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
May 24, 2008
Cons:
takes a long time to kick in
remember to check the other product you put on your face, when using differin there are a few things that you should be avoiding. # Differin ® should not be used along with other anti-acne products containing Retinoid, retinoic acid, trinitoin or Vitamin A such as Retin-A, Retinol, Renova.
# Differin ® should not be used with any skin products containing sulfur, resorcinol or salicylic acid.
# Differin ® should not be used with any abrasive or medicated soaps, astringents, alcohol, lime, or witch-hazel products, or any products than can be drying or irritating to the skin.
# Differin ® should not be used with products containing alpha hydroxy, hydroxy or glycolic acid containing products.
# Differin ® can not be used with any peeling agents, glycolic peels, chemical peels or laser peels.
# Differin ® should not be used with benzoyl peroxide, Skinoren or Azelex as they may be drying or irritating.
May 24, 2008
Pros:
It works the first few times
Cons:
loses its touche after a few uses
It worked right away but after using more then just a few times it seemed more then pointless to apply it let alone buy it because of the price
May 14, 2008
Pros:
- It helped my acnee for a few years
- You can wear makeup over it
Cons:
- It stopped working after a few years...
- expensive if you dont have insurance
My dermatologist prescribed this to me a few years ago, first in combination with Ducray Keracnyl cream, then 3 years later in combination with Clyndoxyl gel. My acnee was somewhat controlled while I was using it (especially after using it with Clyndoxyl) but it never completely cleared up my acnee. I still had black heads on my nose and new breakouts everyweek. Still had red marks. But with a bit of makeup my skin looked nice.
May 7, 2008
Pros:
The first few days it cleared my acne
Cons:
It was painful. The stings and the tearing skin. My skin got so dry that it started to crack and bleed. it was very difficult to sit still in class. I ended up having to rush to the hospital because the stigns were horrible. it didnt get better at al
Don't use this product. It does everything except clear your acne. I couldn't find nay moisturizer to calm the pain. It leaves red, blochy spots of dry skin on your face and it burns to flash your face with just water. I couldn't even take a shower for a few days. My dermetologist prescribed it, but it didn't do anything for me. I payed $123.00 for this product and I ended up having to pay $600.oo for the trip to the hospital and gettin medication to treat my pains.
May 4, 2008
Pros:
I get it on the NHS so no costs. The only cream to work so far and I have no redness even though I use it twice a day and have dry skin.
Cons:
None for me.
Really helps get rid of existing spots, but takes time.
May 3, 2008
Pros:
Helps to manage my cyst acne, no peeling but did caused more breakout initially as promised (but I'd rather have these than my original cyst which are so bad)
Cons:
Yet to see real result (i.e. clear smooth skin - I still have teeny bumps. It might take quite long for me to recover
I'm using Differin (Gel) along with Diane 35 about a month now. My cyst acne made my face looked like it has been splashed with acid (it's that bad)..on my left cheek. My derm give me prescription on Diane 35 and sample of Differin to help control the acne, once I get off Diane 35, as she says Differin helps to kill off acne to the roots. I hope this is true. I heard enough stories on baaaad breakouts after stopping Diane 35, which I planned to do within 3 months time. However, now my skin looks much better, no more bad breakouts (only some teeny bumps and blackish marks left that I wish will disappear overtime-I'm using Bodyshop Vit C Skin Booster + Vit E Mosturizer combo for this).
April 26, 2008
Pros:
Differin really cleared up my acne.
Cons:
it's very expensive and doesn't do much for blackheads and pores
I have tried so many products and the only one that's work thus far is Differin. It has cleared up all the pimples on my face but I haven't seen much of a change in the blackheads on my nose or my pores. However, I would recommend this product to anyone that wants to see positive results. My acne did get worse at first but you have to be patient for a good two months to see results (at least that's how long it took for me to see results)
April 17, 2008
Pros:
Differin works fast! Easy to use and no residue
Cons:
Differin tends to dry the skin out
I have been using differin for about 6 months and can see a big difference. I use it in combination with Nicomide. I have tried to stop taking it for a week and the acne came right back. Needless to say..I am back on it and saw results within two days.
April 16, 2008
Pros:
does work, but only after a long time (think months)
Cons:
my skin does get dry and tends to sunburn easily now
I had truly horrible acne, and it was all over my face- forehead, cheeks, chin...anywhere but my nose. often it was huge pus filled pimple that took days to go away. differn speeds up the process I think, and reduced to the any swelling. I still get acne though, but it has never been as bad as it was before I started on differn.
April 9, 2008
Pros:
It Does Work!
Havnt Had any cysts since started using it
i have cystic acne (anyone with it will know its a nightmare, especially the scars) iv been using differin for 6 weeks and its brilliant. i still have spots but very small. easily covered with make up (the doctor told me i wont see results untill after 8 weeks so it should get even better!) i havnt had any cysts (i got one about 2 days after i started using differin but it was only very small & went after a few days! i normally have them a few weeks) i would recommend differin!
Pros:
It does what it promises