Peer-reviewed research on Adapalene, summarised in plain language. Every study links to its record on PubMed so you can read it yourself.
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, adapalene used with clindamycin cleared pimples, blackheads and whiteheads about as well as the benzoyl peroxide combination.
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 acne 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 clinical trials in people with moderate-to-severe acne, adapalene used with clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide ranked among the most effective treatments.
Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology2024Systematic reviewPositive
This guideline recommends topical retinoids for acne, but the abstract does not report a result for adapalene itself.
Topical, light-based, and complementary interventions for acne: an overview of systematic reviews.
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews2024Systematic review1,123 participantsMixed
In reviews of studies in 1123 people with acne over 11 to 12 weeks, adapalene worked about as well as benzoyl peroxide on most acne outcomes, but the evidence was weak.
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 study of 58 people with acne, adapalene improved pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads about as well as ketoconazole.
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 3 clinical trials lasting 12 weeks, a gel with adapalene cleared acne better than a placebo in people with moderate to severe acne.
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 pooled study of 147 Hispanic/Latino people with moderate to severe acne, adapalene in a 3-ingredient gel 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 a pooled 12-week analysis of 657 people with acne, a gel with adapalene cleared acne better than a placebo.
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 study of 23 adults with acne, adapalene used with benzoyl peroxide cleared acne about as well as another acne 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, a gel with adapalene used with two other ingredients greatly reduced acne.
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 500-person clinical trial, adapalene cleared acne about as well as salicylic acid over 12 weeks.
CABTREOTM (Clindamycin Phosphate, Adapalene, and Benzoyl Peroxide) Topical Gel.
Skinmed2024RCT363 participants0.15%Positive
In 363 people with moderate to severe acne, a 12-week trial found a gel with adapalene 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 trial of 60 people with acne, adapalene 0.1% cleared acne better than calcipotriol or a placebo.
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 12 weeks, a gel with adapalene cleared acne better than a placebo in females and males with moderate-to-severe acne.
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 acne, adapalene in a gel with benzoyl peroxide cleared acne better than a placebo.
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 12-week gel with adapalene cleared pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads better than comparison gels.
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 12 weeks, a gel with adapalene used with clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide cleared acne better than a placebo in people age 9 and older.
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 moderate-to-severe acne, a gel with adapalene used with 2 other ingredients 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% adapalenePositive
In a 24-week trial of 126 people with acne, adapalene used with benzoyl peroxide helped keep acne under control better than no 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 study of 394 children and teens with acne, a gel with adapalene 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 2 12-week trials of 363 people with moderate-to-severe acne, adapalene in a triple-combination gel helped clear 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 with clascoterone was linked to clearer skin and fewer 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 in a 3-drug gel helped clear pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads.
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not any one product.
Products we have confirmed contain Adapalene, from their ingredient lists.
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