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 3, 2013
Cons:
Creates a very bad break out
Dries your face
Only cures acne after several breakouts and then returns to the breakout cycle
My acne was better controlled without adapelene. I could control the intensity of the breakouts, with adapelene this is not the case. Not recommended!
January 30, 2012
Pros:
-Gets rid of under the skin tiny little pimples (closed comedones?)
-Stops the nasty pus/red pimples from forming!
Cons:
-Could possibly cause massive breakout, scarring...
-Drying on sensitive skin
I have a strange combo oil/dry skin.
Differin HELPED so much with the tiny little pimples on my forehead (I had about 20-30 tiny little ones -__- so annoying!)
My forehead broke out when I first started using it (i got 4-5 cysts..I've never had painful cysts before in my life). I'm now almost at 2 months & my forehead is SOO smooth and clear! Except for a lot of PI marks.. but they are easily covered with makeup and are fading!!! *BIGGEST MISTAKE: I really do not recommend this if you have dry skin. My forehead is extremely oily, so putting differin on it got rid of the oil, cleared my skin up, and prevented new pimples.
BUT I made a HUGE mistake that I have regretted very much. One day I noticed about 5-7 tiny little pimples (barely noticeable) on my cheek. I never get pimples on my cheek, so this really freaked me out. I put differin on that area and it dried that area up SOOO BAD. That area on my cheek broke out LIKE CRAZY! Now I'm left with 4-5 huge scars...just because I wanted to get rid of tiny little bumps that would probably have gone away by themselves. My right cheek will REALLY never be the same. Now it's constantly breaking out... ....but Acne.org regimen is working :D
January 21, 2012
Pros:
Got rid of recent "scars" within a week
Cons:
initial breakout
dryness (eye lids)
I started this while on winter break. Since i had 5 weeks off and my acne isnt as bad, I thought I had enough time to get clear, boy was I wrong. It really did help with hyperpigmentation and got rid of a few pimples, but then all of a sudden I broke out like there was no tomorrow (even after I stopped using it, a week later I was sitll breaking out). Btw, I know there has to be an initial breakout. Im going back to school on Sunday and got off differin around 2 weeks ago. My skin IS significantly better from all the breakouts i had but its bc ive been consistent with my skin care routine these past two weeks. Im now back on BP and ill stay on this for a while. In the future id like to give differin a full try bc i do have hope in it but not while im in school.
September 21, 2010
Pros:
None.
Cons:
Worst break out of my entire life. My face turned swollen red where I put the medicine, I got around 15 new break outs in one week. Previously I only get 2-3 a week. It is literately a nightmare, the scars are so bad, that I honestly don't know what to do.
The worst decision ever, yeah your supposed to break out, but I have never broken out this bad my whole life. I as a 17 year old guy, felt like crying when I woke up and saw how bad my face had gotten and debated wether or not to even go to school. I also have a massive amount of scars that I am feeling helpless about, and a bunch of recovering blemishes. I don't think a week of this is worth it, I can't imagine living like this for a month or so. Defiantly not worth it for me, or anyone who doesn't have acne that bad. I know its hard to hear, but I would do anything to not make the choice to start using differin. Just trying to help inform before you go down this path.
November 6, 2009
Pros:
This stuff did well for the couple of whiteheads on my face. It pushed them to the surface so I could pop 'em.
Cons:
It's very expensive, and has yet to make some of the bumps go away.
I have some red spots with a couple of blackheads under both of my eyes. This stuff killed off some of it, and has managed to suffocate the occasional bump on my face. My forehead has it's fair share of red bumps, and Differin has yet to kill them, although I've only been using it for 4 1/2 weeks.
October 24, 2009
Pros:
I'm not sure there are any yet.
Cons:
$250 for a tube! My 15 year old son has been using morning and night consistently together with tetracycline. The first couple of weeks his acne seemed worse. He complained of stinging redness and dryness.
He's been sticking with it, and his skin is moderately better, but definitely not clear. He's on week 8. After paying so much for it, I really want to give it time to work its 'magic'. I'm wondering why dermatologists are so highly recommending it after reading these reviews. Is it because it's a new RX with a hefty price tag? Hmmm. I really hope not.
October 9, 2009
Pros:
It helped my skin look good for about 5 months
Cons:
Stopped working after a while :( The price was rediculous!! My insurance wouldn't pay for much of it.
When I first tried this medication, my skin was red for about the first week. After a few weeks, it started making my skin look more clear than it had ever been before! I thought it was a miracle. But as with everything I've ever tried, the effects lessened and my skin went back to normal. I still recommend this because it might work for someone else better. I wish it would have worked longer for me.
September 29, 2009
Pros:
cheap where i live ($5.50 U.S. for a tube that has lasted me 5 months), ease of access/availability
Cons:
dryness and irritation, not a quick fix
I have rosacea as well as acne flare ups w/cystic acne. To begin with, I was put on antibiotics (2x/week for 3 weeks), Rozex and Differin. After 5 weeks my skin looked great. The Rozex and Differin have helped maintain, somewhat, my 'better skin'. I have had fewer cystic acne breakouts. I went back today to the Dermatologist and while we both agree that it is better, unless I go on something stronger, this is is good as I'm going to get.
A word of warning: YOU MUST USE ONLY A SMALL AMOUNT. If you use too much, you will only hurt yourself.
August 25, 2009
Pros:
Less pustules (zits with goo) and blackheads
Cons:
Same amounts of whiteheads, slight increased redness, minor itch after applying the stuff.
For me it has had little effect and little side effects. I got rashes from BP so i decided to try this. I think BP made it look better, but as i said it gave me occasional rashes and a lot more peeling so i never new what the next day would bring. I only recommend it because it might work for you, and i experienced little adverse effects I think i`ll try azealeic acid now..
August 21, 2009
Pros:
it works
Cons:
it makes your skin dry
for me it did work because i use to have bad acne neer my cheeks and when i started using differin it made my acne worse but less than a month it started to clear up.. just read the instructions and it will work wonderfull for you =]
Pros:
Easy application