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 13, 2008
Cons:
Made my Skin even more oily
Made my Skin even more oily, and my acne wasn't that bad before, then i used this and it got much worse
November 20, 2007
Pros:
does clear up spots, prevents acne by getting rid of dead skin and opening pores
Cons:
excessively dry skin initially, skin becomes quite proned to sun damage
use it, give it some time.
always wear sunscreen while on it.
for dryness, use a good cream, i use an aloe based one.
September 14, 2007
Pros:
Worked for a short time
Cons:
It worked well for a few weeks and then all of the pimples came right back.
I used both the cream and gel at .1%. My doctor said that the gel is a little different and was more potent. The gel did not help my face and the cream did not either. I used it in conjunction with Duac and neither one of the medications helped my face.
July 30, 2007
Pros:
its light and non greasy
Cons:
drys our skin
First of all, it dries out your skin alot. At first, my skin started to look better but then my skin actually began to get worse. I got lots of pimples on the lower part of my forehead between my eyes and on my cheeks.
July 20, 2007
Pros:
less inflammed, pimples go away sooner. slight improvement in number of zits
Cons:
dried me out a little at first. Broke out for a small while when first started
I've had acne since the seventh grade, currently entering the eleventh. Tried many things and my skin seems to love this stuff so far. I had very inflammed acne..this reduced inflammation alot!
April 27, 2007
Pros:
smaller spots and less of them. My skin is not as oily!! YAY!
Cons:
doesn't really get rid of spots but shrinks them to a pin prick size, which really isn't very noticeable.
Well so far i have only used Differin for roughly 3 weeks,but i have noticed a signicant improvement in the surface and inflammation of the acne prone area.
The first week is slightly stressful as your skin begins to become tighter and dry but then after, for me, the medicine seemed to work it's magic. THANK GOD THERE IS A CURE TO THIS EVIL DISORDER Plus another great thing about it is, if you live in the uk, you get the medicine free!
July 10, 2012
Pros:
Easy to use
Cons:
Made my skin 1000x worse. Thought it would help but could not deal with it and now am left with spots ALL OVER my face. Terrible. I am so depressed.
Do not use this product.
November 16, 2011
Pros:
Relieved my acne within months. My skin is acne free for the first time in my life
Cons:
Dries out your skin drastically. Make sure to ditch your existing cleansers and scrubs with added medications (ex. salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide) and switch to a mild foaming cleanser. Mine has added feverfew to calm the skin. Get ready for the dryness (even my eyelids started to peel) and make sure you apply as needed regularly.
Like many here, I have tried a ridiculous amount of acne creams, cleansers, lotions etc. Differin has, hands down, been the most effective medication in relieving my acne. Now I'm just left with some post-acne scarring. I love this product and would urge anyone to give it a try.
November 13, 2011
Pros:
I love this product. I tried SO MANY different creams and most of them just made my face worst. My derm. suggested accutane which I really didn't want to do so I tried this as a last resort. To her surprise and mine, this actually cleared my skin. I have extremely sensitive skin and it was absolutely fine. I just use a pea sized drop which is good enough to keep my acne away without irritating my skin. This seems to be the only cream that works for me (I've tried many...)
Cons:
None. It is a drying if I use too much but fine if I remember to stick to the pea sized drop for my entire face.
Hopefully it works for you as well as it has worked for me!
October 31, 2011
Pros:
- Really does clear up skin
- Smooth Skin
Cons:
- Breakouts at beginning
- Can leave scars
- Very drying at first
- Can sting at first
I started Differin about a year ago, and it's definitely been a wild ride!
The first few weeks are no fun. Your skin gets bad before it gets better. When I read all these reviews written by people who gave up after a month I just want to scream! You have to COMMIT to medications, even acne meds! My recommendation is to go out and buy a VERY high quality moisturizer before you start differin, and religiously apply it for a week before you start using differin, and continue using it. Your skin will be dry, Your skin will break out, Your skin will be sensitive. But if you're not willing to put up with it in the hopes of getting real results- then you're not really committed to getting clear skin, you're looking for the easy way out! Nothing works miracles, but differin has had amazing results for me! My skin isn't perfect, but it looks so much better. Now i'll have a single pimple, a few days with none, and then another one will pop up- but it's nothing that can't be covered with concealer! Just small red bumps that don't even really need to be hidden. Differin has restored my confidence, and I recommend everyone give it a chance!
Pros:
None