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 23, 2009
Cons:
It takes a while to dry up
I applies it together with benzoyl peroxide. The latter gel was effective to diminish acne remarkably, but Differin removed the spots from the acne and it softened my face which was dried out by benzoyl peroxide; I take it that it's a supplimentary drug.
By the way, you've got to be patient enough once you apply "Differin" since it dries up pretty late.
September 8, 2009
Pros:
Removed closed comedones, blackheads, and milias
Smoothed bumpy skin
made pores look smaller
Cons:
Initial Breakout, Takes about a month to do the job
use an exfoliation scrub to help it
expensive if insurance doesn't cover it
I have adult acne, age 26, mostly closed comedone and milia bumpy acne on both cheeks and my chin, looked like a disgusting orange rind. 2% salycillic acid toners did nothing. In addition, my skin is so thick that I had a 20% salycylic acid peel a few weeks before I started using the differin and it did nothing to my face. didn't even make it red right.
I use the differin every night, and you have to be patient. It made 4 or 5 zits appear within the 1st week or two of using it, but don't stop the treatment!
After about a month I started noticing the comedone bumps were rising higher to the surface of my skin, so I went into the bathroom and did an at home dry exfoliating scrub which made my face a little bit red, and all the closed comedones seriously fell out.
It's been a few days since I did the exfoliation scrub and my face is still smooth (still using the differin).
Differin did the trick for closed comedone type acne, but it needed an exfoliation scrub to clear th
September 6, 2009
Pros:
it cleared up all my acne and i had no more oily skin
Cons:
it dried up my face ALOT and made it burn whenever i apply makeup or lotion or even wipe it with a towel
first i had mild acne and it wasnt that bad until i used this product and it made me break out like crazy but it cleared up my acne really well after a few days but it peeled my skin and made it burn but after all that was gone my skin became really clear
August 19, 2009
Pros:
Aleviated painful cystic acne.
Helps shed acne scars by speeding up exfoliation process.
Cons:
Expensive if not covered by insurance. Dries your skin out. Does not fully prevent breakouts (although my breakouts are less painful). You have to wear sunscreen, which can worsten acne in acne-prone people (which you are if you use Differin Gel).
For me, the cystic acne cleared up only to be replaced by pimples caused by sunscreen, which you must use. So for this to work for me, I would have to put it all over my face, and not just in normally acne-prone areas (ex: forehead) as is recommended. It was a decent alternative to other products containing benzoyl peroxide (I am allergic), but I am going back to the doctor to ask for something that does not make your skin so sun-sensitive. Also, b/c the top layer of skin is always "new" skin, it's quite sensitive and even a minor scratch or pimple on your face is red and takes a long time to heal, granted the scar will disappear with time when using this product, as the skin slowly flakes off. My skin is always rosy now. That said, I have friends who have had fabulous results with this product.
August 18, 2009
Pros:
seems to work...takes awhile. you must use it everyday
Cons:
i think it makes acne scars more prone
not too great
August 12, 2009
Pros:
Well, it didn't make it worse...
Cons:
It just didn't work for me. I have very deep, painful cystic acne, and this did nothing to clear it up, nor did it help the lighter breakouts. And it burned like a fiery pit of hell
Not for me, maybe for you
July 31, 2009
Pros:
It cleared my skin *really* well! I haven't noticed any minor/major side effects.
Cons:
I broke out a bit more in the beginning, but that was expected and it didn't last too long. Also, I use this at night, and in the morning, my face is oily. No big deal though 'cause I wash it when I get up.
Although I still have some pimples on my face, it's nothing compared to what it used to be. So far, I've been using it for about 2 months and I plan to continue for a while.
I would have described my acne as being between moderate and moderately severe, if that makes sense? Right now, I'm happy to say that it's light!
My advice is to stick with it, even if you break out even more while using it. The final result will be amazing!
July 16, 2009
Pros:
i clears up the acne on my t zone really really well far better than duac!
Cons:
The initial breakout this gel caused was absolutely horrific on my cheeks. I've never had so many painful hard red lumps :( absolutely dreadful!
Well the breakout really sucks but i couldn't doubt it's ability to clear my t zone but the cheeks i think will take a couple of weeks to improve...hopefully. I'm on minocin aswell but even that couldn't stop the breakouts for some reason! Stick with it though i'm sure it's gonna calm down eventually.
July 15, 2009
Pros:
Sometimes can be used as a spot treatment, reduces swelling and redness, works pretty quickly.
Cons:
Differin's weird, sometimes it works really well, like within hours for me, and sometimes it takes days and days to clear up a stubborn breakout. Really dries out my skin.
I think Differin probably works better for some people than others. I use it twice a day (morning/night) instead of just once, and more often as a spot treatment. I feel it works better that way. Also, the clear "gel" kind is a lot more drying than the white "cream" kind. If your skin is oily, get the gel, and if your skin is dry, get the cream. Still. . . you'll need a good moisturizer!
July 12, 2009
Pros:
clears up acne, not too expensive with insurance
Cons:
dryness, redness, takes awhile for acne to get clear, makes skin sensitive to sun
Although there seems to be more cons then pros this stuff does clear up the acne. I am on .3% differin gel and it took awhile for it to start working. I am also taking solodyn with this so that might help too. I would recommend applying a moisterizer over the top of the differin if you experience dryness and redness. It will help to control that. After using Ziana for about a year, I have noticed that this stuff works better for me. Ziana actually burned my skin and I still have some burn marks on my skin from it. Luckily the differin has helped with the marks. I still have some acne but not as bad as what I did before I started using differin.
Pros:
It works fast & it makes your skin soft