Versus

Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment Versus Is Clinical Retinol+ Emulsion 0.3

Facial Treatment
Emulsion
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Updated on May 16, 2024

Overview

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, 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

About this product

About this product

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
Retinol+ Emulsion 0.3

Water

Skin Conditioning

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Squalane

Emollient
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Pentylene Glycol

Skin Conditioning

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid Icon

Ectoin

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Glyceryl Citrate/Lactate/Linoleate/Oleate

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Polyglyceryl-4 Cocoate

Emollient
Can worsen Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Polyglyceryl-3 Cocoate

Emulsifying
Can worsen Dry Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glyceryl Caprylate

Emollient

Chlorella Vulgaris Extract

Skin Conditioning

Tocopherol

Antioxidant
0-3 / 0-3 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Bakuchiol

Antimicrobial
Antioxidant IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Triethanolamine

Buffering
2 / 0

Carbomer

Emulsion Stabilising
1 / 0

Retinol

Skin Conditioning
Retinoid 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

Phragmites Communis Extract

Skin Conditioning

Poria Cocos Extract

Skin Conditioning

Oryza Sativa Bran Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract

Antimicrobial

Phosphatidylcholine

Emulsifying

Propanediol

Solvent

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Polysorbate 20

Emulsifying
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Masking

Lecithin

Emollient

Lactic 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 brighten skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Polysorbate 40

Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Helianthus Annuus Extract

Emollient

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Polyacrylamide

C13-16 Isoparaffin

Solvent
May worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Laureth-7

Emulsifying

Tripeptide-1

Skin Conditioning
Peptide IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Dextran

Ascorbic Acid

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Colloidal Gold

Antimicrobial

Glutathione

Good for Dark Spots Icon

Panthenol

Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Heptyl Undecylenate

Emollient
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

C13-16 Isoalkane

Solvent

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

Humectant
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Bidens Pilosa Extract

Humectant

Elaeis Guineensis Oil

Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil

Skin Conditioning
3 / 2 Oil IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil

Perfuming
Fragrance IconOil IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glycine Soja Extract

Skin Conditioning

Sodium Hydroxide

Buffering

Disodium EDTA

Phenylpropanol

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside

Cleansing

Diisopropyl Adipate

Emollient
0 / 0

Triethyl Citrate

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying

Sorbitol

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Parfum

Masking
Fragrance IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.

A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.

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
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

3,436 Routines
8% use in am
92% use in pm
69% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
3 Routines
0% use in am
100% use in pm
67% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment 8 ingredients

4.6 /5
from 34 ratings
Works Well (16) Absorbs Well (15) No Scent (14)
christychen's avatar

Christy C

12 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

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