Adapalene (Non-prescription)
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Adapalene is a vitamin A derivative called a topical retinoid. It helps clear acne by promoting skin cell turnover and reducing inflammation in...

Adapalene is a vitamin A derivative called a topical retinoid. It helps clear acne by promoting skin cell turnover and reducing inflammation in the skin.

Non-prescription adapalene is available only in 0.1% strength.

Adapalene is topically applied usually once a day before going to bed to all acne-affected areas of the skin, and not just on individual pimples themselves.

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June 29, 2007

Pros:

after 1 month of use, i never had any new acne. it is really easy to use also, no side-effects for me.

Cons:

causes a bit of itching during application, but it doesnt bother me.

i'll definitely keep on using it, to maintain my clear skin(i used to be called poke-face), it works perfectly for me. but, in the case of my friend, it doesnt seem to be as effective. so i guess the effect varies.
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May 31, 2007

Pros:

I have been using differin for about a week. Haven't seen significant changes yet but it's still early. I really hope it works. I've heard alot of positve feedback about it.

Cons:

I've always had pimples but in the last 8 months my skin has been awful.

I'm 28 years old and I've never had anyone think i was older than 23. I think it's because I have acne. Not that I mind people thinking I am 23.
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May 23, 2007

Pros:

Cleared up acne and minimized scars with application in both morning and evening.

Cons:

If I was even 8-10 hours off of my normal application schedule, I paid for it with nasty breakouts for the following week.

3 weeks ago I switched from differin 2X daily to Ziana 1X daily, and my skin is much worse. I was looking for something that didn't need such a strict and consistent regimen to be effective, and I don't think that i made the right choice. I'm trying to wait it out to see if it gets better, but I'm tempted to can the Ziana and go back to Differin.
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May 13, 2007

Pros:

I got it in France so it was very cheap. Dries quickly, doesn't need a lot.

Cons:

First week I didnt have any breakouts and all of a sudden the 2nd and 3rd week i broke out with some nasty cystic zits and also have TONS of new little blackhead type bumps on my cheek that I never had before.

I'm hoping to god that everyone is right by saying that it ges worse before it gets better, so we shall see... i'm on my 3rd week or so, i dont know what to think yet, but i'm in my 20's and this is the first time in my whole life that ive had acne this bad.... arghhhh definitely helps to say that it will go away and to pray! positive outlook is so important even if its so embarassing!!!!
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May 12, 2007

Pros:

cleared up my skin, controls oil, no drying/flaking/redness/peeling

Cons:

expensive and not covered by my insurance. paid approximately 150$ for one tube.

i'm on my second month of treatment. my derm prescribed duac (benzoyl peroxide) in the am and differin at night. i fortunately did not undergo any redness/peeling/irritation. during my intial 2 weeks of treatment i saw steady improvement, then the following two weeks i began getting large cystic acne. i became frustrated, but decided to continue with treatment, since i really had nothing to lose. after about the first month or so, i saw steady and progressive improvement. i've reached a point where i'm not really breaking out anymore. sometimes if i wear too much makeup my skin will become irritated and break out, but other than that it stays pretty clear. my biggest advice to anyone trying this product is not to overdo it with the application. pea sized dab every night should do the trick. also, differin doesn't do much to treat red marks, so i would recommend using a pigment lightening gel every couple of days or so.
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May 5, 2007

Pros:

After using it for two weeks I had a clear face.

Cons:

When I did not apply Cetaphil lotiong before applying differin it made my skin very dry.

This was a great product it really worked for me. I believe this product works on some people and not on others. My sister also used Differin but stopped using it after a week because it made her face red and she started to have little red bumps. After she stopped using differin it cleared.
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April 12, 2007
This medication has helped greatly. It took a while to work, but now I am seeing results. For people in Australia, Differin is not covered by the Pharmacutical Benifits Scheme and therefore is not subsidised. I had to pay the full price then claim for a rebate through my pharmacy extras on my private health insurance
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April 6, 2007

Pros:

Gets rid of pimples, clears up skin, helps with scars

Cons:

Takes a while to work

I had terrible acne which included pimples, blackheads, and cysts that just wouldn't go away. I have used every acne product ever. I have been on many antibiotics, and many topical acne products all with no results. I was on my last limb, and the only thing left I hadn't done was Accutane which I defiantly didn't want to do. So my dermotologist recommended BP in the morning, and Differin at night. I use 5% benzoyl peroxide (not Benzaclin it dried my skin and made it burn, just generic 5% BP) in the morning and Differin at night time. In the first 3 weeks I saw a noticeable improvement. Then my acne kinda flared and got a little worse which sometimes can happen with this medicine. I am now around 8 weeks and my acne looks better than ever. I have just a few pimples hear and there but my skin so much clearer. The only thing really left is some acne scars which will eventually go away. Differin takes time but defiantly works. I recommend it greatly!!!
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March 21, 2007

Pros:

cleared up in about 3 months.

Cons:

very bad initial breakout. still some breakouts here & there.

for me, differin cleared up my skin in about 3 months. i still get some breakouts right before menstrating tho. Very drying but, can be solved by moisturizing skin regularly. works well, but i think for me i need some thing stonger to prevent breakouts.
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March 18, 2007

Pros:

A little goes a long way, product is clear, used at night, can be used with other products at the same time (I was prescribed triaz pads) and is less irritating than some other prescription creams and gels.

Cons:

May be drying at first, leading to redness and peeling within the first few weeks. It's one of those treatments where your acne can get "worse" before it gets "better", definitely requires consistency; so if you can't stick to a routine - forget it

I have moderate acne, rarely anything cystic. I've had it for about 7 years and only have I recently actually started using my prescriptions (differin and triaz pads) like I should be. The nature of the product suggests that yes, for most people, your skin will be irritated at first. I've been using the differin for less than a week now, and haven't experienced a huge amount of irritation. Lucky, I guess. My skin has also (in my opinion) cleared considerably. It is a combination of things, though: I wash my face 2x daily with a cleanser containing glycolic acid for normal skin (md formulations). I exfoliate with md formulations face/body exfoliator, also with glyc. acid. I tone my skin with a calming product by Eminence, an organic spa line, after cleansing. I mask weekly. Most importantly, I moisturize. It's VERY important to moisturize your skin, and don't be cheap about it either. I spend 90 dollars on my Chanel hydro-max stuff. It's excellent and my skin has
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Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.
Find a Doctor Using The American Acacemy of Dermatology Website

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.
Find a Doctor Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website