Differin Gel: What To Know About This OTC Acne Treatment
Key takeaways:
Adapalene (Differin, Differin OTC) is a topical retinoid. This class of medications is commonly used to treat acne.
Differin OTC was made available over the counter (OTC) by the FDA in 2016. It was previously prescription-only.
Adapalene comes in two different strengths and several different formulations. Only the 0.1% gel is available OTC.
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Table of contents
Acne is an annoying and sometimes painful skin condition that affects people of all ages. It happens when the pores (tiny openings) of your skin get clogged. This results in acne spots like whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples.
Fortunately, there are many treatment options for acne, including medications you can find over the counter (OTC). Adapalene (Differin, Differin OTC) is one of these options. Differin products come in two different doses — 0.1% and 0.3%. The 0.1% gel is available as Differin OTC.
But even though it doesn’t require a prescription, it’s helpful to know a few facts about Differin OTC, including how to use it and what side effects it can cause.
What is Differin OTC?
Differin OTC is FDA approved to treat acne in people who are at least 12 years old. It belongs to a group of medications called retinoids. Retinoids come from vitamin A and are effective acne treatments. Other examples of retinoids include topical tretinoin (Retin-A, Avita, Atralin) and oral isotretinoin (Amnesteem, Claravis, Absorica).
Differin OTC gel is only FDA approved to treat acne, but it's sometimes used off-label for other reasons. This includes certain kinds of hair loss and wrinkles.
Keep in mind that Differin OTC only comes as a gel. You may prefer a different form of adapalene 0.1%, like a lotion, cream, or liquid solution. In that case, you’ll have to talk to your prescriber about getting a prescription. And if you prefer the 0.3% strength gel, which may be more effective at treating acne, this also requires a prescription. We’ll talk more about Differin OTC versus other adapalene products later on.
How does Differin work?
The main cause of acne is clogged pores. Clogged pores can happen when dead skin or oil builds up inside them. Retinoids like Differin OTC work by preventing dead skin and oil from clogging your pores.
How do you use Differin OTC?
Differin OTC Gel is usually applied once daily. Using Differin OTC more than once a day won’t help your acne improve faster, and it can raise your risk of skin irritation. Differin can typically be used day or night, which is different than other retinoids such as tretinoin, which are typically applied at night only.
Retinoid products can be irritating to the skin, especially when you first start using them. So you may want to try applying Differin OTC every other day at first. Once you’re able to tolerate it, you can try applying every day. A pea-sized amount of gel is usually enough to cover your face with a thin layer.
Is adapalene or tretinoin better for wrinkles? Adapalene and tretinoin may be used off-label for wrinkles. Learn about which topical medication may be best for you.
Are retinoids safe? Find out how to use retinoids safely and correctly.
How do you apply a retinoid? Applying retinoid products correctly can help you avoid side effects including skin irritation.
Always wash your face with a gentle cleanser and pat it dry before applying Differin OTC. Avoid getting the gel in your mouth, nose, and eyes. Applying it to the skin around your eyes is fine.
After applying Differin OTC, make sure your skin is dry. Then you can apply an oil-free moisturizer. Retinoids can make your skin more dry and more sensitive to the sun as you’re getting used to the medication. So make sure to wear an oil-free sunscreen daily while using Differin OTC. This is a good idea whether you use Differin OTC or not. And if you have an existing sunburn or damaged skin, wait until your skin heals to apply Differin OTC. Additionally, talk to your dermatologist before getting any skin treatments, including facials, or using any hair removal products. They may recommend stopping Differin OTC first.
Is there an advantage to using Differin OTC gel vs. another retinoid product?
The advantage to using Differin OTC gel is that it doesn’t require a prescription from a healthcare professional. You can find it at most pharmacies easily.
When comparing Differin OTC gel to tretinoin, some studies show it works just as well for acne treatment and that it has fewer side effects. However, other research has found tretinoin 0.05% to be more effective than Differin OTC gel (0.1%). But this study found tretinoin and Differin 0.3% gel to be similarly effective.
Other research comparing Differin OTC (0.1% gel) to prescription Differin gel (0.3%) has found the prescription product more effective for acne.
What are the side effects of Differin OTC gel?
Differin OTC gel side effects are mostly skin-related. They include:
Dry skin
Redness
Peeling skin
A stinging or burning sensation on the skin
Itchiness
Sun sensitivity when first starting Differin OTC
Worsening skin appearance (including acne) when you first start the medication
It’s important to know that your skin may look worse before it gets better with Differin OTC treatment. This is especially true during the first 4 weeks of treatment as your skin gets used to the medication. As is the case with all retinoids, try to avoid using other topical products that might irritate your skin, including glycolic acid and salicylic acid. If you’re not sure whether your current skin regimen is safe to use with retinoids, talk to a dermatologist.
It can take up to 3 months to see full effects from the medication. But if your skin is severely irritated, or 3 months has passed and your skin hasn’t improved, stop Differin OTC and talk to a healthcare professional. They may have a recommendation for another acne medication.
Who shouldn’t use Differin OTC gel?
The American College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (ACOG) recommends that people who are pregnant shouldn’t use retinoid products, including Differin OTC. Even though it hasn’t been well-studied in pregnant women, and some studies have shown no bad pregnancy outcomes with topical retinoids, ACOG recommends avoiding retinoid products to be as safe as possible. This is because of research on oral retinoids causing birth defects.
Adapalene hasn’t been well-studied in those breastfeeding. But it’s probably not absorbed enough to cause harm to your baby. Still, talk to a healthcare professional if you’re breastfeeding and interested in using Differin OTC. They can help you weigh the risks and benefits.
The bottom line
Differin 0.1% gel (adapalene) is available over the counter (OTC). It’s a convenient and effective option for treating acne. But it can cause skin irritation, a greater risk of sunburn, and dryness. Make sure to use an oil-free moisturizer and sunscreen if you’re using Differin OTC. And keep in mind that your acne may worsen at first before it starts to improve. If you have any questions about whether or not OTC Differin Gel is right for you, talk to your healthcare team.
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References
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2022). Skin conditions during pregnancy.
Cunliffe, W. J., et al. (2002). Randomised, controlled trial of the efficacy and safety of adapalene gel 0.1% and tretinoin cream 0.05% in patients with acne vulgaris. European Journal of Dermatology.
Galderma Laboratories, L.P. (2022). Differin - adapalene gel [package insert].
Joyce, H. W. A., et al. (2004). Efficacy and safety of adapalene gel, 0.3% in acne vulgaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Kaplan, Y. C., et al. (2015). Pregnancy outcomes following first-trimester exposure to topical retinoids: A systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Dermatology.
Khemani, U. N., et al. (2016). A comparison study of the clinical efficacy and safety of topical adapalene gel (0.1%) and tretinoin cream (0.025%) in the treatment of acne vulgaris. International Journal of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology.
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. (2023). Adapalene. Drugs and Lactation Database.
Panchaud, A., et al. (2011). Pregnancy outcome following exposure to topical retinoids: A multicenter prospective study. Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.
Thiboutot, D., et al. (2001). Randomized controlled trial of the tolerability, safety, and efficacy of adapalene gel 0.1% and tretinoin microsphere gel 0.1% for the treatment of acne vulgaris. Cutis.
Thiboutot, D., et al. (2006). Adapalene gel 0.3% for the treatment of acne vulgaris: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled, phase III trial. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Tirado-Sánchez, A., et al. (2013). Efficacy and safety of adapalene gel 0.1% and 0.3% and tretinoin gel 0.05% for acne vulgaris: Results of a single-center, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial on Mexican patients (skin type III-IV). Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
Tolaymat, L., et al. (2023). Adapalene. StatPearls.
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