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 29, 2009
Cons:
made my skin sensitive and irritated
I went to Florida while using this, and I turned purple. Honest to goodness, purple. I don't know if it was the combination of the sun (I wear sunscreen religiously) or saltwater, or what. But I was purple. And my skin felt very sore as well. Not irritated or chapped, but like I had gotten smacked very hard. Needless to say I discontinued use. I haven't heard of any other reactions like this, so I would say give it a try to other people.
January 26, 2009
Pros:
It works! Smooths skin. No odour or staining
Cons:
Takes a few months to work. Can be drying at first
This stuff is fantastic! I have been using it for 4 months, and the first 3 months are the worst. The first few weeks can be drying, and then all my spots, which were hard lumps under the skin, started coming to the surface. Around week 8 was the worst time for me, and I felt like giving up loads of times, but I am so glad that I didnt. I now have very smooth and soft skin, with just a few pink marks. So much better than the bumpy red skin I had at the start.
If you are thinking of trying differin, be prepared to your skin to get worse before it gets better, and give it at least 3-4 months of use.
Good luck!
January 21, 2009
Pros:
No side effects
Cons:
It doesn't work at all for me. My skin is still very oily and hasn't cleared up at all.
It's worth the try, but doesn't work for everyone.
January 5, 2009
Pros:
I am 27 years old, and I never had break outs in my teens. But after having two children I started to have problems with my skin. I use 0.1% Differin and Duac combo. It helped at first, but not for long. I have used the combo for 1 year.
Cons:
My skin has became EXTREMELY sensitive. I can't go on a 4-wheeler ride without my face peeling for 2 weeks after!! My skin is always dry, red, oily, peeling, and it HURTS! It has helped to apply Differin after shower, when skin is moist.
I keep waiting for Differin to work for me, as it did at first. But I give up. Why trade a few break outs for dry, red, burning, oily, peeling skin. I never had a problem with oily or sensitive skin before treatment, but now I can't even play outside in the snow with my kids, without fear of dealing with dry painful skin for the next two weeks. And I don't know if treatment has anything to do with it, but even my eyelids have gotten dry and peely and irritated after use of differin. I don't put it near my eyes, but maybe it has changed the balance of all my facial skin. I hope my skin will go back to normal after I quit treatment. I fear that if my skin looks this bad with treatment, what will it look like if I quit? But after reading of all the other users that have quit differin right after the the first few weeks, I realize I need to trash it too! Not worth all the money that I forked out for the crap!
January 3, 2009
Pros:
Made skin appear healthier. Slowly but surely getting rid of acne.
Cons:
Takes some time.
I've been on differin gel a couple of times. The first time it was the 0.1% dosage and now it's the 0.3% dosage. It's one of those medications were it gets worse before it gets better or at least that has been my experience. Right now I'm still in the worst of it but I know it will get better. I think it mainly gets worse because it's bringing all the possible pimple to the surface. I also have really oily skin so I don't mind that this dries it out a bit.
December 31, 2008
Pros:
Got rid of acne along my jaw line. Made my skin feel very soft and smooth. When I do breakout, the breakout goes away very quickly.
Cons:
drys out my skin and makes it very sensitive.
I would reccommend this product to try. Everyone has different skin types so I am sure it wont work for everyone.
December 29, 2008
Pros:
I can't think of any
Cons:
Made my acne worse
My skin is cracking and peeling and it HURTS. I actually cried because it hurt so much and no moisturizer would make the sting go away.
I HATE IT! even though it's only been a few days, my skin has never been sensitive until this came along. and now my skin is also red, and inflammed and horrible with breakouts. I have a party to go to in a few days and I'm going to die of embarassment
December 28, 2008
Pros:
It clears up your acne of course!
Cons:
It takes a very long time to work. Depending on your skin's condition, it can take 6 weeks-3 months!
I went to my derm in September for moderate acne. I mostly had tiny under the skin bumps crowding my jawline, but I did get the occasional painful scarring cyst. I also had EXCESSIVELY OILY skin. No exaggeration.
So I was prescribed Differin 0.1% Cream that September.
...That went TERRIBLY, I thought about quitting that treatment but I stuck through it. EVERYTHING got worse. Acne all over. Especially cysts.
Then my derm switched me to the gel. Everything still continued getting worse for about a month even with the gel, and then everything began getting progressively better.
Now it's December and I'm proud to say I am ACNE FREE!
Though my oil is still kind of bad, I am clear.
To actually control my oil, I use a product called OCeight to cover excess oil and that works VERY VERY well. Differin WILL work for you. Just STICK WITH IT. Be strong :)
December 19, 2008
Pros:
Helped control acne for a few months. I had white head and doc prescribed this.
Cons:
Now I'm developing cystic acne and black heads. Skin is very oily now. You can deep fry on my face no.
In my 30s I stated getting pimples. Over the counter stuff wasn't working. Doc prescribed this and gave me a regiment. I think it is getting worse. Not a cure all only good for short term use and it might make it worse.
December 3, 2008
Pros:
I honestly can't see any pros. I honestly wouldnt try this because you may get the reaction I got, and its just not worth it.
Cons:
Causes horrible cystic acne on my jawline and cheeks that I have never experienced in my entire life. I started using it at the start of october and its the beginning of december and my face is finally back to normal. Still have tons of red marks:(
I am 19 and had occasional acne, nothing bad and only around my mouth, none on cheeks or jawline. I took this medicine and within 2 weeks my face broke with cystic acne along my jawline and cheeks!! These were in places that I have never, ever gotten acne, and to a severity that I have never experienced. Ever. I didnt even get acne until I was 17 and it has always been 1 or 2 pimples here or there, nothing else. I figured I would get rid of those few pimples for good, man was I wrong. I started the "treatment" at the beginnign of october and used it until nov 1st when I went to the derm and he was shocked at what this had done to my face. My face is finally getting back to normal but I am still suffering from tons of red marks and I may have permanent scarring :( From a person that never really had ACNE, this product gave me it.
Pros:
reduced acne somewhat, easy to use