Differin Cream

What is Differin cream?

Differin cream contains the active ingredient adapalene, which is a powerful topical retinoid that treats acne and other skin conditions.

It reduces the growth of keratin skin cells, which normally act to block pores, resulting in acne vulgaris.

Differin cream is only available on prescription and can be used by adults and children over the age of 12.

What is Differin cream used to treat?

Differin cream is largely prescribed as an acne treatment.

Adapalene has an anti-inflammatory effect, which helps to reduce soreness and irritation, meaning it is effective in reducing redness and inflammation caused by acne spots.

Differin is absorbed into the body in small amounts and has little effect on anywhere apart from the surface of your skin. This makes it an effective treatment for the physical symptoms caused by acne.

It has also been suggested that Differin can help to reduce wrinkles. It is not classed as an anti-ageing product, although it does help to smooth and exfoliate the skin.

How does Differin cream work?

Acne is often caused by an overproduction of sebum, which is a natural, oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands under the surface of the skin. Sebum is needed to keep the skin smooth, but when too much is produced, it can combine with dead keratin cells and block your skin’s pores. This causes inflammation and produces spots, blackheads and whiteheads.

Differin works to reduce the number of keratin skin cells. It helps to unblock the pores and sebaceous glands so that sebum can escape. This stops the pores from being clogged, which will reduce inflammation, ridding your skin of spots, blackheads and whiteheads.

Furthermore, Differin cream will increase the natural skin cell turnover, which will naturally exfoliate the outer layers of skin to stop the pores from clogging up again.

Who can use Differin?

Differin is an effective acne treatment, but it is not suitable for everyone to use.

Do not use Differin if you are allergic to adapalene or any of the other ingredients contained in the medicine (please see the Ingredients tab for full details).

This treatment is not recommended for women who are pregnant.

Differin is safe to use while breastfeeding. However, to avoid the treatment from being ingested by your baby, you should not apply it to your chest.

Do not use this medicine alongside any other products to treat acne that contain benzoyl peroxide, erythromycin or clindamycin.

Can you buy Differin cream over the counter?

No, Differin cream is not available to buy without a prescription.

Can you buy Differin cream online in the UK?

You can buy Differin cream online from regulated pharmacies, like Medicine Direct. However, as this is a prescription-only medicine (POM), you will first need to fill out a confidential online questionnaire. This is so a registered doctor, pharmacist or prescriber can review your answers to make sure Differin is suitable for you to use.

Never buy any type of medicine online from anywhere other than regulated pharmacies. This will make sure you only purchase genuine and approved versions of the medication you require. Medicine Direct is fully regulated by all the necessary organisations in the UK; you can find out more on our About Us page.

Differin alternatives

Differin gel is also available to buy from Medicine Direct. The gel version of this medicine works in the same way, but dries faster and may be more suitable for patients with oily skin.

Non-prescription topical treatments like Clearasil Rapid Action Cream and Acnecide gel can also be bought from our online pharmacy.

Other prescription-strength topical acne treatments we stock include:

• Epiduo gel is a retinoid that also contains adapalene
• Duac gel
• Treclin gel is also a retinoid that is available to buy from Medicine Direct
• Finacea gel
• Zineryt lotion