Adapalene (Non-prescription)
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Adapalene is a vitamin A derivative called a topical retinoid. It helps clear acne by promoting skin cell turnover and reducing inflammation in...

Adapalene is a vitamin A derivative called a topical retinoid. It helps clear acne by promoting skin cell turnover and reducing inflammation in the skin.

Non-prescription adapalene is available only in 0.1% strength.

Adapalene is topically applied usually once a day before going to bed to all acne-affected areas of the skin, and not just on individual pimples themselves.

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3
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2
16.4%
1
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November 12, 2007

Pros:

works to stop future acne

Cons:

did have initial breakout, takes a lonnng time to actually work

I have been using this product for 7 months now, first alongside with minocylcine, after first few months stopped minocylcine due to bad stomach ache its gave me. however, have been using differin ever since just a little bit on each acne pimple, along with having lemon water every morning and evening everyday, also i have been doing a face steam with lemon in it, using a multani mitti mud mask and simple face scrub three times a week. has reduced spots quite abit and has helped to control the acne, although still do break out around time of the month! hope this is useful!!!
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November 11, 2007

Pros:

Cleared up my black heads

Cons:

Didn't clear up my acne, dry face

My doctor perscribed me Differin to clear up the many black heads on my cheeks, nose, and chin. My cheeks were especially job. After using Differin my cheeks were completely black head free, even after I've stopped using it for a month. Bottom Line is there's no 100% acne-be-gone formula, Differein did its job in clearing up all the black heads on my cheeks and reducing my visible poors. It reduced the black heads on my nose and chin some, but no medicine will rid that completely. Right now I use off-brand Proactive found at Wal Mart and it works great.
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November 7, 2007

Pros:

It doesnt burn and after the initial breakout it really does seem to work.

Cons:

It does dry out the skin but using a non-comedonic mosturizer will help

It works on moderate acne, but if you acne is extremely bad this may not be the best type of med for you.
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November 6, 2007

Pros:

It does work after a while.

Cons:

initial breakout
takes a long time to start working
makes skin look oily

i tried this when i had mild-moderate acne, and it made my face much much worse than it had EVER been, but it then did make it better, but i didnt like how it made my face feel so i stopped using it. then my face broke out horribly. lots of cysts, pimples, blackheads, there was almost no space on my face where there wasn't acne. my face was terrible. so after about 6 months i started minocycline and differin in combination and they worked like a miracle, honestly. no initial breakout (because of the mino), and i was pretty much completely clear in about 2-3 months. i would only recommend using this if you have moderate-severe acne. it doesn't really improve mild-moderate, it just makes it worse and then brings your face back to where it was before. i regret ever using it in the first place, but it does work on bad acne, you just have to give it a little time to kick in.
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November 6, 2007

Pros:

"Purges" your skin of the little bumps all over

Cons:

Gets a little worse before it gets better, but that's understandable and worth it.

Everyone on here is complaining so much about the dryness caused from using Differin. If you are like me and have always had such oily skin, the drying out is a good thing.
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November 6, 2007

Pros:

Very gentle, no peeling or flaking or irritation.

Cons:

expensive, took a long time to work, didnt clear my skin 100%

basically, its a very gentle retinoid. others like retin A or tazorac can cause lots of irritation or flaking or peeling. but differin didnt cause any of that for me, I used the 0.1% gel. I did have a breakout after using it for a week, but it went away quickly. After that, it took about 2-3 months to see the full effect. It didnt clear up my skin completely but it did make a huge positive difference! And it didnt dry out or irritate my skin, which is saying something, since most OTC acne medications dry you out, and other Rx ones irritate. Definitely worth a try.
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November 3, 2007

Pros:

omgg it works so good.

Cons:

u have to use it awhile before it can work

well my face before i used differen was HORRIBLE..i mean i seriously woke up and my face was COVERED everywhere. thats was unuausal bc i never got acne before.. there was hardly like...room in between the zits on my face..but i have this really good makeup i put on my face that covered it up until i told my mom i was tired of having this...so she took me to the derm. and they told me to try differen b/c my dad didnt want to put me on accutane....the first 2 weeks i have duac stuff i put on my face first..then wait 5-10 mins on applying the differen..it was horrible..my face got worse..i seriously cried every night bc of it..but i kept using it..and it's simply a maricle.i dont have a SINGLE zit...and if any of you saw my face before would be like WOW. its a GREAT product.
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October 31, 2007

Pros:

My insurance covered it.

Cons:

Doesn't work at all.

I agree with Star from Minnesota. I used this junk for 8 weeks, and it made things worse in the first few weeks. At the end of 9 weeks, my skin may have been back to where it was before I started (not good). I used it "by the book," waited to apply, used a pea-sized amount, etc. I tried this after 8 weeks of Retin A usage, which did nothing either. I give up.
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October 30, 2007

Pros:

it doesnt dye clothes like benzoyl peroxide does

Cons:

it burns my skin even my eyelids and i dont even put it near there. it made me break out worse than before on my cheeks.

its just alotta pain and it stinks to havta try something else you are afraid wont work. ill try it a little more bc i just started it but im already disappointed.
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October 30, 2007

Pros:

none

Cons:

red skin ,more acne than what u started with.
makes face looks greasy.

this stuff sucks. i rregret using it. i went from moderat acne to sever because of this product. not only did it made my skin red but it gave me so much acne then ever before. and from reviews that i have red from people who use this and say it works actually use differin in combanation with other medication.so it make you think if this product is the one that actually is working. in my experiance is the worst thing i have ever tried. and is one of the most expensive ones i have bought also since i don't have insurance so not only was it a waste of money but it also was a waste of time. and worst of all it destroyed my face..
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Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.
Find a Doctor Using The American Acacemy of Dermatology Website

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.
Find a Doctor Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website