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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4
31.4%
3
23%
2
16.4%
1
11.3%

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November 4, 2008

Pros:

Has no oder Seems to be working Easy to use

Cons:

Does make your skin peel and can make it red and It will get worse befor It gets better

I have only ben using this product for about 4 weeks and in the first few weeks my skin was so horrible!!! It was dry and peeling very badly! But by the 3rd week it was looking better. I'm really hoping to see more improvements soon!
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November 2, 2008

Pros:

none

Cons:

doesn't clear my skin

Do not buy.
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November 1, 2008

Pros:

Was reasonably priced although I expected my insurance to cover more of the price.

Cons:

Made my skin extremely dry and irritated my sensitive skin

I'm not sure if my dermatologist took a note of my sensitive skin. After I started using this product my skin became very dry, I thought it was natural because most acne medications cause drying and peeling. However, my skin would peel deeply, the acne areas would peel revealing the flesh below. It left worse scars than I had before and the open wounds were extremely painful. I wouldn't recommend this product to anyone with sensitive skin like mine.
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October 31, 2008

Pros:

no smell

Cons:

made my very mild acne horrible. used this product so far for about 3 months and no improvement whatsoever. it just keeps getting worse and worse.

im going to give it another few weeks, but im tired of looking disgusting and having the worst skin i've had in my entire life
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October 31, 2008

Pros:

besides the first month, it kept my skin smooth for 3 months. it doesn't burn or over dry your face. doesn't smell

Cons:

my face exploded with acne within the first 3 weeks of use. around the 4th months of use, from my cheek down to my neck got huge zits. (I NEVER used to get zits on my cheeks or neck)

differin takes awhile for you to notice the difference, but in the end, it might not work. try to find something better if you can.
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October 31, 2008

Pros:

Cleared my skin completely, made it look healthier, easy to use.

Cons:

none. except for price (some people probably have better health care then me so don't let my brokenness stop you) and waiting forever in doctors office. but it was definitely worth it.

I tried almost everything out there over the counter to stop my acne, but in order for this to work you must follow these steps: 1. Use an exfoliate (salicylic acid most likely) in the morning along with benzoyl peroxide (the doctor told me you will get the best results because of the chemical structure or something). But don't over do it. If you do get dryness make sure to use an oil free lotion. Make sure to use only a pea-size amount of differin. Keep away from your cheeks and the ridges beside your nose. 2. Don't be bummed all day about your acne, just live life to the fullest. 3. Don't smoke weed. It messes with your hormones and it turned me into a dumbass, but I've been clean forever and it's one of the best decisions I've made I've never written a review about anything expect for this, but i felt people need to know that if you use it correctly it will work.
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October 30, 2008

Pros:

Reduces the amount of oil produced by the skin. More effective when used in combination with other acne treatments such as Benzoyl Peroxide and Antibiotics.

Cons:

Acne will get worse during initial 2 weeks of treatment. Not exactly an overnight spot treatment for sudden breakouts. Probably does not work for nodular or cystic acne.

Before I begin I am using a variety of products to treat my acne. I wash my face in the morning with Cetaphil, put on a thin layer of Duac for the day, wash my face at night with a 4% Benzoyl Wash, and finally put on a thin layer of 0.3% Differin at night; all this in addition to taking Doxycycline. However I think the biggest contributor to getting my acne under control and finally getting clear is Differin Gel. Basically this works like Accutane but from the outside, so there are none of the side effects associated with Accutane.In combination with other acne treatments it is a powerful force. Just a note your skin will break out in the beginning because this medication brings up all the formed acne hiding under your skin. These blemishes were already formed they just haven't surfaced yet. Differin brings these blemishes up to your skin at a faster rate than before so it seems like you suddenly broke out. Keep using it and you will notice a difference.
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October 28, 2008

Pros:

Overtime-clears major breakouts, (and in my case)-cystic acne.

Cons:

Oily skin, small cysts, and a significantly bad initial breakout.

First off, I did not have sever acne, I had mild. I don't believe that Differin is made for those with overly oily skin, it tends to make it more oily in the first month of use. Also in the first month of use, most experience and initial breakout because of how Differin works, if you have an IB, that means the medication is working. I experienced a bad IB. I developed a couple cysts every week, and also had terrible comodones underneath my skin around my jawline. I'm now in my 3rd month of use, and the results are finally showing. I only have 1 to 2 small, active zits on my face every week that only last about a half day, and then they become less noticable. The medication is supposed to continue working, and if it does I should be completely clear very soon :) Oh, and my oil production finally stopped being so severe! Hope this med. works for you!
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October 28, 2008

Pros:

In conjunction with other products it has worked well to clear up minor acne problems.

Cons:

Took a lon time to figure out the best routine, and how much to use

I'm trained as a beauty therapist and have tried many different 'over the counter' creams in the last 5 years, and didn't want to use accutane as I know the side effects are dangerous. I only use Differin 2 or 3 times a week while still using an exfoliant and mask. I've found that when I over used the product I would break out even more than before.
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October 27, 2008

Pros:

It works, and my skin looks better than ever.

Cons:

Skin became worse than ever for two weeks, caused a really bad rash around my chin.

This stuff made my skin worse than ever, plus gave my face a bad rash. After I asked my doctor what was up, he said you really need to use sunscreen during the day, even if you apply this stuff at night and wash it off next morning. After all this (about three and half weeks) my skin literally vanished of acne, it's been a month since, and I've been applying it every night and my skin looks VERY healthy. P.S. I used Cetaphil for all skin types in the morning and evening and applied the Differen once a day at night and have continued the same routine.
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Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.
Find a Doctor Using The American Acacemy of Dermatology Website

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.
Find a Doctor Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website