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. 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
Adapalene is available in strengths up to 0.3% by prescription. Have a dermatologist? Make an appointment to get this medication. Don't have a dermatologist? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find one. Adapalene is also available over-the-counter in 0.1% strength. Here are some places you can find it online.
Used Adapalene? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
December 29, 2009
Cons:
didnt do as much as i wanted for acne, still got cysts
i bet this is good for mild cases of acne, i used both the .1 and .3 and still got cystic acne on occasion, the initial breakout was pretty awful, would have been worth it if it kept me clearer in the long term but it didnt. Did make the overall texture of my skin very nice though and faded red marks really well. i reccomend trying it but for many people it will only be a small step in clearing your skin, i am now using retin a which i like better. ( however differin is much more tolerable than retin a)
December 19, 2009
Pros:
Seemed to clear up acne in the begining but stopped working after a few months.
Cons:
made skin so peely. i would be fine when i left the house and about an hour into my school day i would take a look at myself in the mirror and i would be peeling everywhere! how embarassing.
have used it on and off for years. not thrilled and dermatologist will not give me anything else. i think my dermatologist gets paid to presribe this.
December 10, 2009
Pros:
Reduces acne, oil production, and swelling from acne. Also smoothes skin and improves the complexion.
Cons:
Takes months to see results. Using too much product can flake and dry out the skin.
If you are patient and use a small amount of product regularly, you'll get great results. If you're like me, you'll need to adjust how much you use depending on the season (in warmer seasons, I need a little more and in colder seasons, less). I've be using this for years. When I stopped using it for a while, my skin didn't immediately worsen, but after a few months it gradually got worse (more pimples and I lost that "lit-from-within" look from a good complexion). As soon as I saw this, I got back on it and, after a few months, my skin improved. This is definitely something I'll use for the long term.
December 10, 2009
Pros:
worth the price if you have the coverage
acne cleared up a little bit
kinda smooth my acne into my skin
Cons:
it really didn't work that as they claim
doctor said it would take to months for it to work... I have been using it since July or early August
This product Differin which i use at night and in the morning Aczone and also the use of some meds. I have been using Proactiv for about 2 1/2 years and went to a Dermatologist for about a year now she prescribe me this stuff. It is not bad but I felt it didn't work for me. Some of the reviews said it did work for them but not for me. Not a bad product but I really didn't like. (Also I think it was like 30.00 or 25.00 dollars with the discount card, can't really remember)
December 6, 2009
Pros:
Slowly and gradually clears acne
Cons:
Drys the skin and does not clear big spots
Keep at it, it will eventually clear it up, but it will dry the skin out. After it has soaked in, moisturise with a oil free moisturiser.
December 5, 2009
Pros:
Cleared my skin of acne.
Cons:
Made my skin exceptionally dry and flaky.
I made it through my adolescence free of acne but that soon changed when I turned 22. My acne was still mild even on its worst days but something still had to be done. Against my mothers better judgment I refused to go to the dermatologist and ordered IQ Derma. Worst decision I've ever made. Prior to using IQ Derma my acne was localized on my forehead but after about a week of use the acne spread to my cheeks. I admitted defeat and went to the dermatologist and he prescribed Differin 0.3% to be used twice daily, Zoderm Hydrating Wash 5.75% Benzoyl Peroxide, and an antibiotic. I'm not taking the antibiotic for personal obligations but the Differin and Zoderm have been working beautifully. I was a bit hesitant using the Differin and Zoderm in combination because my skin is dry but a non-comedogenic moisturizer applied multiple times a day helps. To all those who feel like giving up and trying something new don't, good things happen immediately, great things happen over time.
December 3, 2009
Pros:
DIdnt do anything but it didnt hurt me
Cons:
Didnt do anything I even used the largest % they had and still NOTHING.
I dont know why but this had no effect on me.
November 25, 2009
I was on accutane for 6 months about 5 years ago which completely cleared my skin and then 2 years later it started getting bad again but not nearly as bad as it WAS. My derm prescribed Differin which I used twice a day, sometimes once a day if my skin was extra dry and I went on levora birth control pill. I did not notice a huge difference at all. I would say my face went from 6-7 pimples at a time to 3-5 pimples at a time. Needless to say I lost my insurance and it became VERY expensive so I stopped the Differin after almost a year but stayed on the birth control. It did not get any worse so I'm think it was the levora more than the Differen.
November 15, 2009
Pros:
Because I have sensitive skin I am using the cream rather than the gels. Using a pea sized amount does not make my skin feel dry, tight, or burned, as other products invariably do.
Cons:
Have not noticed any improvement - skin has rather worsened.
Before using this I used Proactiv for over a year and it worked well, after the initial redness and extreme dryness. I was encouraged and thought (as I am nearly 20) that perhaps my skin did not need Proactiv any longer. So I started using Cetaphil. Hello, acne! I was reluctant to begin Proactiv again because that would require going through the extremely embarrassing redness and dryness phase, so I stuck with Cetaphil and added differin and an antibiotic, Doxycycline to my regimen. Here are the results: My skin is overly pink/slightly red (ugghhh!!) and much more oily than while using Proactiv. I continue to break out in areas that had previously not given me problems. It is extremely discouraging, but I have decided to stick it out until the 3 months have passed (15 more days in my case). If my skin hasn't improved, I'm switching back to Proactiv. Doesn't acne SUCK? Bottom line: stick it out for the 3 months recommended, just so you absolutely know whether or not it works for you.
November 11, 2009
Pros:
Not that expensive, but I have drug coverage with my medical plan. I'm using the cream and it feels nice going on and soaks in quickly, doesn't leave face greasy.
Cons:
I've only been on this for not quite 2 weeks yet. Initial slight stinging the 1st few days. I seem to be breaking out even more, but my dermo said to expect this. I'm using this with a SA face wash and oral amoxicillan.
Too early to tell just yet. I'm hopeful, though. (Just embarrassed to be out in public right now!)
Pros:
made the texture of my skin nice
faded hyperpigentation