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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Chloe S.3

October 30, 2008

Pros:

Reduces the amount of oil produced by the skin. More effective when used in combination with other acne treatments such as Benzoyl Peroxide and Antibiotics.

Cons:

Acne will get worse during initial 2 weeks of treatment. Not exactly an overnight spot treatment for sudden breakouts. Probably does not work for nodular or cystic acne.

Before I begin I am using a variety of products to treat my acne. I wash my face in the morning with Cetaphil, put on a thin layer of Duac for the day, wash my face at night with a 4% Benzoyl Wash, and finally put on a thin layer of 0.3% Differin at night; all this in addition to taking Doxycycline. However I think the biggest contributor to getting my acne under control and finally getting clear is Differin Gel. Basically this works like Accutane but from the outside, so there are none of the side effects associated with Accutane.In combination with other acne treatments it is a powerful force. Just a note your skin will break out in the beginning because this medication brings up all the formed acne hiding under your skin. These blemishes were already formed they just haven't surfaced yet. Differin brings these blemishes up to your skin at a faster rate than before so it seems like you suddenly broke out. Keep using it and you will notice a difference.

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Alexia

October 28, 2008

Pros:

Overtime-clears major breakouts, (and in my case)-cystic acne.

Cons:

Oily skin, small cysts, and a significantly bad initial breakout.

First off, I did not have sever acne, I had mild. I don't believe that Differin is made for those with overly oily skin, it tends to make it more oily in the first month of use. Also in the first month of use, most experience and initial breakout because of how Differin works, if you have an IB, that means the medication is working. I experienced a bad IB. I developed a couple cysts every week, and also had terrible comodones underneath my skin around my jawline. I'm now in my 3rd month of use, and the results are finally showing. I only have 1 to 2 small, active zits on my face every week that only last about a half day, and then they become less noticable. The medication is supposed to continue working, and if it does I should be completely clear very soon :) Oh, and my oil production finally stopped being so severe! Hope this med. works for you!

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purequeen91

October 28, 2008

Pros:

In conjunction with other products it has worked well to clear up minor acne problems.

Cons:

Took a lon time to figure out the best routine, and how much to use

I'm trained as a beauty therapist and have tried many different 'over the counter' creams in the last 5 years, and didn't want to use accutane as I know the side effects are dangerous. I only use Differin 2 or 3 times a week while still using an exfoliant and mask. I've found that when I over used the product I would break out even more than before.

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Nate

October 27, 2008

Pros:

It works, and my skin looks better than ever.

Cons:

Skin became worse than ever for two weeks, caused a really bad rash around my chin.

This stuff made my skin worse than ever, plus gave my face a bad rash. After I asked my doctor what was up, he said you really need to use sunscreen during the day, even if you apply this stuff at night and wash it off next morning. After all this (about three and half weeks) my skin literally vanished of acne, it's been a month since, and I've been applying it every night and my skin looks VERY healthy. P.S. I used Cetaphil for all skin types in the morning and evening and applied the Differen once a day at night and have continued the same routine.

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October 27, 2008

Pros:

Only apply once a day at night. Is working

Cons:

Does make skin dry, but use a good moisturiser in the morning

I posted a few weeks ago when I had used this product for a week, and it is now 4 weeks. Differin definatley pulls all of your spots out! I had lots of tiny blocked pores under my skin, and this cream pulls them out- turned some of them into blackheads, and others into whiteheads, but after a pretty bad 4 weeks of looking worse than I did before, nearly all of the spots under my skin have come out and it is starting to look better. I am going to the derm tomorrow and will ask for a course of accutane as I have 2 courses in the past and it works great, but if he recommends sticking with differin for a few more months, then I will do as I am fairly pleased with this product.

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Chloe Foster

October 20, 2008

Pros:

the first 2 weeks i saw my acne get a little better but after that most of it went within the next 4 weeks. got it free from a prescription

Cons:

redness increases in the first week. some scars visible.

use it with another acne treatment product and it works great. use it by itself and it works ok but not that good.

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elaine

October 12, 2008

Pros:

Awesome! works well, eventually made my skin feel smooth and healthy looking! :)

Cons:

for the first 2 weeks my skin was red, dry and peeling.

I've had bad acne for about 9 years now. I finally went to see a derm. He recommended Defferin XP at night and benzoyl peroxide in the mornings. Ive only been using it for a month and noticing improvements. at first it really dried out my skin, but i stuck it out. Im really pleased with how its working! i cant wait to see my skin a few month from now! And for those you who tried Defferin for a short time, i say stick out; the redness, and dry skin, in most cases, are temporary. you will soon notice improvements

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Erica

October 11, 2008

Pros:

Cleared up my acne in about 8 weeks. No breakouts since. (while used with Doxycycline)

Cons:

Little bit of dryness.

Acne doesn get worse before it gets better, but if you use it consistenly and exactly how your doctor tells you, it should work. I started with 0.1% cream and have moved to 0.1% gel. My skin has gotten a little bit more dry, but I no longer have to take it with pills anymore.

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Andrea

October 11, 2008

Pros:

This stuff is wow... Clears up your face in no time!!! It really gets to work once you start putting it on. You can really notice a difference very fast.

Cons:

I am noticing dryness around the nose area and around my lips but other than that there is nothing else bad about it! Just use a moisturizer and your good to Go!

I am twenty one and I never had acne this bad boy even in high school. I had so many blackheads and those deep pimples that really hurt along with a lot of swelling and red bumps on my cheeks. It looked gross and everyone began noticing and commenting and I hated covering it with makeup cause it looked like I was trying so hard...finally went to a derm and this was the best thint ever. I tried so many medicines but nothing helped!!! It has been a week and I can tell the difference and so can a lot of other people! I can finally not wear any makeup and look NORMAL!! The first few days you will notice the ache getting worse but its because its literally getting all of it out!! Then poof its gone! Little by little the bumps are smoothing out and I love the results so far! I will continue using this product I recommend this to anyone! And I have sensitive skin so this is great nothing to severe on my skin! Just keep in mind people have different skin types so this may not work ohn you buy

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October 7, 2008

Pros:

Seems to be working so far- but its only been 1 week. Easy to apply and no harsh smell.

Cons:

None yet, except a little dryness but nothing a good moisturiser cant handle!

I have only been using for a week, and have mild acne on my cheeks. Comedones under the skin which just appear as tiny bumps. So far it seems to have drawn out the biggest ones but the differin dries them up really quickly. It seems to be drying and shrinking up the smaller comedones. I have have 2 courses of accutane (oral) in the past which has been the best treatment by far but my GP wanted me to try differin first this time. Skin has dried a little but I use a good moisturiser in the am and a night cream at night once the differin cream has all soaked in. So far I am pleased that I havent had a massive break out, and I can already see that the surface of my skin is smoother. I will post again in a few weeks.

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