La Roche Posay Adapalene vs Differin

So, you've decided you want to try a cult-favorite, best-selling adapalene acne treatment, but you can't quite figure out what the differences are? We've all been there, don't worry!

Come with us as we compare the La Roche Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% side-by-side to help you decide which is right for you. Enjoy!

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La Roche Posay Adapalene vs Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1%

By penetrating deep beneath your epidermis (the outer layer of your skin) and neutralizing free radicals, retinoids such as Adapalene boost your skin's production of elastin, collagen, and comedolytic agents. These natural chemicals work simultaneously with Adapalene's auxiliary exfoliating effect to uncover fresh layers of skin, essentially speeding up the skin's natural regeneration process and consequently thwarting acne-related concerns and hyperpigmentation.

The La Roche Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel and the Differin Adapalene Gel both feature a 0.1% concentration of Adapalene, meaning that if all other variables are the same (which we're about to find out) they boast precisely the same potency and effectiveness.

Let's compare their inactive ingredients lists, then. The Differin Adapalene Gel contains Carbomer 940 (creates a clear gel consistency), Edetate Disodium (preservative), Methylparaben (preservative), Poloxamer 182 (solubilizing agent), Propylene Glycol (humectant), Purified Water (solvent) and Sodium Hydroxide (efficacy enhancer).

The La Roche Posay Adapalene Gel contains... the exact same list! No, seriously, these products are practically identical formula-wise. The only difference is that it contains Carbomer Homopolymer instead of Carbomer 940, which supposedly makes for a smoother texture (but realistically the difference is negligible).

The upshot of this fact is that the results will be exactly the same regardless of which you pick. They're the same strength as you can get with a prescription, and you can expect to see visible results after 2 to 3 months of regular use. The key is to stick with it, and trust the process (even through the annoying purging phase where things appear to get worse before they get better).

Generally speaking, the La Roche Posay Adapalene Gel 0.1% is available for slightly cheaper per fluid ounce than it's Differin counterpart. So with absolutely nothing else to set them apart, it makes sense just to save a few dollars and opt for La Roche Posay's.

This article was originally published on June 30th 2022, but it has been reviewed and updated with the latest available information on February 7th 2024 by Sara Mckay, MA.