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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March 25, 2008

Pros:

doesn't smell

Cons:

dryed out skin
didn't work

It didn't work for me and I have mild acne with normal skin. I still get the same pimples in the same places and i've been using it for 3 months every night before i go to bed.
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March 23, 2008

Pros:

Works for SOME types of acne. Doesn't smell like anything. It easily washes off in the morning.

Cons:

REALLY dries out the skin (to the point where I'd rather have a few pimples)
Is not effective after a long time. I get bad scars on the pimples that I've used Differin on.

If you have whiteheads, this works well because it dries out the pimple. The problem is it will dry out your whole face! Even where you don't apply it. I would really have pimples rather than the dry skin it gave me. I would keep putting moisturizer on but my skin kept peeling!! I hate it. Also, I scar worse with Differin. I had used it for a year before stopping cold turkey. Its not worth it. If you're going to use it, just put it on your problem spots and stop putting it on after the pimple has dried out. You'll prevent it from drying out too much to the point where you scar really badly. Get a good moisturizer too (although that probably wont really help).
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March 23, 2008

Pros:

affordable, effective but it takes too much time so you have to wait and see the effects U_U

Cons:

lot of pimples for the first weeks

It's been my 5 weeks already from the time when I started using differin, at first --- geez all of my pimples worsened than usual, I got lot of pimples (bigger and smaller ones) no space on my chin that doesn't have a pimples and I thought they got irritated or what. Then I've tried to read all of the reviews here on this site, and my doctor was true ' at first it will become worsened and afterwards it will become clear already. Well I've patiently waited for that time even I lose my hope already and tried to give up on that product and use another types of medication. Somehow I've thought that those breakouts caused also by the soap that I'm using ' before I'm using the kojic soap to clear the dark spots, and I've switched to the previous soap that I'm using ' Clearasil daily wash soap and changed the clindamycin to 2% clindamycin, and at last all of my pimples got dried and right now I cannot see any visible pimples ^_____^ im soooo happpppy right now........
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March 23, 2008

Pros:

dries out greasy skin

Cons:

didn't work for me.

This stuff was very expensive, luckily my insurance paid for it. Unfortunately, after using it consistently for 3+ months, I still have terrible acne. I have hormonal acne that comes and goes and the only thing that has helped it was birth control pills but they also caused other side-effects that were unbearable.
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March 22, 2008

Pros:

0.3 Gel prevents both whiteheads and non-inflamed acne very well! I have mild/moderate acne with very sensitive skin.

Cons:

Somewhat expensive depending on your insurance. Also the gel can be a little bit drying.

Notice how most of the negative reviews are from people who hardly gave this product a chance? Try using it for AT LEAST 6 months before writing a review! It didn't work at its best with me until around that six month mark. At that point I became about 85% clear. I just wish this stuff was a little cheaper; I go through a tube every three weeks.
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March 20, 2008

Pros:

- The only acne product that gave me real results so far (i tried dozens of over-the-counter products).
- Doesn`t smell like most acne medications
- Not only helps to controll active acne, but also clears red spots and makes your skin tone bett

Cons:

- Takes a while to work
- Gave me a small initial breakout (which is normal)
- Dries the skin a little (but far less then Benzoyl Peroxide products do!)

I have been using this product for a couple of months now, and i want to slap myself in the face for not seeing a doctor earlier to get this product! I recently quit my 5-step AM and PM regimen because differin just makes me stop worrying about my face! This product cleared my face completely (i had moderate acne) and i am now using it on my shoulders aswell. Ask your doctor to prescribe it in combination with an topical antibiotic product like Eryacne to controll the initial breakout you will get. (The initial breakout is normal and believed to be caused by comedones that are allready there, so you would have gotten the zits anyway but differin speeds it up). It took a month or two to really see results. I think that is the reason for some people not to like this product... maybe if they sticked to it they would also have had the great results i had. In the netherlands, the product is completely covered by health insurance. (I Used the differin 0.1 ge
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March 19, 2008

Pros:

read below

Cons:

price if you dont have insurance

ok so i have been struggling with acne for about three years. i have tried differin, retina(tretinoin), retina-micro, differin, duac, and pretty much every known oral antibiotic that i know of. ie amoxacillin, erythromycin,doxy,tetra, etc. anyways, i started on a combo of duac and differin .3% about 10 weeks ago. i used to have about 3-10 spots at a time, which was ridiculous. trust me, as a guy you feel like sh*t when you have to wear makeup to go out and feel comfortable. but the combo seems to be working great. it took a lot of patience, redness, dryness, and worsened acne, but it is pretty much gone. i might get 1 spot a week now, which is like a complete 180. anyways for those of you with oily skin and acne that you just cant get rid of. try the new differin .3%, it works. the duac is nice too, but i think it just helps dry out current spots. just be patient becuase it took right up to about 10-12 weeks before it really clears, but when it does its great.
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March 18, 2008

Pros:

Nothing

Cons:

It dried my face, even when I used moisturizer.

I used Differin for two and half months and didn't see any results. The only thing it did was dry out my skin and make it flaky. Nothing else. It was also pretty expensive. I paid 17$, even with my insurance.
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March 17, 2008

Pros:

Easy to use, cheap with insurance ($15) and lasts a long time, no odor.

Cons:

My face became a bit oilier, but I had no major side effects.

I have adult acne after several years of great skin on ortho-tricyclen. Within a few months of getting off the pill, my acne came back, first slowly and then in full force after about a year. By full force I mean lots of little ones and some cystic as well. I didn't want to get back on the pill for other reasons, so I tried Differin (I should note that I also use Clindamycin lotion in the morning). Like many others my skin got worse for several weeks. This seemed pretty unbearable, but because so many others on this forum and other forums suggested waiting it out for results, I did. After 7 weeks, my skin started to improve. I'm now on week 8 and my skin is pretty smooth. I'm waiting for marks of the old ones to fade, but i currently have no new zits and a few old ones drying out. Overall, if medicine keeps things at bay, I will be very satisfied. So, my advice is to try to stick it through the 1st few months. I'm hoping that by 6 months, i'll have flawless skin again.
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March 15, 2008

Pros:

Useless

Cons:

I have tried both Erythromycin and differin. Former has been much better and works from first day. Differin does not help anything

Ask your doctor if you can see him/her within two weeks if she happens to prescribe differin so that the medication gets changed before you have been affected beyond control
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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