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:
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December 28, 2008
Cons:
It takes a very long time to work. Depending on your skin's condition, it can take 6 weeks-3 months!
I went to my derm in September for moderate acne. I mostly had tiny under the skin bumps crowding my jawline, but I did get the occasional painful scarring cyst. I also had EXCESSIVELY OILY skin. No exaggeration.
So I was prescribed Differin 0.1% Cream that September.
...That went TERRIBLY, I thought about quitting that treatment but I stuck through it. EVERYTHING got worse. Acne all over. Especially cysts.
Then my derm switched me to the gel. Everything still continued getting worse for about a month even with the gel, and then everything began getting progressively better.
Now it's December and I'm proud to say I am ACNE FREE!
Though my oil is still kind of bad, I am clear.
To actually control my oil, I use a product called OCeight to cover excess oil and that works VERY VERY well. Differin WILL work for you. Just STICK WITH IT. Be strong :)
December 26, 2008
Pros:
I used Differin 0.3% Gel for about 12 weeks now and IT CLEARS YOU UP! I had moderate acne with a million blackheads and it got rid of almost all of my pimples and some blackheads. It works
Cons:
Extremely drying at first, gets your skin sensative, is better at preventing acne then treating existing acne.
I would really recommend this product.
December 3, 2008
Pros:
Prevent acnes forming, reduce inflmation, smooth out skin texture, so gentle which does not irritate the most delicated area
Cons:
Tend to lose its efficiency in preventing and fighting acnes after 18 to 24 months of continuous use.
If your goal is (like mine) to prevent acnes from forming, you should give this great product a try. This is my most favorite acne topical medication because I have had 99.99% complete clear skin after 10 days of using it. One of the reason I can keep using it is because it does not dry my skin in any measurement. (BTW, I am 39 and I will not trade acnes with wrinkles.)
I use Ziana everyday before I go to sleep. My skin care routines are:
1. Remove make up with FANCL or DHC cleansing oil
2. Wash with foaming cleanser
3. Apply pea size of Ziana gel all over the entire face and neck line, except eye area and lips
4. Apply moisturizer after the gel is completely absorbed, if needed.
After almost two years of using Ziana, I started to develop drug resistance for Clindamycin. I now use 15 to 20 minutes of blue light before I apply Ziana gel. It has improved to a satisfying level.
December 1, 2008
Pros:
absorbs quickly
Cons:
none that i can think of
ive been using differin along with duac for a little over 2 months now and ive seen a lot of improvement. i was also taking an oral antibiotic with the topicals until about a week ago. i still have a prescription left but im doing good, if not better, without it. At the moment i am completely clear but i didnt experience zero breakouts until i hit month 2. Right now i use differin every night and duac every other morning because using them both everyday is too drying for me. I never experienced the "purging", it was all just slow but consistent clearing. I would definitly recommend this, you just need to be patient and consistent in application. I used to use DKR for over a year and never got completely clear, but this cleared me
November 27, 2008
Pros:
I have seen improvement in one month of use.
Cons:
It takes a little while to work.
I dont know if it's because i am using Benzoyl Peroxide and ingesting a pill along with Differin, but whatever it is, it works. So there.
November 19, 2008
Pros:
Read the bottom line
Cons:
None, really
This is the real deal. The doctor told me it would take up to 6 months to clear everything, and sure enough, it did. I still have the occasional break out, but Differin keeps it under control. The only problem is, I use a little too much of it. They say that can be bad for your skin and that it'll make it worse, but I haven't had any problems. I use it on my forehead, chin, sides of my nose every night before I go to bed, because that's where i notice breakouts the most. It is definitely worth a try, especially for those who haven't had luck with store products.
November 19, 2008
Pros:
I've been using the .1% formulation for about a monthy and my skin has really improved. I have almost no acne (they still pop up occasionall) and my face just looks rejuvinated in general. Only minimal irritation and sensivitity.
Cons:
For me, the cons were minimual. You must use sunscreen during the day (I use L'oreal with mexoryl, which has broadcast uv protection) and not on top of other products (especially other acne products!).
Magic in a tube...use it with patience but it worked great for me! Print out the $25 rebate for the first prescription.
November 13, 2008
Pros:
Results seen after 2 applications, clear in 2 weeks. Got rid of all cystic pimples and now if I get a pimple it comes to a head really fast with no scarring. Worked wonders for blackheads on my nose too!
Cons:
Kinda expensive but if you think about it clear skin is worth any cost!
Use with 5% benzoyl peroxide on top of differin application. I use the cream, the gel apparently will dry you out like crazy. AMAZING RESULTS AND I GOT NO INITIAL BREAKOUT PERIOD!
November 8, 2008
Pros:
Worked very well for about a year..... Then stopped working all together.
Cons:
stopped working after a year
Very good but stops working after about a year. Which is very disappointing.
November 5, 2008
Pros:
Worked VERY well - continued use is definitely minimizing scarring
Cons:
very expensive
After trying everything from strong benzoyl peroxide washes/creams and salicylic acid washes and creams, Differin made the difference for my son. He had moderate to severe cystic acne on his face with significant 'crusting'. His skin felt like really rough sandpaper. He used the .01% gel for a while and saw moderate results, so the doctor increased him to the .03% gel and what a difference! Not only are his breakouts gone, the reddish purple scarring is starting to decrease after just 3 months. The doctor tells us that continued to use will help to decrease the icepick scarring and the purplish cast to his skin but it will take at least 6 months to a year to see drastic results. I'm willing to stick with it - his skin has become very soft and smooth as a result of this medication. Stop wasting money on the TV ad products and invest in great dermatological care. The tube of differin gel lasts about 6 months.
Pros:
It clears up your acne of course!