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
January 31, 2010
Cons:
My face became so red that it hurt to even breathe. I became blotchy all along the jawline and everywhere else looked like I had an extremely bad sunburn. My face was so dry and irritated that even putting moisturizer on it caused me pain. There was also a lot of peeling, no amount of Physicians Formula mineral makeup could cover it. I developed a cyst on my nose, I only ever get cysts from prescription medications.
Even though I only used the product for a week, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone with dry skin. My skin doesn't produce many oils (I don't even get blackheads or whiteheads) and I've realized that topical acne creams are not the way to go. SO REMEMBER: if you have dry or sensitive skin, Differin isn't even worth trying. It will only cause more pain.
January 29, 2010
Pros:
No pro's with this stuff...
Cons:
Costly....paid $235.00 for a tube and the product didn't work, only caused irritation. A higher strength does not achieve any better result only increases the dryness and stinging. Too many sideeffects for no effect on pimples
Ask for some other acne product besides Differin
January 25, 2010
Pros:
Makes the skin dry, so there's no shiny nose/cheeks/forehead during the day.
Cons:
Skin started peeling off and became very red after the second day of using. My face hurt and I felt very uncomfortable.
The worst part for me was the redness and peeling. I have oily, sensitive skin and started using Differin for curing (as my doctor calls it) acne vulgaris. I am currently using it and have thoughts of dumping the course. I can't stand feeling ugly and uncomfortable during school, walking through the day with a red, itchy, peeling face only to get home sooner.
January 25, 2010
Pros:
Does clear up acne, is easy to use and acne doesn't really come back after you stop using it.
Cons:
Takes a while (about two months) to work, you have to be patient!
My doctor prescribed this to me after I had suffered from moderate acne for about 2 years. He told me to only use it every second night for the first 2 weeks because otherwise it can cause redness and peeling. I strongly suggest you do this too, because I can see how it may cause these side effects. Also, just be patient because (for me at least) Differen really helped clear up my acne! I still get the odd pimple, but nothing like I used to have and I haven't used Differen for about a year.
January 19, 2010
Pros:
seriously...none...probably didn't use it long enough... but I had my reasons.
Cons:
My reasons were that it caused ALL my acne that weren't visible to all appear at the same time. Like i put it on my body too like neck chested areas...never do... caused so much scarring and it started turning brownish shade it was so gross i was so ashamed of myself.. to a point where even Sheercover convinced me to buy it to cover up the scars. Also, it was so dry and tight on my face causing it to feel like its being burned.. especially when I touched my face. I couldn't handle it..
Do not use it... it may work for some people but not me... I couldn't handle the affects... my acne's were pretty mild I just wanted to get rid of some acne that's all... and I got this... horrible. It took months and months of healing from the scars and the break outs...
January 18, 2010
Pros:
It really worked for me. However i still have a few pimples, but for me its great to say i have a "few" pimples, since prior to this medication i had many .
Cons:
It takes awhile to see results
I would recommend this. It is very important to stay with your routine and be patient with this product. In addition be careful where you apply it due to the drying nature of this product. Oh and keep in mind i used this with oily/combo. skin and i used this in w. monodox antibiotic pills.
January 5, 2010
Pros:
No pros.
Cons:
Made my skin very dry.
After 6 months using this product, it still did not work.
I dont have severe acne, although my dermatoolgist subscribed it to me and said that it takes time to see the results. The first week I had so bad rash, I could not go out. My face burned and was very itchy and no cream helped to make the situation even a little bit better. So I went to my family doctor, who helped to get my face better with some kind of salve. And said that my dermatologist likes to write differin to everyone who walks in with acne. Still I continued to use it. Because all these products what dermatologist subscribed me costed pretty much.
So I used it with uriega washing gel(before differin) and sebamed cream(after). And even with the cream my face started to peel. It was like I go out and after half and hour my face was very dry, inflexible and peeling. But I still thought that okey, it takes time so no whining. And after 6 months I had enough with that product. Because I could not stand the peeling and that my face was very very very inflexible and dry ALL the time.
And my face was never dry before. I had comedons ,that I hated. And after six months my face was not improved in any way.
December 29, 2009
Pros:
made the texture of my skin nice
faded hyperpigentation
Cons:
didnt do as much as i wanted for acne, still got cysts
i bet this is good for mild cases of acne, i used both the .1 and .3 and still got cystic acne on occasion, the initial breakout was pretty awful, would have been worth it if it kept me clearer in the long term but it didnt. Did make the overall texture of my skin very nice though and faded red marks really well. i reccomend trying it but for many people it will only be a small step in clearing your skin, i am now using retin a which i like better. ( however differin is much more tolerable than retin a)
December 29, 2009
Pros:
skin feels softer, a very small "glow-ness" factor that you can tell it looks a slightly better, perhaps an even tone on the cheek areas that has improved
Cons:
takes a LONG time, break outs never seem to be under control, you don't really see any progress, I don't know if anybody really has that kind of real world time to wait for this stuff to work.
It's not worth it if its going to take this long. I've been using this for about 4 months on a consistent basis. The good news is that my skin feels softer, there is a slight clarity in my skin, a "glow" that is slightly detectable in comparison to my previous skin before. And I do see that around my cheeks, it's been beneficial. BUT overall, I would not recommend this. I broke out, on my forehead leaving scarring which defeats the whole purpose. And I've broken out around my nose, and chin. And I used to only get small zits here and there, now it's just so much more. And they have been painful acne bumps. Not horrible horrible skin as I've seen others with raised bumps and dents in their skin, but it's enough that is not particularly attractive and can't be covered up with makeup because the acne bumps are so large and big. But since I've been using it for about 4 months long and still have a whole tube to go, I'm going to continue with it. Basically, it's not been worth it for the length of time it's taken to get where I'm at. We will see how it looks several more months here on out. Wouldn't recommend it. Takes too long and the acne that comes out is painful. And no real progress in treatment. Can people really go around with painful zits popping everywhere for months on end? I'm giving it a 2 for the slight improvement on my cheeks and even tone around my nose area.
December 28, 2009
Pros:
There weren't any
Cons:
Severe itchying. if put anywhere near nose or mouth the itching turns into SEVERE BURNING ( so bad made me and my sister cry!!) face turns inflamed and it smells to high heaven, the burning doesn't go away for a while even after continued use
Didn't work for me.. but all skin is different!
Pros:
Smooth skin