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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Verified Customer827

December 8, 2010

Pros:

cleared acne
faded scars

Cons:

it gets worse before it gets better

I love it!!!! give it 2 weeks you will have amazing skin!!!!

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cupcake101

November 26, 2010

Pros:

-pimples don't last as long and heal faster
-fewer infected pimples
-prevents some pimples from ever forming
-all your acne comes to the surface

Cons:

-all your acne comes to the surface (not pretty at first)
-i still get some breakouts, especially around my menstrual cycle
-takes a few months to really work (make sure you use regularly!)

Before i had terrible breakouts with pimples that would get infected and painful, especially on my chin and around/ on my nose. Ive been using the product for a little over 2 months, and my acne is now definitely more under control, though i still break out on my chin (pretty sure this is just all the hidden acne its bringing up from deep within my skin). Definitely heals pimples faster and helps with some scarring. With a prescription i paid 50 bucks, but it will last FOREVER because you really only use a tiny bit every night. Good product overall, takes some time to work, so be patient!

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Missy

November 25, 2010

Pros:

- it works
- cheap (bought from neighboring Malaysia from Pharmacy)
- one tube 30g can last forever, I think I can use until it expires.

Cons:

- drying
- initial breakout
- needs prescription in Singapore
- needs patience (takes months to see results)
- scarring/marks (not sure if it's 'cause of my skin natural inclination or due to initial breakout
- applying more than recommended dosage may worsen acne

Age 22, Asian, fair. Normal-dry skin with only 2-3 zits near menstrual period since teenage. Sudden adult acne from Feb 2010. (Stress + wrong use of products) Started differin gel from May 2010. Serious breakout from June-July 2010. Changed to differin cream in July. Forehead cleared since Aug 2010. Face still have persistent 5-8zits. Significant improvement now (November 2010) - face *almost* clear. Obvious acne marks still present though :( My face is still not totally clear but I have faith in this product as I do not use any other acne medicine (no other cream/oral med, wash is not acne specific). *please request for cream if possible *use AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE for best effect. i.e.apply a very thin layer as if it's smeared accidentally. It works better than the recommended 'pea-sized' dosage.

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misa8804

November 8, 2010

Pros:

-Prevents/clears most of my breakouts
-Has been the only medication that has actually helped me manage my acne
-Only have to use once per day

Cons:

-Very costly without insurance ($280 for 45 grams)
-Drying
-Burns/stings sometimes, even after 4 years of use

I've been using Differin 0.1% gel for about 4 years now, and although it has not completely cleared my acne, it has worked the best out of all the other products I've tried. I still get breakouts from time to time, and my skin is definitely not perfect, but it is certainly better than what it was. My major complaint is the dryness. My skin is somewhat sensitive, though, so others may not have the same issue.

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highfructose

November 6, 2010

Pros:

-not too harsh
-easy to use
-forehead is 90% clear!!! yes!!!
-no more big zits
-no more cysts
-smoother skin
-softer skin
-overall quality of skin has improved
-skin no longer dry
-acne on cheeks mostly gone

Cons:

-VERY mild initial breakout
-still have scars from old acne....urghhh!

okay, when my doctor first game me the sample tubes, i was really eager to try it out. i have had acne since i was 11 (i am 15 now) and in the past year or two, it's gotten a lot better. before, i had painful red zits all over my forehead, which made it look like red stucco. before using this, my forehead still had some zits, but most of the activity was centered on my cheeks, as it still is. i was afraid to try this because the reviews mentioned an awful initial breakout. i decided to go through with it anyways and i am glad i did. that said, my IB was really mild, nothing worse than what i get around my period. that cleared up in a few days. my doctor said that it works slow. i can't wait to see what my skin looks like in a few months! by the way, i'm using 0.3% gel and an oral antibiotic and cetaphil.

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Eirinn

November 5, 2010

Pros:

Keeps the cysts at bay
Brings existing acne to the surface to heal quickly
Is effective a sole acne treatment
Gives a great "glow" and evenness to the skin

Cons:

Cannot be used around eyes, nose, or mouth
Does not prevent hormone-related breakouts
Must use consistently - even taking a week off means dealing with more breakouts
Can possibly lose effectiveness after a while

I've been using Differin gel as my sole acne medicine for about 2 years. Before that, I used it in combination with a external Clindimycin treatment (which was horrible). I've had acne for about 22 years. I would say to those who are just starting treatment to be patient. Adapalene is a retin-A variant that essentially causes your skin cells to turn over faster. So, initially, as it is "bringing up the acne" to the surface, your acne will worsen and your skin might flake. This might take several months. I experience this (especially along with the antibiotic), but I no longer have these side effects (and didn't after the first few months). I don't use any lotions, even in the harsh Indiana winters. Because you are turning over skin cells more rapidly, you'll get that "Differin glow," and to be truthful, look a little younger (retin-A is used to treat wrinkles after all). My concern, as I return to the dermatologist this week, is that Differin alone (after about 5 years of total use) is likely no longer working for me. The cysts are back, though these could also be stress-related or hair product-related or even hormone-changing related (eek!). I'll likely request that I keep using it, but ask for something internal to control my hormonal acne (possibly Spirolactone as an anti-androgen or Zinc as an anti-inflammatory). I would say that everyone's acne is caused by different things - finding those is the real challenge. But Differin has worked wonders for me . . . and I'm actually considered attractive now. It's always a good feeling. :)

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katiefan11

October 27, 2010

Pros:

Only been on differin for two months and my acne has already started to clear.
Skin is looking a lot better, in smoothness and complexion.

Cons:

Dry skin to begin with, but easily avoided with a moisturiser.

It works extremely well, but you must be persistent and not give up hope. I did not really have an initial breakout, so i was lucky. Yes this product does take a while, but if most people were able to read it says it will take at least 3 months for it to start working. It says it on the pamphlet you get with it. I have been using differin for about 2 months now and have seen amazing results. I've tried proactiv and many other things. Proactiv completely destroyed my skin. Also for the retards in other posts that say it makes your skin more sensitive to the sun, all antibiotics, washes, topicals, creams anything to do with treating acne will make your skin more sensitive to sun, as well as this. It's easily fixed by applying it at night before bed and washing it off in the morning and applying a moisturiser.

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Grace15

October 22, 2010

Pros:

Does reduce acne, if you use it right and for long enough.

Cons:

Dries and irritates skin around eyes and nose at the beginning.
Doesn't clear blackheads.
When you get spots they are worse, take longer to heal and seem to scar a bit more.
You probably wouldn't want someone to kiss you when you've put it on - if you accidentally taste it, it's pretty bitter.

I used Differin for 2 months & it was just terrible - same amount of acne as before, but the spots were bigger and took longer to heal. So I had another look at the reviews here & made a few changes. What I do now: - After cleansing, apply a pea-sized amount of Differin only to the areas that have acne, every night. Rub the Differin in gently but well. - In the morning, cleanse and use a small amount of Cetaphil DailyAdvance Ultra Hydrating Lotion. Rub in gently but well. I also happened to reduce my caffeine and alcohol intake at the same time, and I had been using Differin for 2 months, so all this probably helped too. Still, I think using the Cetaphil moisturiser and making sure that anything I put on my face is well rubbed in is the key. I'm in my early 30s and have always had mild acne. I finally got sick of it so the doctor prescribed Differin. I'm quite happy with it now and will keep on using it. It cost $50 for 30 g, which lasts me about 3 months. Good luck!

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soulbroryan

October 1, 2010

Pros:

-Lightens scars caused by hyperpigmentation
-Clears up acne
-Less break out
-only put on at night

Cons:

-Kind of Dries out skin
-Expensive with out perscription, or maybe even with it

I have been using this product for exactly two weeks now and I am empressed. I was perscribed this with Doxycycline, which is an anti-biotic. These two togheter have been working togheter clearing up my skin better than its even been like before. In two weeks I go back to the dermotologist, in which they will slowly take me off of the anti-biotic. Hopefully Differin will be enough to help my skin a lot. Since I am half black I have hyperpigmentation which leaves really dark scars on my face. Right now it seems as if this product is clearing it up. People whine about the "Flacking" but if you put lotion on it, its fine. Also I use St.Ives face wash, which helps get the dead skin cells off leaving less flaking. I havent filled my perscription yet because it was $65, but the test tubes the doctor gave me have worked so far. I will see how my face looks in two weeks at my next appointment, and hopefully will post before and after pictures soon. My Acne is not clear yet, but this prduct has worked better then over the counter products i have tried, I suggest for anyone who has moderate acne to see a dermotologist

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asian

September 3, 2010

Pros:

when all else fails, this COULD help.

clears acne BUMPS

not much discomfort if applied at night

improvements in 4 weeks!

Cons:

first week = embarrassing.
I've never seen my face so splattered with acne before.

do NOT put on non-acne areas. ONLY ON AFFECTED AREAS. I accidentally applied it all over my face like Benzol Peroxide and I had VERY dry peeling skin the next day that took a week to recover.

redness, hyper-pigmentation is annoying. I looked like I have the ASIAN glow 24/7

if you apply to NON-acne areas (or even near it, because it spreads at night), your skin will be very thin and weak th

I've only been on it for a month, but I've seen incredible improvements. I am an Asian young adult male and proactive, sulfur, all other face washes, benzo, didn't work for me. For a time, jojoba oil worked but it wasn't perfect. Now I use Differin .3% at night, then I apply Clyndamicine 1% in the morning. There are VERY FEW acne bumps on my face. I had moderate/severe acne before. The only thing I hate about it right now is the hyper-pigmentation and redness it causes. I look like I have the Asian glow 24/7 and if it gets NEAR non-affected places on your face, it will make that area VERY sensitive and prone to "bleeding." For instance, near my chin, I don't have acne but sometimes I put differin near there and everytime I rub my face to wash it, I rub that area of the chin and now I have these thin scabs in that area because I basically rubbed off the layer of skin there too much. Differin definitely helps ACNE and I saw improvements in 2-3 weeks though the redness was misleading. If I'm in a club and it's slightly dark, you can't see the bumps haha but I definitely look wasted (redness).

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