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
July 20, 2014
So glad I stuck with it.
PATIENCE is key for when using differin. I was prescribed differin (0.1%) alongside benzoyl peroxide (2.5%). The first TWO months there was NO change at all, just the usual "purging" and breakout at the beginning. It wasn't until this past week when my skin DRASTICALLY changed. I no longer have closed comedones (which i have had for years!!!) I can't believe it, my skin has never been this clear and ... smooth! I used to be able to "feel" my blackheads and pores on my nose and forehead - not anymore. I don't even have blackheads anymore. What sort of sorcery is this?!?!? Its weird, I don't even recognize my own skin, haven't worn foundation in 2 weeks! Please don't give up, at least give differin a 3 month trial. It doesn't work as fast as benzoyl, but the final effect is huge! I also want to note that I didn't experience a drying /irritation effect that many seem to have. I actually found benzoyl to be more drying, but I guess everyone is different. I use a cream based one, not clear gel. My doctor told me to use it at night on my forhead, nose and chin. I also had an extraction on the 2nd month mark just to get rid of the pesky deep closed comedones.
June 27, 2014
Does its job
I have already used Differin two years ago but stopped after one month of using, my skin was doing very well and I experienced no breakouts for a long long long time. at my sophomore year my skin got bad and nothing changed it, so for one year I have used over the counter products and even though there was a certain clearing up it was short term
my dermatologist put me on this and It's been two days since I'm using this and I can see a large change even though I have experienced some breakouts, it did dry out a lot of my pimples and got rid of some of my scars, in my case the breakouts cause by differin weren't long lasting or inflamed just little redheads I might experience more purging however... I wanna warn you guys DO NEVER NEVER WAX ANY PART OF YOUR FACE when you're on differin you will regret it, always put sunscreen otherwise you will be left with very dark and deep scars that you will spend a lot of time on to fade, wash your face with a gentle cleanser and moisturise more than once, I use the super hydrating cream by SOSKIN twice a day just use a moisturiser that you think is nourishing enough (: good luck with this guys, maybe it can heal your acne, what no over the counter product ever will if you have serious acne
January 19, 2014
Patience pays off
Cons:
Gets worse before it gets better
Results take 3 months minumum
peeling, dryness, and oiliness
I'm 16. I've always had clear skin until this past summer. I started breaking out on my forehead with little bumps and the occasional big red cystic blemish. It was incredibly frustrating because I was keeping my skin clean, eating right, and taking care of myself, yet I had all this acne. I went to the dermatologis and they prescribed Differin in October. I used it for 3 months and saw almost no difference. It was extremely discouraging. But I kept going. It is now January 19th and I have a completely clear complexion and I could not be happier with my results. I currently use Clinique foaming cleanser, my clarisonic, and Clinique dramatically different moisturizer. I cannot stress enough that you need to KEEP USING THIS PRODUCT FOR IT TO WORK! Stick with it and you will feel amazing soon! I know how hard it is to suffer from acne :( keep your head up everyone, it's not forever, and you are beautiful with or without your acne. You're not alone.
November 20, 2013
Best product ever
Pros:
Cleared skin
Got rid of acne
Gentle on face
Hands down best thing ever invented!! Yes it might dry out your skin a lil bit but it's nothing compared to other acne medications where you get super flaky dry skin we red spots all over your face!I've been using it for literally 5 days and im seeing a huge improvement and it also reduces blackheads!
November 15, 2013
Worked for me
Pros:
Cleared skin
Cons:
Mild rash
Dry skin
I've been using Differin 0.1% for a little over two months and my face is pretty much blemish free now. I'm 35 and always suffered from mild acne. I would always have a blemish or two but about three months ago my face flared up and I started getting a lot of large blemishes around my jaw line and chin.
Differin is quite a strong cream. I was lucky enough not to suffer from bad side effects accept a mild rash appeared on my neck for a while and I had slight redding around the effected area. You must wash you hands after use as you don't want to get it in your eyes! I would recommend using a good moisturiser as it can dry your skin out a little too.
It's worth trying, I'm really pleased with the results but I did have to use the cream every single night for over two months to get a spot free face, so stick with it and good luck!
October 23, 2013
Differin works
Pros:
Doesn't irritate skin
Clears skin of pimples fast
Fades scarring
I've been suffering with acne for over 10 years. I've tried antibiotics, went gluten and dairy free, tried tons of topical ointments and have visited many different dermatologists but nothing has worked to permanently keep my skin clear. My skin problems have changed over the years, I think sometimes it was hormone related and other times my cystic acne just took over and destroyed my face. I had been mixing Differin and benzoyl peroxide together because my insurance didn't cover Epiduo. One day I decided not to use the benzoyl peroxide and BOOM my existing pimples went away and no new ones have come back! I have read that benzoyl peroxide can actually make peoples acne worse because it can be too harsh. I'm hoping its using the Differin on its on that is making my skin better finally! I use Cetaphil cream on my face morning and night because Differin does dry out your skin. If you haven't tried the Cetaphil cream I highly recommend it, strangely enough Cetaphil's moisturizer irritated my skin but the cream is gentle and works wonders.
October 18, 2013
This product is amazing for my adult acne
Pros:
Diminishes acne scars
Diminishes blackheads and new pimples
Works relatively fast
Cons:
Makes skin itchy and dry (find a good moisturizer)
I am 27 years old and have dealt with acne since my early teens. I remember using this product when I was 16 or 17 and not being super impressed. As I got older my acne moved from being on my face to my neck, chest, and back. I tried tons of products like retin a and finacea, to name a few, and nothing could get rid of it. My doctor prescribed differin cream .01 and I was skeptical at first having used it before. Within one week my back acne had significantly diminished and scarring was fading. I've been using it a month now and I am astonished by the results- my acne is almost completely gone! And trust me, I had terribly acne on my back. I am so happy I finally found something that works for me!
September 24, 2013
Lifechanging
Pros:
Clears acne
Clears dark spots
Works fast
Cons:
Drying
My acne at first was all over my forehead but mostly on my cheeks.. My dermatologist prescribed me this and I love this stuff!!! It's drying but at night I put coco butter around my mouth and around my eyes so there isn't dryness when I wake up.. This stuff is literally amazing and I love it so much! My face improves everyday and my dark spots are fading away! I know it's hard but just be patient an remember that although you have acne it will eventually go away and you are still beautiful/handsomeâ¤
August 21, 2013
only product to work for me
Pros:
reduces size of pimple
reduced the amount of pimples
fast to work
Cons:
only took 3 weeks to work
first 3 weeks dryness and itching
Only thing to help with my acne. I tried different pills, anti biotics, proactive and other anti acne topical lotions etc. I didn't want to put bad things like roaccutane/proactive into my body. this worked well. reduced redness/size/amount of pimples. got rid of scarring. now ive got a couple every now and again
May 1, 2013
Pros:
Cleared skin
Smooths skin
Spots heal faster
Cons:
Took a few months
Skin is sensitive to light
Skin can peel easily
I have been using Differin for six months now and in my experience it has been brilliant. I was on Dan's regime for a year, and although it worked brilliantly, I wanted to see if I could find a product which didn't dictate the way I lived my life (having to use it religiously twice a day everyday, only using white bed sheets and towels because of the bleaching, not being able to work out or go swimming/in the sea because it would wash the product off, having constantly dry skin). So I asked my doctor what I could use, and he prescribed me differin and an antibiotic. A lot of people will tell you how horrendous the initial breakout (IB) is, but I think it depends on how bad your skin is in the first place and the type of acne you have. My acne was not big red pustules, just a lot of under the skin bumps. So I had quite a lot to come to the surface (as differin increases cell turn over). But I found that by the end of the first month I noticed significant improvement, and now six months in I am clear. Please bear in mind that I did take antibiotics so these will also have helped. I think if you have the patience to stick with this product than it is completely worth it, but if you want to find something that works quickly than this is not the product for you. But in my experience, very few products work quickly and effectively on acne. Also, I have found that the product made the top layers of my skin quite flimsy and they peel off easily...so if you pick your skin (as I often do) you end up taking more layers of skin off, which can cause large red marks. Just something to be aware of.
Pros:
Great results
Not too expensive