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
March 2, 2010
Cons:
- Causes irritation if I use it more than 1x/2days
- Acne has not gone away completely
- Skin is very sensitive to sunlight
- Expensive if you don't have insurance
--> $220-$250 for a 45g tube, that should last 6 months if you apply 1x/2days
After nearly a year of treatment (5 months with Differin), my acne is light and tolerable. At age 21 my my light/moderate face acne worsened and I developed moderate and embarrassing (large papules) back and chest acne. After a year of benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid OTC treatments, I went to a dermatologist who put me on Minocycline (and Differin, but it took me 5months to finally purchase Differin bc its extremely expensive and I don't have insurance-- bad move though bc it could have helped speed up the process from the beginning). I began noticing results from Minocycline after 2 months, and by month 5 my back acne reduced to maybe 5 zits a week and face acne was back to light/moderate. Then (at 5 months) I began taking Differin too. Now, at 10 months (5 months of Differin) my face has light acne (no big papules any more; still have small bumps a few times a week and blackheads on nose and forehead) and maybe only one or two zits a month on my back. The scarring is starting to clear up a bit too from the Differin. I'm happy with my results and may actually be able to wear tank tops this summer, but my acne has not entirely disappeared. One 45g tube of Differin .1% cream without insurance cost me $250, but lasts about 6 months. (( If I use Acnomel as a spot treatment after applying Differin, the two combined helps dry up the bigger zits quicker, usually gone or minimal in 1-2 days )).
December 17, 2009
Pros:
Cleared up all acne
made red marks fade faster
no scent
Cons:
zero.
So this is how differin worked for me. I was hesitant to try it at first after reading all the reviews about how it destroyed the faces of so many. I had moderate acne with cysts, blackheads, whiteheads, you name it. So I started on Duac and used it both at night and in the morning. This cleared most if not all of my acne up within two months. About a year later I began to get more and more clogged pores and whiteheads, so I decided what the hell i might as well try it. The first week it brought out an extra maybe four or five little red bumps which dissapeared within three days, after that I haven't had a single zit and it's four months later. The bottom line is try it. It worked wonders for me so it might for you as well.
December 3, 2009
Pros:
DIdnt do anything but it didnt hurt me
Cons:
Didnt do anything I even used the largest % they had and still NOTHING.
I dont know why but this had no effect on me.
November 23, 2009
Pros:
Cleared up my Acne, easy to use, does not dry out my face
Cons:
Occasionaly still have breakout, but probably due to hormones.
Would definetly recommend to anyone who has had trouble with acne. I started using Differin while I was taking Minocycline and slowly went off the Minocycline and never broke out, which was a miracle.
November 18, 2009
Pros:
Needless to say, my acne and overall skin condition has improved dramatically. No inital breakout AS OF YET. My fingers are crossed
Cons:
By using a pea sized amount, no cons to report. Does not necessarily help cure pustules.
DO NOT USE THIS IN LARGE AMOUNTS. For all who are complainning that it burns or stings, your using too much. 4 pea sized amounts is all you will need. I recommend this drug.
October 25, 2009
Pros:
it made my skin very soft and clear.
Cons:
it made my skin very dry at first and actually burned my face really bad due to puting way to much on. so be light on the amount.
it works! i would love to have more but i cant afford it right now
October 1, 2009
Pros:
Acne Vulgaris under control
Cons:
Intial flare up of acne at the begginning.It gets worse first and then slowly the acne disappears.
I am bown skin.So my face looked terrible with the peeling and subsequent tanning.
It works well with acne.
But on brown skin , you need to avoid sun (flouroscent indoor lighting) completely.My scars were very visible while I was using it. I used it for 3 months and stopped because my scars were getting worse.
June 17, 2009
Pros:
This product is awesome... had been trying various products for the past eight years and my acne just didn't settle...But after using this product for the past three months my skin has cleared ur tremendously! I recommend it to everyone.
Cons:
Makes skin dry, but its not anything a moisturizer cant fix!
Use it!
June 8, 2009
Pros:
Actually works but it takes so long for it to take effect
Cons:
God it takes forever to see results
May very well be worth it because it actually works for being so expensive
May 23, 2009
Pros:
it worked
Cons:
takes sort of a long time
I broke out in the beginning, but it did eventually get better. I found something that works. not breaking out like before, and WAY better skin.
Pros:
.1% cream:
Reduced existing acne
- Helps prevent flare-ups
- Helps papules & scars disappear quicker
- Fragrance free
- Best Differin option for sensitive skin
- One tube goes a long way