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 12, 2008
Cons:
U get faster results if used with minocylen and PanOxy bar (10%)... and it takes a looooong time to see results... o and its also kinda expensive
It works after awhile.... u really wont be dissapointed you just have to wait and be patient b/c it does get worse before better. I started using it during my junior year in HS and i cleared up beautifully... im a sophmore in college and i still use it to stay clear!!!!
August 5, 2008
Pros:
supposedly when you use it regularly it works amazing but since i was a bit inconsistent and impatient i dont think i really got the full effect
Cons:
i was all excited to start cuz i've heard great things but missed the part where it says it gets worse before it gets better. and BAD did it get i stopped using it and have been trying to clear my skin ever since
give it a try dont give up after a few weeks. it gets worse before it gets better, i'm about to try again and hopefully if i stick to it i'll get better results
July 26, 2008
Pros:
Differin seems to be working really well. it reduced the size of breakouts within the first week and things seemed to be almost flawless by the third week of use.
Cons:
made skin pretty dry with a little redness and sensitivity.
I've been using differin with benzaclin for about a month now. I'm not totally sure which is making the differnce but my skin looks great and i love it!
July 25, 2008
Pros:
seems to make the redness go away from patches acne seems to get better especially a cyst i had
Cons:
i used it during the beginning of the school year and it made my face super red so i stopped using it but ive been using it for about two weeks now with antibiotics and so far so good
good product and in the long run seems like i wont have acne flair ups anymore. The only reason i have it now is because i went on proactiv (bad idea) and then off it and i had this HUGE acne surge it went from like two zits to a billion so i hope the differin clears it for good.
July 23, 2008
Pros:
Made my skin smooth when I used a cleanser with it. Most of my acne is gone, and I've been using this product for a month. Cleared most of my acne on my forhead which was biggest insecurity! Removed blemishes, smooth complextion.
Cons:
Differin gave me dry skin and peeling. I knew this before because the first time I used it,it was during school and my face peeled badly so i stopped using it. I'm using Differin now because it's the summer time and it's easier healing.
Bottom line, it's worth it even though the side affects aren't great. If you read the back of the box it says that for the next 2-4 weeks you will see redness,dryness,peeling etc. It's not as bad as what the comments above say and you should use it for 8 weeks to see significant results. (DO NOT WAX FACE) biggest regret, because a few minutes after waxing I saw this rash ..2 days later I have a reaaal noticable burn ..not fun.
July 20, 2008
Pros:
works so well, clears pores and makes scars less visible. my skin is 100% smooth for the first time in 9 years honest to goodness
Cons:
none
seriously try it. my dermatologist gave me like 20 little sample bottles and theyve lasted me a few months. best looking skin ive seen in a long time. try it try it try it try it.
July 14, 2008
Pros:
Easy to use. Works really well if you stick to it.
Cons:
Yes, it is irritating to your skin initially. You do tend to break out even more...but then when the storm is over...you complextion is perfect!
I used this product and thought it didnt work the first time...then my face cleared up and I thought I was cured...soon enough I was back where I started...then a few months later I started using differin again and the same thing, happen...I was clear! The key is to continue to use it and realize it is initially pulling out all the bad stuff...get through it and you will be smiling pretty.
Oh, did I mention I am not your typical teen with acne...I am 38! It works! Buy online..not at a pharmacy..save big!
July 11, 2008
Pros:
The only thing that's been able to clear up my moderate acne. It evened my skin and slowly stopped getting more acne :)
Cons:
The gel only irritated my face, but when I switched to the cream version, my face cleared up.
I've really struggled with my acne, using everything from over the counter to retin-A, and using Differin cream at night and Klaron in the morning is the only thing that's ever cleared me up :o
July 8, 2008
Pros:
It seems to be working so far. Makes my skin a nice texture.
Cons:
First few weeks suck majorly, you have to keep it up though. My skin was really red and since its summer, I had to be in the sun, so it got really irritated. It got a little worse, but mainly just red and peely. It lasted like a week and a half.
I think its a good product. I'm using the differin gel .3% and thats it, I wash using Cetaphil. I can't wait to see how it looks in a few more months.
I still got period pimples, but they went away in like 3-5 days, so its not bad.
Just keep it up and use it every night, DONT use more than a pea size!
Most of the people who are saying its bad probably didnt use it right. Do EACTLY as they say and it should be okay. Oh and its not very expensive at all and you get alot in one tube. But without insurance its too expensive.
July 3, 2008
Pros:
Cleared my skin better than any other medication has. Completely reduced all redness within about 3-4 days.
Cons:
I have very durable skin, that generally never scars or peels, however this has made my skin peel worse than it ever has. Make sure not use chemical sunscreen, but apply moisturizer throughout the day.
Probably the best thing to use if you has skin that has been resistant to all other over the counter products. I use Benzaclyn (check spelling) during the day, and differin at night, and its worked great for me. I did experience a small breakout when i first started using it, but not nearly as bad as past breakouts I've had without being on any medication. Make sure you only use an extremely small amount (ex. pea size amount on each cheek/forehead) and definitely stay out of the sunlight. So far I'm only a couple of weeks in and my skin has improved dramatically, however I'm guessing from other reviews that this greatly varies from person to person. Check with your doctor to get samples, before filing a prescription (they last a very long time) as if you don't have insurance it's going to be rather expensive.
Pros:
Clears skin beautifully!!