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
April 12, 2009
Cons:
its making my face BURN SO BAD, red, dry
i dont no if its worth the pain.. it hurts so bad but does help. should i pay all that money for it to burn soooo bad
March 10, 2009
Pros:
IT WORKS!
Takes about 6-8 weeks to see any changes but they tell you that up front.
Cons:
PRICEY!
If you have the patience then use this product.
I have the 0.3 and I love it. It doesn't dry my skin.
December 29, 2008
Pros:
Smoothed out my oily, large pore, cystic acne prone skin. Not 100% but a huge difference
Cons:
Etremely drying for the first 3 weeks or so..actually made an emergency visit to my dermatologist to make sure it wasn't going to totally ruin my skin...he promised me that it would smooth out my skin and it did but it is rough at first
Yes, I agree with some, Differin is very drying, Def NOT as bad as Retin A. so if you have very oily skin this may give you better results than it did for me. My cousin is using Differin as well and her skin is absolutely flawless, but her skin continues to be very oily even while using both Duac and differin. She has extremely oily skin. Overall I'm pleased. Differin has been keeping my cystic acne at bay. I've broken out with 2 cysts since using Differin and both have gone away after approx. 2 weeks. Without Differin they usually last a month or more before going away completly I have very large pores on my cheeks, before using Differin my pores looked almost stretched out and those have improved greatly - defferin has NOT closed them completely so I still have those annoying little holes but they do not look as stretched out. I wash with 5% Benzoyl Peroxide in the AM & moistruze with Clindamycin (sp). Wash with Cetaphil and apply Differin to my big pores
November 24, 2008
Pros:
Easy to apply doesnt hurt or smell.
Cons:
takes a loooonnngggg time to work
Week 7 and seen some improvment, not to much but it gradually getting better (: it doesnt burn skin or smell, no real side effects just takes a while.
August 8, 2008
Pros:
Has worked wonders for my skin. I dont have very bad acne but out of all the acne i did have, it went away (and very quickly also). Like around a week.
Cons:
none
It works. AMAZINGLY well!!
January 29, 2008
Pros:
No results
I used it for full 8 months and it did nothing. It did not reduce my acne, it did not reduce oiliness. Considering my personal experience, I don't recommend it, however it probably might work for somebody...
January 6, 2008
Cons:
Without insurance, its about $120 a tube. Leaves skin dry and flaky even after you stop using it.
Didn't work for me.
July 30, 2007
Pros:
Healthier Skin, Smooth, Acne Clearing Fast - I am truly amazed!
Cons:
cost - my health insurance would not cover it
I have come to realize everyone's acne is different and different meds work for different people - I have tried everything...antibiotics, accutane, retin A...you name it. Differin, almost immediately, showed results - my skin has never looked better and I am totally shocked. I was expecting another "okay" medication with limited results. I am in my 30's and if you suffer from adult acne (I had great skin as a teenager)...give differin a try! I have had ZERO side effects...not so with the other meds I have taken over the years.
November 9, 2006
Pros:
It smoothed out a lot of my "little" bumps that were on my forehead
Cons:
It has given me dry skin and has made me break out in cysts all over
My results (from week to week) have been fluctuating. I am on the end of week 5 now and my face is covered with spots. I scar VERY easily (red pigmented spots that stay foreeever) so even though I may only have like 4 pimples, it looks like I have 20 something. I don't know what is in store for me in the next couple weeks but hopefully anything better. The actual RESULTS are shown when you have been on differin for 8 weeks so I need to stick it through. Hang in there everyone.....it sucks for everyone in the beginning, but what price would you pay for clear skin? Ya, thats what I thought.
December 27, 2017
Be Patient and Consistent!
I have been using Adapalene (0.1%) since the beginning of July. It has been a very SLOW AND GRADUAL Process. It is December, 2017, and I am now finally seeing and feeling the results. You must follow the directions. Apply a tiny amount, do not Slather this all over your face. I have had NO problems with drying or severe redness. I apply this every night, and I have super sensitive skin. I use a Clinique Moisturizer (yellow formula) right after I wash my face at night. Wait about 10-15 minutes, then apply the Adapalene. This will help tremendously. I am tolerating this very well, so I might request to increase it to the higher concentration if I ever go back to the Derm. You can also apply benzoyl peroxide (2.5%) with this or in the morning. If you add benzoyl peroxide to it, you have essentially created "epiduo." I occasionally apply benzoyl peroxide in the morning if I see something new. Hope this helps someone, HANG IN THERE!
Pros:
it is making my acne go away