Versus

Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment Versus AXIS - Y Spot The Difference Blemish Treatment

Facial Treatment
Serum
American Brand United States
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on June 13, 2024

Overview

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, silicones 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
Spot The Difference Blemish Treatment

Water

Skin Conditioning

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Propanediol

Solvent
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Glycereth-26

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Niacinamide

Smoothing
Niacinamide IconGood for Oily Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Masking
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract

Emollient
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Althaea Rosea Flower Extract

Skin Conditioning

Laminaria Japonica Extract

Skin Protecting
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Eclipta Prostrata Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Centella Asiatica Extract

Cleansing
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Ficus Carica Fruit Extract

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract

Antimicrobial
Antioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Monarda Didyma Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Hydrangea Macrophylla Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Mentha Aquatica Extract

Tonic

Sasa Quelpaertensis Extract

Skin Conditioning

Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Extract

Perfuming
Fragrance Icon

Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Eclipta Prostrata Extract

Skin Conditioning

Cinnamomum Camphora Leaf Extract

Masking

Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract

Humectant

Pinus Pinaster Bark/Bud Extract

Antimicrobial
Antioxidant Icon

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil

Masking
Oil Icon

Hydrogenated Lecithin

Emulsifying
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Chamaecyparis Obtusa Water

Masking

Trehalose

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Octyldodeceth-16

Emulsifying

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer

Emulsion Stabilising

Tromethamine

Buffering

C12-14 Pareth-12

Emulsifying

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying

Disodium EDTA

Ceramide NP

Skin Conditioning
Ceramide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Fructooligosaccharides

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Beta-Glucan

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid

Humectant
Hyaluronic Acid IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

4-Terpineol

Masking
Helps fight Acne Icon

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Rhizome/Root

Emollient

Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil

Emollient
Oil IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glycolic Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Salicylic Acid

Masking
BHA IconPreservative IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

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
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

When to use

3,522 Routines
7% use in am
93% use in pm
69% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
260 Routines
33% use in am
67% use in pm
73% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment 8 ingredients

4.6 /5
from 36 ratings
Works Well (18) Absorbs Well (17) No Scent (16)
christychen's avatar

Christy C

25 days 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
jazzzzz1's avatar

jazzzzz1

1 year ago
Review

I've been using this on and off for around 2 years. I thought this was going to help my acne, but looking back at pictures I actually think it's made my acne worse! It's made my acne areas really inflamed and red with angry spots. Think it's time to cut it out of my routine... Given it 2 stars as it soaks in pretty fast and is hydrating.

#irritating
#light
#absorbs well
#no scent

AXIS - Y Spot The Difference Blemish Treatment 47 ingredients

4.3 /5
from 9 ratings
Works Well (6) Absorbs Well (4) Light (3)
jocelynmiller's avatar

Ash

12 days ago
Review

Good for spot treatment, but don’t overuse it!

Seraphim's avatar

Seraphim

1 year ago
Review

After 2 weeks I could see the size of my blackheads and pores was visibly reduced. I only used it in my night routine. Once a week I also used "Salicylic Acid Shrink Pores Serum" (AHA+BHA), which might have contributed to the shrinkage of my pores. I'm satisfied with the product, although the packaging might be small for everyday use. After a month of using it in my evening routine, I've already Show more

#hydrating
#light
#light scent
#works well