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
April 29, 2008
Cons:
Not really for cystic acne, can be a little drying if you have sensitive skin.
Works well, but you have to give it time. There is definitely an "inflamed" stage where it appears to be getting worse, but be patient! Especially if you are on a combination of treatments. Like I mentioned above, Differin definitely isn't for cystic acne, but it helps with those little pimples that can be just as annoying.
April 15, 2008
Pros:
...
Cons:
didn't do anything for me, maybe even made my skin worse than it was
i tried it twice, didn't work either time at all! too much money for no results
March 23, 2008
Pros:
dries out greasy skin
Cons:
didn't work for me.
This stuff was very expensive, luckily my insurance paid for it. Unfortunately, after using it consistently for 3+ months, I still have terrible acne. I have hormonal acne that comes and goes and the only thing that has helped it was birth control pills but they also caused other side-effects that were unbearable.
March 22, 2008
Pros:
0.3 Gel prevents both whiteheads and non-inflamed acne very well! I have mild/moderate acne with very sensitive skin.
Cons:
Somewhat expensive depending on your insurance. Also the gel can be a little bit drying.
Notice how most of the negative reviews are from people who hardly gave this product a chance? Try using it for AT LEAST 6 months before writing a review! It didn't work at its best with me until around that six month mark. At that point I became about 85% clear. I just wish this stuff was a little cheaper; I go through a tube every three weeks.
March 18, 2008
Pros:
Nothing
Cons:
It dried my face, even when I used moisturizer.
I used Differin for two and half months and didn't see any results. The only thing it did was dry out my skin and make it flaky. Nothing else. It was also pretty expensive. I paid 17$, even with my insurance.
January 25, 2008
Pros:
-has made skin less red
-more gentle than other prescribed products like tazorac or the gel form
-clearing up and balancing my complextion
my skin broke out more during the first few days of using the product, but it is only because the cream is beginning to balance the chemicals in your skin.
if you read all the information in the pamplet that comes with differin it explains the way the drug works and how long it takes to begin being effective with data from controlled experiments.
you have to stick with it for a while.
December 4, 2007
Pros:
haha NONE.
Cons:
you'd want ppl to say it's good and that it works for you to feel good about it.
but no absolutey had no effect for me.
people with severe acne like me, who took accutane as a last resort and yes it did work for me. DIFFERIN is not for you. dont BS your time, just skip to accutane and get things over with.
November 20, 2007
Pros:
none
Cons:
Horrible product dried out my skin and made my acne 10000000x worse even after continous use.
dont buy this product unless you wnat cystic acne that wont go away. this product made my acne continually worse.
October 26, 2007
Pros:
Does not itch or burn, works well when you use it long enough, cost- rebate covered my $30 copay
Cons:
Takes almost a month to really work
I tried everything (including Differin once before) and NOTHING worked. Then my doctor convinced me to try differin again and it is the best! I did not use it long enough before. The first time I stopped after 2 weeks because I felt like it was worse. This time my derm said to give it a month and my skin has never been better. Keep with it- it actually works
October 13, 2007
Pros:
I don't see any pros. Other than the fact that it is affordable
Cons:
I had 3 bumps, mild acne and after I started using differin gel that was just the beginning of my depression. it made me brake out so bad and scared my face. I literally have pizza face now and it seem like it is getting worst
dont waste your time or money this is a horrible product. it will make you face worst and make you so depressed so if you love you self and confidence stay away from differin it sucks, and you will be stuck with bad skin using it
Pros:
Definitely helped clear up smaller blemishes and contributed to evening out my skin tone.