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
December 10, 2009
Cons:
it really didn't work that as they claim
doctor said it would take to months for it to work... I have been using it since July or early August
This product Differin which i use at night and in the morning Aczone and also the use of some meds. I have been using Proactiv for about 2 1/2 years and went to a Dermatologist for about a year now she prescribe me this stuff. It is not bad but I felt it didn't work for me. Some of the reviews said it did work for them but not for me. Not a bad product but I really didn't like. (Also I think it was like 30.00 or 25.00 dollars with the discount card, can't really remember)
November 6, 2009
Pros:
Differn works if you constantly use it. It also makes your skin very soft:)
Cons:
The first month your very very sensitive to the sun and light such as lamps. NEVER PUT DIFFERIN ON WHEN YOU ARE SUNBUNED IT STINGS VERY BAD!
IT WORKS!!! Some spot treatments to get the acne to heal they dry your skin out and make it so it kind "peels off" but Differin just keeps minimizing the acne until theres nothing left except beautilful soft skin. I have had acne for about 2yrs and i have used Proactive, My Chelle, Clean and Clear products, Olay products..... NOTHING worked exept Differin. I have very sensitive skin and Differin did not irritate it like everything else that i tried. TRY IT!!! :D
March 20, 2008
Pros:
- The only acne product that gave me real results so far (i tried dozens of over-the-counter products).
- Doesn`t smell like most acne medications
- Not only helps to controll active acne, but also clears red spots and makes your skin tone bett
Cons:
- Takes a while to work
- Gave me a small initial breakout (which is normal)
- Dries the skin a little (but far less then Benzoyl Peroxide products do!)
I have been using this product for a couple of months now, and i want to slap myself in the face for not seeing a doctor earlier to get this product! I recently quit my 5-step AM and PM regimen because differin just makes me stop worrying about my face! This product cleared my face completely (i had moderate acne) and i am now using it on my shoulders aswell. Ask your doctor to prescribe it in combination with an topical antibiotic product like Eryacne to controll the initial breakout you will get. (The initial breakout is normal and believed to be caused by comedones that are allready there, so you would have gotten the zits anyway but differin speeds it up). It took a month or two to really see results. I think that is the reason for some people not to like this product... maybe if they sticked to it they would also have had the great results i had. In the netherlands, the product is completely covered by health insurance.
(I Used the differin 0.1 ge
October 18, 2007
Pros:
Works amazing. The one and only thing that worked for me. Clear face, skin feels nice!!
Cons:
Takes 2 months to start working
Gets a little worse before it gets better
If you stick to it, religiously, it will work for sure!! Try once a day (at night) for 1st month, then twice a day for second month, then back to once a day when your face is cleared up. I use it along with Spectro Gel and haven't had one single pimple in a year!!!
September 14, 2015
Ruined my Face
Ive always had acne, but it was never super bad. Shortly after my 21st birthday I started getting more acne than usual so I thought I should get some medication for it.
After using this for 11 weeks I can say this is the worst product I could have ever used or continued to use.
The "initial breakout" only got worse and worse and now my face is disgusting to look at. I have huge red puss filled acne all over both cheeks that does NOT improve at all. It covers every square inch of the skin on my cheeks and jaw line, in places ive NEVER had acne before. It's very painful and embarrassing. Ive never had such low self esteem or been so disgusted with my appearance.
Thanks to this gel I never go out anymore and when I see myself in the mirror I start to cry. It says takes 8-12 weeks to work, but at week 11 I see no point in torturing myself anymore in hopes it might turn around, which it has shown no signs of doing. At this point I can only hope my face recovers with minimal scarring.
If you really hate someone, recommend them this product.
October 18, 2013
This product is amazing for my adult acne
Pros:
Diminishes acne scars
Diminishes blackheads and new pimples
Works relatively fast
Cons:
Makes skin itchy and dry (find a good moisturizer)
I am 27 years old and have dealt with acne since my early teens. I remember using this product when I was 16 or 17 and not being super impressed. As I got older my acne moved from being on my face to my neck, chest, and back. I tried tons of products like retin a and finacea, to name a few, and nothing could get rid of it. My doctor prescribed differin cream .01 and I was skeptical at first having used it before. Within one week my back acne had significantly diminished and scarring was fading. I've been using it a month now and I am astonished by the results- my acne is almost completely gone! And trust me, I had terribly acne on my back. I am so happy I finally found something that works for me!
August 21, 2013
only product to work for me
Pros:
reduces size of pimple
reduced the amount of pimples
fast to work
Cons:
only took 3 weeks to work
first 3 weeks dryness and itching
Only thing to help with my acne. I tried different pills, anti biotics, proactive and other anti acne topical lotions etc. I didn't want to put bad things like roaccutane/proactive into my body. this worked well. reduced redness/size/amount of pimples. got rid of scarring. now ive got a couple every now and again
December 12, 2012
Pros:
Clears moderate to severe acne
Prevents future acne
Promotes collagen
Fills in shallow scars/wrinkles (Long period of time before noticable results)
Improves Hyper Pigmentation over time
Cons:
Initial breakout is horrifying. Worst acne nightmares come true. (If you have severe acne)
Skin sensitivity
May cause mild peeling during the first several weeks.
PATIENCE is key with this product. The initial break out doesn't just come and go. It is a continuous process of clearing out all the impurites from under your skin. The prescription states it may take from 8-12 weeks. If you have moderately severe acne, I recommend using Differin with an oral antibotic such as Solodyn. May help clear up the initial breakout a bit quicker, and may help lessen the severity of the breakout. It's been about a year for me using this product, and it's been a LONG ride. But, I am glad to say that the Differin Gel has greatly helped clear up the acne I had. (Cystic, Vulgaris, Postules) I rarely use the antibotic, but continue to use Differin nightly. My face has cleared up dramatically, other than the scars left behind. =(
July 28, 2011
Pros:
Improves acne scarring
Improves quality of the skin's texture
Improves blackheads
Cons:
Flaking
Very good product, I love it!!! I did not experience IB, this is my regime: Morning: Cetaphil cleanser with a SOFT washcloth (gets rid of flakies) Neutrogena Stress Control 3-in-1 Hydrating BH gel Oxy Clinical 5% BP Neutrogena Tone Correcting Moisturizer with SPF 30 Then my makeup. Night: Cetaphil cleanser with a soft washcloth Differin gel Neutrogena Stress Control 3-in-1 Hydrating BH gel Oxy Clinical 5% BP I firmly believe that this regime prevented the IB and it cleared my skin. I get flakes in the morning and by about 6pm. Gently using a soft washcloth for a little manual exfoliation helps immensely.
April 12, 2011
Pros:
Easy to put on, was easy on my skin, no side effects.
Cons:
Didn't improve acne at all.
I went on this for about 5 months and while on it my acne actually managed to get worse.
Pros:
worth the price if you have the coverage
acne cleared up a little bit
kinda smooth my acne into my skin