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
January 7, 2008
Cons:
just fine.. no cons for me.
this Product is Good for me.. i used it every night and put a little amount on my face after i wash it with CLearasil Ultra. then in the morning I put 10% Benzoyl Peroxide if i had a Zit. then all in all... this is good product! given to me by a friend.. thanks to him,.
December 26, 2007
Pros:
Creamy consistency, no strong smell, nighttime use, anti-inflammatory.
Cons:
Some dryness.
My dermatologist told me to start using this every 3 nights for a month, then every other night for a month, then every night. I also use Benzaclin and clindamycin gel on off nights. So far so good, although my skin is a little dry. But that could be from any of the medications. My skin is already improving and this also should help with the appearance of large pores, so I'm really pleased so far.
November 26, 2007
Pros:
Well...I am probably older than a lot of you...I started getting acne on my jaw line and cheeks at age 25...Proactiv made it worse, and the antibiotics made me sick. But Differin cream .1% once a day in combination with Cetaphil and moisturizer=yah!
Cons:
Pricer than some products, but with insurance it's affordable. You don't need expensive face wash, just gentle, and DON'T FORGET TO MOISTURIZED.
It cleared up my skin, and that made me soooo happy, I've been using it over a year now and it doesn't prevent EVERY breakout but makes it less intense and it goes away more quickly.
November 25, 2007
Pros:
Acne diminished significantly.
Cons:
I still had breakouts while using Differin, though they weren't as ugly as they'd been before. My skin dried and flaked, and this problem became quite painful and hard to deal with in the winter. Also, my skin felt more sensitive. Kinda pricy.
Differin is worth a try for most people. I have *extremely* sensitive skin, and found it somewhat irritating, even when used in combination with a very gentle moisturizer. That's why I stopped using it. Also, it didn't work as well after the first several months.
November 23, 2007
Pros:
Those little white bumps I had all over my face are clearing! The pimples I do have are healing and drying faster, and not causing such bad scarring. The stubborn pimples that just wouldn't go away are going away. My skin actually has a glow to it
Cons:
For the first month of use, severe peeling, dryness, tightness, flaky skin, redness, and discomfort. But, after about a month and half, using it religiously with just a mild cleanser and a moisturizer, the redness and dryness is subsiding.
I think it takes time and patience to see results. The first few weeks had major breakouts, and even now there are bad periods, but each time the inflamation goes away and it gets better and better.
November 15, 2007
Pros:
doesn't burn, no peeling, it's less servere than other stuff. i have sensetive skin, so i got the cream.
Cons:
dryness, a tiny little spot where i acidentally put it too close to my nose. in the beginning, your acne will get much, much worse, so be prepared, and optimistic.
ok well, i've only had it for about a week. But, although i have a lot more acne than i used to, it's not the bad, big evil hurting acne. just some colorless, reddish bumps. i have very sensetive skin, so i have some dryness, but i'm happy that it's light, it doesn't burn, and it doesn't peel if you put it on right. i am optimistic, and if you're planning to use it, start of easy. i would by a moisurizer that doesn't clog your pores, and a face wash. good luck, and be PATIENT. the week is taking much less time than i imagined, and i will write again in about a month.
October 30, 2007
Pros:
it doesnt dye clothes like benzoyl peroxide does
Cons:
it burns my skin even my eyelids and i dont even put it near there. it made me break out worse than before on my cheeks.
its just alotta pain and it stinks to havta try something else you are afraid wont work. ill try it a little more bc i just started it but im already disappointed.
October 24, 2007
Pros:
none
Cons:
it was like a horror movie
This product LITERALLY burned my skin off. The skin under my lips, around my chin, around my nostrils and nose, and forehead were patches of red, raw skin, similar to a second degree burn. I was told that it would take up to 6 MONTHS to work and was prepared but it made my acne worse and after 4 weeks I was so depressed (the burns never healed during the entire 4 weeks) that I stopped using it. I have talked to several other users who had similar experiences.
I have oily but dry skin with cystic acne and this product destroyed it. I use Skin Medica products and Clindamycin now and haven't had a cyst in months.
October 20, 2007
Pros:
Well I got clear while using Differin in conjunction to other products, so it must be doing something right!
Cons:
Your face will get red at first while starting out, but it will go away after about 2-3 months. If not, switch to the cream.
Differin really helped get me clear. It doesn't do much for blackheads, but it keeps other acne at bay by getting old skin off quickly. I found that after a night with Differin on, a rub with my fingers to my face rolled off lots of skin in the shower. I added a facial scrub in the mornings and now I have no problems with that anymore.
Now that I'm clear I got the OK from my derm. to ease off of it after a year. Definitely recommend it!
October 18, 2007
Pros:
It works. Real results within 4 weeks.
Cons:
Sligh initial breakout in the first two weeks.
I've used Differin for 6 months. From many new papules new each day to nearly none and very visibly clearer skin.
Pros:
works for my pimples near my nose..