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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3.3
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Read All About Adapalene (Non-prescription)
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5
17.9%
4
31.4%
3
23%
2
16.4%
1
11.3%

Used Adapalene (Non-prescription)? Rate It:

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July 28, 2011

Pros:

Improves acne scarring

Improves quality of the skin's texture

Improves blackheads

Cons:

Flaking

Very good product, I love it!!! I did not experience IB, this is my regime: Morning: Cetaphil cleanser with a SOFT washcloth (gets rid of flakies) Neutrogena Stress Control 3-in-1 Hydrating BH gel Oxy Clinical 5% BP Neutrogena Tone Correcting Moisturizer with SPF 30 Then my makeup. Night: Cetaphil cleanser with a soft washcloth Differin gel Neutrogena Stress Control 3-in-1 Hydrating BH gel Oxy Clinical 5% BP I firmly believe that this regime prevented the IB and it cleared my skin. I get flakes in the morning and by about 6pm. Gently using a soft washcloth for a little manual exfoliation helps immensely.
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July 21, 2011

Pros:

only thing that ever worked

Cons:

none

A+
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July 14, 2011

Pros:

-Clear
-No scent
-Comes in a tube, easy to apply

Cons:

-Watch out folks, it doesn't work for everybody

After two weeks of using this product I am getting the kind of breakouts I've never experienced in my life, even in my teenage years! When I started using Differin my skin was already on its way to recovery but I got this just to speed things up a little... and boy was that a bad call. I know it will work on some of you, but if you experience bad breakouts, then don't bother. Walk away and try something else. In the first three days of use my zits got so big they needed their own phone numbers.
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July 6, 2011

Pros:

In combination with Duac and Antibiotics cleared my skin within about 2/3 weeks
Non drying
Free on prescription
Fairly lenient - I've missed a good few applications and even survived a festival without getting spots.

Cons:

Only that when I'm on a night out and go back to people's houses I can't just pass out, I have to mooch home so that I can put it on.

I finished my antibiotics about a week and a half into Differin, and I was using Duac as well. I'd been on the Antibiotics (Tetracycline - nasty side effects) and the Duac for nearly 3 months with very little effect. I went a bit overboard with the new combination at first and my skin got mega dry, but my spots did go. I chilled out a bit and now I rarely ever use Duac, only on the very rare spot that I get. If I can be bothered that is - one spot does not phase me now! I've been using Differin for a little over 2 months and my scars have gone down, but nothing dramatic really. I've also swapped a moisturizer for jojoba oil, which was weird at first and I really didn't like it, but it's really grown on me. I completely freaked out reading these reviews, this whole I.B. thing is really intimidating. But I spoke to my Doctor and about 4 friends of mine using/that have used Differin and none have them suffered an initial break out. I'm really glad I did it as well because I didn't get one even a little bit. I think the best thing about this for me is that I'm no longer obsessing over my skin, and it's wonderfully refreshing. Defiantly recommend it, I give my skin a good hammering as far as alcohol and bad food goes and it's really holding out. Good luck everyone.
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June 29, 2011

Pros:

(Used with Lymecyline)
My skin is completely clear of spots for the first time in my life- the first thing friends who haven't seen me in a while comment on is how great my skin looks. I'm so much more confident too :) Before staying the night with anybody, I used to put on more make up before going to sleep, terrified anyone would see my horrible skin underneath it all. Now I'm the first one to whip out the face wipes, and hardly wear foundation at all.
OH, AND IT'S FREE ON MY PRESCRI

Cons:

Oh gosh, I genuinely find it hard to write bad things about it!
The first few weeks I did have some nasty break outs and my skin peeled a bit, but it settled down so fast that I can't really complain.
Oh, I've also still got a few scars on my cheeks, but hopefully through following my course of Lymecycline and Differin gel, they will fade too :)

My skin is great for the first time in my life, and it makes me feel so much happier and more confident.
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June 27, 2011

Pros:

None

Cons:

More breakouts, scars, redness, and more brackouts

I usted this for 2 months and at the beggining it looked like it was working but then my acne got worst than ever. It was horrible to see how my face was full of purple scars (Redness + Dryness = Purple scars ). And yes, this happened in my senior year so I was so sad about tnot been able to enjoy my last year at school. I stopped using this crap and then I change my whole treatment for the Vitamin E capsules. I don't have acne no more, my skin is soft, nice, and clean. Good luck guys and also i use South American 5% OXY Spot Treatment. I make my orders every month and Its working really good. (Don't use the American one, It made my face dry and my pimples just got worse)
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June 25, 2011

Pros:

-helped with fine lines on forehead
-cleared small pimples

Cons:

-acne appeard in places where I was clear
-created cystic acne after 3 months use

I used the 0.1 cream based differin and I had a horrible breakout when I started it. I thought it would end, but it kept gettng worse and worse and now I have many cysts on my face becasue of it. Not strong enough for very oily skin.
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June 24, 2011

Pros:

effective

Cons:

nothing to serious

I put on differin at night and benzaclin in the morning, at first your skin will look worse and it will dry out very very much but when used lotions such as eucerin everyday protection for the face it keeps your skin from drying out. These products do keep my acne very well under control and im happy i use them
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June 20, 2011

Pros:

cleared my large painful cystic acne
did not dry my skin

Cons:

takes a long time to work
IB is really bad

I started taking this product only after reading all the reviews so I new what to expect. My acne was pretty bad in the beginning but this did make it worse at first. I started out taking this with minocycline (which I'd been on before, but in my experience all the antibiotics work less and less each time you take them) but only stayed on that for maybe two months because it didn't seem effective. I started the Adapalene the beginning of January and it's just been in the last month or so that my face is finally clear. I do get the occasionally zit, maybe even once a week, but compared to the 7-10 I would wake up to daily this is a huge improvement. So for me this product really took quite a while to work, but because of what I'd read I stuck with it and am really pleased with the final results. Also, I am still using the same tub I started with and I'm guessing it will go for another couple months. That is how little you need each day. Now I also use a couple other products and I think this combo really works for me. Particularly, I don't know if it was the timing of when I started using Dan's AHA lotion that made a difference but the combo of the Adapalene and the AHA seemed to really work for me. I think the most important thing to realize is that it works for some and not for others, but at least try it. And for someone like me who has used all the prescription meds short of accutane, I had nothing to loose and so I stuck with it. My routine: AM: wash with olay regenerist daily scrub (with glycolic acid) and use dan's bp- i usually don't use a moisturizer, in the past i was always so dry but for some reason I'm never dry with this routine. also, i know i should use sunscreen but they all break me out so i don't PM: wash with neutragena clear pore (with bp), drop of Adapalene, and dan's AHA moisturizer
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June 14, 2011

Pros:

Acne will sometimes peel off in the morning

Cons:

Acne gets way worse!

My doctor prescribed this about 2 months ago and told me to smooth "just one drop" over my entire face before bed. Well, it's hard to smooth one drop but ok... well my skin got WAY DRY. like WOAH dry. I can't put makeup over it, either. It makes the dryness look more noticable. I stopped going out of the house (literally) for weeks. :( My acne got a lot worse. I clean it 3 times daily, I take doryx daily, use acayna gel also, clean it with sycilic acid, AHA, BHA, gyclicic acid.. all daily. And I have over 20 pimples. Rediculous. I was completely clear a month and a half ago.. anyway, for me, it made my skin too dry for me to deal with. and I THINK it made my breakouts worse (based on the other comments!)
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Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.
Find a Doctor Using The American Acacemy of Dermatology Website

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.
Find a Doctor Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website