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 7, 2011
Cons:
Takes adjustment
Dry, dry skin
Not affordable without insurance
After about a month this cleared my cystic acne and from there it has been fading the red marks I've had for years - with only minimal drying requiring the use of moisturizer. BUT for the first month it was hell. I wouldn't recommended starting this if you have a big event or something planned - for the first few weeks my skin broke out like never before and my eyelids were a flaky mess (despite not putting the product anywhere near my eyelids.) Also, as others have noted, keep this stuff away from your neck or it will itch like crazy. Even with those weeks of hell I would highly recommended this to anyone who has tried many other treatments unsuccessfully.
November 7, 2010
Pros:
clears up some acne
eventually will lighten some scarring
dries up cysts in a week (where w/o it would take months)
no need of foundation
Cons:
very drying
constant moisturizing
cannot wear foundation (even though I don't really need it anymore)
I used to have numerous dots on my forehead and had acne all on my cheeks.
I still get a cyst occasionally and some pimples but its all from stress or hormones, but differin takes care of it within a week or 2. *always wear SPF and moisturize.
*clean your face thoroughly to wash off differin when its the daytime. I've been using it for 4 years and its been doing good.
July 9, 2010
Pros:
It works, and nothing else did.
Cons:
My face is slightly itchy.
I use the lotion, and at almost 200$ a bottle it seemed expensive. I have ben on Differin for about seven weeks now. With my very persistiant acne basically cleared up and 2/3 of the bottle left it seems worth it to me. I am now struggling with the hyperpigmentation, but that can be helped with make-up unlike the bulging inflammed pimples that I had. So the 200$ realy breaks down into less than 70$ a month and in reality I was spending more that 70$ a month on over the counter crap that didn't work and antibiotics from my primary care doc. The slight itching my derm said is normal because it is drying out your pores. I said I would pay anything and do anything for something that worked, and it worked. I am counting my blessings that something finally did!
July 7, 2010
Pros:
Works wonders even on my stubborn bad acne, clearer skin as it also decreased the pigmentation faster than natural process.
Cons:
not 'quick', you'll have to be patient (but it's worth it), dry rough skin.
I used it on and off at first, then i used it continuously for 4 months and i'd had no pimple for 1 whole month!!!
unfortunately since it is a harsh medication my dermat decreased the dose and i again started having some pimples. But since my acne is pretty bad i needed more strong medicine in the end. I totally recommend it to anyone with moderate acne. Start with less dose (2-3 hrs at night), increase to overnight if u have stubborn acne. And then decrease to 3 times a week, then 2 times a week, when ur acne is controlled.
July 4, 2010
Pros:
WORKS!!!!!!!!!!!
Cons:
takes a really long time!
i left a message on the boards because i didnt know how to get it on this page so check it out but be patient everyone! it really does work dont worry!! i know its really hard but it works!!!
December 24, 2009
Pros:
Easy to use, I used to have so many other products that were a real hassle. Just used a mild cleanser and differin at night followed by a moisturizer. After a month really smoothed out my face
Cons:
Patience is not a virtue I that I have and it took me removing mirrors from my bathroom in order not to pick for the first month. A bit uncomfortable at first but my face got used to it. There was redness and stinging the first two weeks but then subsided. Takes time, let it work.
I only have acne on my face and it is only in my beard area. A lot of it has to do with ingrown hairs that cause pustules and can be very painful, the worst of it on my cheeks. Allowing my beard to grow and using a synthetic vitamin a product such as differin helped to successfully exfoliate my skin and allow the hair follicles to become healthy again after fighting this problem for 2 years. This issue is also known as pseudofollliculitis barbae and I just wanted to let other guys know that only using a beard trimmer and differin has almost completely stopped these painful bumps. Goodluck and don't give up.
May 22, 2017
Works really well!
I have acne rosacea which convinced me I wouldn't have clear skin until I am 35 (i am 25 now.) Pimples were not so much my issue but hyperpigmentation and scarring left me feeling like I would never have clear skin. I knew that retinoids were good for hyperpigmentation but my dermatologist wanted to stay away from them because I was not on a birth control plan (newly married) and he did not want to risk combining the medication and a possible pregnancy. Since this medication is now over the counter, I felt it was safe enough to apply with keeping in consideration that if I ever was headed the pregnancy route, I would stop. ANYWAYSSSS, THIS MEDICATION IS AMAZING. IT LEGITIMATELY CLEARED UP MY SKIN IN A WAY I HAVE NEVER SEEN SINCE MY FIRST PIMPLE. I was on the acne.org regime for 4 months that worked great but when I added differin I stopped using the benzoyl peroxide. Once my skin was used to the differin, I added benzoyl peroxide back into my routine but just in the morning. Therefore, I was using benzoyl peroxide in the morning (the smallest amount that is still effective) and differin at night. Once my skin was used to this routine (about 4 weeks), I added the glycolic acid AHA as a moisturizer a couple times a week and omg I cannot believe the results! I am very happy with this product and AM SO THANKFUL IT BECAME AN OVER THE COUNTER PRODUCT. THANK YOU GOD.!
December 11, 2015
This will either make your acne worse or better.
Before you purchase this, be ready for a roller coaster. Your skin will be terribly flaky, dry, sunburnt, sensitive and you will get double the amount of acne you have now during the first 3 MONTHS. You have to be patient with this, and should be able to get through the initial breakout. I used this ointment a couple of months ago, and unfortunately it created scars and my skin got so bad i completely threw this out. However, i am willing to give this another try and have been using this slowly for the past month. I am hoping this time if i ease into it, my skin wont be like last time. Theres a 50/50 chance with this. This will either completely clear your skin after 6 months, or make it worse.
December 19, 2013
The IB was worth it
Pros:
Improved skin texture/smoothness
Consistently clear skin
Inexpensive with my insurance
Cons:
Initial Breakout
May not see improvement for several months
I can't believe it... my skin is clear! I had what I would call a relatively minor to moderate acne problem, to the point where I was self-conscious about my acne and the hyperpigmentation it would leave behind after continuous breakouts. I felt I couldn't leave the house without makeup. Now my skin is clear, and as a bonus, more radiant and smooth in texture. The initial breakout was extremely challenging and long. That explains the 4 out of 5 stars rating, though I think the IB is probably a given. My entire face broke out, and in places I didn't normally get pimples. It kind of went in phases-- first a bunch of blackheads on my forehead, then pimples on my chin, and next my cheeks. It took the longest for my chin and cheeks to clear up. But, by that time my forehead was already better. My skin was literally purging itself of emerging and future pimples all at once. I didn't start to see results for about six months. It seems it took my skin longer to improve than most, after reading other reviews. However, once my skin began to improve, it did so very quickly, and then BAM! No more acne problem. I have the confidence to leave the house without makeup for errands and such, though I will say that my makeup looks so much better on now that my skin is clear and smooth. Be patient, and don't be surprised if you cry or throw temper tantrums during the IB. The temporary IB is worth the end result.
December 21, 2012
Pros:
Clears pustules
Fades acne scars
Cons:
Initial breakout for first 2-3 weeks
Can irritate sensitive skin
Takes about 8-11 weeks to see significant results
I began using Differin about three months ago after my relatively mild acne grew severe. At first, I experienced a horrible burning sensation on my face, as well as severe drying and redness. Later I began using a Cetaphil moisturizer, which helped to soothe the dryness. The skin irritations ceased over time, and now my skin is much less sensitive to Differin. I see huge improvement, especially with fading of my acne scars. Overall, it is a highly effective product if you give it time to work.
Pros:
Cleared cystic acne
Lessened blackheads