Hero Cosmetics Pimple Correct Acne Clearing Gel Pen Versus Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment

See how these products line up with your preferences

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Hero Cosmetics Pimple Correct Acne Clearing Gel Pen versus Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment .

Last updated on August 14, 2023. Published on March 23, 2023

Overview

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne and anti aging

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 need an update? Let us know.

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Hero Cosmetics Pimple Correct Acne Clearing Gel Pen

Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment

Facial Treatment American Brand United States

Serum American Brand United States

Facial Treatment

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

Serum

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

Price

Shop

Buy Pimple Correct Acne Clearing Gel Pen

Starts at $19.99

Shop

Buy Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment

Starts at $14.97

Ingredient Info

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

Hero Cosmetics Pimple Correct Acne Clearing Gel Pen 46 ingredients

Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment 8 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

Hero Cosmetics Pimple Correct Acne Clearing Gel Pen 46 ingredients

Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment 8 ingredients

Notable Ingredients

AHA

BHA

Vitamin E (2)

Niacinamide

Benefits

Hydrating (2)

Good For Oily Skin (3)

Redness Reducing (3)

Reduces Irritation

Skin Texture

Reduces Large Pores (4)

Anti-Aging (2)

Dark Spots (3)

Scar Healing (5)

Acne Fighting (3)

Brightening (6)

Concerns

Drying

Irritating (3)

Rosacea (2)

Eczema (2)

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid

Benefits

Anti-Aging

Acne Fighting

Concerns

Irritating

Rosacea

Eczema (2)

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Ingredients Compared

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

Hero Cosmetics Pimple Correct Acne Clearing Gel Pen 46 ingredients

Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment 8 ingredients

Salicylic Acid 2% • Water • Butylene Glycol • Nigella Sativa Seed Extract • Isopentyldiol • Sodium Polyacrylate • Lactic Acid • Hydroxyethylcellulose • Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil • Niacinamide • Polydextrose • Caffeine • Maltodextrin • Xanthan Gum • Allantoin • Ceratonia Siliqua Gum • Sodium Hydroxide • Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract • Agar • Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder • Glycerin • Biosaccharide Gum-1 • Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract • Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract • 1,2-Hexanediol • Caprylyl Glycol • Sodium Levulinate • Glyceryl Caprylate • Tocopherol • Tocopheryl Acetate • Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract • Disodium Phosphate • Polysorbate 60 • Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer • Gellan Gum • Sodium Anisate • Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract • Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract • Azelaic Acid • Corallina Officinalis Extract • Curcuma Longa Root Extract • Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract • Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil • Sodium Phosphate • Sebacic Acid • Limonene

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

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

Hero Cosmetics Pimple Correct Acne Clearing Gel Pen contains this as ingredient number 2.

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

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

Hero Cosmetics Pimple Correct Acne Clearing Gel Pen contains this as ingredient number 17.

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

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

Hero Cosmetics Pimple Correct Acne Clearing Gel Pen 46 ingredients

Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment 8 ingredients

52% are loved or liked

20% have mixed ratings

9% are disliked or very disliked

20% have no rating yet

25% are loved or liked

13% have mixed ratings

50% are disliked or very disliked

13% have no rating yet

Usage

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

When to use

Hero Cosmetics Pimple Correct Acne Clearing Gel Pen 46 ingredients

Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment 8 ingredients

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Hero Cosmetics Pimple Correct Acne Clearing Gel Pen 46 ingredients

Pimple Correct Acne Clearing Gel Pen hasn't been rated yet.

Rate it now

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