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
April 24, 2012
Cons:
takes 1.5 - 2 months to see noticeable results
Adult acne is not easy to deal with. I was always embarrassed as a professional having to meet with senior executives and could never stop thinking about my skin.
I tried everything from accutane, minocin, proactive. Nothing worked as well as Differin.
I would normally not even take the time to write a review on anything.
I didn't notice any results after a few weeks so felt discouraged. I remember the dermatologist saying the most important thing to remember with this cream is to keep using it for at least 2 months.
I followed his advice and am finally confident with my skin. I'm getting married this year so I was so worried about what I would look like in pictures and in front of a hundred people.
This was over 10 years of struggling trying different birth controls (very harful health-wise), minocin and accutane (extremely harmful to liver) and proactive (long process that stops working after a while).
Differin is amazing. Please stick with it for at LEAST 2 months!
April 23, 2012
Pros:
Makes my skin softer
Helps fade acne scars
Got rid of my cystic acne
Cons:
Itchy, sometimes burning feeling in the beginning
Love this product! I have been using it for 3 weeks now in conjuction with 5% topical benzoyl peroxide applied during the day. As a teen, my skin was perfect and I never had acne. However, in my mid 20s, I started getting these terrible, painful cyst-like zits on my cheeks and chin. Even without touching them, they would leave horrible scars.
This cream is worth trying!
April 18, 2012
Pros:
Get rid of acne
less irratating than Retin a Micro
It works!!!
Cons:
not being able to be in the sun! burnt the crap out of my face on vacation to Barbados
I havent had a huge pimple in months! Give it some time to work! Wait at least 2 months!
I was used to proactive so just washing my face then putting this on saved me like 30 minutes! I LOVE DIFFERIN! It really works!
April 12, 2012
Pros:
-Cleared up my skin
Cons:
-Redness
-Peeling
-Skin becomes Flakes
-Takes time to work.
I have never suffered from acne but about a month ago I started breaking out and it freaked me out because its not normal for me to get acne. Anyways I go to the dermatologist and she prescribed differin along with clindamycin and minocycline. For the first two weeks my skin got worse. It was awful I started breaking out worse than ever. It looked like I had sunburn all over my face and after that passed my skin started peeling and it was extreamly dry. Thats why you have to use moustrizers but just to warn you it will burn when you put on moustrizers. Ok so for the first two weeks I was really unhappy about this product but I remember my doctor telling me it will take about a month for me to start seeing results I was about to stop using differin but I stuck to it and I'm glad I did because it does work it just takes some time and consistency. Thats why this product doesnt have many good reviews because people stop using it when ther skin starts getting worse. But dont give up your skin will get better. I am very satisfied with this product my skin is better than before,
March 23, 2012
Pros:
Clears Skin!
Cons:
Drying
Clears Most Acne in 3 Months Of Use! You need to stick with it ti'l the end! It's worth it!
March 4, 2012
Pros:
Cleared up my moderate acne completely
Faded acne scars
Cons:
I had a really bad side effects in the first week. I had dry patches that turned into open wounds. I actually recently couldn't get to the doctors to get a prescription and stopped using Differin for 3 weeks. My acne came back and when I finally got time to get to the doctors and got Differin again I had the same bad side effects.
I love the product it is the only thing that managed to clearly stubborn acne. I have had clear skin for a year now and have finally got my life back, I can walk out the door without any makeup on and feel confident. For me that is the best feeling, I just don't have to worry about acne any more!!! I am so glad I sticked with it when I got the really bad side effects.
March 1, 2012
Pros:
Good at stopping breakouts
Cons:
I think my face is a little redder that usual
I use this cream after accutane and its good at controling break outs. I.e. I started to get a small patch of pimples inbetween my eyebrows, after about 1 week of cleaning my faces and differin in this area it was clear.
February 29, 2012
Pros:
Skin is clearing up
Skin feels softer
Cons:
Nothing so far
26, female, oily skin, cystic acne on my chin and under my eyes, blackheads pretty bad on nose and chin, whiteheads on nose and sometimes cheeks, acne for almost 2 years I was skeptical after reading the reivews for this product. However, it seems to be workimg for me. Just remember every person is different. The same acne regimen is not going to work for every single person. That is why there are so many different acne medications. With this product, I am also taking doxycyline. I feel like the antibiotic is helping a lot. I use a facial soap bar that contains benezel peroxide to clean my face. I use the Olay cleansing brush because I feel like regular cleansing leaves A LOT of dirt and oil on my face. If I use a toner after normal cleaning, I can actually see the dirt left behind on the cotton ball. To me, proper cleaning is so important when you are prone to getting breakouts. I paid $30 for the cleansing brush, and it is worth every penny of it. Hopefully the differin, antibiotic, and deep cleansing will clear my face completely and for good. I will definitely be back to update everyone.
February 28, 2012
Pros:
-Prevents Acne
-Like Retina-A, slowly fades light acne scars and wrinkles.
-Can be used in Conjunction with Aczone, BP or Climydycin(sp?)
-Absolutely works
-15 dollars with insurance
-Skin adjusts to the Differin within a week
Cons:
If I wanted to nitpick...
-Makes sun sensitive to sunlight
-Initial Breakout
-takes 3 to 5 months to take full effect according to my Doctor.
Dare I say the majority of the people who reviewed how terrible this product is, did NOT give it at least 3 to 5 months. Yes, it has been widely stated that it takes 3 months to take effect but my Derm (who is ranked on a list of America's top-docs) mentioned that it can actually take closer to 5 months to take full effect. I definitely had an initial BP but it was not THAT bad. I broke out for about 1 week, but really, just 3-4 days of bad cystic acne. It is worth it in the long run. The 1st week or 2 my face was rather red and did peel. It would be wise to avoid the sensitive skin directly around your eyes, the cracks on the sides of your nose as your skin will really peel there. However, by the 2nd week my sensitive skin has adapted quite well. My mild to moderate acne has gone from bad to very good over the period of a year, I did see results within 2-3 weeks. But it just continued to get better... with some breakouts here and there but by week 12 my skin was looking a 100 times better. As an ex smoker it even diminished any very light wrinkles. Great stuff.. and cheap... just be sure to STICK WITH IT. Fighting Acne is about patience. You can't try almost any prescription acne drug without giving it 3 months. For differin, give it 6! Good luck!
February 22, 2012
Pros:
Clears Acne, Helps Stop Breakouts, Dries out Pimples,
Cons:
Dry, Flaky Skin
It works great, and I just use more cream to help the dry skin! I would recommend this to anyone with any severity of acne. At first, a few pimples came ot, but that was the Differin clearing out the skin. After that,I barely get pimples and I love it! Also, for my makeup, I use Clinique Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup to help cover up my pimples and it has salicylic acid to help treat acne and prevent it which is great i makeup since a lot of makeup products for the face clog pores and give you pimples. Use differin once at night and your good! Using Differin and Clinique Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup work great and I think you should use these 2 together! :)
Pros:
cleared severe acne
stopped breakouts
can wear under make-up