Adapalene topical and Acne: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Nur...
• October 10, 2017

For Acne "I've been using adapalene since the beginning of August, and my skin is terrible! I haven't had breakouts like this since high school (I'm 32). Blackheads and cysts everywhere. I've never had a problem with those in particular. This is month 3, and I'm just ready to give up on it. I'm also taking 100 mg minocycline. I'm not sure if it's the combination together or just one. I don't want to continue using this and would not recommend it to anyone."

• Nur...
• October 10, 2017

For Acne "I've been using adapalene since the beginning of August, and my skin is terrible! I haven't had breakouts like this since high school (I'm 32). Blackheads and cysts everywhere. I've never had a problem with those in particular. This is month 3, and I'm just ready to give up on it. I'm also taking 100 mg minocycline. I'm not sure if it's the combination together or just one. I don't want to continue using this and would not recommend it to anyone."

• MZe...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 18, 2015

For Acne "When I told my OB/GYN that I thought my Mirena was the cause of my acne, she put me on adapalene. I have used it for 7 months now. Initially, it made my skin break out terribly with large, irritated, dry patches. I was only using a small amount. This went on for about 4 months. As I understood it, this was normal and would subside. Eventually, it did, but I wasn't satisfied with the results, as I was still breaking out regularly. So, I had my Mirena removed and went on an anti-inflammatory diet, along with turmeric supplements. My skin finally cleared up! I fell off the diet a bit and began breaking out again, so I attribute the clearing of my skin to dietary changes, and not to the adapalene. For me, it just didn't work."

• Mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 5, 2019

Adapalene topical for Acne "Before I started using Differin, I had a few pimples here and there. After using Differin, my entire face broke out. I went from 2 pimples to about 30 on my face. 8 weeks to see improvement is too long. Having to see your face break out to such an extent. Not worth it!"

• Emi...
• December 23, 2015

Adapalene topical for Acne "After Retin-A seemingly stopped working, my doctor put me on Differin. I had high hopes, but it didn't work out. This gel didn't cause the dry irritation in my skin but instead caused my skin to become excessively oily, which then caused blackheads to pop up all over my face, which I've never had a problem with, except maybe a few on my nose and in the creases of my nose. I started getting blackheads on my forehead (and I'm not talking about them being barely noticeable, they were large and made noticeable bumps on my skin), on my chin, between my eyebrows - everywhere. I also started developing acne on my cheeks, which I've never had before, so I stopped taking the medication after that completely."

• Emi...
• December 23, 2015

Adapalene topical for Acne "After Retin-A seemingly stopped working, my doctor put me on Differin. I had high hopes, but it didn't work out. This gel didn't cause the dry irritation in my skin but instead caused my skin to become excessively oily, which then caused blackheads to pop up all over my face, which I've never had a problem with, except maybe a few on my nose and in the creases of my nose. I started getting blackheads on my forehead (and I'm not talking about them being barely noticeable, they were large and made noticeable bumps on my skin), on my chin, between my eyebrows - everywhere. I also started developing acne on my cheeks, which I've never had before, so I stopped taking the medication after that completely."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 21, 2019

Adapalene topical for Acne "I've been using Differin for only 6 weeks, and my skin isn't perfect, but I can definitely see a difference, and I can tell it'll get even clearer! I was really worried about the purging and the dryness, but my dermatologist gave me minocycline (prescribed pill for acne) and also a really nice coconut oil-based moisturizer, and I haven't had any issues except a couple of minor breakouts! I definitely recommend going to the dermatologist before using this product because they can give you products or tips to prevent any irritation!"

• Rep...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 7, 2022

Adapalene topical for Acne "Differin sucks! I suffered from moderate closed comedones around my forehead, so I started using it, but it only made my condition 100 times worse and even started having pustules, cystic acne, and closed comedones on my cheeks and chin! I tried to persist, but even after 6 weeks of use, it still continued getting worse, so I went to a facial to have them all extracted and discontinued it! Now my skin is much smoother, but Differin has left me with so much post-irritation redness/hyperpigmentation. Waste of money and affected my self-esteem for so long!"

• Rep...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 7, 2022

Adapalene topical for Acne "Differin sucks! I suffered from moderate closed comedones around my forehead, so I started using it, but it only made my condition 100 times worse and even started having pustules, cystic acne, and closed comedones on my cheeks and chin! I tried to persist, but even after 6 weeks of use, it still continued getting worse, so I went to a facial to have them all extracted and discontinued it! Now my skin is much smoother, but Differin has left me with so much post-irritation redness/hyperpigmentation. Waste of money and affected my self-esteem for so long!"

• thi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 25, 2018

Adapalene topical for Acne "This was an absolutely awful product for me. It made my face burn, cannot use the skin products you’re used to using. It will make you get HUGE red marks all over your face because of how inflamed it makes your face. It does not assist in fading scars, your face will look AWFUL even if you do go through with the full product for the 6-month MINIMUM span. Absolutely ridiculous! It will cause cystic acne all over and will lower your self-esteem rather than fix the acne! My recommendation? Go to your local doctor and get a prescription for pills that will help your acne! Three months in, my friend's face is very clear, I will take her recommendation! Awful product."

• Vin...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 17, 2021

Adapalene topical for Acne "Differin really works! I was very reluctant to start using it because of all the terrible reviews and horror stories, but my only regret is not starting it sooner. Yes, it does make your skin worse to begin with. It’s probably gonna get to a point where it’s the worst it’s ever been, but it’s only temporary, and here I am a year later with almost flawless skin. I get the odd pimple from time to time, but for the most part, my skin is completely clear, and all the hyperpigmentation has faded at this point as well."

• j_f...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 12, 2016

For Acne "I'm 18 years old, and I was put on exactly 4 weeks ago. I have hormonal acne, and I thought it wasn't that bad before, but I wanted the little bumps off of my face. Now, 4 weeks in, I don't want to leave the house. I expected the first week to burn and break out, and even the second week, but now that I'm on week 4, my skin is red, broken out still, and nothing is going away or healing. Don't take this. It hasn't worked for me at all."

• Cou...
• November 17, 2019

For Acne "I purchased Differin gel at Walmart in addition to the Equate version of a proactive kit (facial cleanser, toner, moisturizer). Before buying these, I've had terrible acne on my cheeks, especially my right cheek, and my face is super oily, and it's amplified due to stress. I started following the Equate cleaning kit instructions and added the Differin gel after the toner step in the morning. I will say that the first week my acne seemed to get worse. I'm now in the third week of using the gel with the cleaning kit, and I will say that my face has shown a huge amount of progress. My face is not nearly as oily as it was before. Every day and hydrate with water."

• mja...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 8, 2020

For Acne "My positive experience with adapalene included consistency, moisturizing, and a lot of patience. I never had severe acne, but I wanted to get rid of the few pimples I had. When first using it, my mild acne got much worse and turned into large cystic acne that scarred terribly. I was embarrassed to go out with friends because my acne had never been this bad. However, after about 2 months, I started seeing slightly clearer skin. After 4 months, my skin was clearer than it ever had been. The catch is that I also started a birth control around 4 months of using adapalene, so I probably should have isolated the treatments to see which was effective. All I know is I have consistently applied adapalene for 10 months, and my skin has been clear for 6 months."

• Bow...
• January 12, 2020

Adapalene topical for Acne "In November 2019, I noticed a couple of breakouts (one or two per week) on my left cheek and decided to use this product. It’s week 7 and my acne is so bad. I started out with one big papule on my left cheek and one pustule. Clear everywhere else. At the moment, everything is inflamed (7 weeks in), and I have 3 big papules, 1 pustule, and 1 cystic pimple on my left cheek, 2 papules on my right cheek, 1 papule on my forehead, and 3 cystic pimples on my chin. Plus, I’m left with deep red marks from all of these pimples. I haven’t changed my skincare routine, same birth control, etc., so I know Differin has had a bad effect on my skin. I do, however, have no blackheads on my nose and chin, which I used to have a lot of. Still hoping that it might get better. Pretty much given up, as you should start seeing improvement by week 8, and my skin won’t be looking like week 1 or better any time soon. However, it may work for you! Just beware as the “purge” ruined my skin!"

• Bow...
• January 12, 2020

Adapalene topical for Acne "In November 2019, I noticed a couple of breakouts (one or two per week) on my left cheek and decided to use this product. It’s week 7 and my acne is so bad. I started out with one big papule on my left cheek and one pustule. Clear everywhere else. At the moment, everything is inflamed (7 weeks in), and I have 3 big papules, 1 pustule, and 1 cystic pimple on my left cheek, 2 papules on my right cheek, 1 papule on my forehead, and 3 cystic pimples on my chin. Plus, I’m left with deep red marks from all of these pimples. I haven’t changed my skincare routine, same birth control, etc., so I know Differin has had a bad effect on my skin. I do, however, have no blackheads on my nose and chin, which I used to have a lot of. Still hoping that it might get better. Pretty much given up, as you should start seeing improvement by week 8, and my skin won’t be looking like week 1 or better any time soon. However, it may work for you! Just beware as the “purge” ruined my skin!"

• not...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2019

Adapalene topical for Acne "A bit of a backstory: earlier this year, I started breaking out quite badly with cystic acne all over my forehead and chin. I was prescribed benzoyl peroxide, which cleared my face completely in a matter of months. However, everything came back when I stopped treatment. This time, however, benzoyl peroxide did not help, so I was prescribed Differin cream about 8 weeks ago. I introduced it gradually, trying to avoid the dreaded 'purge.' My forehead and chin did clear up mostly; however, I noticed that with the cream, the marks that are left after the inflammation take significantly longer to fade, and I have been getting acne in places where I haven't before. Overall, its effect is evident, and it does keep (most of) the violent cysts at bay, but my face is still far from clear."

• Ell...
• December 9, 2017

For Acne "I owe my self-confidence to adapalene! I went off to college in the fall, and my skin immediately went completely out of whack. My doctor started out by prescribing me spironolactone to clear my skin, but I did not like the side effects. Her next suggestion was adapalene, and I couldn't be happier about deciding to start using it. I simultaneously started applying adapalene when I started hormonal birth control, so some of my clear skin could be because of the BC. I experienced about 3 weeks of an initial breakout, but by the 4th and 5th weeks, I got to witness my skin get clearer and clearer every day. It has now been 8 weeks, and all my breakouts are almost completely gone! My skin is dry, but loading it up with moisturizer every night is absolutely worth it."

• 112...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 21, 2016

For Acne "This medication worked perfectly fine for me in the beginning. Regular dryness and flaky skin. But now my face looks like a war zone. There was more acne than before, and my skin still has the dryness with a moisturizer. There's even flaking. But I think it will get better in the upcoming months."

• rut...
• August 10, 2018

For Acne "I have tried Accutane, antibiotics, spironolactone, Retin A, and nothing has worked better than this gel. I had a huge breakout initially that my derm never told me about, but now the breakouts that come back are tiny and do not hurt. I have hormonal acne, and I am 42. My skin looks so much better, and I am so happy to find this. It doesn't dry my skin out either!"

• Tex...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 12, 2018

For Acne "Tried using Differin gel 2 different times. The first time, I broke out in bad, cystic acne after 2 weeks. Assuming this was a 'purge period,' I kept using the gel a few more weeks. I had to stop due to painful, unsightly cysts on my face. Yes, I followed the directions and tried to be patient. When I stopped using the gel, my skin began to clear a bit. I attempted using the gel again and experienced the same painful cysts on my face. For me, Differin does not work."

• Nic...
• July 6, 2018

For Acne "Used this product last year, and it worked wonders. I had teenage acne for almost 4 months, and nothing worked. I went to my dermatologist, and he prescribed me Adapalene to apply at night. It didn't really break me out, but there are 1 or 2 new spots after 1 or 2 days. After approximately 1 to 2 months, the hyperpigmentation from the acne faded, and I have clear skin again. Never give up. If this product breaks you out a little, just remember it is trying to force out the excess junk inside your pores. Highly recommended product."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 8, 2017

For Acne "My face was actually looking pretty good for a while. I wanted to totally clear my face, so I got on Proactiv MD with adapalene gel 1%. So far, it has only made my face break out more. I’ve been using it for about 3 weeks now. What should I do?"

• TKH...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 11, 2022

For Acne "Older male, apparently never outgrew puberty. My experience with 0.1% adapalene has been totally positive, got results overnight. No irritation other than 10 seconds of barely noticeable stinging. Still get the occasional zit. Sebum production way down, too. I apply it when I brush my teeth for bed. Wish I could try the 0.3% concentration."

• Tic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 3, 2019

Adapalene topical for Acne "Nope, nope, nope... I’m getting married soon and thought it would be a great idea to use this product and clear my minor adult acne so my skin would look nice for photos, and I’ve never had my face break out so bad! My chin, cheeks, nose, and forehead are all breaking out with painful cystic acne. I know it says, “wait it out,” but there’s no way I’m continuing like this. Shame."