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 11, 2009
Cons:
it doesnt work, shiney skin with the appearance of being oily, redness.
i have been usin differen .3 gel at night only, while using benzoyl peroxide during the day for over 2 months, have seen hardly any if not no progress. My acne is still pretty bad with red scars and increased pimples since ive been on it. I would not recomend this product.
February 10, 2009
Pros:
EASY TO USE, EFFECTIVE WHEN USED DAILY. IT MADE MY SKIN CLEARER, PRODUCT THAT WORKED FOR MY TYPE OF SKIN>OILY/COMBINATION< I HAVE USED PROACTIVE AND OTHER OVER THE COUNTER TOPICALS BUT THAT WAS A BIG MISTAKE.
Cons:
TAKES A WHILE TO HEAL UP ACNE SCARRING
PROCRASTINATING TO GO THE DERMATOLOGIST WILL COST YOU MORE $$$ BELIEVE ME. THIS IS MY REGIMEN:
-CLEAN FACE WITH OLIVE SOAP(ALL NATURAL) IN THE MORNING
-THEN A MILD SCRUB
-AND DONT FORGET TO MOISTURIZE- AND PUT SOME SORT OF SUNSCREEN
-AND AT NIGHT I WASH MY FACE WITH THE OLIVE SOAP FIRST AND THEN A BPO WASH 6% AND PUT ON THE DIFFERIN 0.3 GEL.
I ALSO TAKE A ANTIBIOTIC MY DERM PRESRIBE DAILY. I KNOW THIS SOUNDS A LOT BUT IS MUCH EASIER THAN USING THAT PROACTIV ON YOUR FACE
January 17, 2009
Pros:
Reduces the severity of most nodules. Increases the rate of healing. Moves most acne lesions closer to the surface; forms a pustule on most blemishes and they heal the fastest, usually.
Cons:
Does not halt the breakout rate (so far). Still get one to two new pustules per day on the average. Still getting flareups after six months. Skin seems to itch or sting slightly. Sometimes seems to increases oiliness overnight.
This product is said to take as long as a year to maximize its effectiveness. It is said to reduce the sebaceous gland size and/or activity. This product has been noted as reducing sebaceous hyperplasia; although, It may take many months to see an improvement. If you can stand the side effects, it might be worth holding out for the long haul.
January 15, 2009
Pros:
Seemed to help keep certain areas clear. I apply in on cystic and nodular acne bumps as soon as I feel them and it helps dry them out faster.
Cons:
Extremely dry, chapped, and red skin.
I have used this product for about 2 years in addition to antibiotics. I stopped using antibiotics about 9 months ago and my skin has broken out ever since. I haven't taken a break from using the differin because I'm afraid it will be much worse, but it really doesn't seem to be improving anything. It is winter in Minnesota and my skin can't take the dryness anymore, so I might have to finally give up the Differin. If you live in a humid, warm climate and don't have sensitive skin, this product may work well for you. I see an improvement in the summer. But for others, the dryness and sensitivity probably isn't worth it. You can hide some acne with makeup but you can't cover dry, red, flaky skin.
December 23, 2008
Pros:
clears up little blackheads and makes your skin from dry 2 oily
Cons:
There is no cure 4 acne whatever you use...the secret is if u find what works u continue using it even if your face clears up,keep using 2 keep the acne at bay.adapalene is worth a try though it takes 4ever 2 work you have 2 b extremely patient...
I have suffered acne since i was 16,i tried almost everything over the counter nothing seemed to.. i tried proactive solution it worked well for a few months then stopped even as i continued 2 use it it made my skin soo dry it gave me wrinkles under my eyes so i stopped using it, i went 2 my dermatologis n he prescribed roaccutane 4 me for 4 months it worked wonders my skin cleared up really well i was acne free 4 a good 10months then from no where started 2 break out again i became soo depressed even after my doc telling me that after roaccutane i wont have 2 use anything else ever...anyway i went back 2 him n asked him if i cud take accutane again b'coz it worked well but he sayed i cudent b'coz it was safe as it was a strong antbiotic n so he prscribed ADAPALENE 4 me i have bn using it 4 a month now n it has dried up my little blackheads on my 4head though it made my face worse for the first 2 weeks its not completely clear but it seems 2 b working i just hope it clears up everytim
December 2, 2008
Pros:
It clears your skin, leaves your skin real smooth
Cons:
It takes time to work (3 months). At 1st, skin was EXTREMLEY dry, then 1.5 months later, my face would get real oily. oh, and my face broke out a lot when i first started to use it.
It is a great product to try, but only if your patient. Your face SHOULD clear up. I only have 1 or 2 blemishes on my face left sooooo try it! Plus my skin is wicked somoth. My insurance paid for it but i know this medication costs $125-$150. ;/
July 27, 2008
Pros:
It seems to work for *most* people who give it time.
Cons:
Doesn't work for everybody, seems to have annoying side effects for most people, expensive in most countries.
I have used Differin for 4 months now, which is longer than the packaging suggests it will take to get results. While I don't deny that my skin has improved, it took about 3 months to make a 10% or so improvement. I've started using azelaic acid with the Differin, and it has helped a lot. My skin is maybe 35% better now, which is a start. I'll be honest, I'm not really happy. For 4 months, I expected it to have made a huge difference. Instead, I still get acne frequently (even with the antibiotics that I'm on), and my skin complexion has worsened slightly since taking this medication. I am in the minority here, but Differin gives me really oily skin. I've never had oily skin before, but now my skin is terribly oily. Most people report it drying their skin, but not me. It's expensive for most people, but it's subsidised here in New Zealand. Give it a try, but if you don't see any improvement within 4 months, it's unlikely that this product will be of any us
June 24, 2008
Pros:
no redness or burning
Cons:
DOES NOT WORK!!
i had very moderate acne and this stuff turned it severe! it made me have BAD break outs and before i knew it my chin and both sides of my face had an army of zits. Before i had maybe 3-4 on each side, now theres like 20-30! I know youre suppose to give it time to work, but to me thats bullsh*t, cause even if i clear up im gonna have a half a year of scars to deal with. also made my skin really flakey when i woke up. Sucks to say it but the only thing that cures acne is time
June 24, 2008
Pros:
omg...I cant believe i finally have clear skin lol
Cons:
Takes a LONG time to see positive results
Initially burnt my skin!!!
Intial breakout
I have suffered from moderate but persistant acne for around 6 years now. I have tried all topicals and antibiotics. This was the last topical to try (or retry cuz I dropped it the 1st time around cuz of the initial breakout) before going on accutane. So, after 6 MONTHS, I can finally say my skin has never looked this gr8. I have maybe 1 tiny pimple on my forehead compared to the at least 40 i used to have. All I can say, is be patient!!!! It does work :) Good luck yall
May 30, 2008
Pros:
It cleared up the acne wonderfully, and didn't irritate my forehead (which is much oilier than the rest of my face) at all.
Cons:
The gel covered my face in large patches of raised, red skin which burned, itched, peeled, and hurt unbearably.
The side effects were many times worse than the acne. No makeup would cover the red, dry, peeling, bumpy skin. Some mornings I would get rid of all the peeling layers (it frequently wasn't possible) and by night would be sloughing off skin like massive snowflakes. I had to sit on my hands to avoid scratching my face. It burned excruciatingly when I applied even the mildest of lotion to combat the dryness.
Pros:
it doesnt smell... minimal dryness