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
August 11, 2008
Cons:
So much peeling in the beginning! Also lots of redness and new pimples.
I havent been using it long enough to really give a good review, but the first couple weeks are rough. I just keep thinking to myself "if I keep putting it on everynight, it will someday get better". I'm just wondering when that someday will be.
July 9, 2008
Pros:
clears acne very quickly, evens skin tone
Cons:
mild peeling
this is a good product, if you don't have sensitive skin. it cleared my mild acne in ONE WEEK :) it can be drying though.. so you can use an oil free moisturizer
July 1, 2008
Pros:
clears your acne quickly
Cons:
flakes, your face stings , and your faces gets red.
i would not reccomend this topical for long term treatment. But for a quick fix it is perfect.
June 28, 2008
Pros:
Differin 0.1 gel; does not turn face red or dry; no peeling. Gentle enough for use on sensitive skin. Cleared up my acne and works fast.
Cons:
None
This is a fantastic, must-have product for myself and my daughter. Every other acne medication causes my daughter to break out in a rash- this is the only one gentle enough for her to use. All other retinoid products cause my face to peel and stay bright red, but Differin leaves my skin a normal color and no peeling. It works well alone but works the best in conjunction with another product, such as Benzaclin. I have insurance so it only cost me $20.00 for the perscription; I only have to refill it once every 2- 3 months... and this is with two people using it every day.
May 29, 2008
Pros:
Wasn't too drying
Cons:
Did absoultly nothing for my acne.
Costs £7 a month on NHS.
Just doesn't work. Used it exactly as directed for 6 months and it didn't do a thing. Big waste of time and money.
May 19, 2008
Pros:
Helped a little bit with acne, controlled it more than healed it.
Cons:
Didn't clear my skin, stung if I put it on sunburn or irritated skin.
This product is better than some others I've used on my mild to moderate acne. I feel like it's better for just mild acne, and wont help with those bigger pimples. If you have insurance, then I'd say give it a go.
May 13, 2008
Pros:
Clear up my skin from cysts, no itching, no peeling,
Cons:
I wish it could also help with acne scars, a bit sticky (gel)
Differin is a very good product. I've used other topical solutions before but to no avail. However, it does took a while to be effective. One thing to note is don't use Differin in the day. It should be used at NIGHT ONLY, since exposure to excessive sunlight or UV radiation (incl. Sunlamps) should be avoided during treatment, as it might enhance the dev. of skin cancer caused by UV light. Please do take caution and read the leaflet thoroughly. If you need to use moisturizers, please avoid the oil-based ones as it can caused further irritation. If these are followed through, then it should work for you.
March 23, 2008
Pros:
Works for SOME types of acne. Doesn't smell like anything. It easily washes off in the morning.
Cons:
REALLY dries out the skin (to the point where I'd rather have a few pimples)
Is not effective after a long time. I get bad scars on the pimples that I've used Differin on.
If you have whiteheads, this works well because it dries out the pimple. The problem is it will dry out your whole face! Even where you don't apply it. I would really have pimples rather than the dry skin it gave me. I would keep putting moisturizer on but my skin kept peeling!! I hate it. Also, I scar worse with Differin. I had used it for a year before stopping cold turkey. Its not worth it. If you're going to use it, just put it on your problem spots and stop putting it on after the pimple has dried out. You'll prevent it from drying out too much to the point where you scar really badly. Get a good moisturizer too (although that probably wont really help).
January 29, 2008
Pros:
-works for a time
Cons:
-Redness, extreme sensitivity
-Consistent breakouts after consistent use
-Seems to darken scars, also help create them
It may work for you, but if you have bad acne then I wouldn't reccomend this, especially during the winter
It was very expensive and it just didn't seem to work for me well
January 17, 2008
Pros:
It didn't dry out my already sensitive skin, minimized inflammation A LOT! Doesn't irritate the skin, feels good putting it on, and the number of pimples I get has decreased.
Cons:
Still have blackheads on nose and get 1 or 2 pimples around my cycle. Took about 2 months to start seeing the effects.
I recommend this for anyone who has dry, sensitive skin but also gets pimples. Other acne products are made for people with oily skin and can dry out the skin even more, but Differin doesn't. There are different strengths available, my doctor gave me the second lowest dosage and said that if we needed we could go higher or lower depending on the results. Very cheap with insurance and lasts a long time. One tube lasts me about 2-3 months and it only costs 10 dollars.
Pros:
Smooth Skin