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
December 24, 2007
Cons:
Broke my face out into large, painful pimples. Even after discontinuing use for 4 months, I am unable to get rid of them.
This is the worst product I have ever used and it has ruined my skin.
December 17, 2007
Pros:
Keeps pores clear. Keeps oily skin dry through the day. Stops spots and seems to make some spots disappear altogether!
Cons:
None for me. May be too drying or some - not for me - I have extremely oily skin,
Works well for me - the only thing to keep my skin dry through the day - the main cause of my acne is very oily skin. Hence this is perfect.
December 11, 2007
Pros:
works on moderate or light acne
Cons:
ineffective on cystic (severe) acne; you also may get some redness and irritation
I've used differin + topical antibiotics for over 6 years. It doesnt eliminate acne but greatly reduces it. It does cause some redness and itchiness, which is why I only apply it 5x per week and an antibiotic 10x per week. I'd recommend it because it's far safer than accutane, and for me worked nearly as well. Differin doesn't work as well as oral antibiotics though.
November 29, 2007
Pros:
improves texture, reduces redness immediately, pimples heal faster, fewer and less severe breakouts
Cons:
expensive without insurance
I was nervous about the huge breakouts I had read about in the first month of use, but I didn't have a horrible experience. I had a few more pimples than normal,and more severe in new places, but within a few weeks it began to change. All of the tiny whiteheads were clearing, and the larger bumps were healing quicker. I live in a moist climate and have oily skin, so I didn't experience all of the redness and flaking that others mention. I have quite sensitive skin and I feel this medication is very mild. It is oderless which I appreciate, and the cream is less drying than the gel. I highly recommend the regular use of moisturizers and sunscreen. Under eye cream has been nice too. Make sure you have oil free products! This helps make the product more effective.
November 28, 2007
Pros:
Works well under make-up and glides on well.
Cons:
I'm breaking out all around my lips, chin and neck! It clears the odd pimple fast but i just continue to get new pimples!
Trying Doxyclyin and hoping Differin and the antibiotic will work together!
November 25, 2007
Pros:
After a year of use, it started to keep my acne at bay, I guess.
Cons:
This made my acne a billion times worse, for nearly a year. My face is really scarred because of it.
I don't know if this is a good product or not. It took my skin a looong time to adjust to this medication, and now I'm afraid to go off of it. I really don't get many pimples anymore, but my face is so scarred and blotchy from all the pimples it initially gave me, that my skin still doesn't look good.
November 25, 2007
Pros:
worked for a week... or so i thought
Cons:
i went from mild acne to severe acne, even after sticking with it for 7 months! it also gave me hundreds of whiteheads. now i have acne completely covering my face and tons of scaring from the months for increase worsening.
differin=social suicide. dont even try it when there are many other topical options to chose from. i followed the regime religiously according to the website and tried not to give up hope, but instead it only made my acne 100x worse and made me more self conscious.
November 12, 2007
Pros:
works to stop future acne
Cons:
did have initial breakout, takes a lonnng time to actually work
I have been using this product for 7 months now, first alongside with minocylcine, after first few months stopped minocylcine due to bad stomach ache its gave me. however, have been using differin ever since just a little bit on each acne pimple, along with having lemon water every morning and evening everyday, also i have been doing a face steam with lemon in it, using a multani mitti mud mask and simple face scrub three times a week. has reduced spots quite abit and has helped to control the acne, although still do break out around time of the month! hope this is useful!!!
November 7, 2007
Pros:
It doesnt burn and after the initial breakout it really does seem to work.
Cons:
It does dry out the skin but using a non-comedonic mosturizer will help
It works on moderate acne, but if you acne is extremely bad this may not be the best type of med for you.
October 21, 2007
Pros:
It didn't dry my skin
Cons:
It didn't work at all and it was a waist of time and money
I was prescribed differin by my doctor and i must say it didn't work for me at all...i was very dissapointed so now i am off of it.
Pros:
None.