TactuPump treats acne by combining two medicines in a single gel: adapalene and benzoyl peroxide. One works on the clogged pores behind most breakouts, while the other reduces the bacteria involved in acne. Together, these dual actions treat acne more thoroughly than a single ingredient would, and may also help limit the scarring that acne can leave behind.
There is a regular-strength TactuPump and a stronger formulation called TactuPump Forte. The two are the same gel apart from the adapalene concentration, which is higher in Forte. Both TactuPump and TactuPump Forte are prescription-only in Canada.
This article covers how TactuPump and TactuPump Forte work and how effective they are. We also explain how to use each product, how they compare with other acne treatments, and their side effects, cost, and coverage in Canada.
What Is TactuPump?
TactuPump is the brand name for a topical acne gel that combines adapalene 0.1% and benzoyl peroxide 2.5%. It’s approved by Health Canada to treat mild to moderate acne, and is applied to affected skin on the face, chest, or back.
The two ingredients in TactuPump do different things. Adapalene is a retinoid (a medicine related to vitamin A, like tretinoin) that acts on the lining of the pores. It helps to keep pores clear, reducing blackheads and whiteheads. Benzoyl peroxide is an antibacterial agent that lowers the levels of acne-causing bacteria on the skin. Because each ingredient works in a different way, TactuPump treats acne on more fronts than a single-ingredient treatment would.
TactuPump comes in two strengths, which vary only by their adapalene concentration. TactuPump has adapalene 0.1%, while TactuPump Forte has 0.3% (with benzoyl peroxide at 2.5% in both). Generic versions from manufacturers such as Taro and Sandoz contain the same active ingredients. Like most acne treatments, TactuPump controls acne rather than curing it, so it’s used once daily as an ongoing treatment, with results building gradually over several weeks.
TactuPump vs TactuPump Forte: What’s the Difference?
The difference between TactuPump and TactuPump Forte comes down to how much adapalene each contains. TactuPump has adapalene 0.1%; TactuPump Forte has 0.3%. Both contain benzoyl peroxide 2.5%, and both are applied the same way — as a thin layer once a day to affected skin.
The stronger Forte version is meant for more severe acne. Health Canada approves the 0.1% TactuPump for mild to moderate acne in patients aged 9 and older, and the 0.3% TactuPump Forte for moderate to severe acne in patients aged 12 and older.
For moderate acne, either strength can be appropriate, and the decision usually comes down to your skin and history. A doctor may lean toward TactuPump Forte when there’s reason to expect more stubborn acne, such as a long history of breakouts, a family history, or a tendency to scar. Regular-strength TactuPump can be the better starting point if your skin is sensitive or easily irritated, since the higher-strength gel is a little more likely to cause dryness and redness, especially in the first few weeks.
How Does TactuPump Work?
Acne forms when pores get blocked with dead skin and oil, acne-causing bacteria build up inside them, and the blocked pore becomes inflamed and sore. TactuPump’s two ingredients each work on different parts of this process:
- Adapalene (a retinoid) keeps pores clear by helping the skin cells lining them shed normally, reducing the plugs that turn into blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples.
- Benzoyl peroxide (an antibacterial) reduces the acne-causing bacteria in pores and clears away the dead skin and excess oil that block them.
Used together, the two ingredients in TactuPump treat more of what causes acne than either one alone.
How Effective Is TactuPump for Acne?
TactuPump is effective for the common mix of blackheads, whiteheads, and red, inflamed spots collectively referred to as acne.
In a 12-week clinical trial, TactuPump reduced inflamed and non-inflamed acne spots by roughly two-thirds, and cleared or nearly cleared the skin in about a third of people using the 0.3% strength. Improvement usually starts within the first few weeks, with fuller results building over about two to three months of steady daily use.
Results vary from person to person, so the “before and after” photos you see online won’t necessarily match your own experience. Used consistently, though, TactuPump leads to a meaningful improvement for many people.
Does TactuPump Help With Acne Scars?
If you’re worried about the scars acne can leave, the most useful thing TactuPump does is help prevent them. It controls breakouts early, before inflamed spots have the chance to damage the skin and leave a mark. There’s also some evidence that the 0.3% strength (TactuPump Forte) may reduce acne scars over time, though this isn’t an approved use, and neither strength will erase scars that have already formed.
TactuPump may also help fade the dark marks (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) that can linger after a spot clears. The evidence for this specific gel is limited, so it’s best treated as a possible bonus rather than a main reason to use it.
How to Use TactuPump
Always use TactuPump as your doctor or pharmacist directs. As a general guide, the steps below follow Health Canada’s product information for TactuPump.
- How and when to apply: In the evening, clean the affected skin with a gentle, non-medicated cleanser and pat it dry. Spread a thin layer of TactuPump over all the skin that’s prone to breakouts, rather than dabbing it onto individual spots. Keep the gel clear of your eyes, lips, and the corners of your nose. Rinse your hands when you’re finished.
- Using a moisturizer: A gentle, non-comedogenic (non-pore-clogging) moisturizer pairs well with TactuPump and can take the edge off early dryness. Ease up on exfoliating scrubs, astringents, and other potent actives until your skin settles in.
- If your skin gets irritated: A bit of dryness, redness, or stinging in the early weeks is normal and tends to ease as your skin adapts. If it’s uncomfortable, dropping to every other day or taking a short break usually works better than stopping completely.
- Sun care: Your skin can burn more easily while you’re on TactuPump, so wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day and avoid tanning beds and sunlamps.
- Watch for bleaching: Benzoyl peroxide can lift the colour from hair, towels, and bedding. Give the gel a few minutes to dry before it touches fabric, and stick to white linens while you’re using it.
- Storage: Keep the TactuPump gel at room temperature (it doesn’t need refrigerating) and use it within a few months of opening.
TactuPump vs Other Acne Treatments
Depending on the kind of acne you have and how your skin tolerates treatment, a doctor might suggest one of a few alternatives. Here’s how TactuPump stacks up against the most common topical acne treatments in Canada.
Tretinoin vs TactuPump
Tretinoin is a retinoid like adapalene, one of the ingredients in TactuPump. Tretinoin is a strong choice for blackheads and whiteheads, and it has a bonus TactuPump doesn’t — it smooths fine lines, so it doubles as an anti-aging treatment. What Tretinoin can’t do is reach the bacterial side of acne, because it has no benzoyl peroxide. So tretinoin tends to suit comedonal acne (blackheads and whiteheads), while TactuPump is the better pick when spots are red and inflamed. Our guide to tretinoin cream in Canada covers it in more detail.
Clindoxyl and Benzaclin vs TactuPump
Clindoxyl and Benzaclin are benzoyl peroxide combination gels like TactuPump, but are paired with an antibiotic (clindamycin) rather than a retinoid. The antibiotic makes Clindoxyl and Benzaclin especially effective against red, inflamed acne. The limitation is that antibiotics are meant for short courses, so TactuPump is a better long-term option to keep acne in check. We’ve also written an article on Clindoxyl and Benzaclin if you want more information.
Adapalene Alone (Differin) vs TactuPump
Differin contains adapalene, one of the ingredients in TactuPump, just without the benzoyl peroxide. On its own, Differin handles milder acne well, the kind that’s mostly blackheads and whiteheads. TactuPump adds benzoyl peroxide to also target acne bacteria, so it does more for red, inflamed spots. So Differin can be enough for mild, comedonal acne, but TactuPump is the stronger option once inflammation is in the picture.
Finacea (Azelaic Acid) vs TactuPump
Finacea (azelaic acid) contains neither a retinoid nor benzoyl peroxide, which makes it the gentlest option here. It’s worth considering if your skin can’t tolerate TactuPump, if you’re pregnant (TactuPump can’t be used in pregnancy), or if fading dark marks is your main goal. Finacea is usually less effective for active, inflamed breakouts, which is when TactuPump would be a better choice. See our guide to Finacea for a deep dive into azelaic acid for acne.
TactuPump Side Effects and Safety
The most common TactuPump side effects are mild and affect only the patch of skin being treated:
- Dryness
- Redness
- Stinging or burning
- Peeling or flaking
Side effects from TactuPump tend to be mild, show up mainly in the first week or two, and fade as your skin adapts. TactuPump Forte, with its higher adapalene strength, is a little more likely to cause side effects than the regular strength.
Serious Side Effects and Warnings
Serious reactions to TactuPump are rare. Stop using it and seek medical attention if you notice signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as a spreading rash, swelling of the face, lips, or throat, or difficulty breathing. Severe or lasting burning, blistering, or swelling of the treated skin is also a reason to stop and check with your doctor rather than pushing through.
TactuPump isn’t suitable for everyone. Avoid it if you’re allergic to adapalene or benzoyl peroxide, and don’t apply it to skin affected by eczema or seborrhoeic dermatitis, or to broken or sunburned skin.
TactuPump in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
TactuPump and TactuPump Forte shouldn’t be used during pregnancy or if you’re planning to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while using it, stop and speak with your doctor. If you’re breastfeeding, use TactuPump only after talking to your doctor, and avoid applying it to the chest.
TactuPump Cost, Coverage, and Access in Canada
TactuPump’s cost and coverage vary by province, pharmacy, and insurer, so there’s no set TactuPump price nationally. As a reference point, regular TactuPump runs around $45 for a 30 g tube, while TactuPump Forte price is around $70 (before the pharmacy’s markup and dispensing fee).
Generic versions of TactuPump (Taro and Sandoz) contain the same ingredients and are often the cheaper option. Your pharmacist can tell you what’s available.
How to Get TactuPump in Canada
Because TactuPump needs a prescription, you’ll need to start with a doctor’s appointment. Your family physician, a walk-in clinic, or an online doctor at Walk In are all good options.
Frequently Asked Questions About TactuPump
Is TactuPump a retinoid? TactuPump contains a retinoid (adapalene), but it isn’t a retinoid on its own — it’s a combination of adapalene and benzoyl peroxide. TactuPump is sometimes confused with retinol, a weaker, over-the-counter relative of prescription retinoids like tretinoin.
What is TactuPump’s generic name? TactuPump’s generic name is the same as its ingredients — adapalene and benzoyl peroxide. Generic versions are made by Taro and Sandoz.
Does TactuPump cause purging? “Purging” is a burst of breakouts when starting a skin treatment. Purging is associated with retinoids, but there’s little solid evidence that TactuPump genuinely makes acne flare. Some early dryness and irritation is common, and acne can take a few weeks to improve, which can be mistaken for purging.
Is TactuPump available over the counter in Canada? TactuPump and TactuPump Forte are prescription-only in Canada, so you’ll need a doctor to get either. (In the United States, the lower-strength version was recently approved for over-the-counter sale, but that hasn’t happened in Canada.)
Is TactuPump Right for You?
TactuPump is a proven choice for everyday acne, including the blackheads, whiteheads, and red spots that drugstore products usually can’t shift on their own. Because TactuPump combines a retinoid with benzoyl peroxide, it works on more of what drives acne than a single active ingredient.
Being antibiotic-free (unlike some other acne gels) means you can stay on TactuPump long-term if required. However, it needs a few weeks of consistent use before results show, and it can be too much for very sensitive skin.
If acne is the problem and you’re not sure TactuPump is the answer, a doctor can help you find the right treatment for your skin.
Speak to a Doctor Online About Acne Treatment
Please note:
Walk In does not provide medical advice. The contents of this website, including text, graphics, images and any other material are intended for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Although efforts are taken to keep any medical information on the website updated, we cannot guarantee that the information on our website is correct or reflects the most up-to-date medical information.
Please consult your physician for medical advice. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding a medical condition. Never disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice or treatment because of something you have read on this website or on the internet.
