Adapalene (Non-prescription)

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Adapalene is a vitamin A derivative called a topical retinoid. It helps clear acne by promoting skin cell turnover and reducing inflammation in...

Adapalene is a vitamin A derivative called a topical retinoid. It helps clear acne by promoting skin cell turnover and reducing inflammation in the skin.

Non-prescription adapalene is available only in 0.1% strength.

Adapalene is topically applied usually once a day before going to bed to all acne-affected areas of the skin, and not just on individual pimples themselves.

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Jay

January 16, 2009

Pros:

Works great when used in conjunction with Benzaclin. Just remember to apply moisturizer 15 minutes after putting Differin on your face; that way it won't dilute the medication. Pretty affordable too.

Cons:

None really......thats if it's used properly with Benzaclin.

I went to a dermatologist about how to fix my acne and she prescribed both BENZACLIN and DIFFERIN. Differin was to be used at night while Benzaclin was to be used in the morning. The combination was extremely effective. I think the reason why it doesn't yield such great results is because some people here don't use it with Benzaclin or apply moisturizer afterwards. Ask your doctor or dermatologist to give you a prescription for both and see how that regimen works out for you. Here's my personal tip: Use Cetaphil to wash your face twice; just right before you apply both medications. You can try using Spectro Gel as well, but I find that it isn't as effective as Cetaphil.

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H0tg1rl

January 16, 2009

Pros:

Started seeing results in about a week (NO JOKE!!!), makes skin very smooth, i think its great for oily skin types seeing as though it dries out my skin just enough so I'm not an oil slick, makes pores smaller too, works well with blackheads

Cons:

none

I am twenty one and I've had acne since I was 11, its persistent acne on my forehead, I've used the Retin A Duac combo and it worked I had clear beautiful skin, but after about a year it lost its effectiveness. Now with Differin Gel 0.1% its working but for how long, while it is a great product, I'm afraid it may lose its effectiveness. I use it in the morning with Neutragena bar soap and Cetaphil moisturizer with SPF 15 and at night I use it with Cetaphil facial wash for all skin types and moisturize with the Cetaphil moisturizer with SPF 15, i think I might get a higher SPF just to be on the safe side, I didn't have to pay anything because my aunts a nurse and she hooks me up, LOL

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MNgirl

January 15, 2009

Pros:

Seemed to help keep certain areas clear. I apply in on cystic and nodular acne bumps as soon as I feel them and it helps dry them out faster.

Cons:

Extremely dry, chapped, and red skin.

I have used this product for about 2 years in addition to antibiotics. I stopped using antibiotics about 9 months ago and my skin has broken out ever since. I haven't taken a break from using the differin because I'm afraid it will be much worse, but it really doesn't seem to be improving anything. It is winter in Minnesota and my skin can't take the dryness anymore, so I might have to finally give up the Differin. If you live in a humid, warm climate and don't have sensitive skin, this product may work well for you. I see an improvement in the summer. But for others, the dryness and sensitivity probably isn't worth it. You can hide some acne with makeup but you can't cover dry, red, flaky skin.

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ecofashionista

January 9, 2009

Pros:

Only 1x daily application

Cons:

Didn't seem to do anything except possibly making my skin worse.

I'm glad it's working for so many people but not me. I have tried Differin (the cream and the gel) at two 3-4 month periods in the last three years and it didn't work. I applied the ultra thin layer every night and I always woke up with a layer of grease on my face that I normally don't have. I know it isn't supposed to do much about the existing acne, but it didn't seem to be preventing anything either, even after three months of using it religiously. I had the worst breakout of my life about a month into using it and I still have the red marks. I was trying to be patient about it because I know it can take months to work, but I've put in the time and seen no results twice now.

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followmesky

January 9, 2009

Pros:

it works every now and then but mostly at first . After continues use the only time it works is when you apply alot but it then makes your skin flaky. there is no win win

Cons:

Its absolutely expensive and it really dries up your skin making it over sensitive.

I have been using it for a year ( 3percent) and my skin and eyelids are super dry. I feel my skin will get older sooner because of all this dryness and sensitivity. I use it every other night. my derma told me the dryness around my eyes is because I have too much of the meds ( differin) and to stop using it for a month and only apply mosturizer. WHAT!? I tried a week and I was alreay breaking out, so I use every other day, until the tube runs out. Not worth it for me

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Meredith

January 8, 2009

Pros:

Using the .3% for about a month and I am still getting new pimples but they do not stick around as long or seem as severe. This is strong stuff, it does take some getting used to (I have very sensitive skin.) And don't forget the SPF!

Cons:

Very dry skin (though that may also have something to do with the time of year) and some flaking at my chin and around my eyes. I've been taking care of this with good moisturizer and Aquaphor on the flaky parts at night over the Differin.

I was using this at night with Klaron during the day but it turns out I am allergic to sulfur. I only use the Differin at night (my derm suggested I use it every other night if the flaking gets bad or painful, I haven't really had to do that yet). The people who complain about increased acne a week (or even a month in) have not read the prescription information. It takes time for your skin to adjust to the medication. She told me to give this at least two or three months and that's what I'm going to do. I'll admit that it was rough for the first week or two but it worth it to stick it out. (side note, I've noticed that the flaking isn't as apparent when I don't wear a ton of creamy make-up. Try powder for a while instead.)

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DCgirl

January 7, 2009

Pros:

clear areas on my face were softer.

Cons:

I've used this for about 2 months and what was a less severe case of acne turned into horrible breakouts on my chin area. A few days after I stopped use of this product without consulting my dermotoligist I noticed slight improvements.

I'm not sure if I just didn't give this product a long enough chance or what, but I was shocked at how my skinned looked after just a few weeks of use. I was using the product to improve my skin and instead I broke out the worst that I've ever broken out. Everyone is different, my dermotologist was sure I would love the product, but I was not only unsatisfied, but shocked at my results using it.

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puremaster8

January 5, 2009

Pros:

I am 27 years old, and I never had break outs in my teens. But after having two children I started to have problems with my skin. I use 0.1% Differin and Duac combo. It helped at first, but not for long. I have used the combo for 1 year.

Cons:

My skin has became EXTREMELY sensitive. I can't go on a 4-wheeler ride without my face peeling for 2 weeks after!! My skin is always dry, red, oily, peeling, and it HURTS! It has helped to apply Differin after shower, when skin is moist.

I keep waiting for Differin to work for me, as it did at first. But I give up. Why trade a few break outs for dry, red, burning, oily, peeling skin. I never had a problem with oily or sensitive skin before treatment, but now I can't even play outside in the snow with my kids, without fear of dealing with dry painful skin for the next two weeks. And I don't know if treatment has anything to do with it, but even my eyelids have gotten dry and peely and irritated after use of differin. I don't put it near my eyes, but maybe it has changed the balance of all my facial skin. I hope my skin will go back to normal after I quit treatment. I fear that if my skin looks this bad with treatment, what will it look like if I quit? But after reading of all the other users that have quit differin right after the the first few weeks, I realize I need to trash it too! Not worth all the money that I forked out for the crap!

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oshinyspidah

January 5, 2009

Pros:

It works fast. A little goes a long way.

Cons:

It makes skin worse before it gets better. Can hurt/burn sometimes while the acne is getting "worse before getting better".

If you want something that will help you skin in the end, ask for this - but if you want something to work overnight, this isn't the product.

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Medders

January 4, 2009

Pros:

dries out the cyst like areas gradually and seems to prevent breakouts in its tracks

Cons:

increased sensitivity, dryness and flakiness. i only use it on my jawline but have noticed that my eyelids are really sensitive and all in all face more tingly. only use at night.

I think it works with time and but I am using the 0.1% so may ask for my next prescription to be higher. you must use a good moisturiser, gonna try the jojoba oil as suggested here on this site.

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