Versus

Avène RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream Versus Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment

Facial Treatment
Facial Treatment
French Brand France
American Brand United States

Updated on May 19, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both facial treatments. They have a total of 2 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain retinoid

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA
Buffering

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide

When to use

43 Routines
7% use in am
93% use in pm
67% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
3,660 Routines
8% use in am
92% use in pm
68% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Avène RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream 25 ingredients

RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment 8 ingredients

4.7 /5
from 40 ratings
Works Well (21) Absorbs Well (20) No Scent (19)
christychen's avatar

Christy

2 months ago
Review

Honestly I was skeptical because it took my skin the FULL 12+ weeks to adjust to this. It was my first time using a retinoid and the purging was rough, but genuinely I’ve never seen my skin look so good after the purging ended. It absorbs well and a little goes a long way. I had to stop using it because I got too crazy with actives and I messed up my skin barrier super bad, but I’m hoping I can go Show more

#great value
#light
#absorbs well
#no scent
colettegannon's avatar

Colette Gannon

10 days ago
Review

Don’t give up on this product. After suffering a sudden and severe breakout three months ago, I started on Differin in combination with a few other treatments. The first 8 weeks were hard, but in combination with a few other acne treatments, my skin has improved SO MUCH. I am on week 11 and am so glad I stuck it out with Differin. Looking forward to seeing continued improvement.

#great value
#absorbs well
#no scent
#works well