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
April 6, 2011
MADE MY MODERATE TEEN ACNE TURN TO SEVERE -VERY ,VERY BAD .I STAYED ON IT FOR 8 MONTHS WAITING FOR IT TO GO IN TO REVERSE BUT NEVER DID .MADE THINGS SO BAD THAT NOW I NEED TO SEE A DERMATOLOGIST AND MY FACE IS BADLY SCARED !
October 12, 2010
Pros:
NONE!!!!!
For those of you who used it and HATED it as I did. Those of you who had the worst break outs of your lives and stopped it, how long did it take to recover??? Because right now my skin is TERRIBLE and I stopped it about 5 days ago.
June 13, 2010
Pros:
not much that can go in here
Cons:
-adds oil
-clogs pores
-stays on the skin and doesnt soak in
-feels like an oil mask
This product didn't change my acne at all. I applied it at night but i felt like i was adding tons of oil ont my skin with no result on my oncoming acne. Maybe if you have light acne adapalene would help, but people with more sereve acne should try a product that is less oily and more powerful. Give it a try if you want, but I found it a waste of money. I felt like i was just adding fuel to the fire (ie... more oil to acne)
April 21, 2010
Pros:
-Spots that were not already broken out were really soft
-Samples from the doctor last a long time... I didn't need to fill the prescription!
Cons:
-Created eczema-like spots on my cheeks, chest, and jawline.
-My face and chest broke out in rashes after a week of application (3x per week).
I don't think this is good for sensitive skin. 0.1% Differin Lotion 2-3x per week produced eczema-like spots on cheeks and jawline after 2 weeks. I stopped that treatment and it was thought that the gel would be better for my skin. My next round included 0.3% gel for 30minutes (washed off after 30 minutes) followed by moisturizer every other night. After only one week this caused me to break out in rashes all over my face... red, spotty, bumpy, skin that would become very flakey. It was really embarassing! I am due back to the dermatologist in a week after these rashes clear up to find something else.
October 11, 2009
Pros:
it wasn't good at all. When i used it, it didn't make a difference to my face and if i remember right, i think it made my skin a bit worse. But not scary worse.
Cons:
didn't see a difference, made acne worse.
Wasn't for me, probly not for you.
September 22, 2009
Pros:
Wored well
Cons:
Not strong enough-
It worked. Then my mom took me to the derm. and all hell broke out. I was on differin and minocycline. My skin was looking great. They've put me on dozens of different things since and now if I went back, it wouldn't be strong enough.
June 1, 2009
Pros:
Been using it a week, and just got the comment "hey you used to have bumps under your skin, they are disappearing" so far so good.
Cons:
don't know the side effects of the the chemicals in my blood stream.
Skin around my ears are peeling like crazy and itchy
I think the tube will last me a good three to four months so will write back after that, but so far so good.
October 27, 2008
Pros:
It works, and my skin looks better than ever.
Cons:
Skin became worse than ever for two weeks, caused a really bad rash around my chin.
This stuff made my skin worse than ever, plus gave my face a bad rash. After I asked my doctor what was up, he said you really need to use sunscreen during the day, even if you apply this stuff at night and wash it off next morning. After all this (about three and half weeks) my skin literally vanished of acne, it's been a month since, and I've been applying it every night and my skin looks VERY healthy. P.S. I used Cetaphil for all skin types in the morning and evening and applied the Differen once a day at night and have continued the same routine.
September 21, 2008
Pros:
Works pretty well, little irritation, no smell, fast drying.
Cons:
A little drying, [nothing moisturizer can't take care of], very irritating the area that surrounds eyes.
My acne is pretty bad, I wouldn't say severe but it's definately up there. I break out mostly on my chin/mouth and forehead. My derm prescribed me this and cephalexin a few weeks ago and so far my skin is clear-er. Not quite there, but hopefully within time it will get better. On the other hand my best friend is also prescribed this and hates it.
June 10, 2008
Pros:
Very inexpensive with insurance
Cons:
Very ineffective
I was impressed with how mild Differin was, it did not irritate my sensitive skin at all. In fact, it did nothing for my skin. I might as well have been smearing water on my face. After 2 weeks I noticed NO improvements whatsoever. I expected more, other treatments have worked significantly better.
Cons:
UNPREDICTABLE