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
January 31, 2007
Cons:
Small initial breakout
I was always scared of using a topical retinod because of the whole initial outbreak. However, Differin has been amazing. I use the cream version and have no peeling, dryness or redness at all. It works slower than Retin-A or Taz but is just as effective.
In Australia, a tube of Differin only costs $40 so it's fairly cost effective and will last 5-6 months.
I had a small initial breakout but nothing more than usual and no where near as bad as I have had in the past. Currently, I have no active acne whatsoever and healing red marks. I feel that it is a little slow in healing/improving pigmentation of existing pimples. For pimples that show up while using it in the first few weeks heal really quickly.
January 22, 2007
Pros:
what is that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cons:
everything!!
differin is a totally useless product.seriously i has mild acne but due to vanity i started to use it to find my acne become very worse.now i dont know what to do.hate myself for putting myself in this misery.
January 16, 2007
Pros:
not sure yet, waiting for further results.
Cons:
dry! creates more acne the first couple of weeks.
i've been using this product for almost 3 weeks now. i've had mild acne before and rarely, i had the large pimples that hurt. now, i FREQUENTLY get the cystic acne on my forehead but using this cream, it clears those pimples up fast. this cream also is known to generate faster skin cell reproduction and to get rid of dead skin cells so whenever i happen to scratch my forehead, tons of dead skin cells are easily peeled away. sorry, as gross as that sounds, its how it is for me right now. i've read TONS of reviews that say to stick this product out, that the real results will come in around 8 weeks. hopefully my skin will get better! for now, maybelline true match concealer with salycic acid and my bangs are coming in handy!
January 2, 2007
Pros:
I didn't get any skin irritation
Cons:
It took a long time to see results
Acne has been getting me down. I know people mean well, but I hate it when people make comments about my face...like ' oh you poor thing, aren't you eating well?' or ' I think you should see a doctor'. I have been to many and tried so many things! And just when I feel that I have won the emotional battle by pretending to forget that I have acne and try to not let it discourage me from doing basic things like going for a swim or meeting new people.....just when I get over this emotional hurdle...a little comment or stare from someone can bring me right back down! Differin worked slowly and not so dramatically.
December 10, 2006
Pros:
goes on great, no residue, and has limited some stuff, but small breakouts still occur.
Cons:
dry skin sometimes, not too bad.
solid product, still waiting to see ultiamte results, but decent so far.
October 31, 2006
i tried differin for only two weeks, it made my skin horribly worse. im sure with time it would have gotten better but i couldnt handle having that awful skin, it was worse than i'd ever had it. but im sure it does not do this to some people, it could just be me.
August 18, 2013
differine review
Pros:
not much result
Cons:
changed treatment and improvement
didnt do any miracles. after one month i switched to zynerit and it helped a lot more, so i would recommend different treatment, but this should help for someone.
March 15, 2013
Pros:
Isn't just used for acne but for cancer and other skin diseases.
Can remove and/or lower the affects of certain skin diseases.
Cons:
Extremely likely to leave your skin severly dry, flaky, and red within approximately 3 days.( Especially if you have sensitive skin.)
Could possibly try if your acne/skin diseases are very bad. Also not a good cream if you are the "on the go" person because of the dryness and flakiness and redness.
January 18, 2012
I would not recommend this for anybody. I would be really mad if I would have paid more than 35 dollars for it. I have really bad acne on my chin and it has not gotten any better. I have been on this for almost 6 months and the only thing it has done is dried out my skin. My skin peels and flakes and the acne has not gotten any better. I'm actually going back to the doctor to find something else.
January 3, 2012
Pros:
Takes at least 3 months to work
Cons:
Initial Breakout and sun sensitivity
I hav been using differin for about 3 months. when I started using it it did cause an inital breakout, but not as severe of a breakout when I first tried Retin-A. I first started with the lotion (sample), being that its the most sensitive. My insurance reimburses me so I have to make the initial purchase up front. Which is super hard! Being that the most cost effective way was Walmart which is still 142 dollars. I am 25 and never I mean had a single pimple or breakout on my face, I took plan B once and Bam I broke out with little tiny Closed Comedones all over my forehead. Horrible! I tried a lot of otc products, proactiv, dermalogica, etc. The constant changing of products caused acne I mean the big white kind all over my cheeks. This was horrible going from having healthy glowing skin to this was a life changer, suddenly I didnt want to go out was gaining weight my marriage was going down hill. I seeked out a Dermatologist which took 2 months to get in, but it was the best thing I ever did. I started on differin (2nd medication after a royal fail from retin-a) and Beyaz BC. I just recently started to use the dermalogica daily exfoliant every other day. which is super sensitive to get rid of the all the dry flakes and bare minerals for makeup which I only use every Friday saturday only when we have dinner or go out. I now use differin at night on chin cheeks and forehead and on my forehead during day. It has actually helped. The only down point is the scar and hypigmentation I have from the IB, Dont pick people its so Hard I know get your self some good make up and let it ride out. usually the differin will take care of it with in about 2 days. I hope I help someone like me because I searched this site everyday and nothing really helps. Good luck do not quit!
Pros:
Clears skin, minimizes pores, gentle, cheap (in Australia)