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
May 29, 2011
Cons:
After my skin cleared up - IT GOT WORSE THAN EVER BEFORE!
I started using Differin Gel after telling my doctor - at 42, I am still breaking out! She prescribed Differin Gel.
I started to use it at the beginning of Jan 2011. My first week was wonderful. I noticed immediate results! Skin wasn't as oily, and my problem areas seem to shrink and started to flake away. Then I got into the 3rd week with this product. I started to break out horribly! Worse than when I was a teenager. The product started to burn my skin, make it red and start to peel, as well as bring every other zit I would have IN A YEAR to the surface at the same time. It was BAD! At one point I counted 28-30 zits that were truly visible. Huge blind zits, massive oil pockets. I didn't want to leave the house, I didn't want to make eye contact with people at work because I thought they were all looking at me thinking - what the hell happened to her skin!?? I googled the side effects so I knew about the "initial breakout".., I just never thought it would be that bad!
Every website says when it does start working, you'll have the best skin ever...so I kept using it everyday thinking the next day would get better....it didn't. I used the product up until May 9th, so over 17 weeks.
When I went off it I started to use Benzamycin Gel to try to clear up the problem spots, which at this point was my whole face!
The moment I stopped using it I noticed an improvement. My face stopped peeling and breaking out for no reason...now it's May 20th and I have 3 small remaining issues that can easily be covered with makeup. I could actually go to the store without makeup (not that I would want to) but I would be able to hold my head up high and not be embarrassed!
I am not sure why this didn't work for me...others have had success. I just want to let you know that the initial breakout is HORRIBLE! so be ready. If you have success with this product, congrats. If you try it and by month 4 your still breaking out like crazy, GET OFF IT! and
January 3, 2011
Pros:
Price (with co pay)
Small amount used for entire face
Cons:
Turns old scars bright red
I've been using adapalene for a good month now and I am not completely satisfied with the results but i read how everyone says it takes a long time so I'm still hopeful. One thing I HATE about this cream is it turned my old scars a bright red, they look awful because they are so prominent now.
May 30, 2010
Pros:
- Quite gentle on my skin which can be quite sensitive.
- Cleared up some red marks faster than usual
- Smoother skin
Cons:
- Inital breakout was pretty bad
- Didn't control my hormonal acne within 3 months of constant use
- Didn't do anything for blackheads
- My skin seemed to get super oily
I used a pea-sized amount every night for 3 months. It was gentle and I experienced very little dryness or irritation. I had periodic breakouts throughout using this which is probably because I have hormonal acne - mostly on neck and jawline, but during the times when it was clear my skin looked much better than usual! Red marks were reduced quickly and breakouts cleared up faster than usual but at the end of the day I wasn't clear and it just wasn't strong enough for my persistent acne so my derm advised me to try something else. I also experienced really oily skin which after a week of being off this medication seems to have reduced dramatically already. My blackheads did not clear up on my cheeks either. I think some types of acne could really benefit from this product, so i'd recommend people to give it a go for a good 3 months...I'm just sorry it didn't work for my kind of acne.
May 4, 2010
Pros:
it's the only thing that's worked for me
Cons:
takes a long time to start working, you have to be patient
I've had mild acne for 3 years, and this is the only thing that's worked for me! I started using it last summer, and it competely cleared my chest in about two weeks, and my face in about 3 months, my back is a lot better but still not completely clear, although i dont know if i was applying it right, the hardest thing for me was finding a regimen that worked with it, right now I use neutrogena deep clean gentle scrub in the morning and moisturizer, and then at night clinique mild facial soap and then differin, and this works the best for me! if i go a few days without the scrub, i notice my skin gets flaky and i break out a with a few tiny zits, but overall this WORKS, it is a great product and i highly recommend it! :)
May 3, 2010
Pros:
- none
Cons:
- developed severe acne on whole face, compared to before differin when I only had acne on my chin
-Went to the dermatologist with moderate acne, developed severe acne thanks to differin
December 10, 2009
Pros:
Reduces acne, oil production, and swelling from acne. Also smoothes skin and improves the complexion.
Cons:
Takes months to see results. Using too much product can flake and dry out the skin.
If you are patient and use a small amount of product regularly, you'll get great results. If you're like me, you'll need to adjust how much you use depending on the season (in warmer seasons, I need a little more and in colder seasons, less). I've be using this for years. When I stopped using it for a while, my skin didn't immediately worsen, but after a few months it gradually got worse (more pimples and I lost that "lit-from-within" look from a good complexion). As soon as I saw this, I got back on it and, after a few months, my skin improved. This is definitely something I'll use for the long term.
November 24, 2009
Pros:
I LOVE IT! differin is the only product that has ever worked for my acne and now my face is absolutely clear and acne free.
Cons:
takes a little while to see results like about 2 months
<3
September 16, 2009
Pros:
Works, makes skin soft
Cons:
peeling, dry skin. Use Differin gel coz differin cream gives lot of acne.
32yrs, female(sufferin from PCOD) Differin gel works, initially I had a lot of skin peeling, reddness in sensitive areas(avoid applying on them). I have used it for 2 weeks no acne yet. I also apply clindac A in the morining which also helps a lot. I had severe acne till 2 months ago due to PCOD but now I am left with a lot of scars hopefully it will fade with time.
June 13, 2009
Pros:
Fights acne while simultaneously unclogging pores on unaffected skin. Fades hyperpigmentation/scars that come from acne imflammation. Itis a retinoid, so it helps diminish fine lines and wrinkles. Comes in different strengths. What's not to love?
Cons:
Cost is really the only con. I have crappy insurance that they give to grad students only to make sure we don't die, and it still covers most of the cost; yours should, too. On the up side, 1 tube lasts a really long time (4+ months).
At least try it. That's my bottom line. This product does a number of good things for your skin (see above). If you have darker skin (like me) this is worth a try because it combats post-imflammatory hyperpigmentation (which can be a nightmare). Yes, it can dry your skin if you over use it or use the wrong strength (it comes in 0.1% and 0.3% --I use 0.3), but everything else worth using may dry your skin, too. Deal with it and buy a moisturizer (I recommend Bellaplex, BTW). You can either use Differin all over your face, or you can use it just on acne-prone areas, or just as a spot treatment. Do what works best. Drying of the skin can be a good thing if you keep it in check and iif you are trying to get rid of scars or hyperpigmentation. Think of it as hyper-exfoliation... heh. Anyway, I love this $hit.
May 13, 2009
Pros:
>> Cleared up my Acne completely.
>> New pimples (I have had 1 in the last 2 months) are hardly visible, flesh coloured, painless and disappear in one day.
Cons:
>> The effects are VERY slow
>> Can make your skin a little pink and sensative for the first month
>> Did nothing about my blackheads
People need to give Differin more of a chance before they give up:
>> I DID NOT see effects within 2 weeks
>> I saw mild changes after 3 months.
>> I saw significant changes after 6-8 months
>> I had no Acne after 10-12 months Differin takes a long time to take effect, but it's worth it. It cleares your acne and gives your skin time to repair and even out. BOTTOM LINE - PERSIST!
Pros:
First week was amazing...no oil and acne started to disappear.