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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4
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3
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1
11.3%

Used Adapalene (Non-prescription)? Rate It:

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October 15, 2012

Pros:

Clears acne
Prevents future acne
Clears PIH

Cons:

Takes time to work
Can cause peeling initially
Can only be used at night
May be expensive (varies from country to country)

Differin has been a savior for my skin! I went to the dermatologist with really inflamed and angry acne and he prescribed this along with a course of doxycycline which I have since stopped using. There was an initial breakout at around week 2 but it was nothing major and cleared up pretty quick :) I began to notice clearer and less angry looking skin about 1.5 months in. After 3 months, my skin cleared up :) Since stopping the doxycycline, I have been using Differin to maintain my skin and no major breakouts just a few teeny weeny pimples here and there :) Differin also faded my PIH amazingly well and after about 6 months of usage my skin was a uniform colour FOR THE FIRST TIME. I know Differin is insanely expensive in the US so I would recommend you obtain generic adapalene if you can to save some moolah :)
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September 5, 2012

Pros:

Cheap

Cons:

No major results

Pretty ineffective. If you have cycstic acne or puss nodules this product will not work a stronger cream or preferably oral medication is necessary. However that said it can be useful in helping to clear some acne. But the bottom line is that I wouldn't recommend it! Benzyol peroxide is better.
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September 5, 2012

Pros:

it got my hyperpigmentation and red spots a bit lighter within a week.. no other pros so far

Cons:

initial breakout... i was 80% clear besides the red spots and now its almost as bad as when i had inflammed acne...

... i always use benzoyl perozide creame which always worked for me.. but i got inflammed acne a month ago and it left hyperpigmentation ..i start school in another week and i was clear before summer.. only now i broke out.. so im gonna use benzoyl peroxide in mornin and differin at night to see if it helps...i will leave another review after a few weeks of use
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August 30, 2012

Pros:

Makes my oily face not SOOO oily .. But it still is on my nose .
Works on mild acne and popped acne

Cons:

Skin turns into a Sensitive skin!
flaky skin .

Used it for 1 month now. I used to get like one spot at a time b4 but i recently just started getting a lot acne,m 18. It works for mr since my acne is probably considered mild since it's mostly around my cheeks and a lot of whiteheadson my forhead . It worked on my bumpy acne only cheeks but for my small white heads, idk ... I take lymecycline with the gel so im thinking my whitehead decreased Caz ov the pill and not the cream . Sadly I still get some ocational acne and have acne pigmentations on my face .. But I feel like it's ok Caz the cream helped me to get rid ov the bumpy pussfilled acne on my cheeks it only take 2 over nights to dry up my my new fresh pimples :D Will recommend for teens with mild acne ! Tho it works , i got it off a pharmacy so it was cheaper then asking a doc for it . :)
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August 6, 2012

Pros:

Got rid of acne
Improved overall skin tone
Made skin glow

Cons:

Initial breakout
Took 5 weeks to clear skin
Initially made skin very greasy

This product is amazing. Although it caused an initial breakout, it was clear that it was simply bringing all the crap under my skin to the surface. 6 weeks on I have clear skin, and really even skin tone. I was at my wits end.. topical antibiotics and dalicin t didn't work for me at all. I had a stubborn patch of spots on my cheek that kept spreading. I also had spots under the skin on my chin. I combined differin cream with neutrogena on the spot in the day, which i left on stubborn spots all day. I'm really happy with the results. My advise would be to stick with this product.. it takes time, but it does work!
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July 29, 2012

Pros:

Cleared Skin
Clearing Acne Marks/Scars

Cons:

First Four Weeks:
-Horrible Initial Breakout
-Dried Skin
-Made Skin Peely
Takes time and patience
Expensive

The first time I used Differin was about a year ago, and I didn't have any side effects. I stopped using it for about a year... until my face broke out like hell in May of this year. It was horrible. I went to my dermatologist, and he prescribed me Differin again with an antibiotic. He also recommended me Cetaphil's Oil Control Foaming Face Wash. The first three weeks were terrible. My face was WORSE. However, I decided to stick with it because it was summer; I didn't have to go out much. After four weeks of hell, my face started to clear up :) I was using a moisturizing cream after I applied the Differin. However, I realized that maybe it wasn't a good idea. Instead, now I wash my face with Oatmeal every night before I apply the Differin. I thought that this was a better idea so that the Differin can work more effectively and the Oatmeal can make my skin soft, which they both did! My antibiotic ran out two weeks ago, and my face is still clear! I still have the acne marks/scars, but I can tell that the Differin is helping them fade away. This product is expensive, but my dermatologist gave me a coupon, so I didn't have to pay anything. Again, I consistently use the Differin every night along with the Oatmeal wash (to moisturize) before applying the gel. I also wash my face with Cetaphil Oil Control Face Wash twice a day. The face wash is great also! It really cleans out my skin, cleaning off my make-up and dirt. In addition, about once a week I exfoliate with St. Ives Apricot Scrub. I gave this 4/5 stars because of the time and the initial break out. I have never been happier with my skin!
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July 24, 2012

Pros:

Cleared my skin

Cons:

Initial breakout
Expensive
Terribly drying to skin
Makes skin a little shiny
Takes about 2 months before u she results

This product worked/is working for me. I am an African-American female late twenties who suffers from moderate acne on my forehead, cheeks and nose, mostly blackheads and a pimple or two around my period. I have been using DIFFERIN .3% for about 3 months now and the change in my skin has been wonderful! 85% of acne has cleared and the hyper pigmentation from old acne is dissipating... Slowly. Recommendation: BUFFER THIS MEDICATION. (30% moisturizer 70% Differin and only a pea size amount total) I made the mistake of applying differin to my bare skin after cleansing and experienced horrible dryness and sensitivity on my eyelids and corners of my nose. Then I read other posts and begin mixing the differin w olay sensitive skin moisturizer and applying it after cleansing at night and my skin did not have that same reaction to the differin. Dryness and sensitivity went away but my skin broke out like crazy within the first month!!! So I started to apply clindamycin 1% gel in the morning underneath a moisturizer and that helped w that. I can now apply differin without buffering to my skin because it has gotten used to it. overall, differin works but u have to figure out the routine that works best for you skin.
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July 22, 2012

Pros:

Odorless, fast acting, not drying, effective

Cons:

You have to ease yourself into this product, applying too much too frequently can break you out

I am using the .1% prescription, which has worked wonderfully to clear up my acne on my face, chest, and back. The key to success with this product is STARTING SLOW. My dermatologist told me to begin by applying a small amount every other day for the first two weeks, and gradually increase my application as time went on. I followed her advice, and I only experienced a minor breakout when I first starting using Differin--a painful (but singular) nodule on my cheek. It's been about 6 weeks since I started, and my skin has been responding wonderfully! My hyperpigmentation is fading fast, and I haven't had a new set of pimples in about 3 weeks. In addition to differin, I am applying Duac (5%) to my face, chest, and back as well once a day. I alternate between the two of them every other day.
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July 22, 2012

Pros:

None

Cons:

Didn't work

I used this for about 3 years along with doxy. I'm not sure why I used it for 3 years maybe because I went from dermatologist to dermatologist they all saw me for months and kept me on this even though my skin stayed the same! Idiots! When I used this most of my acne was on my forehead. I used doxy 1st and then my derm that I was seeing at the time prescribed me this and it did nothing. Waste of time. Didnt make things worse or better just made my skin sensitive to cold weather.
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July 15, 2012

Pros:

Dries out spots.
Clears overnight after the initial breakout.
Works well alongside tablets.

Cons:

Flaky skin 4 months in.
Initial breakout was awful.
Still get the odd pimple.

I was prescribed this with lymecycline and they've actually worked quite well. I've been on them for 4 months now and I'm actually really happy with the result. I still get horrendous pimples around my mouth, but they clear up with duac almost overnight (so ask for that). My forehead is clear for the first time since I was 11. I'm 18 now and its so nice that my cheeks are clear. I still have a lot of spots on my neck which really hurt, but overall, the product works really well if you just bare with it. I've been told that 6 months is around the time when I'll get perfect angelic skin, so fingers crossed.
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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