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
April 28, 2013
Cons:
expensive but who cares
This stuff works. Plain and simple. It's not too irritating at all. Just use a moisturizer. It is slowly but surely fading red marks. In like 2-3 months it should fade them pretty decently. I also have had no initial breakout after a month so far.
March 27, 2013
Pros:
Clears;
whiteheads,blackheads,pimples and pustules
Cons:
Leaves face red
Not so good for hyperpigmentation
Use this cream.
I have tried everything literally everything, I've always suffered from acne through puberty especially from whiteheads which then become angry pustules and papules, I've been on this cream for 12 weeks and I kid you not I look in the mirror and haven't seen my face and complexion this bump free for about 3 and a half years , people who succeed on this cream won't post on here , only the negatives because the people who it works out for forget about having to write reviews !!
March 15, 2013
Pros:
-Keeps pores small
-Face seems smoother
-Overall increase in how good my skin looks
Cons:
-Initial breakout
The reason this product is getting a low rating is because people think that it's supposed to be used to clear up acne. It doesn't clear acne up like benzoyl peroxide--it simply makes your skin look nicer overall by reducing pore size and makes it easier to fight acne in the long run. My skin got worse for about a month, but if it doesn't clear up after that, the problem lies in whatever antibacterial you're using. I used Acanya with it (and recently Monodox) and my skin looks much better.
March 11, 2013
Pros:
clears up dark acne scars
saw improvements within the first week
Cons:
can leave face dry
Love love love the results I had verry bad acne and did not want to get accuntane I was given this and its great my face is still very oily but its worth it. Stick to it you are not expected to see results within the first 2 months but I saw results from the first week my acne is totally under controll I feel CONFIDENT AGAIN !
March 4, 2013
Pros:
Works fast
Quick to apply
Cons:
Skin gets a little dry
I am a 16 year old girl with moderate acne covering the whole lower part of my face. It was to the point where I had 5 or more whiteheads per day & a few pimples. Since I was prescribed differin, my acne has calmed down immensely. I haven't had a single zit since it was prescribed to me 4 days ago. Great product
February 16, 2013
Pros:
Works quickly and as well on body (arms/back/chest) as face.
Doesn't bleach clothing, towels or sheets
Doesn't burn on application
No noticeable scent
Great consistency - easy to smooth on problem areas
Doesn't cause flaking healthy, clear skin - only break outs
Cons:
None
I *love* this product. Retin A made me itch all over for months, it made my skin so sensitive even a single one of my hairs could slip from my ponytail and it it touched my face, the itching was outrageous. It also made my whole face peel, and was hard to apply evenly. Seemed to migrate places I hadn't applied it. Differin exfoliates everywhere it's applied, but without all the "dramatics" of Retin-A - Burning, itching, redness, cracking,
January 21, 2013
Pros:
- Less redness
- Easy application
- Works fast
Cons:
- Dryness around areas applied
- Itchy eyes
I have light acne. I have been using this for a couple weeks and I have seen a huge improvement. I hope for it to get better in the next few weeks, too!
December 21, 2012
Pros:
Clears pustules
Fades acne scars
Cons:
Initial breakout for first 2-3 weeks
Can irritate sensitive skin
Takes about 8-11 weeks to see significant results
I began using Differin about three months ago after my relatively mild acne grew severe. At first, I experienced a horrible burning sensation on my face, as well as severe drying and redness. Later I began using a Cetaphil moisturizer, which helped to soothe the dryness. The skin irritations ceased over time, and now my skin is much less sensitive to Differin. I see huge improvement, especially with fading of my acne scars. Overall, it is a highly effective product if you give it time to work.
December 3, 2012
Pros:
Easy to use
Clears acne
Cons:
Very drying
Skin can be sensitive after treatment
This works well for me in combination with the rest of my routine. It can be drying, so I suggest using some kind of moisturizer. It also makes your skin sensitive to temperature extremes. Price reflects monthly cost (Different lasts me anywhere from 3 - 5 months) and when insurance is applied but I know it can be as high as $200 without insurance. The product works, but only when I started using my moisturizer with it did it keep acne away consistently Routine (night only)
1) Wash face with Dermae Glycolic Acid Cleanser
2) Pat dry
3) Apply Differen over entire face
4) Apply Duac over entire face
5) Wait till absorbed (about 5 minutes)
6) Apply Philosophy take a deep breath moisturizer to incredibly dry areas only
November 22, 2012
Pros:
reduces redness
improves skin texture
reduces pores
clears skin
works best when paired with an antibiotic topical
Cons:
extremely itchy - the second week i stayed up for several nights scratching my jawline!
lots of purging
high sensitivity to sunlight
expensive (will be cheaper after my deductible is reached)
it's truly a miracle drug! ive tried nearly every otc product, proactiv, natural remedies, lush products (which worked for a few weeks) and finally decided to see a derm. she prescribed differin for exfoliation and clindamycin as an antibiotic. when i went, i was having a pretty bad breakout - lots of whiteheads and small bumps. makeup couldn't save me and it was unbearable to go to work! my morning routine:
cetaphil face wash (two pumps, get it foamy!)
pat dry
rose water or tea tree water from lush
wait to dry
clindamycin (a pea size on visible acne)
wait to dry
cetaphil moisturizer with spf 15
cover fx primer
cover fx powder foundation my night routine:
cetaphil face wash (sometimes with the clarisonic mia brush - my derm told me to be very gentle with mia and to just let the brush barely touch your face!)
pat dry
differin .1 gel(a pea size on visible acne)
wait to dry (about 15 minutes)
clindamycin
cosmetic lad moisturizer from lush within the first 2 days, i noticed redness going away.. but the dryness came on strong. my skin cells were shedding like crazy but at least i wasn't bright red from breakout. it also stung like hell to put any products on but i did it anyways. then after week 2, it was a purge fest! there were bumps in places that were generally clear before the meds (on my nose, near my hairline and all across my jawline!) but i persisted in hopes it was doing what it needed to do.one day my face was so raw, falky, itchy and irritated from the sunlight, i considered taking time off work to let it do its job. but miraculously, after the very worst day, i woke up the next day...and i had normal-ish skin! it was so drastic i wouldn't even call it a gradual shift. its day 22 now and i cant stop looking at my face. its still a little flakey here and there but nothing my moisturizer can't fix. also a few bumps here and there but the texture of my skin has improved dramatically.
Pros:
Fades red marks
Worrks dude