Adapalene (Non-prescription)
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Adapalene is a vitamin A derivative called a topical retinoid. It helps clear acne by promoting skin cell turnover and reducing inflammation in...

Adapalene is a vitamin A derivative called a topical retinoid. It helps clear acne by promoting skin cell turnover and reducing inflammation in the skin.

Non-prescription adapalene is available only in 0.1% strength.

Adapalene is topically applied usually once a day before going to bed to all acne-affected areas of the skin, and not just on individual pimples themselves.

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3.3
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17.9%
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2
16.4%
1
11.3%

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August 3, 2007

Pros:

Differin helps to dry out the pimple, but fr me not the oilyness!

Cons:

like anything, you have to be prepared to stick with it.

everyone's skin is different and reacts in its own way with any treatment. if you've tried other topical lotions and haven't had much success then give differin a go, you might find that its the one for you!
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July 10, 2007

Pros:

It did make my skin appear to be smoother in the first week.

Cons:

I had BIG pimples that were forming everyday after the first 2 weeks. I went from having mild acne to moderate acne when I used this.I never gave it the chance to make things better. The breakouts I was getting from this made me decide to discontinue

I would try using a gentle water soluble cleanser and a bha 2% or 1% product with a benzoyl peroxide treatment first. If that doesnt help clear up your acne then try a topical medication. If differin is too irritating for you than dont ever try tazorac.
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July 8, 2007

Pros:

It might be slowly working??
I dont know yet

Cons:

Big break outs
a million colorless bumps on my forehead, my cheeks and jaw look worse than ever

I hope this is only the initial breakout becuase I dont want anyone to see me. It's super embarassing
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July 5, 2007

Pros:

+none

Cons:

+makes skin worse which is expected,but dosent "balance out"..a.k.a clear up

I hate using this. I even crying as im applying it because I know it's just gonna make more pimples pop up the next day. My derm. wants me on it because I'm so young (14 years),but i seriously hate Differin
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June 26, 2007

Pros:

If you can spot a breakout before it is full blown this baby will stop it from breaking out

Cons:

It turned all my actives into a pretruding scar like thing on my face!!!!! EWWW

horrible, don't use it
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June 18, 2007

Pros:

I had no luck with the gel.

Cons:

Burnt my skin and made it look worse then it did before.

I don't like it at all. I actually break out on my chest and shoulders. It made my skin look worse then it already did. It burnt my skin so bad that it was red for a week. I used it in the past and it didn't help then either. I used it for a couple weeks and my skin stayed broke out.
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June 18, 2007

Cons:

After 8 weeks i still don't know if it is working, altough i now it is supposed to get worse before it gets better. I had rash and peeling around my mouth and eyes.

I've always had some pimples here or there but nothing much severe apart from my 15 or 16 years old. In fact my skin was quite clear besides some red scars but i've allways solved the problem with foundation. I'm 23 now and since 22 i'm been having moderate acne, turning into almost severe. I went to a dermatologist and i'm on Differin as well as antibiotics (actidox) and Borèade cosmetic (washing cream, smoother cream and exfoliating cream with glycolic acid). I'm on my 8th weak by now and my face has never been this bad. I have pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, cystic acne and a nodule or too. They scare very easily and sometimes turn purple and pop again after some weaks. Most of them are truly painful. I have them all over my face now, i've never had problems on my cheeks and rarely had them on my forehead but now they're growing huge and painful. I'm used to be confortable about myself but my self-steem has never been so low. It is affecting me and even affecting my relationsh
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May 29, 2007

Pros:

easy to use. cheap-ish. doesn't ruin your clothes.

Cons:

it has made the problem worse...still waiting for when it all gets better.

I am 31 and starting to get wrinkles but the acne has come back in force which is a cruel irony. I had used the contraceptives Brenda and Diana in my 20s which were fantastic but affected my libido so badly, it almost cost me my marriage. I promised not to go there again so my doctor prescribed differin which has made the problem so bad, I am almost embarrassed to go out. I am waiting for it to 'get better' as it is meant to take 8 weeks or so to show an improvement. But I am tempted to go the hard stuff and get a course of roaccuatane which I used in my teens and was fantastic.
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May 26, 2007

Pros:

NONE

Cons:

Dry, Itchy, Pimples and made Acne worse

I have only ever had the occasional spot and when I turned 32 I got three on my chin. Admittedly I pricked then and used a scrub wich made it worse (big mistake). I was given a steroid cream coz my dermo thought I had ezcema but turned out it was acne. By using Differin it gave me more pimples!
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May 15, 2007

Pros:

Cheap

Cons:

Drying, Redness, More pimples and peeling

I have used this product for four weeks and all it has done is create more pimples. I have never had acne and at the age of 32 I had 3 spots on my chin caused by a steriod cream to clear another condition. This product has made it worse and made me depressed - Any advice help much appreciated
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Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.
Find a Doctor Using The American Acacemy of Dermatology Website

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.
Find a Doctor Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website