Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment Versus Acne Free Terminator 10 Acne Spot Treatment

See how these products line up with your preferences

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment versus Acne Free Terminator 10 Acne Spot Treatment .

Last updated on August 14, 2023. Published on January 16, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe . They have a total of 2 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne

Free From

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

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

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Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment

Acne Free Terminator 10 Acne Spot Treatment

Serum American Brand United States

Facial Treatment American Brand United States

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Facial Treatment

Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.

Price

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Buy Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment

Starts at $14.97

Shop

Buy Terminator 10 Acne Spot Treatment

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.

Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment 8 ingredients

Acne Free Terminator 10 Acne Spot Treatment 17 ingredients

alcohol-free

silicon-free

fragrance-free

sulfate-free

paraben-free

oil-free

fungal-acne safe

reef-safe

eu-allergen-free

vegan

cruelty-free

alcohol-free

silicon-free

fragrance-free

sulfate-free

paraben-free

oil-free

fungal-acne safe

reef-safe

eu-allergen-free

vegan

cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment 8 ingredients

Acne Free Terminator 10 Acne Spot Treatment 17 ingredients

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid

Benefits

Anti-Aging

Acne Fighting

Concerns

Irritating

Rosacea

Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

Benzoyl Peroxide

Benefits

Hydrating

Redness Reducing

Reduces Irritation (2)

Acne Fighting

Brightening

Concerns

Drying

Irritating (2)

Rosacea

Eczema (2)

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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment 8 ingredients

Acne Free Terminator 10 Acne Spot Treatment 17 ingredients

Adapalene 0.1% • Carbomer • Disodium EDTA • Methylparaben • Poloxamer 182 • Propylene Glycol • Water • Sodium Hydroxide

Benzoyl Peroxide 10% • Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer • Benzalkonium Chloride • Bisabolol • Butylene Glycol • Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract • Ethylhexylglycerin • Glycerin • Methyl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer • Methylpropanediol • Phenoxyethanol • Sea Whip Extract • Sodium Benzoate • Sodium Hydroxide • Tetrasodium EDTA • Water • Zingiber Officinale Root Extract

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Water

What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Community Rating: Loved

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment contains this as ingredient number 7.

Acne Free Terminator 10 Acne Spot Treatment contains this as ingredient number 16.

Sodium Hydroxide

What it does: Buffering

Community Rating: Mixed

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

Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment contains this as ingredient number 8.

Acne Free Terminator 10 Acne Spot Treatment contains this as ingredient number 14.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment 8 ingredients

Acne Free Terminator 10 Acne Spot Treatment 17 ingredients

25% are loved or liked

13% have mixed ratings

50% are disliked or very disliked

13% have no rating yet

29% are loved or liked

24% have mixed ratings

35% are disliked or very disliked

12% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment 8 ingredients

Acne Free Terminator 10 Acne Spot Treatment 17 ingredients

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment 8 ingredients

4.8 /5

from 16 ratings

Absorbs Well (4) Works Well (3) Light (3) Irritating (2) No Scent (2) Great Value (1)

BrittBrine

5 months ago · Sensitive Skin

Review

This has probably been the product that has made the most difference in my skin. It's clearing up breakouts and acne that I've had for the longest...

This has probably been the product that has made the most difference in my skin. It's clearing up breakouts and acne that I've had for the longest time. My skin looks and feels so much better and I've only been using it for about 2-3 months now.

Differin

Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment

jojoswrld_

4 months ago · Dry Skin

Review

Works! Doesn’t irritate my skin when used on a dry surface. I hate how my skin looks when it sends all the clogged sebum to the surface of my skin,...

Works! Doesn’t irritate my skin when used on a dry surface. I hate how my skin looks when it sends all the clogged sebum to the surface of my skin, but it clears over time and leaves the skin incredibly firm and smooth. It’s the only not cruelty-free product I use just because it’s benefitted me so greatly and, in my opinion, is indisputably the best prescription-grade retinoid especially for sensitive skin.

Differin

Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment

Acne Free Terminator 10 Acne Spot Treatment 17 ingredients

4.5 /5

from 2 ratings

Clover

12 months ago · Dry Skin

Review

Use carefully, and it'll work wonders!
Fantastic spot treatment. This works faster then anything else I’ve tried, however keep in mind that it’s...

Use carefully, and it'll work wonders!
Fantastic spot treatment. This works faster then anything else I’ve tried, however keep in mind that it’s strong and can be a bit drying. Do NOT apply it over large areas of skin— only use it on your spots, or else you risk irritating your healthy skin. I also think it works best when you alternate between this and a gentler spot treatment. When I used this exclusively my pimples did dry out, but it was a little too dry. My skin got a bit flakey and I suspect the dark spot left behind was worse then if I had been better about keeping my skin hydrated and moisturized. Having said that though, this really does work when used carefully. Plus it’s super affordable!