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 23, 2009
Cons:
takes up to 3months to see change
dries skin out at first
makes skin worse BEFORE better
overall, it will make skin seem worse but its just getting all the gross acne out. over time it will make skin seem much more better and you will see an improvement...
November 16, 2008
Pros:
None
Cons:
Made me breakout even worse, each day a couple of new cysts would surface.
I tried to be patient and gave differin the benefit of the doubt and stuck with it for 2 months. My skin got worse and I continued to use it because I thought that it might get worse before it got better. I would never use differin again!!!
October 23, 2008
Pros:
it doesnt smell
Cons:
increases breakouts like cyistic acne
i have had acne for 8 yrs.. ive tried almost everything. u name it. accutane worked the best on my skin for 3 months, i had severe depression, and horrible nosebleeds i dont reccomend it. plus nw i have acne AGAIN. im trying differin but it got worse! and it isnt getting better... honestly, birth control pills work marvels compared to all these "miracle" creams. and some work for some. skins are all different.
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.
June 16, 2008
Pros:
Is a mild acne product that will not irritate sensitive skin. Clears not only pimples but also blackheads.
Cons:
If too much of the product is used if will lead to excessive scaling and dry skin. Initially causes additional pimples.
I have been using Differin on and off for several years. I am now using in every night. I love the product! It is the only acne product I have used that has kept my face clear. I would, and do, recommend the product to anyone. However, don't give up during the first few weeks when your skin begins to break out-stick with it.
May 16, 2008
Pros:
none
Cons:
made acne worst broke in cysts i never had made face greasey
if you have sensative skin that gets irrated easily don't use i felt i wasn't strong enough
May 5, 2008
Pros:
Been only using it for over a month and I've been seeing significant improvement.
Cons:
It can dry out your skin quite a bit for the first couple of weeks.
I've been suffering from acne for a very long time and this medication is the best I've used so far. I use Differin XP at night and Neostrata Toning Solution with Clindamycin in the morning. I use a very gentle cleanser (Clean and Clear Facial Cleanser for sensitive skin) and a very light moisturizer(Neutrogena Moisture Oil-Free for sensitive skin). My skin is really clearing up and if I do get any pimples, they are very small and barely noticeable. My scars are also fading. I am very satisfied with the results so far and I look forward to the next couple of months. I recommend it to everyone who has been suffering from acne for a long time like myself.
April 25, 2008
Pros:
Great. Great. Great. Cleared me up when nothing else worked
Cons:
None really. It dried me around the mouth at first but nothing major.
I used sooo many products and wasted so much time. My derm gave me a sample of this and I demanded a presciption the next day.
March 23, 2008
Pros:
affordable, effective but it takes too much time so you have to wait and see the effects U_U
Cons:
lot of pimples for the first weeks
It's been my 5 weeks already from the time when I started using differin, at first --- geez all of my pimples worsened than usual, I got lot of pimples (bigger and smaller ones) no space on my chin that doesn't have a pimples and I thought they got irritated or what.
Then I've tried to read all of the reviews here on this site, and my doctor was true ' at first it will become worsened and afterwards it will become clear already. Well I've patiently waited for that time even I lose my hope already and tried to give up on that product and use another types of medication. Somehow I've thought that those breakouts caused also by the soap that I'm using ' before I'm using the kojic soap to clear the dark spots, and I've switched to the previous soap that I'm using ' Clearasil daily wash soap and changed the clindamycin to 2% clindamycin, and at last all of my pimples got dried and right now I cannot see any visible pimples ^_____^ im soooo happpppy right now........
January 29, 2008
Pros:
It gets rid of the little pesky pimples that i hate the most and it helps those stupid ice pick scars or whatever you call them1!!!!
Cons:
makes my face super oily, takes a long time to kick in,
I would reccomend it for people who have patience. This product took many months to work.
Pros:
acne bumps gone
nice skin!