Adapalene Treatment Gel

It's been more than a year since I started using the little ointment that changed my skin completely. I have shared quite a bit of my story with you in my process, but until today I have not made a proper post about it. why? Because it is a prescription drug in Israel, and it felt ridiculous to me to criticize it. But after many conversations with you, I realized that you are not that familiar with the power of prescription drugs, and even shy away from them, so I can't keep this magic to myself. See this as me sharing my personal experience and my knowledge as someone who is not a professional. This is not a medical recommendation, only your doctor can recommend you to take Adaplin.

So what is Adeplin?

Adeplin is a type of retinoid. Retinoids are various derivatives of vitamin A. Retinoids include, for example, tretinoin (Retavit), retinyl palmitate, retinyl propionate, the most famous of which is retinol, and of course - adeline.

Adeplin is considered a third generation retinoid, meaning it is relatively new. It has been studied and proven more for the treatment of acne, but also for keratosis pilaris ("strawberry skin"), lightening, and treatment of wrinkles (at 0.3%). According to the studies, it has fewer side effects than tretinoin (Retavit). It is also more stable too.

It is sold in the USA at 0.1% without a prescription (of diprin in the picture) and at 0.3% with a prescription. In Israel it is available at 0.1% only with a prescription (in Israel the drug is called Adeprin, but the active ingredient is Adeplin).

Why did I use it?

If you've been following here for a while, you know that I suffered from acne in my childhood, but the acne made a comeback for me when the corona virus started and we started using masks. And every pimple that came out also left a stain that just wouldn't come off. I tried using over the counter products, which helped a little, but every time it seemed to be over, it came back bigger and more irritable. In the end I decided there was no choice, I needed a serious weapon.

At the time I was in the army and I couldn't get an appointment with a dermatologist, so after a lot of research and with quite a few concerns, I decided to use Adeplin from iHerb.

How did I do it?

In the first two weeks, I removed every other active ingredient, to strengthen the skin barrier and prepare it for Adaplin. I started using Adeplin in a very small amount of a pea, every day. I did the sandwich method - a light moisturizer, Edeplin, and a thick moisturizer, and wait 10 minutes between the steps. That way the adaplin is not directly on the skin and is less irritating. I didn't go near the eyes or the neck. I did not combine other active ingredients during the adaptation period.

And how was it?

Luckily, I had no irritations at all, and what's more, retinol, which is supposed to be gentler, irritated me more. What did happen to me was a forge - a relatively common phenomenon when starting to use retinoids. It's actually aggravation of the acne before the improvement. This happens in the first month, and my wounds are bigger and more annoying than ever. This happens because the skin changes faster and the wounds that were supposed to come out during the month come out faster. But after about 3 weeks, I already started a relatively fast improvement trend, and the acne really reduced.

Besides the acne, a change I saw very quickly was an improvement in the texture of the skin. The skin just became much nicer, the pores were almost no longer visible, the skin just became amazingly smooth! I'm prone to keratosis pilaris on my body and cheeks and it just completely disappeared. The spots left by the pimples started to clear up faster. Needless to say, I fell in love.

And today❓

I still use it because it makes my skin so good so why would I stop? The skin does not develop immunity to retinoids. Not long ago I switched to the Israeli prescription drug Adephrin (it's also cheaper).

A few more questions of yours-

What should not be applied together with it?

Basically anything that can further irritate the skin. For example, I do not combine glycolic acid with it. Farewell to morning and evening.

How long does it take to see results?

Usually within 2 - 3 months. I saw relatively early.

Do you need a dermatologist or can a family doctor also prescribe?

A family doctor can also prescribe, but it is better to go to a dermatologist because they are experts in this and know the problem better.

What is the difference between Adeplin and Retavit?

Adeplein is a newer type of retinoid. It has been studied a lot but not as much as Ratavit. It is studied more for acne and less for wrinkles. There is still no proof of anti-aging in Adeplin 0.1%, only 0.3%, but I believe that the day will come and this too will be proven. What is known is that Adeline has fewer side effects than Metavit.

The ambition is to reach everyday use❓

The goal is to reach the frequency and the amount that will affect you positively without stimulation. It's individual, one will have it every day and the other once every 3 days.

It's not scary to start an ointment with a commitment without forgetting to put it on every day❓

I have stopped using it many times when my skin needed restoration or during periods when I was more exposed to the sun (I always use sunscreen but unfortunately when you dive a lot in the sea it is inevitable), and really nothing happened. I went back to it after that. Not the end of the world.

It's retinol❓

No, retinol is another retinoid. They are from the same family.

Is it effective against wrinkles like Ratavit?

I found a study that compared results between 0.5% tretinoin (the active ingredient in Retavit) and 0.3% Adeline and similar results were found in wrinkles.

Is it allowed to take while breastfeeding?

No, retinoids are not recommended for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Is it an aphid?

Not exactly. Apido is a prescription drug that contains a combination of adepline and benzoyl peroxide.

Feel free to ask more questions in the comments!