Anyone who’s ever had to cope with ongoing acne will know that it can be a real challenge to stay on top of the problem. Topical treatments like adapalene 0.1% gel offer a potent weapon against breakouts, but it can take a little time to find that sweet spot where you get optimal results. That’s why listening to everything your skin tells you is important.
You should be able to tell within a week or two whether the product you’re using is sufficiently concentrated, but you must be able to interpret the signs. In this blog, we give you a heads-up on what to look out for.
Knowing Whether Your Adapalene 0.1% Gel Is Working Right
How is it that your skin communicates when you’re using adapalene 0.1% gel exactly? Let’s dive in and see, shall we?
Sign #1 – Limited Improvement
If you’ve been using the product for several weeks or even months and you see no real noticeable improvement in your acne, it’s likely that 0.1% is not potent enough for your skin condition, and you need to move up to a 0.3% product.
Sign #2 – Persistent Breakouts
If your breakouts are getting worse, it suggests that the formulation is too mild. It’s common to experience a ‘purge’ shortly after beginning the use of adapalene gel, but it shouldn’t be continuous and ongoing. Again, it’s time to move up.
Sign #3 – You Have Severe Acne
Generally speaking, adapalene 0.1% is meant for tackling mild to moderate cases of acne, so if yours is at the more severe end of the spectrum, it might not be enough. What we mean by severe acne is cystic or nodular acne that’s characterized by large red clusters or lumps.
Sign #4 – Your Acne Improves, then Plateaus
After a short while of using adapalene gel, it’s possible that your skin develops something of a tolerance for the product. That’s why you might find that the condition improves a little but never fully clears up. It’s another reason to consider moving up to 0.3%.
Sign #5 – A Dermatologist Tells You So
If you get a recommendation from a dermatologist to move up in strength, it’s best to listen to them. You might be erring on the side of gentleness, but these professionals know what they’re talking about and what gives you the best chance of clearer skin.
Sign #6 – You’ve Had Success With a 0.3% Product Before
If, in the past, you’ve had success with a stronger product, but you feel your skin is in better shape than before, it’s possible that you should again consider a 0.3% product. This is particularly true if your 0.1% isn’t quite hitting the mark.
Sign #7 – Your Skin’s Texture Isn’t Improving
When you’re getting the intended results from the gel, your skin texture should also become smoother. If that aspect isn’t improving, it might indicate that a higher concentration is required.
Getting Full Value From Your Adapalene 0.1% Gel
As we’ve seen here, a little knowledge goes a long way in the fight against acne, which means that recognizing these signs is an important part of the battle. When you spot any of these signs, or even more than one, it’s possibly time to consider adjusting your approach.
You must remember that the goal is to find a balance that effectively addresses your acne while minimizing potential irritation and promoting skin health. By keeping an eye on the results you’re getting, that becomes much more likely.
