Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Neutrogena Stubborn Blackheads Daily Acne Serum versus Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment .
Last updated on May 16, 2024. Published on December 30, 2022
Overview
What they are
These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe . They have a total of 4 ingredients in common
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, fragrances, oils 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.
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
Ingredient Info
Neutrogena Stubborn Blackheads Daily Acne Serum 13 ingredients
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment 8 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Contains Silicon
Ingredients in this product that are types of silicon:
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Malassezia Safe
This product is free of malassezia feeding ingredients 🎉
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Contains Parabens
Ingredients in this product that are types of parabens:
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
Malassezia Safe
This product is free of malassezia feeding ingredients 🎉
Not Reef Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not reef safe:
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Not Cruelty Free
This product is not cruelty-free 😥
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Neutrogena Stubborn Blackheads Daily Acne Serum 13 ingredients
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment 8 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Neutrogena Stubborn Blackheads Daily Acne Serum 13 ingredients
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment 8 ingredients
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterNeutrogena Stubborn Blackheads Daily Acne Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment contains this as ingredient number 7.
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 deliver a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolNeutrogena Stubborn Blackheads Daily Acne Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment contains this as ingredient number 6.
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 HydroxideNeutrogena Stubborn Blackheads Daily Acne Serum contains this as ingredient number 8.
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment contains this as ingredient number 8.
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 EDTANeutrogena Stubborn Blackheads Daily Acne Serum contains this as ingredient number 13.
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment contains this as ingredient number 3.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Neutrogena Stubborn Blackheads Daily Acne Serum 13 ingredients
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment 8 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Neutrogena Stubborn Blackheads Daily Acne Serum 13 ingredients
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment 8 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Neutrogena Stubborn Blackheads Daily Acne Serum 13 ingredients
bsabrina
great spot treatment
this absolutely will help flatten really large under-the-skin pimples, but I find it to be too drying and irritating to use...
great spot treatment
this absolutely will help flatten really large under-the-skin pimples, but I find it to be too drying and irritating to use all over the face. People with sensitive skin be careful! this BURNED my skin. luckily I didn't experience any breakouts using this. also, the smell is SO strong. this helps a lot with sebaceous filaments too
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment 8 ingredients
BrittBrine
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.
jojoswrld_
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.
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 26 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Neutrogena Stubborn Blackheads Daily Acne Serum.
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