Comparing Adapalene Topical vs Spironolactone

For Acne: My dermatologist prescribed me adapalene after I went to her with concerns over some hormonal acne in my jawline/cheek area. Before bed, I apply the treatment adapalene .3 gel in a thin layer across my face. It has only been about 2 weeks but during the first week I had already noticed a change in my skin (smaller pores, less breakouts, improved texture). HOWEVER, now I am experiencing painful dryness that has resulted in some pretty yucky scaling of my skin, along with red and blotchy dry patches. I am going to TOWN with moisturizer now but it is still painful and embarrassing. I will continue the routine and hope my skin adjusts.

For Acne: Adapalene worsens acne first two weeks but you have to be patient because wanted results may need up to 3 months to appear , I am a drug information specialist at a dermatology hospital and I realized that our patients get less flakes and dryness when washing out adapale after 15 minutes to half an hour , sometimes after 2 hrs that what most consultants in our hospital advice patients with.

For Acne: I was put on it for “hormonal acne” which is what my derm referred to it as. I only had big bumps around my mouth/chin, around my hair line, and my temples. It was nothing severe but definitely noticeable. She put me on 50 mg spironolactone a day and after 3 months there was only slight difference. She then decided to put me a dose of 100 mg a day and it worked like a charm. My skin purged SO bad for about 6 weeks and then it started clearing up. It made me extremely thirsty and made me lose my appetite because it sort of made me nauseous. But over all, it works great in my opinion

For Acne: I was put on 100 mg spironolactone for moderate to severe cystic acne nearly 2 years ago. I didn't really notice any side effects except extremely inconsistent periods and slightly increased urination. My skin did purge for somewhere between 4 to 6 weeks but after that my acne almost completely cleared, with a few small pimples here and there. After about 9 months, I started getting some cystic pimples but no where near as bad as before. Currently I would say I almost always have at least 1 (non cystic) pimple, with breakouts and up to 3 cystic around my period. It's not perfect, but I'm grateful for spironolactone and the amount it's cleared with minimal side effects (for me) so I would highly recommend people with PCOS related acne give it a go.