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 5, 2007
Cons:
When I did not apply Cetaphil lotiong before applying differin it made my skin very dry.
This was a great product it really worked for me. I believe this product works on some people and not on others. My sister also used Differin but stopped using it after a week because it made her face red and she started to have little red bumps. After she stopped using differin it cleared.
April 12, 2007
This medication has helped greatly. It took a while to work, but now I am seeing results. For people in Australia, Differin is not covered by the Pharmacutical Benifits Scheme and therefore is not subsidised. I had to pay the full price then claim for a rebate through my pharmacy extras on my private health insurance
April 6, 2007
Pros:
Stopped pimples from forming
Cons:
My face is burning, red, very sensitive to other products
I've used this for about 2 weeks now. I switched from the gel to the cream thinking that's what dried me up but they both have basically the same effect. I looked around on websites and it does say that you have to be persistent and wait for about 4 weeks until it clears up. This cream has been okay for me so far because it's stopped new pimples from forming. The burning goes away an hour or so after I apply the cream and so does the redness, although my face is still red. Foundation covers it though so it hasn't been too much of a problem for me. Overall I'd say use it and only get the gel if you have such oily skin that its slick.
April 3, 2007
Pros:
helps clear acne in about months but some will see results faster.it works
Cons:
makes your face itchy and dry
at first your acne will get worse because it is helping all the acne under your skin go up and finally the treatment fight it. really it is working for me only about 2 weeks of usage im seeing results.
March 29, 2007
I have used this cream every day for 15 weeks, and will now discontinue It has not helped my moderate acne in any way. For the first four weeks it made it considerably worse, and after that it was still worse than it used to be before I was on it. It irritated my skin for about two weeks (dry, red etc) but after that it stopped, and was comfortable to use. Living in England, I payed the standard unifrom perscription charge for this product ( £6.50).
March 19, 2007
Pros:
seems like it worked at first.
I've been using differin for about 8weeks now, it seems like it was clearing up but I still get breakouts. Should i stick with it or give up?
February 17, 2007
Pros:
Worked well at the start
stops more pimples from coming through
cheap
Cons:
stops working after a while
i started using it a couple of years ago and i am still using it along with another cream called duac which also worked well. it really cleaned up my skin but stopped working about after 3 months.
February 14, 2007
Pros:
cleared up my skin without drying it out
Cons:
can't think of any
i'm allergic to BP, so Dan's regimen was out of the question. My derm recommended Differin instead. I've used it persistently for almost a month now. there was a slight initial breakout the first week i started using it, but my skin just got better after that. i've not noticed any increased redness, in fact i believe after the purging period was over i had a tremendous reduction in redness. I would say Differin is not at all pricey in Malaysia (RM40 per 30g tube) and does not require a prescription. I find that it is very mild, no peeling or dryness (I don't even use a moisturiser) and has no objectionable smell to it.
February 8, 2007
Pros:
Easy to use once a night, smoothed out skin
Cons:
Didnt help prevent any new acne from forming
I used this stuff for 9 weeks on my moderate acne and saw no improvement. I was also using this in conjucntion with Duac and Minocycline and still saw no improvement. It is pretty easy to use, you just have the be consistent and wait for awile for results, if you have any. I have heard from alot of people that this can work, but it just didnt for me. I will still recommend for people to give it a try.
January 19, 2007
Pros:
Not sure yet... if it actually works that will be a pro. Kind of noticed a little less black heads.
Cons:
Skin is flaky. I look like I am peeling from a sunburn. SO it makes me want to scratch my face off because of the itch. Redness on my cheeks.
Drys out my skin so bad! Moisturize like crazy. I have no idea if it is working yet but I am really hoping.. I have so much scaring already and I don't want it to get any worse! Also started minocylcine. ACNE IS HELL.
Pros:
After using it for two weeks I had a clear face.