Differin® Gel is a safe and effective treatment. However, as with any medication, it's a good idea to check with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding.

This medication is used to treat acne. It may decrease the number and severity of acne pimples and promote quick healing of pimples that do develop. Adapalene belongs to a class of medications called retinoids. It works by affecting the growth of cells and decreasing swelling and inflammation.

Differin Gel contains 0.1% adapalene, the “strongest OTC retinoid without a prescription,” said Gmyrek, and can help prevent breakouts, treat acne and improve acne scarring and hyperpigmentation.

Until your face gets used to the Differin, it is best to be careful around the eyes, mouth, and nose since these areas get irritated the easiest. Initially, you should use the medicine every other night for the first two or three weeks. If you are tolerating the medicine OK then move up to every night.

Differin Gel contains 0.1% adapalene, the “strongest OTC retinoid without a prescription,” said Gmyrek, and can help prevent breakouts, treat acne and improve acne scarring and hyperpigmentation.

According to Dr. Mohiba Tareen, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Tareen Dermatology, Differin's hero ingredient - adapalene, a type of retinoid - fights the classic signs of aging: fine lines, dark spots and dull skin.

Differin Dark Spot Correcting Serum helps to reduce the appearance of post-acne marks, hyperpigmentation, blotches, age spots, and even freckles.

On how it works to banish pesky dark spots, Tareen says, “It exfoliates the surface of the skin cells to prevent the brown spots and mottled pigmentation that contribute to an aged appearance."

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.

Differin Gel contains 0.1% adapalene, the “strongest OTC retinoid without a prescription,” said Gmyrek, and can help prevent breakouts, treat acne and improve acne scarring and hyperpigmentation.

If your acne has left scarring and redness, Differin Gel may help promote a more even skin tone and decrease the appearance of scars. As a 2006 study pointed out, Differin Gel is a good option for people who have had acne and are looking for a product that will help prevent future acne.

Our top picks:

• Best Overall: Skinceuticals Discoloration Defense, $108.
• Best for Oily or Acne-Prone Skin: Neutrogena Rapid Tone Repair Retinol + Vitamin C Dark Spot Corrector, $29.
• Best for Melanated Tones: Topicals Faded Serum for Dark Spots & Discoloration, $38.
• Most Versatile: L'Oréal Paris Revitalift, $15.