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
October 11, 2008
Cons:
Little bit of dryness.
Acne doesn get worse before it gets better, but if you use it consistenly and exactly how your doctor tells you, it should work. I started with 0.1% cream and have moved to 0.1% gel. My skin has gotten a little bit more dry, but I no longer have to take it with pills anymore.
October 4, 2008
Pros:
nothing
Cons:
after 3 months of using differin my acnee has gone from light to severe. i have large cysts all over my cheeks!!!
this stuff is really bad. i think i will switch to accutane in 2 weeks when i go see the derm.
October 2, 2008
okkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk ummmm
well i wrote just like 3 weeks ago, and my acne was really realy horrible. its a lot better now. use a pea sized amount and then put cetaphil cream over it and wa la
September 24, 2008
Pros:
Not overdrying (I have no dryness at all, no flakes finally!!!!), makes skin glow, not smelly, reasonably priced with insurance plan
Cons:
Absoluetly cannot miss one night of application, otherwise you will get a pimple or two, scars are not healing well yet, takes sometime to work, but well worth the wait!!!!!
I have used sooo many products over the counter and precribed. I have fought acne for ten years, and finally have found something that is perfect for my skin! I have better self-esteem and enjoy my skin now!
September 17, 2008
Pros:
doesn't burn, or flake.
Cons:
takes a long time for you to see any effect.
ive been using differin and benzaclyn for about 10 weeks and my face was horrible red and flaky but now its almost done pulling all the acne from "under" my skin and its starting to clear up.
all the acne under my skin by my chin is starting to clear up.
takes time and patience.
September 15, 2008
Pros:
This is the best product I have ever used. Stopped nearly all acne breakouts, calmed current spots and acted quickly.
Cons:
None.
I have had very bad acne since I was 13 (I'm 21) and no product has worked this well. Nearly all acne breakouts have been stopped and my face has calmed down beyond all expectations. I rarely ever take the time to write a review, but I would strongly recommend trying this product.
September 9, 2008
Pros:
it clears up acne it just takes some time . ive been using it for more then 2 years maybe 3 and ever since my acne has improved alot .
Cons:
it cost around $100 for me and now its $155 i think it has something to do with the insurance though.
i would recomment this but it just takes time so stop thinking and get it already so that time passes by and it gets better and better like it did for me.
September 8, 2008
Pros:
it cleared after 4 months but still new pimpels always appeared and my skin is still oily
Cons:
mild burn and irritation in the first month
i think for me it only works for small pimpels,my doctor told me to combine it ,like one night with sulfur and one night wth adapalene,does anybody ever combine it wth aha cream?
September 5, 2008
Pros:
It dries out and smooths out skin and is not too expensive depending on your insurance. You can also get a $25 rebate for it on the differin website.
Cons:
It did not work for me the second time around and had to go to the dermatologist for something better.
I used differin from ages 14-16 and it worked perfectly and fast. I eventually stopped using it and suddenly flared up with acne at age 19. I had differin prescribed to me since it had worked wonderfully the first time and after 6-7 months of using it religiously, my skin still looked awful as if I had not used anything. I am thinking maybe my body became immune to it after using it for 2 years straight. If not, I am not sure why it did not work this time.
September 5, 2008
Pros:
Really helped my zits, made my skin much smoother.
Cons:
Horrible breakouts in the first week.
I've been using it for just over three weeks now, and its been working very well. It does cause bad breakouts when you first start using it, but don't worry. All those new zits disappear in 2-3 days. If you're patient, you get much better results than any acne treatment I've tried.
Pros:
Cleared up my acne in about 8 weeks. No breakouts since. (while used with Doxycycline)