How to Use Adapalene (Differin) Without Wrecking Your Skin

Here is how to use adapalene: once a day at night, a thin layer over the whole area where you break out, on clean dry skin. Not a dab on each pimple. Expect some dryness and maybe a rough patch in the first few weeks, then give it about three months. The over-the-counter label says it may take up to 3 months of once-daily use to see results.

Adapalene (sold as Differin Gel 0.1%) is a retinoid, the same family as tretinoin, and in 2016 it became the first retinoid the FDA approved for over-the-counter acne treatment in the US. It works, but slowly, and the first few weeks can be rough. Most of using it well is getting through that stretch.

The short answer

1. Night, once a day. More often won't work faster. The label says it may worsen irritation.
2. Thin layer, whole area. If your acne is on your face, apply it to your whole face.
3. Clean, dry skin. Wash gently, pat dry, then apply.
4. Moisturizer after, sunscreen every morning. The label says to limit sun exposure.
5. Judge it at 8 to 12 weeks, not week two.

Step by step

1. Wash and dry your face

Use a gentle cleanser. The prescription label says to wash with a non-medicated soap before applying. Pat your skin dry before you apply it.

2. Use a thin layer over the whole area

The OTC Drug Facts say to cover the entire affected area with a thin layer. Adapalene works on the tiny clogs under your skin that haven't become pimples yet, so it has to go where the next breakout will be, not just where the current one is. A pea-sized amount is a common rule of thumb for the whole face.

Keep it away from your eyes, lips, and the corners of your nose, where skin is thinner and irritation builds fastest.

3. Moisturize

A plain, fragrance-free moisturizer after adapalene is the easiest way to get through the dry phase. If your skin is very sensitive, some people put moisturizer on first and adapalene on top. That buffers it a little.

4. Sunscreen every morning

The label says to limit sun exposure, including tanning beds, and use sunscreen outdoors. Sunscreen also helps the dark marks old pimples leave behind fade faster.

5. Don't wax where you use it

The over-the-counter label says not to wax areas where you have applied adapalene. Shave, thread, or wait until you stop using it.

What the first weeks look like

The over-the-counter label is unusually honest about this: during the early weeks, your acne may appear to worsen before it improves, and irritation (redness, itching, dryness, burning) is more likely in the first few weeks. It also says irritation usually lessens with continued use.

Whether that early flare is "purging" is debated. A 2009 review couldn't find trial evidence that retinoids make acne worse first. Our purging vs breakout guide explains how to tell a short adjustment period from a real problem.

If your skin gets too irritated:

• Skip a night or two, then restart every other night.
• Moisturize before and after.
• Stop other drying products, such as scrubs, toners with alcohol, and acids.
• Stop and ask a doctor if irritation becomes severe, or you get signs of an allergic reaction like swelling or hives.

When will adapalene work?

Slowly. The prescription label says results should be noticed after 8 to 12 weeks. The over-the-counter label says to stop and ask a doctor if you see no improvement after 3 months of once-daily use.

Once it works, keep using it. Adapalene treats the clogs that start acne, so stopping usually lets breakouts come back. Our acne timeline guide covers what to expect in each month.

What not to mix with adapalene

• Salicylic acid and other exfoliating acids: the prescription label advises particular caution with products containing salicylic acid, sulfur, or resorcinol. Use acids in the morning or on nights you skip adapalene. More in what not to mix with salicylic acid.
• Benzoyl peroxide: unlike tretinoin, adapalene stays stable with benzoyl peroxide, and the two are sold combined. Watch for extra dryness.
• Another retinoid: pick one. Retinol, tretinoin, and adapalene together add irritation without extra benefit.
• Niacinamide and hyaluronic acid: fine. Neither exfoliates.

Not sure what is already in your products? Paste your actives into the free skincare ingredient conflict checker, or check a routine order in the routine builder.

Adapalene vs tretinoin

Both are retinoids. A 1998 analysis of five trials comparing adapalene 0.1% gel with tretinoin 0.025% gel in 900 people found they reduced acne about equally, and adapalene was easier on the skin. Tretinoin needs a prescription in the US. Adapalene doesn't, which is why most people start there.

Who shouldn't use it without asking first

The label says to ask a doctor before use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, and to stop and ask if you become pregnant or plan to. Don't use it on broken, sunburned, or eczema-affected skin. It is labeled for people 12 and older.

Track the three months

Twelve weeks is a long time to judge by memory, especially when the first few weeks can look worse. Take a photo in the same light on day one, then every week or two, and compare day one with week 12. Acnera's progress photos line up with your face, and the AI scan gives each photo a skin score by zone, so you can see whether adapalene is working before you give up on it.

Frequently asked questions

How much adapalene should I use?

A thin layer over the whole area where you get acne, once a day. A pea-sized amount is a common amount for the whole face. Using more won't work faster and may worsen irritation.

Should I use adapalene in the morning or at night?

At night. The prescription label says to apply it once daily in the evening, and the over-the-counter label says to limit sun exposure while using it.

How long does adapalene take to work?

The prescription label says results should show after 8 to 12 weeks. The over-the-counter label says it may take up to 3 months, and to ask a doctor if you see no improvement by then.

Does adapalene make acne worse at first?

It can. The over-the-counter label says acne may appear to worsen during the early weeks, and that this is normal. Stop and ask a doctor if irritation becomes severe.

Can I use adapalene with niacinamide?

Yes. Niacinamide doesn't exfoliate, so it pairs well with adapalene. Many people use a niacinamide serum or moisturizer after it.

Can I use adapalene every night?

Yes, once a day is the labeled dose. If your skin is irritated at first, use it every other night and build up to nightly.

Is adapalene the same as retinol?

Both are retinoids, but adapalene is a drug approved to treat acne, while retinol is a cosmetic ingredient. Adapalene is the stronger option for acne.