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 19, 2007
Cons:
Takes awhile to start working, things definitely get worse before they get better, and any time you have a pimple coming on, it will get worse (this med is formulated to bring it to the surface) but the more you use it the less pimples tend to form.
I have used Differin along with Doryx (Doxycycline antoibiotic) for about 3.5 months, and it took some time for it to start working. My face totally got worse when I first started using it, to the point where I actually stopped using it every day or so to give my skin a "break" from the irritation. It made my skin quite red when I'd put it on and it felt harsh but that was initially. Now, 3.5 months later, my skin is much smoother, few to no whiteheads and even when I do get a pimple it seems to go away more quickly. Word of advice for this med is that you have to be patient and just suffer through the bad part (which is NO FUN, and believe me I know it sucks to hear that if you just started using it and have yet to go through the bad stage....) All in all, it is finally worth it for me. I've been able to stop the Doryx and doc switched me to a topical antibiotic called Duac which I am still debating whether I even need to use now given the improvement I've seen anyway.
February 19, 2010
Pros:
Soft gel goes great with skin, cheap with insurance, helped destroy acne scars!!
Cons:
after 2 months stilll have a lil left
My derma rec this product and I think it works pretty good. Its been 2 months and it has gotten down to only light acne after puttin it on though it makes your skin red for like 5-10 minutes. I would rec this ONLY if u got the balls and patience. Im in 2 months and still i have it but its gettin better. It makes your skin also feel smooth. I also took Solodyn pills with this so I dunno really which one worked so you have to see for yourself xD. I only paid $3 but i heard this is REALLY expensive!!
January 29, 2010
Pros:
No pro's with this stuff...
Cons:
Costly....paid $235.00 for a tube and the product didn't work, only caused irritation. A higher strength does not achieve any better result only increases the dryness and stinging. Too many sideeffects for no effect on pimples
Ask for some other acne product besides Differin
May 19, 2007
Pros:
i just got differin today and i havent started it my dermatoligist said to use it. i dont have bad acne at all. i just have black heads on my nose. im really pretty and i want clerer skin so i can do modeling so im hoping it works wish me luck. :)
:) thankyou.. muahh muchh lovee
June 14, 2011
Pros:
Acne will sometimes peel off in the morning
Cons:
Acne gets way worse!
My doctor prescribed this about 2 months ago and told me to smooth "just one drop" over my entire face before bed. Well, it's hard to smooth one drop but ok... well my skin got WAY DRY. like WOAH dry. I can't put makeup over it, either. It makes the dryness look more noticable. I stopped going out of the house (literally) for weeks. :( My acne got a lot worse. I clean it 3 times daily, I take doryx daily, use acayna gel also, clean it with sycilic acid, AHA, BHA, gyclicic acid.. all daily. And I have over 20 pimples. Rediculous. I was completely clear a month and a half ago.. anyway, for me, it made my skin too dry for me to deal with. and I THINK it made my breakouts worse (based on the other comments!)
March 13, 2012
Cons:
Skin Burned
Broke out badly
Peeled
Skin became red [sunburnt look]
.Dried out my skin a lot
I was given instructions to use Differin twice a day, once at night and once in the morning.
I'm taking antibiotics alongside this treament.
The only thing this product has done for me is make me MORE insecure about my skin.
I don't know about you, but the worst thing about having acne for me is to be constantly reminded that I have it. Thanks to Differin, this is what happened.
The dry, sunburnt, skin-tight feeling on my face was a constant reminder to of my condition and it has really made me uneasy.
I would definitely not use this product, as of today i've stopped using it and will be looking into alternative treatments.
November 19, 2011
Pros:
haven't been using it for a long time, but has cleared up cystic acne, and has reduced redness due to acne.
Cons:
the second week was HORRIBLE! my face had became painfully dry around my chin, cheeks, and upperlip. i would use dermatologist recommended moustrizers and they would burn and sting HORRIBLY for the rest of the day! but the dryness was so uncomfortable i had to apply moustrizers! it also caused a little irritation and itchy bumps on my face. you also can't use face makeup for a while because it drys out face even more.
i haven't been using the product for very long, but so far i'm happy with the results minus the sideeffects. from what i've read you must consistently use the product to get the desired effects.
February 28, 2013
Pros:
?
Cons:
Does not work
Leaves skin dry to the touch
Instead of making my ance go away it made it worse
Cheap Cream
This is worst ance cream anyone can get !
January 25, 2011
Pros:
Strips down old skin, reveals new skin
You only need a small bit for application
Removes acne for the long term
Cons:
Quite harsh on skin
Requires consistency
Quite expensive
I've been on Differin for about 2 months now and I have certainly noticed a change. My Differin journey has been a real rollercoaster. Some mornings I would wake up with clearer, renewed skin, while on others I would wake up with my face raw and bleeding. For the first month I was terrified of leaving my house, of coming in contact with the sun. But coming close to the end of my second month I do see a change, for the better. Pimples (whiteheads) are still popping up every day or two, but they are smaller now, and are gone just as quickly as they appear. Differin does work for acne, but I do caution anyone who is considering going on this to factor in the implications and side effects. You should probably re-think if you need to be constantly around people all the time and have little time alone for yourself. My advice would be to do it during the winter holiday period (as I am going through this during the summer period and let me tell you, it's really annoying!) and be prepared to be horrified at your appearance. Also, many reviews do not mention using any moisturiser with their Differin, but I assure you you will *need* to apply some moisturiser with your Differin at night, even if it's a light one. It is really strong on your skin and even oily skin types will not go wrong applying moisturiser before or after (I haven't noticed a real difference) their Differin at night.
November 28, 2011
Pros:
Removes Whiteheads
Prevents Acne
Removes Acne
Cons:
Non
I have been struggling with whiteheads and a little acne on my face. The whiteheads were the worst, all over my forehead and spread down to my cheeks. I them for 1.5 years and I got low confidence during this time as it was spreading. I tried everything nothing worked. I decided to see the dr and got Differin, I tried it on and no lies my Whiteheads already got better the third day, I was shocked. I have now used it for about 4 weeks and all my whiteheads are almost all gone. I actually couldn't believe it helped me so fast and I am grateful that I went to see the Dr. I do know that it can make you skin red and dry but since I have a olive colored skin I never got any side effects. Do not give up, my Acne is not coming back and my Whiteheads are almost gone.
Give it a try I never believed in creams until now!
Pros:
Clearer, smoother, tighter skin - even seems to have lessened some of the early frown line wrinkles that had started forming