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
February 16, 2013
Cons:
None
I *love* this product. Retin A made me itch all over for months, it made my skin so sensitive even a single one of my hairs could slip from my ponytail and it it touched my face, the itching was outrageous. It also made my whole face peel, and was hard to apply evenly. Seemed to migrate places I hadn't applied it. Differin exfoliates everywhere it's applied, but without all the "dramatics" of Retin-A - Burning, itching, redness, cracking,
November 22, 2012
Pros:
reduces redness
improves skin texture
reduces pores
clears skin
works best when paired with an antibiotic topical
Cons:
extremely itchy - the second week i stayed up for several nights scratching my jawline!
lots of purging
high sensitivity to sunlight
expensive (will be cheaper after my deductible is reached)
it's truly a miracle drug! ive tried nearly every otc product, proactiv, natural remedies, lush products (which worked for a few weeks) and finally decided to see a derm. she prescribed differin for exfoliation and clindamycin as an antibiotic. when i went, i was having a pretty bad breakout - lots of whiteheads and small bumps. makeup couldn't save me and it was unbearable to go to work! my morning routine:
cetaphil face wash (two pumps, get it foamy!)
pat dry
rose water or tea tree water from lush
wait to dry
clindamycin (a pea size on visible acne)
wait to dry
cetaphil moisturizer with spf 15
cover fx primer
cover fx powder foundation my night routine:
cetaphil face wash (sometimes with the clarisonic mia brush - my derm told me to be very gentle with mia and to just let the brush barely touch your face!)
pat dry
differin .1 gel(a pea size on visible acne)
wait to dry (about 15 minutes)
clindamycin
cosmetic lad moisturizer from lush within the first 2 days, i noticed redness going away.. but the dryness came on strong. my skin cells were shedding like crazy but at least i wasn't bright red from breakout. it also stung like hell to put any products on but i did it anyways. then after week 2, it was a purge fest! there were bumps in places that were generally clear before the meds (on my nose, near my hairline and all across my jawline!) but i persisted in hopes it was doing what it needed to do.one day my face was so raw, falky, itchy and irritated from the sunlight, i considered taking time off work to let it do its job. but miraculously, after the very worst day, i woke up the next day...and i had normal-ish skin! it was so drastic i wouldn't even call it a gradual shift. its day 22 now and i cant stop looking at my face. its still a little flakey here and there but nothing my moisturizer can't fix. also a few bumps here and there but the texture of my skin has improved dramatically.
October 18, 2012
Pros:
works!
light weight
lotion 1% does not dry skin
Cons:
available on by prescription- not sold over the counter.
I started using this product last month and I really love the results so far. My skin did not have an initial breakout and my pimples started to clear up from the very first day that I started. I use the Differin Lotion 1% and it has helped my skin from drying out. While adapalene is known for being very abrasive on the skin, the lotion is the way to go. It also has not stained my clothes or pillow cases when I go to sleep. i will continue to use this product and update you on my acne journey.
April 18, 2012
Pros:
Get rid of acne
less irratating than Retin a Micro
It works!!!
Cons:
not being able to be in the sun! burnt the crap out of my face on vacation to Barbados
I havent had a huge pimple in months! Give it some time to work! Wait at least 2 months!
I was used to proactive so just washing my face then putting this on saved me like 30 minutes! I LOVE DIFFERIN! It really works!
February 3, 2012
Pros:
Works fast
If you have combination skin it doesn't dry your skin out too much.
Cons:
Price
Application time
This product has to be used at night. If used during the day it will worsen your acne. Sunlight, sweating etc. is a really horrible combination with this product.
Believe that this product is going to work for you and it will. Don't stress. Acne is hormonal and cause due to overly active oil production in the skin. Stress causes and increase in the production of androgens. Androgens cause the oil glands in your skin to raise the amount of sebum/natural oil in your skin causing your acne to get worse. It's a good product, try it. Depending on your country it can be very pricey. I paid a god awful lot for mine.
October 31, 2011
Pros:
Cleared up acne
Cons:
Requires a lot of patience
More sensitive to sun
Makes skin peel and dry
I've been using this for well over a year and it works fantastically, however it doesn't work overnight. For results you have to use it consitantly every night (no skipping nights) for months on clean skin (no make-up, soap, lotion, ect.). It took around 4 months for it to clear up all my acne. It made my skin peel off constantly but in order for it to work you have to keep going with it consistantly. Another thing is that once your acne has cleared up you have to keep using it, you can't quit immediately or it will come back. Thanks to this though I'm expected to be able to stop treatment in 3 months and be acne free.
October 15, 2011
Pros:
It wasn't harsh on my skin and it made it very smooth after 2 months.
Cons:
May have made skin smooth but it leaves red marks that don't heal which is absolutely terrible. I am stopping my use of differin it's not worth it for me.
I really thought this would work after reading many positive reviews online and I had my hopes up and now I have been completely let down. My skin is considerably worst than ever and I blew money on seeing doctors and filling the prescription. The bottom line be cautious and it doesn't work for everyone so dont be afraid to stop using it if after 8 to 12 weeks if it's not working. All the best, Matt
September 20, 2011
Pros:
Cleared skin up instantly
Cons:
Made my hair fall out and thin
Make sure you check the side affects! There was nothing mentinoned about hair loss untill I looked it up online. Many people experience hair loss or thining when using. I almost cried after handfuls of hair started falling out and thin spots occured. I have been off of it for almost a month and my hair is starting to grow back and my acne is coming back. Just be careful, it's not for everyone. I think I might have a reaction to retinoids which this is in a cream base.
September 7, 2011
Pros:
-prevents large future breakouts
-relatively clears up skin
-skin less oily
Cons:
-small breakouts still occur
-little bit of flakiness and sensitivity
It's a great product if your acne is out of control and the off the shelf products are not working. Keep in mind that it may not completely get rid of all your acne, but it does prevent it from getting worse.
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)
Pros:
Works quickly and as well on body (arms/back/chest) as face.
Doesn't bleach clothing, towels or sheets
Doesn't burn on application
No noticeable scent
Great consistency - easy to smooth on problem areas
Doesn't cause flaking healthy, clear skin - only break outs