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
September 10, 2013
Keeps acne under control
Cons:
Didn't CLEAR my acne
I've been using Differin every night for around 2 months now along with BP and Doxycycline. While this hasn't cured my acne, it seems to keep it under control most of the time. I still get the occasional cystic pimple on top of regular acne but overall it's improved.
September 10, 2013
sensitive skin BEWARE
Cons:
itchy
flakey skin
peeling skin
I have just started to use with product along with an anti-biotic. It's been about 3 weeks since I started. My acne is mild of mostly small bumps under my skin with pimples here and there. This product has me miserable! My skin is so flakey and itchy even with lotion, I can no longer wear makeup to cover the immense amount of pimples that are surfacing (which is to be expected when beginning this treatment) because it just makes my dry, flakey skin SO much more noticeable. The most shocking thing so far is when the skin on my eyelids begins to peel and flake... and I dont put the cream anywhere near my eyes!
Although I have nothing nice to say about this product YET, I am hopeful that time will be the answer
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
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
June 29, 2012
Pros:
Clears light acne
Makes skin a little softer
Cons:
Not very effective
Not much change seen (I've used it for about 5-6 months now)
Flaky and dry skin in the beginning
In the beginning, as with any other acne cream, it dries out your skin. Use a moisturizer every day. I used Neutrogena Healthy Defense spf 50, and in the first few weeks, I applied it multiple times a day. It is a good product if you have light acne problems. If you have severe breakouts, this product will show you no results. I would consider myself light-moderate, and occasionally it would clear my skin, but then I would get more breakouts. After 5 months of using Differin, I saw little results or change from where I started, so I saw my dermatologist and now I'm using a stronger product. I would recommend it for people with light breakouts, it pairs nicely with Clindamycin in the morning. That was my initial routine. I hope this helped.
June 17, 2012
Pros:
Cleared minor acne flaws
Refines skin
Tighten pores
Fades scars
Smooth application
Wears well under makeup
Cons:
Major breakout within first few weeks
Takes awhile to really work (2 months)
Still get some horrible pimples
Didn't do anything for clogged pores
Initial flaking
Didn't dry my oily skin to the extent I wanted
Won't do anything for major acne (cystic, nodules)
I was really excited about using this product. I have horribly oily skin, get bad acne on my t-zone, and occasional painful pimples on the rest of my face. After the first week or so of application, I got a horrible breakout that was all over my face. It was so bad that I didn't even go to school for a week, and it was painful acne that was under the skin. It took about 6 weeks for it to clear. Luckily, the scars quickly faded, which I attribute to the Differin. The next month or so, my skin was the clearest it had ever been. Then, I started to get lone pimples. Not majorly, but there were still pimples on my face, enough that I went back to the dermatologist and requested a new topical. This product would be great for someone with light acne, as it's gentle on the skin and quite refining, but if you have more severe acne, I wouldn't even bother wasting your money.
May 21, 2012
Cons:
Horrific initial breakout
Didn't clear skin in a total of 3 months
Skin appeared extremely shiny
Burning
Peeling
Flaking
Redness
Didn't work for me. But it might for you.
May 15, 2012
Pros:
It work!!
Cons:
Dry out your skin
Use as directed use moisterizer as need and important use sun screen which also help minimize scars
April 3, 2012
Pros:
Works better for me than Retin A
Covered by insurance, ask for a coupon
Cons:
Some drying (not as bad as Retin A)
Some Initial Breakout
I used this when I was 18 and had acne. It helped clear me up, and I stopped using it. My acne had gone away. Fast forward 6 years later, I have acne again. I tried sulfur washes, Retin A, BP, etc. I was on this treadmill of topicals for 5 years. After this last time my derm saw me, he said "we need to try something different". He suggested Differin and Aczone. It seems to be working better than what I have been doing the past few years. It's not a miracle cure, but my skin is getting better.
March 14, 2012
Cons:
flushing and redness on face, made facial skin very "hot" and "sweaty". Could not tolerated for more than a week. Told to immediately discontinue this by the dermatologist due to my skin's reaction.
First of all this medication is meant for a certain age group of people who have acne issues. Why I was prescribed this in my mid thirties is beyond any common sense by my old Dermatologist.
Pros:
Keeps acne under control