Adapalene
"I've been using adapalene 0.3% for 11 weeks now. I've read other users' reviews, & it seems like people tend to negatively rate it due to the irritancy that occurs initially. You should expect irritancy when you first start using this. I've experienced flaking, redness, & itchiness, which have mostly subsided now. The right support products help minimize irritancy: a gentle, non-foaming cleanser, moisturizer, & daily SPF are essential. Learn from my mistake: I used an AHA based product to help loosen the flakes, but it only exacerbated the irritation, so I'd recommend avoiding chemical (& physical) exfoliants until your skin seems well-adapted to adapalene. The bottom line: my skin is smooth & acne-free after 11 weeks of use."