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. 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
Adapalene is available in strengths up to 0.3% by prescription. Have a dermatologist? Make an appointment to get this medication. Don't have a dermatologist? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find one. Adapalene is also available over-the-counter in 0.1% strength. Here are some places you can find it online.
Used Adapalene? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
November 6, 2010
Cons:
Expensive, ineffective.
I used Differin in high school for about a year and it didn't do anything. Now, as a 26 year old adult with acne, I gave it another go. I started it about a year ago this month and have used it consistently since. Absolutely no effect whatsoever. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice...yeah. Anyway, it's insanely expensive. Even with my BC/BS insurance, it's $80/tube. Because of this, and maybe this is where I've gone wrong, I use it very conservatively. I cover my whole face with it every night, but I use a very thin layer and the least amount of gel I possibly need in order to coat my face. Doing it this way lets the tube last for about...4 months, maybe? Without insurance, I think it's something to the tune of $200/tube. Yuck. Even if you could stretch it out to 4 months, that's $50/month for a product that is no more effective than water.
November 5, 2010
Pros:
Keeps the cysts at bay
Brings existing acne to the surface to heal quickly
Is effective a sole acne treatment
Gives a great "glow" and evenness to the skin
Cons:
Cannot be used around eyes, nose, or mouth
Does not prevent hormone-related breakouts
Must use consistently - even taking a week off means dealing with more breakouts
Can possibly lose effectiveness after a while
I've been using Differin gel as my sole acne medicine for about 2 years. Before that, I used it in combination with a external Clindimycin treatment (which was horrible). I've had acne for about 22 years. I would say to those who are just starting treatment to be patient. Adapalene is a retin-A variant that essentially causes your skin cells to turn over faster. So, initially, as it is "bringing up the acne" to the surface, your acne will worsen and your skin might flake. This might take several months. I experience this (especially along with the antibiotic), but I no longer have these side effects (and didn't after the first few months). I don't use any lotions, even in the harsh Indiana winters. Because you are turning over skin cells more rapidly, you'll get that "Differin glow," and to be truthful, look a little younger (retin-A is used to treat wrinkles after all). My concern, as I return to the dermatologist this week, is that Differin alone (after about 5 years of total use) is likely no longer working for me. The cysts are back, though these could also be stress-related or hair product-related or even hormone-changing related (eek!). I'll likely request that I keep using it, but ask for something internal to control my hormonal acne (possibly Spirolactone as an anti-androgen or Zinc as an anti-inflammatory). I would say that everyone's acne is caused by different things - finding those is the real challenge. But Differin has worked wonders for me . . . and I'm actually considered attractive now. It's always a good feeling. :)
November 2, 2010
Pros:
helped a little?
Cons:
dry skin, peeling/flaking.. doesnt prevent new break outs.
ive been on this for over 4 months & has yet to do anytihyng.
October 27, 2010
Pros:
Only been on differin for two months and my acne has already started to clear.
Skin is looking a lot better, in smoothness and complexion.
Cons:
Dry skin to begin with, but easily avoided with a moisturiser.
It works extremely well, but you must be persistent and not give up hope.
I did not really have an initial breakout, so i was lucky.
Yes this product does take a while, but if most people were able to read it says it will take at least 3 months for it to start working. It says it on the pamphlet you get with it.
I have been using differin for about 2 months now and have seen amazing results.
I've tried proactiv and many other things.
Proactiv completely destroyed my skin. Also for the retards in other posts that say it makes your skin more sensitive to the sun, all antibiotics, washes, topicals, creams anything to do with treating acne will make your skin more sensitive to sun, as well as this.
It's easily fixed by applying it at night before bed and washing it off in the morning and applying a moisturiser.
October 22, 2010
Pros:
Does reduce acne, if you use it right and for long enough.
Cons:
Dries and irritates skin around eyes and nose at the beginning.
Doesn't clear blackheads.
When you get spots they are worse, take longer to heal and seem to scar a bit more.
You probably wouldn't want someone to kiss you when you've put it on - if you accidentally taste it, it's pretty bitter.
I used Differin for 2 months & it was just terrible - same amount of acne as before, but the spots were bigger and took longer to heal.
So I had another look at the reviews here & made a few changes. What I do now:
- After cleansing, apply a pea-sized amount of Differin only to the areas that have acne, every night. Rub the Differin in gently but well.
- In the morning, cleanse and use a small amount of Cetaphil DailyAdvance Ultra Hydrating Lotion. Rub in gently but well. I also happened to reduce my caffeine and alcohol intake at the same time, and I had been using Differin for 2 months, so all this probably helped too. Still, I think using the Cetaphil moisturiser and making sure that anything I put on my face is well rubbed in is the key. I'm in my early 30s and have always had mild acne. I finally got sick of it so the doctor prescribed Differin. I'm quite happy with it now and will keep on using it. It cost $50 for 30 g, which lasts me about 3 months. Good luck!
October 14, 2010
Pros:
Cleared my skin after just 3 months after 2 and a half years of suffering with acne.
Cons:
Dry skin.
I've suffered with acne for 2 and a half years and it's been hell. I was prescribed this 3 months ago, along with Tetraysal tablets and a Panoxyl face wash. I'm 100% clear now and thanks to this. It does dry out your face at first so use a moisturiser. I used Nivea sensitive moisturiser which took out the redness and I could walk around without a bright red face. Amazing product, not many people have faith in it but read my lof if you want it in depth. [link edited out]
October 14, 2010
Pros:
It works
Cons:
May take awhile; like 6 months. It works from the deeper levels of your skin, not superficial.
People...this product is a very slow working product that is intended to be used long term. You have to slowly start using it...a small amount every other day or every other other day. Use a light moisturizer to combat dryness and DO NOT apply it and then go in the sun without sunscreen. In fact apply it at night, in the morning wash your face and apply a topical antibiotic then sunscreen. If you experience a horrendous break out in the begining ask your Dr. for a short term script of oral antibiotics.
October 12, 2010
Pros:
NONE!!!!!
For those of you who used it and HATED it as I did. Those of you who had the worst break outs of your lives and stopped it, how long did it take to recover??? Because right now my skin is TERRIBLE and I stopped it about 5 days ago.
October 1, 2010
Pros:
-Lightens scars caused by hyperpigmentation
-Clears up acne
-Less break out
-only put on at night
Cons:
-Kind of Dries out skin
-Expensive with out perscription, or maybe even with it
I have been using this product for exactly two weeks now and I am empressed. I was perscribed this with Doxycycline, which is an anti-biotic. These two togheter have been working togheter clearing up my skin better than its even been like before. In two weeks I go back to the dermotologist, in which they will slowly take me off of the anti-biotic. Hopefully Differin will be enough to help my skin a lot. Since I am half black I have hyperpigmentation which leaves really dark scars on my face. Right now it seems as if this product is clearing it up. People whine about the "Flacking" but if you put lotion on it, its fine. Also I use St.Ives face wash, which helps get the dead skin cells off leaving less flaking. I havent filled my perscription yet because it was $65, but the test tubes the doctor gave me have worked so far. I will see how my face looks in two weeks at my next appointment, and hopefully will post before and after pictures soon. My Acne is not clear yet, but this prduct has worked better then over the counter products i have tried, I suggest for anyone who has moderate acne to see a dermotologist
September 24, 2010
Pros:
-worked very moderately
-okay with antibiotics
Cons:
-ages to work
-sensitive to sun, peeling etc
please please please, if you are concerned about your skin, concerned enough to be on an acne site looking desperately for solutions, forget all this bullsh*t and go on accutane, it saved my life 3 years ago and is now doing it again. Bite the bullet, just f**kin do it. PLEASE.
Pros:
Goes on smooth, no residue, clear.