What the science says about Adapalene
Peer-reviewed research on Adapalene, summarised in plain language. Every study links to its record on PubMed so you can read it yourself.
Adapalene for acne
Some evidence for acne- Most studies found adapalene helped clear acne
- It improved pimples, blackheads and whiteheads
- It worked about as well as salicylic acid for mild to moderate acne
- It worked about as well as benzoyl peroxide in studies of acne treatment
- Adapalene 0.1% gel improved acne more than calcipotriol
24 studies
Comparative efficacy of clindamycin phosphate with benzoyl peroxide versus clindamycin phosphate with adapalene in acne vulgaris: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Scientific reports2025Meta-analysis800 participants0.1%Positive
In a large review of 800 people with acne, clindamycin plus adapalene cleared pimples, blackheads and whiteheads about as well as clindamycin plus benzoyl peroxide.
Efficacy of topical treatments for mild-to-moderate acne: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV2025Meta-analysis33,472 participantsPositive
In a large review of 33472 people with mild-to-moderate acne, adapalene used with benzoyl peroxide cleared pimples, blackheads and whiteheads better than a placebo.
Treatments for Moderate-to-Severe Acne Vulgaris: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.
Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD2024Meta-analysis0.15%Positive
In a large review of many clinical trials in people with moderate-to-severe acne, adapalene used together with other ingredients in a gel helped clear acne better than a placebo.
Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology2024Systematic reviewPositive
Expert guidelines recommend topical retinoids for acne, but this abstract does not report a separate result for adapalene.
Topical, light-based, and complementary interventions for acne: an overview of systematic reviews.
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews2024Systematic review1,123 participantsNeutral
In a large review of acne trials, adapalene put on the skin worked about as well as benzoyl peroxide after 11 to 12 weeks.
Antifungal Monotherapy in Acne: Topical Ketoconazole 2% Cream Versus Adapalene Gel in Treating Acne Vulgaris: A Comparative Study.
Journal of cutaneous medicine and surgery2026RCT58 participantsPositive
In a 12-week trial of 58 people with acne, adapalene gel improved pimples, blackheads and whiteheads about as well as ketoconazole cream.
Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2%/Adapalene 0.15%/Benzoyl Peroxide 3.1% Gel for Acne: Pooled Analysis by Age and Sex.
Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD2026RCT657 participants0.15%Positive
In a pooled 12-week analysis of 657 people with acne, a gel with adapalene used together with clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide cleared acne better than a placebo.
Efficacy and safety of fixed-dose clindamycin phosphate 1.2%/adapalene 0.15%/benzoyl peroxide 3.1% gel in Hispanic participants with moderate-to-severe acne: a pooled analysis.
The Journal of dermatological treatment2025RCT147 participants0.15%Positive
In a 12-week study of 147 Hispanic people with moderate to severe acne, adapalene used with clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide cleared acne better than a placebo.
Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2%/Adapalene 0.15%/ Benzoyl Peroxide 3.1% Gel for Moderate-to-Severe Acne: A Pooled Analysis by Age.
Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD2025RCT657 participants0.15%Positive
In 657 people with moderate-to-severe acne, a gel with adapalene used together with clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide cleared acne better than a placebo over 12 weeks.
Efficacy and Tolerability of a Novel Cosmetic and Over-the-Counter Facial Acne Regimen Versus a Prescription Treatment.
Journal of cosmetic dermatology2025RCT23 participants0.1%Positive
In a 12-week clinical trial of 23 adults with acne, adapalene used together with benzoyl peroxide worked about as well as a salicylic acid regimen.
Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2%/Adapalene 0.15%/Benzoyl Peroxide 3.1% Gel in Participants With Moderate-to-Severe Acne: The Patient Journey.
Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD2024RCT6 participants0.15%Positive
In a 12-week study of 6 people with moderate-to-severe acne, adapalene in a gel used together with clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide greatly reduced pimples, blackheads and whiteheads.
2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel vs. adapaline gel in mild to moderate acne vulgaris treatment: A multicenter, randomized, evaluator-blind, parallel-controlled trial.
Journal of cosmetic dermatology2024RCT500 participantsPositive
In a 12-week trial of 500 people with mild to moderate acne, adapalene gel cleared acne about as well as salicylic acid hydrogel.
CABTREOTM (Clindamycin Phosphate, Adapalene, and Benzoyl Peroxide) Topical Gel.
Skinmed2024RCT183 participants0.15%Positive
In a 12-week trial of 183 people with moderate to severe acne, adapalene used together with clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide cleared acne better than a placebo.
Efficacy and safety of calcipotriol as a potential topical treatment of acne vulgaris: a randomized, controlled, triple blinded, split-face clinical trial.
Clinical and experimental dermatology2024RCT60 participants0.1%Positive
In a clinical trial of 60 people with acne, adapalene 0.1% gel put on the skin improved acne more than calcipotriol.
Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2%/Adapalene 0.15%/Benzoyl Peroxide 3.1% Gel for Male and Female Acne: Phase 3 Analysis.
Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD2024RCT0.15%Positive
In a 12-week clinical trial in people with moderate-to-severe acne, adapalene used together with clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide cleared acne better than a placebo gel.
Investigation of the effect of adapalene 0.3%/benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel in Korean patients with acne: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial, with a histopathological and immunohistochemical study.
Italian journal of dermatology and venereology2024RCT49 participants0.3%Positive
In a 24-week trial of 49 Korean people with moderate-to-severe acne, adapalene used together with benzoyl peroxide cleared acne better than a placebo gel.
Early and Sustained Acne Lesion Reductions With Fixed-Dose Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2%/Adapalene 0.15%/Benzoyl Peroxide 3.1% Gel.
Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD2024RCT1,104 participants0.15%Positive
In 1104 people with moderate-to-severe acne, a gel with adapalene plus clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide cleared pimples, blackheads and whiteheads better over 12 weeks than related gels and a placebo.
Triple-Combination Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2%/Adapalene 0.15%/Benzoyl Peroxide 3.1% Gel for Acne in Adult and Pediatric Participants.
Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD2024RCT0.15%Positive
In a 12-week clinical trial, a gel with adapalene used together with clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide cleared acne better than a placebo in children and adults.
Triple-Combination Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2%/Adapalene 0.15%/Benzoyl Peroxide 3.1% Gel for Moderate-to-Severe Acne in Children and Adolescents.
Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD2024RCT173 participants0.15%Positive
In 173 adolescents with acne, a gel with adapalene used together with clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide cleared acne better than a placebo over 12 weeks.
Evaluation of the efficacy of maintenance therapy for acne vulgaris using adapalene 0.1%/benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel and benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel for 24 weeks and assessment of atrophic acne scars using three-dimensional image analysis.
The Journal of dermatology2023RCT126 participants0.1%Positive
In a 24-week trial of 126 people with acne, adapalene used with benzoyl peroxide helped keep acne under control better than no maintenance treatment.
Triple-combination clindamycin phosphate 1.2%/benzoyl peroxide 3.1%/adapalene 0.15% gel for moderate-to-severe acne in children and adolescents: Randomized phase 2 study.
Pediatric dermatology2023RCT394 participants0.15%Positive
In a 12-week trial of 394 children and teens with acne, a gel with adapalene used together with two other ingredients cleared acne better than a placebo or 2-ingredient gels.
Clindamycin phosphate 1.2%/adapalene 0.15%/benzoyl peroxide 3.1% gel for moderate-to-severe acne: Efficacy and safety results from two randomized phase 3 trials.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology2023RCT363 participants0.15%Positive
In two 12-week trials of 363 people with moderate-to-severe acne, a gel with adapalene used together with clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide cleared acne better than a placebo.
Efficacy and Safety of Clascoterone Cream 1% and Adapalene Gel 0.3% in Patients With Acne.
Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD2026Clinical trial20 participants0.3%Positive
In a 16-week pilot study of 20 people with acne, adapalene used together with clascoterone cleared pimples, blackheads and whiteheads.
Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2%/Adapalene 0.15%/ Benzoyl Peroxide 3.1% for Acne: Results From A 6-Month Open-Label Study.
Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD2025Clinical trial25 participants0.15%Positive
In a 24-week study of 25 people with moderate acne, adapalene used together with clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide improved acne from the start of the study.
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not any one product.
How we grade research for acneProducts with Adapalene
Products we have confirmed contain Adapalene, from their ingredient lists.