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
December 8, 2007
Cons:
Bleaches your clothes. I tried benzamyacin first, that eventually stopped working. Differin worked for about 2 weeks, dr. said to keep using, did for several months to no avail. Eventually quit all scrip meds. Ended up with scarring & cysts daily.
Everyone needs to try different things to find out what works for their skin. We are all different; I have very sensitive skin, to sunlight, to pollens, etc., using a bunch of different meds really jacked up my skin but thus far, I am very happy with the results from the basis bar, benz peroxide 5%, alpha hydroxy moisturizer and the neutrogena sunblock.... If that changes I'll be back to complain... :o)
December 6, 2007
Pros:
fairly good so far
Cons:
skin is much drier, havent been moisturising because im scared this might make either of the two differin or benzique not be as effective. does any1 know when the best time to moisturize while using the differin at night and the other in the mornin?
only tried it for two days now and skin is already much drier though i havent seen any more new pimples, and it actually seems to be helping the redness and bumps. in a month i will give more info on how it has worked for me but i am using the gel 1% and benzique face wash in the morning alon with an antibiotic.
November 23, 2007
Pros:
Clears pores, brightens skin (I thought so!)
Cons:
Did not completely clear acne
I used the 1% differin with clindamycin and my face improved. (Previously I had just used BP) The differin does take a while for its effects to be apparent. Generally, pores which were clogged up were opened and cleared and although this regimen was not enough to totally clear my acne, my skin improved and my acne at least receded. It's worth trying, and if your skin isn't completely clear after 3 or so months, move on to something else.
November 23, 2007
Pros:
Gentle on skin, as compared to Duac.
Visible results in 2 days
Helps dry skin
Cons:
Has to allow it to dry before sleeping
I'm currently on Doxycycline, Duac and Differin. Initially, i was prescribed with Duac, to hlp clear up my acne and also to hlp lighten the red acne marks all over my cheeks. At first, this was a good combination - cleared my acne and hlp dry my oil-field-like skin. But after 2 months, my face started getting used to Duac. I went back to my doctor as I started breaking out again. He gave me Differin and told me to switch it between Duac when I felt I needed to. I went home researched about Differin and came across this forum. I was freaked out because everyone seemed to mention a huge breakout for the first 1 mth. I can't afford that because I'm going on a holiday next week. So i decided to try it jus on the lower half on my face - my chin and neck where there were acne all over. To my surprise, the next morning, I can see that the redness in my acne is GONE! And my skin is dry again! No more oily skin! I would recommend it to ppl with really oily skin. Use
November 14, 2007
Pros:
none
Cons:
made worse... doesn't work
dont waste ur time
November 6, 2007
Pros:
It does work after a while.
Cons:
initial breakout
takes a long time to start working
makes skin look oily
i tried this when i had mild-moderate acne, and it made my face much much worse than it had EVER been, but it then did make it better, but i didnt like how it made my face feel so i stopped using it. then my face broke out horribly. lots of cysts, pimples, blackheads, there was almost no space on my face where there wasn't acne. my face was terrible. so after about 6 months i started minocycline and differin in combination and they worked like a miracle, honestly. no initial breakout (because of the mino), and i was pretty much completely clear in about 2-3 months. i would only recommend using this if you have moderate-severe acne. it doesn't really improve mild-moderate, it just makes it worse and then brings your face back to where it was before. i regret ever using it in the first place, but it does work on bad acne, you just have to give it a little time to kick in.
October 30, 2007
Pros:
none
Cons:
red skin ,more acne than what u started with.
makes face looks greasy.
this stuff sucks. i rregret using it. i went from moderat acne to sever because of this product. not only did it made my skin red but it gave me so much acne then ever before.
and from reviews that i have red from people who use this and say it works actually use differin in combanation with other medication.so it make you think if this product is the one that actually is working.
in my experiance is the worst thing i have ever tried. and is one of the most expensive ones i have bought also since i don't have insurance so not only was it a waste of money but it also was a waste of time. and worst of all it destroyed my face..
September 7, 2007
Pros:
has made acne worse but still waiting for more results.
Cons:
skin feels really irritated when first applied.
i got my eyebrows waxed while using differin and it took off a really thin layer of my eyelid. it was really painful. this medicine thins your skin so you CANNOT rub too harshly or get eyebrows waxed
waiting on more results.
September 4, 2007
Pros:
easy to put on. doesn't smell. doesn't stain or bleach anything. doesn't itch or burn. works very well!
Cons:
makes my face more greasy
it's working great. i'm almost all cleared up. i used proactiv for a really long time but this is actually working better. i just use it with an over-the-counter face wash. so much easier...
July 23, 2007
Pros:
Makes skin feel good, sometimes calms acne overnight. Doesn't dry out skin (if your skin isn't too sensitive).
Cons:
Takes so long to work (2.5 months).
It's alright. When used in conjunction with something else (like Duac) it does a good enough job.
Pros:
Covered by my prescription drug plan.