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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September 24, 2010

Pros:

-worked very moderately
-okay with antibiotics

Cons:

-ages to work
-sensitive to sun, peeling etc

please please please, if you are concerned about your skin, concerned enough to be on an acne site looking desperately for solutions, forget all this bullsh*t and go on accutane, it saved my life 3 years ago and is now doing it again. Bite the bullet, just f**kin do it. PLEASE.
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September 21, 2010

Pros:

None.

Cons:

Worst break out of my entire life. My face turned swollen red where I put the medicine, I got around 15 new break outs in one week. Previously I only get 2-3 a week. It is literately a nightmare, the scars are so bad, that I honestly don't know what to do.

The worst decision ever, yeah your supposed to break out, but I have never broken out this bad my whole life. I as a 17 year old guy, felt like crying when I woke up and saw how bad my face had gotten and debated wether or not to even go to school. I also have a massive amount of scars that I am feeling helpless about, and a bunch of recovering blemishes. I don't think a week of this is worth it, I can't imagine living like this for a month or so. Defiantly not worth it for me, or anyone who doesn't have acne that bad. I know its hard to hear, but I would do anything to not make the choice to start using differin. Just trying to help inform before you go down this path.
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September 9, 2010

Pros:

No breakouts

Cons:

Area around eyes (eyelids/under eye) EXTREMELY dry and red

I went to my dermatologist last week for a prescription medication to treat my teenage acne breakouts. He gave me some samples of Differin and after only a few days the area around my eyes were very red and dry. Any sort of moisturizer or healing ointment made the area burn unbearably. I was crying, my eyes hurt so much, even though I was sure not to get any product close to my eyes. I've been told to wait it out, but it's too much for me at the moment.
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August 29, 2010

Pros:

-I used little sample tubes, and it did clear up some big zit
-a little less oily
- only apply at night time(opposed to 2 times a day for some topical gels)

Cons:

- takes a LONGGG time to work (3 months, and STILL no results!)
- huge zits that don't go away
- dried my skin out

I've been on it for 3 months, it DESTROYED my skin! I've never had that many pimples, but I wanted to get rid of the one's I've had. and I knew acne was supposed to get worse before it got better... BUT it has been 3 months, and it completely destroyed my face! I have acne everywhere! I NEVER got zits on my chin, but now I have them , and they won't go away! (showed up around my 2nd month of using it and still here...) I do NOT recommend this product! Seriously, not even worth ANY money.
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August 9, 2010

Pros:

hopefulness

Cons:

dry eyelids, though never put near my eyes, dry skin and aggravated my acne

used it for 6 weeks with no results whatsoever! it actually made my acne worse!
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July 31, 2010

Pros:

-it had a nice consistancy, I guess

Cons:

-it was VERY drying, and I am almost never dry, even while treating my acne
-it didn't do anything to clear my acne

Basically, I tried differin for 2 months as a topical gel treatment. The dermatologist told me to put it on every night. What happened was my skin was completely dried out and flaking but all of my acne was still there, so in an attempt to reduce the dryness I had to try several kinds of moisturizers that ended up clogging my pores and my acne got worse. So I had awful acne and a very, very dry face.
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June 13, 2010

Pros:

not much that can go in here

Cons:

-adds oil
-clogs pores
-stays on the skin and doesnt soak in
-feels like an oil mask

This product didn't change my acne at all. I applied it at night but i felt like i was adding tons of oil ont my skin with no result on my oncoming acne. Maybe if you have light acne adapalene would help, but people with more sereve acne should try a product that is less oily and more powerful. Give it a try if you want, but I found it a waste of money. I felt like i was just adding fuel to the fire (ie... more oil to acne)
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May 3, 2010

Pros:

- none

Cons:

- developed severe acne on whole face, compared to before differin when I only had acne on my chin

-Went to the dermatologist with moderate acne, developed severe acne thanks to differin
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April 21, 2010

Pros:

-Spots that were not already broken out were really soft
-Samples from the doctor last a long time... I didn't need to fill the prescription!

Cons:

-Created eczema-like spots on my cheeks, chest, and jawline.
-My face and chest broke out in rashes after a week of application (3x per week).

I don't think this is good for sensitive skin. 0.1% Differin Lotion 2-3x per week produced eczema-like spots on cheeks and jawline after 2 weeks. I stopped that treatment and it was thought that the gel would be better for my skin. My next round included 0.3% gel for 30minutes (washed off after 30 minutes) followed by moisturizer every other night. After only one week this caused me to break out in rashes all over my face... red, spotty, bumpy, skin that would become very flakey. It was really embarassing! I am due back to the dermatologist in a week after these rashes clear up to find something else.
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April 1, 2010

Pros:

Easy to apply
Small tubes goes a long way (3.5 months and i have more than half a tube left)
Smoother Skin (in areas you are not breaking out)

Cons:

Every few weeks sudden outbreaks of: itchiness, burning, redness, irritation, scaling, peeling, like a deep sunburn, then breakouts.
Severe cystic acne
Not reliable
Several outbreaks over 3.5 months of use

I used Differin with BP 4% wash for 100 days (little over 3 months). I stuck to it exactly as prescribed to me. I experienced severe initial flare ups of crusty red horrible skin followed by deep cysts and breakouts. Most of my acne is on my chin. I used Differin all over but didnt ever breakout on my forhead, upper cheeks or nose. Every few weeks I would develop severe cysts and pustules on my chin that would take 1-1.5 weeks to resolve. There were periods over the course of 3.5 months that my skin looked BETTER and had no active acne, though still had congestion that looked like there were acne underneath growing. However, without fail, my skin would go from looking healthier and better to total breakout. On the 100th day anniversary I saw a new dermatologist and stopped differin. I really wanted this to work. My acne on my chin is cystic and I think Differin is not a good choice for me as my acne is more stubborn, severe and hormonal. Made my skin so sensitive so when i used the BP wash skin was just peeling off and my face was ALWAYS bright red and burning after using a cleanser in the morning. I even switched for a time to a mild cleanser without results.
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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