The Acne Solutionᴿˣ is our Core-tier acne treatment, built for mild to moderate breakouts and for people who haven't been on a prescription retinoid before. The Advanced Acne Solutionᴿˣis the maximum-strength tier — it keeps the prescription retinoid (adapalene) from the Core formula and adds benzoyl peroxide, formulated for stubborn acne-prone skin with deep or recurring breakouts that haven't responded to over-the-counter or first-line prescription care. If you're not sure, take the assessment. A board-certified dermatologist on your care team will tell you which one matches where your skin actually is — not where you think it should be.

Possibly, and at Advanced tier it can be more pronounced than with Core. Adapalene accelerates cell turnover, which can push clogged material to the surface before it clears. Benzoyl peroxide adds antibacterial activity that can also temporarily intensify what's coming to the surface. This isn't the prescription making things worse — it's the prescription doing its job. Most people get through the first 2 to 4 weeks and come out the other side with clearer skin than they've had in years. The niacinamide and Centella asiatica in the formula are included specifically to keep this phase manageable. If it gets uncomfortable, message us and we'll adjust your ramp-up.

Most of your routine can stay. Gentle cleansers, fragrance-free moisturizers, and broad-spectrum SPF all pair well with The Advanced Acne Solutionᴿˣ. What you need to pause: other topical retinoids (additional adapalene, tretinoin, tazarotene, retinol), high-concentration acids (salicylic, glycolic, lactic), and any other benzoyl peroxide products — doubling up increases irritation without improving results. A board-certified dermatologist on your care team will review your current products during your assessment and tell you exactly what to keep, drop, and add.

The assessment specifically asks. Tretinoin and several other actives in this formula aren't appropriate during pregnancy or nursing. If any of these apply to you, a board-certified dermatologist on your care team will route you to a safer alternative. If we can't safely prescribe for you, we'll tell you before charging you. We don't write prescriptions that shouldn't be written.

Most people start noticing a real shift between weeks 4 and 8 with consistent nightly use. Weeks 1–2 are the adjustment period — expect some dryness and possibly a temporary increase in breakouts as clogged pores surface. Weeks 3–6, deep flares may come less often and visible irritation may look calmer. Weeks 6–12, fewer new breakouts, smaller-looking pores, and post-acne marks begin to fade. The breakouts you've been chasing for years don't disappear in a week — but the right prescription can still help support clearer-looking skin.

It's designed for moderate to severe acne-prone skin — specifically the kind that's already been through OTC actives, first-line prescriptions, and antibiotics without getting lasting results. It's formulated for skin that's familiar with prescription retinoids and ready for a higher-strength combination. It's not the right starting point for someone new to prescription treatment — The Acne Solutionᴿˣ (Core) is built for that, and steps up cleanly to this formula if needed.