Compare · Retinoids
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs Retinal Renew 0.1% Retinaldehyde Gel: which is better?
This comparison comes down to acne-focused pore clearing versus a retinal routine praised for smoothing and brightening.
The quick answer
Depends what you need
- Rated higher: Retinal Renew 0.1% Retinaldehyde Gel — 95 vs 76 nextscore
- More reviewed: Adapalene Gel 0.1% — 1,017 vs 25 verdicts
Differin is better suited to pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads; Prequel is better for those prioritizing minimal irritation reports and a moisturizing feel.
Choose Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% if
- you want help with pimples, blackheads, or whiteheads
- you’re focused on clearer pores
Choose Retinal Renew 0.1% Retinaldehyde Gel if
- you want a retinal option with minimal irritation reports
- you want a moisturizing-feeling option for neck areas
1,922mentions
32mentions
At a glance
| Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% | Retinal Renew 0.1% Retinaldehyde Gel |
|---|---|
| — | $0.58/ml |
| 76 · 1,017 verdicts | 95 · 25 verdicts |
| Parabens, Adapalene | Retinal, Ectoin |
What Reddit says
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1%
What Reddit likes
- Study-backed acne active
- Improves pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads
- OTC in the US; no prescription needed
Watch out for
- Purging can be brutal, especially during the first weeks
- Dryness, peeling, and barrier damage derail routines
- Eye dryness and irritation can happen despite avoiding the eye area
Retinal Renew 0.1% Retinaldehyde Gel
What Reddit likes
- 0.1% retinaldehyde starter strength with minimal irritation reports
- Ectoin-backed formula feels moisturizing and soothing
- Works on neck areas that stronger routines could not tolerate
Compare full ingredient lists · 1 in common
In both · 1
- Sodium Hydroxide
Only in Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% · 7
- Adapalene
- Carbomer 940
- Edetate Disodium
- Methylparaben
- Poloxamer 182
- Propylene Glycol
- Purified Water
Only in Retinal Renew 0.1% Retinaldehyde Gel · 33
- Water (Aqua)
- Glycerin
- Propanediol
- Dimethicone
- Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil
- Hydroxyapatite
- Retinal
- Ectoin
- Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
- Cyanocobalamin
- Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract
- Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Extract
- Tocopherol
- Boron Nitride
- Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
- Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
- Cetyl Alcohol
- Stearyl Alcohol
- Glyceryl Stearate
- Glyceryl Stearate Citrate
- C9-12 Alkane
- Castor Oil/IPDI Copolymer
- Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer
- Dilinoleic Acid/Butanediol Copolymer
- Carbomer
- Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract
- Sclerotium Gum
- Xanthan Gum
- Phenoxyethanol
- Dipropylene Glycol
- Caprylyl Glycol
- Sodium Phytate
- Citric Acid