Here is what I did to avoid the fate of purging and negative skin rashes..... Don't: 1) Don't use on raw EXFOLIATED skin. Wait a couple days after exfoliating. 2) Don't use a SUDSING cleansing soap prior. Use a mild hydrating Cleanser. 3) Don't use after getting your skin waxed or shaved. 4) Avoid hot water and steam before use. 5) Do NOT go stand in the sun after applying (retin works by thinning the top layer of your skin which is usually used for protection against the sun). Don't take your chances! 6) do not apply to eyelids or neck or other thin skin areas including the inside of your wrists. You can apply Vaseline to these areas if needed to protect them. 7) don't freak out if your face flakes and don't scrub the flakes off. Moisturizer is your friend. 8) don't scratch at your skin if itches or burns, stay calm, rinse it off with cool water. Apply a gentle cream and then apply a cool wash cloth. Consider diluting before using again. 9) don't assume because your neighbor next door can use twice a day on fresh scrubbed skin with no adverse effects, that the same will be true for you. Adverse skin reactions can take weeks or months to heal from. 10) do NOT apply generously all over your skin. Pea size only on face. Do: 1) plan on using once or twice a week at first for the first month. Remember "sparingly" is your motto. 2) Have a natural moisture barrier on your face first. Be sure you have not scrubbed your skin raw or clean prior and make sure face is danp prior to applying. 3) if you have ultra sensitive skin, apply a gentle moisturizer FIRST before applying differin. Allow to dry before applying differin. 4) do apply a creamy moisturizer after if needed. Wait five minutes before you do. 5) do also apply sunscreen RELIGIOUSLY if you will be outdoors. So important!!!! 6) do research "purging" and what you can do to minimize or avoid it. 7) do remember that this product is a MEDICATION and not your typical OTC cream. Use sparingly and with caution. 8) do remember that moisture is your friend. After cleansing, avoid drying your skin with towels. Avoid air drying as well. 9) do remember that with this product "less is more". It is potent stuff! Once or twice a week treatments alone will make a difference. 10) keep a good repair Cream on hand in possible event of harsh reaction or irritated skin. I recommend "first aid beauty ultra repair cream". This stuff is amazing. Hydrocortisone cream can also be used. MOST IMPORTANTLY: it takes 6-12 weeks of patient and measured use before seeing positive long term results for acne. It can take up to a year before seeing positive results for aged and wrinkled skin. MY RESULTS: I started out at a twice a week and had no reaction except for mild redness, itching and tingling the following two days afterwards. When I tried to increase to three days a week, I started having issues. The solution to this was to revamp my skin care routine (listed below). After that, I was able to switch pretty rapidly to nightly use. The GAME CHANGER was adding First Aid Ultra Hydrating Cream. I've included my before and six week after photos. My acne is gone and my pores most definitely shrunk. I used the same room and lighting and I notice that my skin has become much brighter and lighter. My guess is in removing the thing top layer of skin, we no longer see the old tanned skin I had. So far, I am happy with the results. I am 38 years old. My long term goal is to prevent deep wrinkles and shrink my pores and hopefully reduce white Milia bumps under my eyes as well as all random acne and age spots. I know from researching this can take months and years so I'm feeling patient. MY CURRENT DIFFERIN APPLICATION: My morning routine: - CereVe Hydrating Cleanser - After rinsing, I apply Timewise Vitamin C Serum with the added F acid. - Then, I apply a thin layer of Sunscreen: La Roche-Posay Anthelios with Mexoryl SX OR CeraVe SPF 30. *note: I believe the Vitamin C Serum helped with quicker skin cell turnover rate to prevent purging. In the evenings: - I double cleanse: first I use Yes To Coconuts Uktra Hydrating Creme Cleanser. After I rinse that off, I cleanse with CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser. - I allow skin to stay damp. - I then apply a pea size amount of differin to my face (never on neck or eyelids). - after about minutes, I follow that with First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream. - I apply CeraVe Skin renewing Serum to my eyes and neck and chest. - note: I only use retin A products at night to decrease sun sensitivity. In the mornings, I use all my other acids and Vitamin C. Be aware that most of the negative reviews on here are mostly due to user error and lack of knowledge in the product. There is no reason to have terrible breakouts or harm your skin. I'm horrified people are using this on their NECK right away. Poor skin! This is a potent product. Good luck!