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
August 2, 2007
Cons:
Can dry and irritate skin
I have had acne over 10 years that won't go away. I recently tried Differin. I've been using it for 6 weeks now. I didn't have dry skin much at all (my skin is very oily) but I did experience sun sensetivity. It also has gotten worse in some ways. I have small bumps all over my face, clogged pores...which turn into zits. I don't get big zits very often but as the derm put it, the clogged pores are "time bombs" and differin set them off! My skin got worse but nothing I couldn't manage, anyway, I knew it'd get worse before it got better. I have stuck with it and I already have noticed how much clearer it is. It's a dream come true, after living with acne for 10 years I actually have confidence. Bottom line: stick with it! I don't know why everyone's saying it takes "forever" to work. Yes it takes a few months but it's better than just being stuck with acne! Be patient!
July 17, 2007
Pros:
my skin is looking great; blackheads on my nose are going away fast, and the fine lines on my forehead and my "smile lines" are completely smooth.
Cons:
expensive; had to see the dermatologist.
I had awful acne in my teens (now I'm 26) and after discontinuing bcpills, my acne started to flare again. I had a glycolic peel a few weeks back, which really jump-started my "good skin," I think, and with the Differin at night, and a glycolic moisturizer +SPF in the morning, I'm looking unusually clear (though still having those "purging" pimples.
July 16, 2007
Pros:
My skin seems healthier overall, I've gotten compliments already! It's pretty easy to use and my skin has been clearing up and steadily improving. It Does zap pimples that haven't fully developed if you get to them in time.
Cons:
Extreme Drying, especially during the first two weeks of use. Some redness when I apply too much in one area accidentally. Of course, I had that initial breakout, but it has been improving steadily since then, and no new acne since.
I know it's not for everyone, but I think it is definetely worth a try (especially for those that are thinking of accutane, like I was).
July 13, 2007
Pros:
Starting to work, gentle, no burning or peeling
Cons:
Dries my skin out a little, made my skin break out.
I've been using the cream version of Differin instead of the gel for about a month now. I've had monthly breakouts for awhile and was sick of it, and my dermatologist recommended this. The cream isn't that harsh, doesn't burn at all, just a little drying. My face, mostly my chin, broke out after a week and has continued up until this week. Now my skin is apparently healing and is actually looking better. I'm optimistic about it and will continue to use it. If you can stand the initial breakouts for using this, then it may be worthwhile for you, since pimples take up to many weeks to actually appear, so the Differin isn't causing the breakouts- it's causing the ones already formed to appear on the surface. It seems to be working for me, so we'll see if it works in the long run.
July 10, 2007
Pros:
It did make my skin appear to be smoother in the first week.
Cons:
I had BIG pimples that were forming everyday after the first 2 weeks. I went from having mild acne to moderate acne when I used this.I never gave it the chance to make things better. The breakouts I was getting from this made me decide to discontinue
I would try using a gentle water soluble cleanser and a bha 2% or 1% product with a benzoyl peroxide treatment first. If that doesnt help clear up your acne then try a topical medication. If differin is too irritating for you than dont ever try tazorac.
July 8, 2007
Pros:
It might be slowly working??
I dont know yet
Cons:
Big break outs
a million colorless bumps on my forehead, my cheeks and jaw look worse than ever
I hope this is only the initial breakout becuase I dont want anyone to see me. It's super embarassing
July 7, 2007
Pros:
Works.
Cons:
Must be used in conjunction with an anti-bacterial lotion.
Anyone who's been prescribed this lotion alone, without an additional acne fighter, seems to be getting bad advice. This basically just unclogs your pores, but if you don't also kill the bacteria, it's a vicious cycle. At least at the start, it should be prescribed with such a treatment. Acne fighting is a three front war: Cleanse, exfoliate, kill bacteria. I can now even wear sunscreen and my skin looks great under this plan. PS - eat healthy, drink lots of water and get your EFA oils.
June 26, 2007
Pros:
If you can spot a breakout before it is full blown this baby will stop it from breaking out
Cons:
It turned all my actives into a pretruding scar like thing on my face!!!!! EWWW
horrible, don't use it
June 19, 2007
Pros:
Easy to use, little irritation to the skin, no crazy side effects.
Cons:
None that I've experienced
I never had problems with acne and in fact always had almost perfect skin up until 4 months ago when my cheeks, chin and forehead erupted with whiteheads and pimples. Before the breakout, I had been using proactiv and thought maybe I needed to switch to something more mild. I tried a different cleansing system but it only got worse. After several months of that, I returned to Proactiv. After two weeks of Proactiv my skin was improving but I went to the doctor to see if I could do anything else. She prescriped Differin and I've now been using it for a week along with Proactiv and have been taking Olay Anti-Aging vitamins. After a week of Differin I am experiencing no new breakouts and my skin is improving dramatically. I am going to continue to use the product. It has really helped clear out my skin. Now the only problem left to tackle is the hyperpigmentation spots! I recommend this product.
June 18, 2007
Cons:
After 8 weeks i still don't know if it is working, altough i now it is supposed to get worse before it gets better. I had rash and peeling around my mouth and eyes.
I've always had some pimples here or there but nothing much severe apart from my 15 or 16 years old. In fact my skin was quite clear besides some red scars but i've allways solved the problem with foundation. I'm 23 now and since 22 i'm been having moderate acne, turning into almost severe. I went to a dermatologist and i'm on Differin as well as antibiotics (actidox) and Borèade cosmetic (washing cream, smoother cream and exfoliating cream with glycolic acid). I'm on my 8th weak by now and my face has never been this bad. I have pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, cystic acne and a nodule or too. They scare very easily and sometimes turn purple and pop again after some weaks. Most of them are truly painful. I have them all over my face now, i've never had problems on my cheeks and rarely had them on my forehead but now they're growing huge and painful.
I'm used to be confortable about myself but my self-steem has never been so low. It is affecting me and even affecting my relationsh
Pros:
Works!