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Adapalene
AdapaleneActive
Synthetic third-generation retinoid. As effective as tretinoin for acne, with a milder irritation profile.
What it does
Adapalene binds selectively to retinoic acid receptors involved in keratinization, making it especially useful for acne. It's more photostable than tretinoin and generally better tolerated. 0.1% is OTC in many regions (USA included); 0.3% requires a prescription. Onset for acne improvement is typically 8–12 weeks.
The evidence, graded
strongOlder tretinoin formulations are partially deactivated by benzoyl peroxide when layered, but newer micro-encapsulated formulations are designed to combine. Some prescriptions intentionally combine them.Martin 1998 · British Journal of Dermatology ↗
strongAll topical retinoids — tretinoin, adapalene, retinol, retinaldehyde, retinyl palmitate, and hydroxypinacolone retinoate — are not recommended during pregnancy. Direct human data exist mainly for the prescription retinoids (tretinoin, adapalene); the caution extends to the others as a precautionary class-effect. Data on inadvertent exposure reassure but aren't strong enough to recommend any retinoid in pregnancy.Kaplan 2015 · British Journal of Dermatology ↗
expert consensusFor cosmetic anti-aging purposes, retinoids are not recommended under 18. Teen skin is already producing high collagen and cell turnover, and retinoid use in young people is reserved for treating conditions like acne — not for prevention of aging.Motamedi 2021 · Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery ↗
Graded per the methodology: strong · moderate · emerging · expert consensus. A weak source on a strong claim gets the weaker label.
Also known as
differin
Pairs worth knowing
This page is public and indexed on purpose (unlike profiles and drops, which are unlisted) — it’s the citation behind shared ingredient cards, and it should be findable.
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