Versus

La Roche-Posay 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum Versus Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment

Serum
Facial Treatment
French Brand France
American Brand United States

Updated on May 16, 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 common allergens, oils 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

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What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

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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.

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
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.

Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.

This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.

Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.

Learn more about Propylene Glycol

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

When to use

505 Routines
87% use in am
13% use in pm
92% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
3,605 Routines
7% use in am
93% use in pm
69% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

La Roche-Posay 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum 29 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 7 ratings
Heavy (1) Sticky (1) Works Well (1)

really sticky but does its job

#heavy
#sticky
#works well
Lapaki's avatar

Lapaki

2 years ago
Review

This was my first vitamin C serum
I started using this because I was curious about Vitamin C and wanted to experience its benefits. This is a really good and gentle Vitamin C serum for sensitive skin. Mine got used to it and now tolerates stronger products.

Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment 8 ingredients

4.7 /5
from 39 ratings
Works Well (20) Absorbs Well (19) No Scent (18)
christychen's avatar

Christy

1 month 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

3 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