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
November 26, 2015
this doesn't work for me
I used this for 3 months and I didn't saw any progress.
April 21, 2015
Huge let down
I have been on Differin .03% for four months and 2 days and today I am experiencing one of the worst breakouts to date. I had seen improvement but nothing consistent. Looking at my face today, one would never guess I was taking care of my skin. My entire right side mouth/jaw/chin area has several inflamed pus filled acne that is hard to the touch. It looks disgusting. I choose not to wear makeup so everything is out there for the world to see. I usually go through a breakout and then a clear up cycle but I can't foresee this getting any better. The pros I suppose is that Differin is the gentlest retinoid of the lot and will last you forever. I recommend people give it 3-6 months before throwing in the towel just so that they can mark it off their list if it doesn't work. I am going to stick it out until the 6 month mark and will update if my review changes. Hopefully this will not discourage anyone from trying this as different people react differently to different retinoids.
August 5, 2015
Did your doctor prescribe other medication to go with this? Mine gave me doxy for 2 months and then we began a regiment with Differin and Benzaclin (to kill the bacteria quickly).
August 24, 2014
Good product, but you have to be patient
Differin or adapaleno is a good product, but You have to be patient, and persistent if you wanna see change. Don't give up and continue using this product if you are in the 3rd month, because is when this product begins to work. I have 8 month using adapaleno and clindamicin and mi face is much better, My acne was moderate, and now I just have a few blackheads. I'm so happy now :D, and remember you are beatifull in your way. Ah! Sorry for my english, I just speak a little bit.
December 30, 2016
Did you use 0.1 %?
July 31, 2014
don't give up!!!!
Okay so I am 22 and have been suffering from acne since about the age of 16 and it's just the worst thing ever. Personally, I think the important thing about healing your skin is to stick with a routine. If you go to a dermatologist LISTEN TO THEM and don't give up if it doesn't work right away. So I would say I have moderate/mild acne. I went on birth control so I no longer have the ugly cysts, but I kept having just whiteheads and blackheads and I just never understood why. I went to the dermatologist after just being so ashamed to look at myself with or without makeup because let's face even if you're wearing makeup you will always see those imperfections :'( but she put me on antibiotics and differin. I was on a different type of antibiotics last year and I still got little whiteheads and blackheads all up on my face so I REALLY think it was the different that has cleared my face. I'm not saying I have 0 blemishes but my face feels like a legit babies bottom and my pores are smaller and I have gotten like TINY little zits and mostly around my period. I have only been on it for a month so I will update if anything changes but I seriously recommend this to anyone who is suffering comedonal acne! Use a really gentle cleanser- then lotion and differin and your face will feel soft and look so much better :D Also remove makeup before bed like duh that clogs your pores. I have never wrote a review before I just was really impressed with my results and really want people to not give up hope- be persistent with dermatologists! I have been suffering for about 6 years and the biggest mistake I think I made was giving up on products to easy and not listening to my dermatologist. And check every product with dermatologists- things like shampoos, face lotions, foundations, and sunscreen can seriously clog the pores- even if they say "non comodogenic"
July 20, 2014
So glad I stuck with it.
PATIENCE is key for when using differin. I was prescribed differin (0.1%) alongside benzoyl peroxide (2.5%). The first TWO months there was NO change at all, just the usual "purging" and breakout at the beginning. It wasn't until this past week when my skin DRASTICALLY changed. I no longer have closed comedones (which i have had for years!!!) I can't believe it, my skin has never been this clear and ... smooth! I used to be able to "feel" my blackheads and pores on my nose and forehead - not anymore. I don't even have blackheads anymore. What sort of sorcery is this?!?!? Its weird, I don't even recognize my own skin, haven't worn foundation in 2 weeks! Please don't give up, at least give differin a 3 month trial. It doesn't work as fast as benzoyl, but the final effect is huge! I also want to note that I didn't experience a drying /irritation effect that many seem to have. I actually found benzoyl to be more drying, but I guess everyone is different. I use a cream based one, not clear gel. My doctor told me to use it at night on my forhead, nose and chin. I also had an extraction on the 2nd month mark just to get rid of the pesky deep closed comedones.
June 27, 2014
Does its job
I have already used Differin two years ago but stopped after one month of using, my skin was doing very well and I experienced no breakouts for a long long long time. at my sophomore year my skin got bad and nothing changed it, so for one year I have used over the counter products and even though there was a certain clearing up it was short term
my dermatologist put me on this and It's been two days since I'm using this and I can see a large change even though I have experienced some breakouts, it did dry out a lot of my pimples and got rid of some of my scars, in my case the breakouts cause by differin weren't long lasting or inflamed just little redheads I might experience more purging however... I wanna warn you guys DO NEVER NEVER WAX ANY PART OF YOUR FACE when you're on differin you will regret it, always put sunscreen otherwise you will be left with very dark and deep scars that you will spend a lot of time on to fade, wash your face with a gentle cleanser and moisturise more than once, I use the super hydrating cream by SOSKIN twice a day just use a moisturiser that you think is nourishing enough (: good luck with this guys, maybe it can heal your acne, what no over the counter product ever will if you have serious acne
September 25, 2013
Oil Slick
Cons:
MADE MY SKIN EXTREMELY OILY
purging phase- still worth it
Long term use
I've been using Differin now for almost 3 months. The first two weeks were horrible, I had red, itchy, painful, dry skin- so painful i couldn't even wear makeup over it, and there was a purging phase so my acne did get worse within the first month, luckily it was summer and I didnt really have anywhere to be. Once my skin adapted to it, the texture of my skin has improved vastly, i've had friends feel my face and tell me its literally baby's butt smooth so all my little bumps are gone however i still get 1 or 2 pimples once in a while. In terms of hyperpigmentation it didn't give me amazing results like I thought it would however my scars are lighter- still can't decide if thats from it being 3 months later or the product. The product does make your face lighter than your body because of increased cell turnover- i really like this, it makes me look really refreshed in the mornings. The reason i haven't given this product 5 stars is because my face is literally an OIL SLICK now, i had oily skin before and initially this did dry me out but now my skin gets extremely oily within an hour of washing and nothing topical is helping control it- primer, powder, mattifying makeup or moisturizer :( i contacted my dermatologist about this issue and she couldn't really help me out since it's apparently an uncommon side effect (Not according to the internet) but she did say it was the second time she'd heard that today. I was perscribed this in conjunction with Benzoyl Peroxide which I didnt need to use since this did control my acne, but i might start Dans BP regimen to see if it helps with oil- other than that i've been seriously considering accutane. All in all this product works slowly but surely, i'd DEFINITELY recommend it to those who don't have oily skin or inflammed acne because this will probably be your cure and to those weary about trying this because of bad reviews- keep in mind the people who write them usually only used them for the purging phase and gave up, if you stick with this it will work
March 24, 2013
Pros:
Works very well. Also doesn't irritate the skin. Not much of a smell to it either
Cons:
My insurance doesn't cover it. Very expensive (156.00 for topical adapalene 0.1%..... Way too much money)
I tried proactive, skin Id, neutrogena kits, clea and clear kits, epiduo.. You name it. But adapalene 0.1% has cleared my acne for years now
March 11, 2013
Pros:
*Can see slight progress
*Easy to apply
*Makes skin look better in general
Cons:
Dry skin
Initial breakout
Tight feeling
Peeling skin
I think it's a very good acne treatment, but it takes a very long time to work. It does make the skin incredibly worse and dry, but that's all part of the process. Use this treatment if you have patience!
February 8, 2013
Pros:
Works over time
Feels good
Doesn't smell bad
WORKS if you commit
Cons:
Initial breakouts are definitely awful
Drying skin, easily fixed with moisturizer
Was the one thing that worked for me when other things didn't. You have to commit with this however or you won't see results.
Pros:
Controls acne
Smooths face texture
Lighter face from cell turnover