
Adapalene Gel 0.1% — Reddit Reviews
by Differin
Updated November 10, 2026
Studies support adapalene for acne; Redditors report clearer pores, with brutal purging.
What the community says
A 0.1% adapalene gel for acne and clogged pores, with research supporting improvement across pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads. Redditors report strong results after consistent use, but dryness, irritation, and purging make sensitive or dry skin a difficult match.
What this means for you
Backed by 29 threads from r/SkincareAddiction, r/30PlusSkinCare and 3 more.
Read the threads ↓What people love
- OTC acne retinoid — no prescription needed
- Research-backed improvement for pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads
- Fragrance-free, pared-back ingredient list
Watch out for
- Purging can be brutal before clearance
- Dryness, peeling, and barrier damage are common dealbreakers
- Can trigger severe eye irritation or dry eye
Product details
Skin Type
Values
Product Traits
What TikTok says
From 4 TikTok videos
Creators say the gel makes pores look smaller and skin brighter, and one says they rarely use foundation now 1. One creator asks whether the tightening feeling after use is normal, while another calls the glow insane 2. One creator advises a sandwich method with cream for purging and says to stop for swelling, blistering or a painful rash 3. One video jokes that the gel is costly 4.
Videos open on TikTok in a new tab.
How to use it
From Reddit routinesWhere to buy
What the science says
Adapalene has some evidence for helping clear acne, and most of its 24 studies found improvements in pimples, blackheads and whiteheads 1. In those studies it performed about as well as salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide for mild to moderate acne 1. One comparison also found it cleared acne more than calcipotriol, though that single result sits within the same overall body of evidence 1.
- Adapalene for acne Some evidence · 24 studies
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.
How we grade researchFull ingredient list · 8
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% ingredients
Adapalene, Carbomer 940, Edetate Disodium, Methylparaben, Poloxamer 182, Propylene Glycol, Purified Water, Sodium Hydroxide
Listed in label order, highest concentration first. Linked ingredients have their own page.
Real Reddit threads — 1,922 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
Dupes & Alternatives
Often paired with
Products Redditors use alongside this one













