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. 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
Adapalene is available in strengths up to 0.3% by prescription. Have a dermatologist? Make an appointment to get this medication. Don't have a dermatologist? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find one. Adapalene is also available over-the-counter in 0.1% strength. Here are some places you can find it online.
Used Adapalene? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
January 25, 2014
Post-Accutane Maintenance
Cons:
Can make skin sensitive
Not 100% effective for the first couple of months
I finished my first course of accutane 3 months ago and was put on Differin by my dermatologist after I got a few spots in the first week after finishing the course. She said because my acne was so severe before, I will still have to have some sort of maintenance regimen and I asked for a topical retinoid as I hate the effects of benzoyl peroxide. It is very gentle as long as you use a small amount (as instructed), however if you use it liberally it can make the skin very sensitive and peel like B.P. Overall I've stayed quite clear and if I break out this clears it up overnight (with AHA in the day) but I don't expect to be breaking out at all post-accutane AND following a regimen. other reviews say that it takes several months to begin working so I'll rate it 3 stars for now but I will come back and edit it when I've given it a longer run.
January 19, 2014
Patience pays off
Pros:
Great results
Not too expensive
Cons:
Gets worse before it gets better
Results take 3 months minumum
peeling, dryness, and oiliness
I'm 16. I've always had clear skin until this past summer. I started breaking out on my forehead with little bumps and the occasional big red cystic blemish. It was incredibly frustrating because I was keeping my skin clean, eating right, and taking care of myself, yet I had all this acne. I went to the dermatologis and they prescribed Differin in October. I used it for 3 months and saw almost no difference. It was extremely discouraging. But I kept going. It is now January 19th and I have a completely clear complexion and I could not be happier with my results. I currently use Clinique foaming cleanser, my clarisonic, and Clinique dramatically different moisturizer. I cannot stress enough that you need to KEEP USING THIS PRODUCT FOR IT TO WORK! Stick with it and you will feel amazing soon! I know how hard it is to suffer from acne :( keep your head up everyone, it's not forever, and you are beautiful with or without your acne. You're not alone.
January 7, 2014
Ineffective
Pros:
Didn't make acne worse
Cons:
Ineffective
Kind of harsh on the skin
I have moderate-severe cystic acne on my cheeks, I used this product persistently for three and a half month, nothing really happened. Made my skin dry so I had to use a moisturizer, but the acne didn't go away. When I stopped using it and only used tap water instead, my acne didn't change at all, so it was a waste of money.
January 5, 2014
Did not do anything for my skin, but is very gentle
Pros:
no negative side effects (like peeling, burning, dryness)
Cons:
my acne did not improve
I have had mild to moderate acne for three years when I was prescribed Differin. After having applied it every evening for about 5 months, my acne has not disappered or decreased. But Differin also did not dry out my skin or made it burn, it basically had no effect on my skin at all.
I give it two stars because even though it was not strong enough for me, it was very gentle and my skin did not suffer from any side effects like peeling or burning. That's why I would still recommend trying it because IF it helps you, you probably won't have any problems with dryness etc. which makes it a good option to treat mild acne.
January 5, 2014
Good Product
Pros:
No more acne
Cons:
Dry Skin ( 2 first months )
Had acne since I was 12 , now im 15 , I used Differin for 8 months , no more acne , no more pimples on my face , I love it
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 15, 2013
worked wonders
Pros:
clears skin
helps with scaring
acne goes away quickly
Cons:
initial breakout
red dry skin
isn't a cure, only minimizes acne
I started this 6 months ago, along with minocycline. my initial breakout came about three weeks into the treatment and it was horrid. I had moderate acne, and it really messed with my self esteem. my skin started clearing about 3 months in and looks great. I still get 3-4 zits every month but they go away quickly and are mostly hormonal. this is my last month on minocycline but I am going to continue using adapalene for another 6 months.
December 15, 2013
Think before you use!
Pros:
Cleared up mild to moderate acne
Cons:
Makes skin incredibly dry
Skin peels a lot
I have mild to moderate acne which is mostly on my cheeks. It started at about 12 and has been getting worse (I am now 17). I have been using this product for around three weeks. I think mine is 0.3%. This product cleared up most of my acne after a week and a half, however, it has made my skin hypersensitive. It feels like a constant intense sunburn. The skin peels off lots around my mouth and eyes and it doesn't seem to make a difference how often I exfoliate. This does make it hard to put make up on during the day. Using moisturizer is incredibly painful as my skin is so dry. The dry patches are constantly bright red. I am hesitant to stop using it though, as it keeps the acne away. I am using with antibiotics.
December 12, 2013
Past experience
What I remember most about this product is I had colored pillow cases and this product bleached them, not white but lightened the fabric quite a bit. Took me awhile to figure out the cause.
November 29, 2013
Slowly but Surely
Pros:
Works!
Smooth skin
Cons:
LONG purging phase
Initially makes red marks look worse
increases light sensitivity (SPF is a must)
I really wanted to write a review because differin seems to have a bad rep. I am 21 and have had acne that has steadily been getting worse since I was 13. I decided to try differin because I was sick of treatments that worked for a few months - then acne returning worse than before. I had a LONG PURGING phase, I started in July and didn't really clear up until late October! (there were a weeks of improvement and HUGE breakouts along the way). A lot of retinoids recommend using them for SIX MONTHS before deciding whether or not they are working, so give it time. A lot of the negative reviews for differin are from people who quit around month 1 - 2 (the point where my acne was just getting worse still).. Obviously differin isn't for everyone but I really recommend sticking with it - especially if you are already at month 1 or 2 you may as well wait it out a few more months and see what happens.
Good luck to everyone!
Pros:
Keep pores unclogged
Helps prevent new blemishes
Lasts forever