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
August 23, 2008
Cons:
The gel is VERY drying; recommend cream version. I also need other products to maintain clear skin. It is also quite pricey
I have been using Differin for about 5 years and would recommend the cream to anyone. Its expensive without insurance, but if you have acne, I'm sure you'll be willing to pay anything. I have also recently started using Rosalin face wash and an antibiotic as the Differin is not enough to completely clear my adult acne.
August 19, 2008
Pros:
it works!!
Cons:
took ages to work - 3 months, and made spots much much worse for most of that time.
I still get the odd spot every now and again, but my skin is the clearest it's ever been after trying everything available in the chemist and skinoren from the doctor. But you really have to persevere, as it really does take a long time to clear it all up. And it made me usually greasy skin really dry for the first 3 months so i had spots and flakey skin! But it was worth it in the end. It's free in the UK from the doctor.
August 8, 2008
Pros:
evens skin tone
reduces breakouts
only once a day
Cons:
makes skin worse before better
i've been using this along with minocycline, and for the most part i'm happy. my skin got REALLY horrible before it started to improve, but now it is tolerable.
July 31, 2008
Pros:
Only thing that ever made my skin clear and stay clear.
Evened out skin tone
Easy to apply (just don't miss a dose or you could be back to square one!)
Cons:
Takes a long time to work, but it is soooo worth it!
I've been on Differin for nearly 6 months now. First of all, let me start off by telling you my background. I'm 29 years old and have noticed acne forming around my chin and neckline. The rest of my face is relatively clear. I decided that I needed to go on prescription strength acne medication because my chin and neck seemed to be breaking out a lot more. The more I read about it, the more I learned that this type of acne develops due to a hormonal imbalance. I always seemed to break out about a week or so prior to my menstrual cycle. I would say that I experienced anywhere from mild to moderate acne since I was in high school and I have really oily skin. I never experienced acne like this before though. Before, it was always on my face rather than around my neckline. I personally didn't have a problem with dry skin, but I always used a moisturizer (Cetaphil). I also used Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser because it had a less drying effect than other cleansers on
July 12, 2008
Pros:
ance subside
Cons:
none
only thing that really helped
July 9, 2008
Pros:
Makes skin tone even
Cons:
Long term; have not seen results yet after three weeks; mild peeling/redness
I have tried everything from ProActiv to tetracycline, and have experienced either temporary results or negative results with each product. With oral antibiotics I experienced fungal infections due to lack of internal "good bacteria", and with topical creams I have experienced peeling and redness. I have not seen results with this product, although it has not made my acne worse after three weeks of use. I am currently using Differin in addition to Clindamycin. My skin clears for about two days and then I notice four more cysts forming on my cheekbones. Last year I was more concerned with the cystic and pimple-like acne on my forehead, but switching from Sheer Blonde shampoo to Head & Shoulders (contains Zinc) has fixed that, although I still have hairline breakouts from time to time. I hope this product works, as I plan to stick with it. The side effects (mild redness and peeling) are not as much of a deterrent as people like to say they are. However, it is expensive.
July 5, 2008
Pros:
Lightens Scars A LITTLE
Cons:
Horrible Scaley Dryness, initial breakout, hard to use a pea sized amount on whole face, burned eyes(contacts), red eyes, epensive, WAY TOO LONGTERM
I am not patient enough to wait a year just to get the results....id rather use products that work quickly my whole life...I used Aspirin Mask, Proactive, Swimming, Tanning, Hot Tub, and Lemon Juice(drink), a lot for about 2 weeks...it cleared almost all my acne in little time...saw great results instanly. I went to the derm to treat my scars left over and she told me to stop EVERYTHING that I was doing and try Differin...my acne has now come back and i am more pissed then ever. mabye itl work if i keep using it for months and months but....its not worth it for me GAY
June 9, 2008
Pros:
Suffered no side effects and acne is losing the war
Cons:
None
The product is fine, but make sure you use it precisely. Differin has a website. Acne will get worse b4 it gets better. Its the nature of the product so stick with it. Give it a minimum of 16 weeks to see improvement
June 4, 2008
Pros:
I had no irritation, cleared up my existing acne completely in a very short time ( a little over a month, applying twice daily whenever possible) have only gotten two very small pimples used it as a spot treatment and gone by next day.
Cons:
None. Now using hydroquinone 4% to even skin tone. I LOVE it! I don't apply the Differin gel daily anymore and still no breakouts but will always keep some on hand for spot treatments.
It didn't irritate my skin; cleared my acne quickly, within a couple of days I saw the difference in my skin. Everything came up from beneath the surface of my skin--so it'll get worse before it gets better. I didn't wear makeup while using it, and that's big for me I've worn makeup daily for years. I haven't worn makeup since Feb. Even with the slight uneven skin tone I still won't wear it--I don't need to. I washed my face with dove soap until
my skin was clear and now use Neutrogena foaming daily cleanser w/o salicylic acid. I noticed in Jan. salicylic acid made me breakout. I'm currently looking for a good oil-free moisturizer with SPF b/c I won't be wearing foundation ever again!!! Proactiv is a waste of money and isn't effective after continued use, you ALWAYS have to have it you cannot go one day without using the product because the pimples come right back. One tube of Differin applied daily (sometimes twice all over my face) last more than a month.
May 9, 2008
Pros:
Cleared up my skin fast (together with Benzaclin). Didnt breakout my skin like most people say.
Cons:
A little redness and dryness.
I use Differin in the morning and Benzaclin at night. Together they work great. Don't really know if used alone, it would provide the same results. I also use DML Lotion (not the moisturizer) to help with the dryness. After one and 1/2 weeks my skin is completely clear. It works!
Pros:
Very smooth skin, noticeably clearer, less large breakouts