No. 26
in skincare
// glowrecs.com/differin-adapalene-gel
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How it works.
41% would recommend
Why we ranked it No. 26 in skincare
Sample
51 redditors with explicit opinion · 21 positive · 10 negative · 20 neutral
Score
0.478 — formula: 0.75 × % positive + 0.25 × pos/neg ratio
Confidence95% CI: 29–55% · the true approval rate falls in this range with 95% statistical confidence
Verdict
Editor's Pick — Curated classic. On the site regardless of threshold because we trust the long-term reputation.
Sources
r/MakeupAddictionCanada, r/AsianBeauty, r/SkincareAddiction, r/SkincareAddictionUK, r/tretinoin
Differin · skincare
Editor's Pick
Adapalene Gel
r/MakeupAddictionCanadar/AsianBeautyr/SkincareAddictionr/SkincareAddictionUKr/tretinoin
TL;DR — Reddit consensus
Proven gateway retinoid that users stick with for months before upgrading to tretinoin. Some report mixed feelings on anti-aging results alone.
Amazon vs Reddit
Amazon loves it. Reddit isn't sold.
On Amazon: ★4.7 from 1,409 reviews — that's roughly 92% positive.
On Reddit: 41% of 51 redditors recommend it.
The gap of 51 points is unusual and worth reading the cons before you buy.
What redditors love
+
Users progress from it to stronger tretinoin after 6-12 months
“I started using generic adapalene in October 2025, went up to .025 tret in January 2026, and up again to .05 tret”
u/tugonhiswinkie · r/tretinoin →
+
Works on comedonal acne within 6 months before needing upgrade
“I originally used 0.1% Adapalene for around 6 months to treat some mild comedonal acne, before deciding to try Tr”
u/strikealightt · r/tretinoin →
+
Manages ongoing hormonal acne when paired with azelaic acid
“I currently use adapalene and 15% azelaic acid to manage my acne”
u/quirky_scientist3 · r/30PlusSkinCare →
+
Users track visible progress through purging and healing phase
“I also did the same when I started differin and was purging/healing from a pretty rough breakout”
u/murphy1101 · r/Microneedling →
What they don’t
−
Mixed results when used solely for anti-aging purposes
“i started to use adapalene just for anti aging and i got mixed feeling”
u/Creative_Volume_2022 · r/30PlusSkinCare →
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Direct quotes
What 51 redditors actually said.
Top 6 by confidence shown — expand below for the rest. Click any to open the original on Reddit.
C
u/crunchysocks07
·
r/MakeupAddictionCanada
The differin gel has really helped smoothen my skin texture and get rid of acne scars
A
u/AbbreviationsBig559
·
r/AsianBeauty
Adapalene (differin) - using it almost every night. Has helped so much with tone and text
Z
u/zombifever
·
r/SkincareAddiction
i've been using differin's adapalene gel since November, and there has been no improvement in my skin
S
u/SergeyProkofiev
·
r/SkincareAddiction
Adapalene absolutely wrecked my face. I stayed on adapalene + benzoyl peroxide for around 6 months because my derm kept saying to keep goin
O
u/Ok-Letterhead-2595
·
r/SkincareAddictionUK
just used Adapalene (differin) gel every night for around 2 years. My acne went away and never cam
T
u/tugonhiswinkie
·
r/tretinoin
Progress: 7 months of use - so pleased! 48F I started using generic adapalene in October 2025, went up to .025 tret in January 2026, and up again to .05 tret
Show all 51 mentions ↓
"[B&A] 15 week hyperpigmentation progress on adapalene"
View thread →
"what to level up to after using differin 0.1%"
View thread →
"My skin cleared up almost instantly with adapalene, after 8 months on tretinoin."
View thread →
"ven skin tone, dull skin, and PIE after years of hormonal acne. I currently use adapalene and 15% azelaic acid to manage my acne. I have medium skin with an olive/warm un"
View thread →
"ing is working 😭 has anyone else been in this situation? I’m now going to start differin but I feel exhausted by the state of my skin. Other notes: I have gotten my peri"
View thread →
"Adapalene wrinkles i started to use adapalene just for anti aging and i got mixed feeling"
View thread →
"Tret since 2019-2026 Back in 2019, I used Differin for a year before moving up to tretinoin 0.025%.
Now in 2026, I’m on tretinoin"
View thread →
"differin 3+ months difference routine:
differin adapalene 0.1%/azelaic acid alternating"
View thread →
"ogress pics nearly everyday for this reason! I also did the same when I started differin and was purging/healing from a pretty rough breakout. It’s so hard to recognize"
View thread →
"skin worsened after a cosmetologist recommended a routine with azelaic acid and Differin, leaving me with acne scars and red spots"
View thread →
"i switched from tret to adapalene. Tret didn't work for me... I am extremely happy with the results that I got from adapalene."
View thread →
"Retinol (I use differin) and then a moisturiser. I alternate between differin and glycolic acid each n"
View thread →
"Retinol with RLT? I'm currently using OTC adapalene/differin which doesn't cause reactivity to light but thinking about alternating it with r"
View thread →
"y/o - using for age prevention and overall skin health.
I originally used 0.1% Adapalene for around 6 months to treat some mild comedonal acne, before deciding to try Tr"
View thread →
"ating it still with a sensitive cleanser, vit c, moisturizer and sunscreen with Differin too but eh it is what it is."
View thread →
"adapalene, and epiduo although as you read on you'll see these really didn't work very we"
View thread →
"breakout eventually came under control once I started adapalene."
View thread →
"it got under control with birth control + differin."
View thread →
"sebaceous filaments 90% cleared while using topical differin (adapeline) and antibiotics lymecycline."
View thread →
"rashes, redness, on my skin when used on face, adapalene (0.1%) + benzoyl peroxide combo.. Didn't I use it properly or not suit"
View thread →
"I started using adapalene + Panoxyl to help some of the texture and completely stripped my skin."
View thread →
"My mom had me try basically everything otc, then differin, but put her foot down at accutane"
View thread →
"i will try some topicals (bp, azelaic acid, adapalene). i'll give it 3 months to see if there is improvement"
View thread →
"cetaphil ceramide serum + cerave moisturizing lotion + adapalene/benzoyl peroxide"
View thread →
"Adapalene"
View thread →
"Have you tried epiduo? I really like it as a step up from Differin."
View thread →
"adapalene. Nothing would work. I felt defeated. I had tried everything and they were sti"
View thread →
"a topical mixture called CABTREO that contains clindamycin phosphate, adapalene, and benzoyl peroxide (1.2%/0.15%/3.1%) for nighttime."
View thread →
"Adapalene"
View thread →
"Adapalene"
View thread →
"Adapalene, benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are a lot of actives. Too many if you ask"
View thread →
"Just stopped using my retinol (differin) and only azelaic acid and eucerin excema lotion and my face also is clearing"
View thread →
"Taz works better for acne than Adapalene?"
View thread →
"Careful using benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and adapalene.....those can all over exfoliate and sensitized the skin over time."
View thread →
"Adapalene, salicylic acid, and benzoyl peroxide seem to be the most effective OTC acne"
View thread →
"I do use a moisturiser with spf year round, because I use adapalene, am on other meds that increase photosensitivity"
View thread →
"I've tried so many things glycolic acid, adapalene, I also got a few sessions of microneedling but I feel like it made my skin wor"
View thread →
"All of these products can be used in the daytime routine with Tretinoin, Adapalene, and Tazorac."
View thread →
"use all my regular products (ex: Vitamin C, serums, Differin), for the sake of my baby's health"
View thread →
"retinoids that are prescription or an adapalene's case, used to be a prescription."
View thread →
"Adapalene/Benzoyl peroxide creams. Salicylic acid face wash. Or just go to a derm."
View thread →
"My current prescription includes a Vitamin C serum and adapalene."
View thread →
"I was using prescription adapalene/bp & now tret."
View thread →
Threads tracked
The conversations we're watching.
●
r/MakeupAddictionCanada
How Do I Get Rid Of This Texture
●
r/AsianBeauty
r/AsianBeauty
●
r/SkincareAddiction
Product Question At What Point Is It Time To Stop
●
r/SkincareAddiction
Ba Didnt Realize How Bad My Skin Was Until My Pie
●
r/SkincareAddictionUK
r/SkincareAddictionUK
●
r/tretinoin
Progress 7 Months Of Use So Pleased 48F
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