T3 Adapalene Gel 0.1% Versus Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment
Updated on May 16, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe facial treatments. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
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, fragrances, oils, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain parabens
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
T3 Adapalene Gel 0.1% 11 ingredients
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment 8 ingredients
Free from
Safety & Ethics
Malaysian Brand
Free from
Safety & Ethics
American Brand
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
T3 Adapalene Gel 0.1% 11 ingredients
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment 8 ingredients
Ingredients, at a glance
What's in this product, and how it might affect your skin.
Notable Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients, at a glance
What's in this product, and how it might affect your skin.
Notable Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Adapalene is a type of retinoid and common acne treatment.
6 BenefitsMay worsen Rosacea
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.
Methylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben. It is used to prevent the growth of fungus, mold, and other harmful bacteria. Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in both cosmetics and food.
Paraben2 Concerns
Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
Polyethylene is a synthetic ingredient that helps the skin retain moisture. It is a polymer.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
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.
Adapalene is a type of retinoid and common acne treatment.
6 BenefitsMay worsen Rosacea
Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.
Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
Methylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben. It is used to prevent the growth of fungus, mold, and other harmful bacteria. Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in both cosmetics and food.
Paraben2 Concerns
Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
2 Concerns
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.
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.
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Adapalene is a type of retinoid and common acne treatment.
It has been found to be as effective as other retinoids while causing less irritation.
Retinoids are the gold-standard for anti-aging due to the decades of research backing up their benefits:
You can buy adapalene over the counter, or in-store, in concentrations of 0.1% in gel form. 0.1% lotion or cream and 0.3% gel are only available with a prescription.
Learn more about AdapaleneSodium 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 HydroxideMethylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben. It is used to prevent the growth of fungus, mold, and other harmful bacteria. Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives in both cosmetics and food.
Methylparaben can be synthetically created. It can also be found naturally in some fruits, such as blueberries.
Oftentimes, Methylparaben is combined with other parabens to help increase the shelf life.
The safety of Methylparaben is currently being studied. While ongoing studies are looking into the safety of parabens, the results have been very mixed. Some studies have not found Methylparaben to be harmful.
Learn more about MethylparabenDisodium 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 EDTACarbomer 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.
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 WaterIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
T3 Adapalene Gel 0.1% 11 ingredients
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment 8 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
T3 Adapalene Gel 0.1% 11 ingredients
Koko
It dried my acne but it did make the spots a lil bit itchy after applying it. Ive tried Deriva adapalene gel but it did not work on me at all and...
It dried my acne but it did make the spots a lil bit itchy after applying it. Ive tried Deriva adapalene gel but it did not work on me at all and made my skin worse. This one is a lot cheaper and better imho. I used it alongside prescribed antibiotics.
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment 8 ingredients
jazzzzz1
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...
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.
if you’re going to use a retinoid you have to be very consistent especially with a strong one like this product. it might’ve made your skin worse because of how irregularly you...
if you’re going to use a retinoid you have to be very consistent especially with a strong one like this product. it might’ve made your skin worse because of how irregularly you used it
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.
