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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Dr Michael

August 4, 2010

Pros:

Excellent results in the long run.
Persistence is the key.

Cons:

Initial exacerbation of acne.
Dry skin.
Price (Aus $35 tube which lasts ~ 2-3 months).

As a doctor with a special interest in dermatology, I thought I'd have all the answers for treating male adult-onset acne, which only struck me in my early twenties after a relatively blemish-free puberty. Unfortunately I found treating my mild-moderate facial acne very stubborn and resistant to treatment, and difficult to swallow when I was attempting to treat my patients for acne! I'm now in my early thirties and have spent years trying a range of treatments, from standard western medical treatments, to experimenting with naturopathy, cleansing diets, etc. After failing to see results with all of these (unfortunately including Dan's regimen), I eventually saw a dermatologist colleague of mine who put me on Accutane for about 8 months. It took about 6 months to work, I was only clear for about 3 months, then symptoms returned about ceasing treatment. I had tried Differin before, albeit only for about 3 months before getting fed up with it. I went to a derm talk just over a year ago where an international expert said it takes about 10-12 months for Differin to take full effect (about 10% improvement in acne per month he quoted). Unfortuantely most patients give up long before this. After this, I re-commenced treatment and persisted through the dry skin and flare-ups, determined to get results. After 6-7 months, things finally started to improve. I am now over a year into treatment, and things have only got better. It is working brilliantly for me, and even the dryness is only mild and easily treated with a good moisturiser. I will definitely be persisting with Differin, and am now telling my patients to do the same. I concede its possible many treatments may actually take that long, and I've quitted on others too soon, but I urge all Differin users that persistence is the key, at least it was for me. If your experiences are anything like mine, you won't be disappointed. Hope this helps.

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Hayleigh

August 1, 2010

Pros:

No more cystic acne
Fewer blackheads

Cons:

Tons of small whiteheads on my chin and cheeks, when I never had them before.

I used Proactiv for nearly three years. It helped a little, but I wasn't satisfied, so I went on Differin. It's been five months. Things were good for the first few months - I had clearer skin in the second and third month and was hoping it would get even better. Around my fourth month, things started to go downhill. I started getting all these little bumps all over my chin and cheeks, where I'd never had them before. Also, my skin became oily to the point where my makeup would melt off several times a day. Differin got rid of my cystic zits, but I have about fifty tiny little whiteheads all over my face now. I'm still using it, hoping they'll go away.

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Courtina

July 31, 2010

Pros:

-it had a nice consistancy, I guess

Cons:

-it was VERY drying, and I am almost never dry, even while treating my acne
-it didn't do anything to clear my acne

Basically, I tried differin for 2 months as a topical gel treatment. The dermatologist told me to put it on every night. What happened was my skin was completely dried out and flaking but all of my acne was still there, so in an attempt to reduce the dryness I had to try several kinds of moisturizers that ended up clogging my pores and my acne got worse. So I had awful acne and a very, very dry face.

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Susan Frank

July 29, 2010

Pros:

Pimples are visibly smaller and are smoothing out.

Cons:

Burning and redness at first
Breakouts
Takes a long time to work
Skin looks worse at first

I am using Epiduo gel which has 1% Adapalene. At first, some pimples emerged from under the skin and they just all came up. I noticed that when i cleansed before using the product, it burned and caused redness severely, but by the morning my face was clearer and clearer every day. Since i used Epiduo, it only cost me $35.00 with insurance, which is not bad since the tube can probably last a few months.

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Norm

July 13, 2010

Pros:

More powerful than over-the-counter medications.

Cons:

Initial Breakout, Cost

I've been taking Differin for around 2 1/2 months and my skin is almost completely clear. I highly recommend Differin, but be aware that before it makes your skin better, it makes it worse. Differin brought many hidden pimples to the surface, causing a breakout the first time I used it. It went away a week after using it. I'm fortunate I did not break out as bad as some other Differin users here. Perhaps mine had less severity because I only used a small amount in problem areas. My doctor told me not to apply it to my whole face. After the initial break out, I settled into a routine of using a pea sized amount of Differin every night on my problem areas. I notice it makes your skin feel very tight right after using it. Ask your doctor what sort of moisturizer to use. Once, when I used more Differin than usual, my skin burned a little, and it made me itch the rest of the day. My insurance covered part of the cost, but I still paid 80 dollars to get Differin. It's not as expensive as it sounds - that bought me a whole tube of the stuff. Might even last me a year. Anyhow, after a few months, I'm almost completely clear. I'm glad I went to my dermatologist. This has made a difference in my life. My advice for anyone going on it: Don't use too much. Moisturize. Wear sun screen. Don't pick anything. Have patience. It might take a whole month to work.

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Daniel Murphy

July 9, 2010

Pros:

It works, and nothing else did.

Cons:

My face is slightly itchy.

I use the lotion, and at almost 200$ a bottle it seemed expensive. I have ben on Differin for about seven weeks now. With my very persistiant acne basically cleared up and 2/3 of the bottle left it seems worth it to me. I am now struggling with the hyperpigmentation, but that can be helped with make-up unlike the bulging inflammed pimples that I had. So the 200$ realy breaks down into less than 70$ a month and in reality I was spending more that 70$ a month on over the counter crap that didn't work and antibiotics from my primary care doc. The slight itching my derm said is normal because it is drying out your pores. I said I would pay anything and do anything for something that worked, and it worked. I am counting my blessings that something finally did!

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joyi

July 7, 2010

Pros:

Works wonders even on my stubborn bad acne, clearer skin as it also decreased the pigmentation faster than natural process.

Cons:

not 'quick', you'll have to be patient (but it's worth it), dry rough skin.

I used it on and off at first, then i used it continuously for 4 months and i'd had no pimple for 1 whole month!!! unfortunately since it is a harsh medication my dermat decreased the dose and i again started having some pimples. But since my acne is pretty bad i needed more strong medicine in the end. I totally recommend it to anyone with moderate acne. Start with less dose (2-3 hrs at night), increase to overnight if u have stubborn acne. And then decrease to 3 times a week, then 2 times a week, when ur acne is controlled.

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fieldhockey1

July 4, 2010

Pros:

WORKS!!!!!!!!!!!

Cons:

takes a really long time!

i left a message on the boards because i didnt know how to get it on this page so check it out but be patient everyone! it really does work dont worry!! i know its really hard but it works!!!

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Achairis

June 29, 2010

Pros:

-clears acne well
-prevents future breakouts/stops small ones overnight
-fades scars
-does not dry skin

Cons:

-takes a couple weeks to start working
-skin looks worse in the first few weeks because it is bringing up the impurities in your skin

I used this once when I was in high school on my acne, and it cleared it up thoroughly and as long as I kept using it, my skin stayed clear. As my skin became clear, I needed less product, and breakouts become very rare, so I eventually stopped using it and had clear skin for 2 years. My acne came back after that period of time, probably because of stress, and Differin worked once again, when other less expensive kits and topical medications, even natural treatments (baking soda, drinking only water...) did not work. Differin does make your skin look worse in the first few weeks, but now it has only been two months, and my face is almost clear and smooth again.

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...

June 13, 2010

Pros:

not much that can go in here

Cons:

-adds oil
-clogs pores
-stays on the skin and doesnt soak in
-feels like an oil mask

This product didn't change my acne at all. I applied it at night but i felt like i was adding tons of oil ont my skin with no result on my oncoming acne. Maybe if you have light acne adapalene would help, but people with more sereve acne should try a product that is less oily and more powerful. Give it a try if you want, but I found it a waste of money. I felt like i was just adding fuel to the fire (ie... more oil to acne)

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