Acne.org Products
Topical Retinoid
Efficacy
54%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
Note: Prescription and over-the-counter adapalene share the same efficacy percentage due to non-specific research, but prescription strength likely performs better.
Topical Retinoid
Acne.org’s Real World Take
This topical retinoid medication provides partial relief at higher prescription dosages, but don’t look for complete clearing, especially at over-the-counter strength. Relatively affordable and comes with less side effects than tretinoin, the other affordable topical retinoid. As a bonus, it improves the look of skin and reduces fine lines and wrinkles a bit too.
Topical Retinoid
How to Get It
This is an over-the-counter treatment. Here are some places you can find it online.
Used Adapalene (Non-prescription)? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
October 12, 2008
Cons:
for the first 2 weeks my skin was red, dry and peeling.
I've had bad acne for about 9 years now. I finally went to see a derm. He recommended Defferin XP at night and benzoyl peroxide in the mornings. Ive only been using it for a month and noticing improvements. at first it really dried out my skin, but i stuck it out. Im really pleased with how its working! i cant wait to see my skin a few month from now! And for those you who tried Defferin for a short time, i say stick out; the redness, and dry skin, in most cases, are temporary. you will soon notice improvements
October 11, 2008
Pros:
This stuff is wow... Clears up your face in no time!!! It really gets to work once you start putting it on. You can really notice a difference very fast.
Cons:
I am noticing dryness around the nose area and around my lips but other than that there is nothing else bad about it! Just use a moisturizer and your good to Go!
I am twenty one and I never had acne this bad boy even in high school. I had so many blackheads and those deep pimples that really hurt along with a lot of swelling and red bumps on my cheeks. It looked gross and everyone began noticing and commenting and I hated covering it with makeup cause it looked like I was trying so hard...finally went to a derm and this was the best thint ever. I tried so many medicines but nothing helped!!! It has been a week and I can tell the difference and so can a lot of other people! I can finally not wear any makeup and look NORMAL!! The first few days you will notice the ache getting worse but its because its literally getting all of it out!! Then poof its gone! Little by little the bumps are smoothing out and I love the results so far! I will continue using this product I recommend this to anyone! And I have sensitive skin so this is great nothing to severe on my skin! Just keep in mind people have different skin types so this may not work ohn you buy
October 1, 2008
Pros:
easy to apply, only small amount needed, once a day dosage is great
Cons:
skin sensitivity, skin gets worse before it gets better
I was hesitant at first to use this product because I knew my skin would breakout badly before I saw any improvement. I decided to get over it, and just do it because I was tired of suffering daily with breakouts. I noticed no real change until about 3 weeks into treatment. At about 3 weeks my skin broke out horribly, and I had acne on places of my face I never had it before. It took about two weeks for all the bumps to go down, and since then, I have had no major breakouts. My skin may have a few small bumps from time to time, but nobody but me would notice. My skin texture is smoother, and less oily. I do have skin sensitivity with this product, but it is mild. I can counteract any dryness with an oil free moisturizer, so no problems there. I plan to continue using differin. If you are not sure if you want to use it, or if you are using it with no results, I say stick it out at least 3 months. It may really help you. Why waste more time with acne!!!!!
September 23, 2008
Pros:
not to expensive, easy to use...
Cons:
nothing
it's really very good . it a bout 4 years that I have acne ( not cystic ) it's work ferquently and make my skin clear. I used it for 9 weeks.
September 21, 2008
Pros:
Does clear up most acne, takes awhile.
Cons:
Takes awhile, makes your skin SUPER dry, even if you had oily skin before. You are more susceptible to the sun, so moisturizer & sunscreen is a must.
I have been using it for about 5 months,
i will say this. I have been getting like blotchy spots because im dumb and decide to peel off the dry skin, causing lighter patches on my dark face.
I am going back to my doctor to ask about this, but ALWAYS wear moisturizer & sunscreen. No matter what.
September 14, 2008
Pros:
Not too expensive if your insurance covers it, doesn't smell
Cons:
Not good for cystic acne
I used a combination of Clindamycin and Differin. I didn't break out with much pimples but a cystic acne flare up did appear some months out of the year. I am still searching for a great acne topical and haven't found one yet. Lately I've been just smearing Clearasil on my face and it's kind of working.
September 11, 2008
Pros:
I wrote a review a couple weeks ago, ive been on it now for exactly 44 days about 7 weeks, ive cleared up soo much, but not out of the woods yet! still breaking out but it doesnt look horrible anymore! :)
Cons:
Takes a while to see full results but I know it will look great!
At first if you see initial breakout dont give up!!! I was about too but I kept on and im totally clearing up, im also using with Bactrim so that im sure is helping but i know the differin in working great!
September 6, 2008
Pros:
Makes your skin very smooth and has reduced the redness and swelling of acne also i dont seem as prone to breakouts which i really was before differin.
Cons:
makes skin VERY itchy! have to stop my self from itching the skin around my nose away sometimes lol. And also at the beginning the breakouts are bad but if you stick it through its not to bad
I hear this stuff takes about a month or 2 to give you the most amazing results and ive been using a little under a month and my skin is doing great right now so i totally endorse this product. Although i had been wearing it out in the sun and apparently your not supposed to be doing that so yeah...wont be doing that anymore.
September 5, 2008
Pros:
It clears up the large pimples, but still the small pimples remain.
Cons:
Skin is very itchy. I run every night so it gets super itchy when I work out.
I've read that it gets worse before it gets better, and their right. I completely broke out on my cheeks. I have never broken out as much as I did after using Differin. I've been using it for about 4 weeks and I am starting to see a difference. My skin is far from perfect though, but I am scheduled to see a derm. tomorrow. Let see what they have to say.
September 4, 2008
Pros:
Really works, makes skin really smoth
Cons:
The drying takes some setting used to, but ive been using it for months and can pile it in.
Great stuff, expensive when not on NHS, I get through about $150 worth a month.
Pros:
Awesome! works well, eventually made my skin feel smooth and healthy looking! :)