Adapalene Gel 0.1% — Reddit Reviews
by Differin
Updated October 3, 2026
Adapalene 0.1% clears acne; expect a brutal purge and dryness.
What the community says
Studies found adapalene clears acne about as well as salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. Redditors treat it like the OTC retinoid starter pack for clogged pores and hormonal breakouts, but the purge, dryness, and eye irritation are very real.
What this means for you
Backed by 29 threads from r/SkincareAddiction, r/30PlusSkinCare and 3 more.
Read the threads ↓What people love
- OTC retinoid strength without a prescription
- Clears clogged pores and blackheads
- Less brutal than tret for some skin
Watch out for
Product details
Use caution
Skin Type
Values
Product Traits
Key Ingredients
Where to buy
What the science says vs. what Reddit says
Acne
Some evidence
Adapalene: 4 studies tested it on its own. See all 24 studies
On Reddit: Adapalene gel 0.1% adapts well for long-term spot treating persistent nodules and clogged pores with gradual nightly use. 663 mentions
What the studies found
- Most studies found it 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 lasting 11 to 12 weeks
- Adapalene 0.1% helped more than calcipotriol in one clinical trial
Studied at 0.1–0.3%this product: 0.1%
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.
Real Reddit threads — 1,724 mentions across 29 threads
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% on Reddit, in one place — 29 threads from r/SkincareAddiction, r/30PlusSkinCare and 3 more, summarized.
“or [Differin gel] are the 3 products that I know of.”
Positive
“While you’re inside for quarantine, why not try OTC Differin gel and a decent moisturizer?”
Positive
“Differin causes purging initially, while all the underlying issues come up”
Positive
“If you want to try something that's strong, basic, cheap and easily available it's a decent place to start.”
Mentioned
“If Walmart, Target, CVS or Differin wants to pay me, I'm open to it!”
Mentioned
“My first exposure to retinoids was adapalene (differin), and then I started using apostrophe for a compounded tretinoin formula.”
Mentioned
“My first exposure to retinoids was adapalene (differin).”
Mentioned
“...and then I started using apostrophe for a compounded tretinoin formula.”
Mentioned
“Night is the same minus the serums and w differin”
Positive
“Drop your skincare routine <3”
Positive
“Whatever routine you have going on for your skin, keep at it”
Positive
“Some other OTC options include differin”
Mentioned
“which is rated more for acne but uses the same mechanism for cell turnover so it's also effective in this use case”
Mentioned
“OTC differin is the only retinoid available over-the-counter (in the US) which can also be used for hyperpigmentation.”
Mentioned
“Some other OTC options include differin”
Positive
“differin (which is rated more for acne but uses the same mechanism for cell turnover so it's also effective in this use case)”
Positive
“OTC differin is the only retinoid available over-the-counter (in the US) which can also be used for hyperpigmentation.”
Positive
