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
August 24, 2014
Pointless
I honestly do not know why I was prescribed this medication; it literally did nothing for my acne; made my acne worse. Caused more blackheads/clogged pores.
August 19, 2014
Drastically Worsened Acne
I have suffered on and off with acne for my whole life. I had previously cured my (relatively mild) acne with gentle skincare regime and benzoyl peroxide. Eventually I stopped using the benzoyl peroxide treatment and in 5-6 months my acne started to return in the form of bumps under my skin which I initially thought was a reaction to a product. This progressed to a few active spots and breakouts; seeing that my acne may be returning I went to my GP. He was concerned that either my acne was returning or I had a bacterial infection and so prescribed my a Tetracycline antibiotic and Differin. I used Differin for around 6 weeks before I couldn't take it any more. I know this product is a retinoid and can cause skin "purging" but this was way beyond that. I would wake up to increasingly inflamed, reactive skin and cystic acne and whitehead breakouts in area's I had never previously broken out in my life. Eventually the amount of scarring and hyper-pigmentation this stress on my skin was causing became too much and I quit the treatment. After a gap of around 2 weeks I have since begun treatment with Duac 5% Benzoyl Peroxide cream. It has been 3 weeks and already my skin is starting to show some improvement. Please be careful with Differin, it ruined my skin.
August 10, 2014
8 weeks in
I'm 20. My doc prescribed me Differin and Doxycycline Antibiotics for my mild acne. Well. It's been 8 weeks and my acne has moved from mild to moderate and I have more pimples than when I started the Differin. The doc said to take it for 3 months but I doubt that it will start producing any results in the 4 weeks I have left. This has left me extremely frustrated. I really thought this would work because for the last 4 years I have been using over-the-counter products like Benzoyl Peroxide and this was the first time a doctor looked at my acne. I feel like these last 2 months on DIfferin were a waste of time, money and effort.
July 26, 2014
AWFUL
When i first started using this product it seemed to work miracles, but then after 3 months it stopped. My acne became much worse and the differein burned my skin AND LEFT IT SO RED. After putting up with this for a week i couldn't take it any more and i stopped using it completely. My skin sill burns whenever i put any products and i look like a lobster whenever i put on anything, even just moisturizer :(
July 17, 2014
I really wanted this to work :(
I was so happy when I was prescribed this!
I followed all the rules pea sized amount far away from nose and eyes. Even put vasilene on eyes before the application. But I experienced severe eczema and itchy eyes. It was horrible. I felt soooo gutted as so many people said it would work. Oh well just not worth the dry itchy eyes to me. I held out for 31 days. Also I became extremely oily and broke out on my forehead which is actually acne free. I know people say it only lasts a while but I thought it was worth mentioning. Hope this works for you. I had better luck with duac aka Clyndoxil.
November 21, 2013
Horrible Product
When I started using this product I was told that my acne would get worse over the first few weeks and then begin to improve. I used the product for a month and my skin continued to get worse, never better. I developed acne all over my face and nose. My nose also became dark red. I have been off of differin for about a month now all the while taking doxycycline. The doxycycline has improved some areas of my face, but my nose is still a dark red and breaks out in whiteheads every single morning. I fear the redness may not go away as it currently shows no signs of doing so. I do not recommend this product to anyone as I had a terrible experience with it.
September 9, 2013
I didnt work for me
Pros:
Not irritating
Cons:
Worsen acne
Expensive
I gave t a hot and thought this was the one for me.. Unfortunately it did nothing for me.. It wasnt harsh nor irritating to the skin but did a number on me.. I used the stuff for probably 4-5 weeks and my acne got worse..
May 3, 2013
Pros:
Nothing
Cons:
Diddnt do Anything.
I am only 14 and have had acne since the third grade... I have tried sooo many things this,benzoyl peroxide ,proactive , various creams from my dermatologist and doctor etc)and I Am on epiduo now and it's really not doing Any thing, this absolutely did nothing and I would say I used it for 6 months or so. Also I have moderate to severe acne
March 15, 2013
Pros:
Isn't just used for acne but for cancer and other skin diseases.
Can remove and/or lower the affects of certain skin diseases.
Cons:
Extremely likely to leave your skin severly dry, flaky, and red within approximately 3 days.( Especially if you have sensitive skin.)
Could possibly try if your acne/skin diseases are very bad. Also not a good cream if you are the "on the go" person because of the dryness and flakiness and redness.
February 28, 2013
Pros:
?
Cons:
Does not work
Leaves skin dry to the touch
Instead of making my ance go away it made it worse
Cheap Cream
This is worst ance cream anyone can get !
Cons:
dry face
dark red nose
huge breakout all over face expecially nose