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Hydroquinone vs. Adapalene

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

hydroquinone cream

 

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Differin

(adapalene)

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Summary for Hydroquinone

Prescription only

Hydroquinone cream is used to bleach dark spots or patches on your skin (hyperpigmentation, or skin discoloration) from certain skin conditions, such as freckles, melasma, and aging. Hydroquinone cream is applied to the skin, typically twice daily. It's important to protect yourself from the sun while you use this skin-lightening medication because it makes your skin more sensitive to the sun. The most common side effects of hydroquinone cream include redness and stinging on the skin. Currently, hydroquinone cream is available by prescription only. The FDA no longer approves the sale of over-the-counter (OTC) hydroquinone cream.

Indications for Hydroquinone

Pros and Cons for Hydroquinone

Pros

  • Available as a lower-cost generic medication
  • Applied to the skin
  • Can be stored at room temperature

Cons

  • Can cause skin dryness, redness, and stinging
  • Can cause blue-black skin discoloration, especially in black people
  • Must use sunscreen because exposure to sunlight can reverse effects of the medication

Common Side Effects for Hydroquinone

  • Skin dryness
  • Skin redness
  • Cracking of the skin
  • Stinging

Warnings for Hydroquinone

  • Allergic reaction
  • Blue-black skin discoloration
  • Skin darkening

Summary for Adapalene

Prescription or over-the-counter

Differin (adapalene) works well for treating mild-to-moderate acne. Differin (adapalene) can cause skin irritation, burning, and itching right after using it, so make sure you have moisturizer with you to help with this side effect. This acne treatment has different strengths and formulations (e.g., cream, gel, lotion). But only the lower strength gel is available over the counter.

Indications for Adapalene

  • Acne

Pros and Cons for Adapalene

Pros

  • A first-choice option for treating acne
  • Only need to apply once a day
  • Safe to use for acne in children 12 and older
  • The 0.1% gel is available without a prescription.

Cons

  • Can get sunburns more easily
  • Can make skin dry, itchy, and flaky
  • Can take up to 12 weeks to see full effects
  • Skin might look worse before it starts looking better

Common Side Effects for Adapalene

  • Dry skin (up to 45%)
  • Scaling or peeling (up to 44%)
  • Stinging or burning (up to 29%)
  • Skin redness (up to 26%)

Warnings for Adapalene

  • Allergic reactions
  • Sunburn
  • Skin irritation

Prices with our coupons for Hydroquinone vs. Adapalene

Price Card Drug Icon
Hydroquinone1 tube / 28.35g of 4%
$22.74$47.38
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Price Card Drug Icon
Adapalene1 tube / 45g of 0.3%
$36.75$270.77
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