prescriber.
How long will a tube of Differin Gel last?+−
When applied thinly once daily to the face, a standard 30g tube usually lasts between 6 to 8 weeks. Larger tubes last proportionately longer and are useful when treating larger areas of the body.
Should I choose Differin gel or cream?+−
Differin gel is preferred for those with oily or acne-prone skin. The cream contains moisturisers and are better suited for dry or sensitive skin.
Can Differin cause breakouts at first?+−
Yes. During the first 4 weeks of use, you may experience “purging.” This is because adapalene speeds up cell turnover, bringing underlying developing spots to the surface faster. This is temporary and subsides with continuous use.
Does Differin work on blackheads?+−
Yes, Differin (active ingredient adapalene) works by unclogging pores, preventing dead skin cells from sticking together, making it an effective treatment for blackheads and whiteheads.
Is Differin Gel suitable for sensitive skin?+−
Whilst Differin can be used on sensitive skin, extra care should be taken. You should start by applying the treatment every second or third night to build up tolerance, whilst combining it with a gentle non-comedogenic moisturiser.
Can I use Differin with benzoyl peroxide?+−
You should only combine treatments under medical supervision. Using it at the same time without guidance can cause severe dryness and peeling. Alternatively, you may seek Epiduo, a combination treatment in a stable formula.
Can I use Differin with doxycycline or other antibiotics for acne?+−
Yes, prescribers often combine Differin with oral antibiotics for moderate acne. To ensure clinical appropriateness, ensure to always declare all current medication being taken in your online consultation.
Can I use Differin Gel for body or back acne?+−
Yes, Differin can be applied to mild-to-moderate acne on the chest, shoulders or back. Ensure the area is clean and completely dry before applying a thin layer.
Is Differin suitable for hormonal or cystic acne?+−
Differin helps unclog pores, but deep hormonal or cystic acne requires systemic oral treatments.
What are the ingredients in Differin Gel?+−
Differin contains adapalene 0.1% as the active ingredient. Other ingredients (excipients) include carbomer 940, poloxamer 182, disodium edetate, methylparahydroxybenzoate (E218), phenoxyethanol, propylene glycol, sodium hydroxide, and purified water.
