Dentsu and Differin Team Up to Launch a Gamer Skincare Revolution

Differin is revolutionising acne treatment with its first-of-its-kind “Level Up” campaign, strategically focused on supporting gamers with skincare education to build confidence and community. 

Acne’s Impact 

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States, affecting up to 50 million Americans annually and is projected to affect over 9% of the total global population. Approximately 85% of people between the ages of 12 and 24 experience at least minor acne. 

Acne is less embarrassing to battle than prior generations but a battle still being fought. Acne can have a significant emotional impact – individuals with acne have a 42% higher risk of developing depression, with 60% reporting decreased confidence and 58.2% feeling lonely.

However, gaming can be beneficial for mental health, with studies showing that 73% of players believe video games improve creativity, and 69% agree that gaming builds problem-solving and teamwork skills.

Gaming’s Growth 

With 3.4 billion gamers worldwide, projected to reach 4.5 billion by 2030, gaming is a place and space for connectivity and creativity continues to grow. Gaming generates $282.3 billion in global revenue, surpassing movies and music combined. 

According to NewZoo, globally, 85% of consumers engage with games, with 80% playing, 64% viewing gaming content, 35% participating in online communities or creating content, and over 90% of Gen Alpha and Gen Z, those mostly affected by acne, are actively engaging with video games and gaming content.

Premiering “Differin Duo” on Twitch 

The first ever “Differin Duo,” featuring Fortnite Icons, Nickeh30 and Chica premiered on Twitch. Viewers tuned in to watch as they dominated their favourite battle royale game in a no fills duos vs. squads match. Streamers, NickEh30, Chica and their communities received gifted channel subscriptions, everytime NickEh30 and Chica won, making it a must-watch event for gaming enthusiasts. The stream was fully shoppable, providing access to purchase Differin products in-stream and on the spot. Differin Duo is currently one of the highest viewed streams across both streamers’ pages. 

From URL to IRL TwitchCon

Differin made a presence IRL at TwitchCon September 20-22 in San Diego and engaged with thousands of attendees from around the globe. The Differin Arcade featured interactive events, broadcasts with streamers, vintage favourite games, local games, leaderboard challenges, live giveaways, and more. For those who were not be able to attend IRL Twitch streamers Nate Hill, Hannahxxrose and Katliente alongside board certified dermatologist Dr.Paul broadcast live at the Differin Arcade engaging with hundreds of thousands of viewers on Twitch, Instagram, TikTok and more.

The Power of Influencers and Community Engagement

Differin has teamed up with gamers katliente, kilahmazing, and Avori to produce educational and entertaining content over their skincare journey with Differin as a secret weapon to unlocking clearer skin. Gaming isn’t just about playing; it’s about community. Communities are key to building confidence, with those who engage in communities being 77% more likely to feel more confident from playing games. Seventy-five percent of gamers enjoy watching game-related videos and streams, and 67% trust brands that engage with their favourite creators.

Differin Gel: A Game-Changer in Skincare

Approximately 85% of people between the ages of 12 and 24 experience at least minor acne. 

Acne sufferers are on a relentless quest for clearer skin, but traditional acne advice often falls flat. Differin Gel offers a fresh approach to acne treatment and prevention. Differin Gel was clinically shown to reduce up to 87% of acne in just 12 weeks when used daily with its non-comedogenic, fragrance-free formula containing adapalene, the first over-the-counter retinoid for acne in over 30 years. This breakthrough ingredient transforms skincare routines and makes acne treatment more accessible and effective. Gamers can now level up their skincare routine by unlocking clearer skin with Differin.

“Our mission is to make skincare accessible and approachable, and the gaming community is the perfect space to innovate. Gamers are inherently problem-solvers, and the Differin ‘Level Up’ campaign puts the acne battle in territory they are familiar with. They can win this battle, and we want to help,” said Lindsey Scales, associate director, OTC Skincare at Galderma.

A Comprehensive Campaign

Differin’s “Level Up” campaign extends across the Twitch ecosystem, bridging the gap between URL and IRL. The campaign also includes playable, gamified ads by Activision Blizzard Media along with supporting media from Reddit, TikTok, YouTube, and more. 

In collaboration with Differin, Dentsu X and Dentsu Solutions led Differin’s “Level Up” holistic campaign strategy and activation alongside Merkle, Lippe Taylor, Gallery Media Group, and Flywheel.

“The ‘Level Up’ campaign is designed to revolutionise skincare education by integrating it into the gaming world. Our vision is to empower gamers with the knowledge and tools they need to confidently manage their skin health while fostering a supportive community. By bridging the gap between URL and IRL, we’re making skincare education more engaging and accessible, ensuring that gamers can level up both their game and their confidence,” said Val Vacante, VP of Solutions Innovation, Dentsu.

Find out more about Differin’s “Level Up,” campaign at treatacne.com. Differin is available at major retailers nationwide.