Both adapalene and retinol are great skincare treatments, but they both work best for different problems.
For example, adapalene is a prescription-strength retinoid with FDA approval for treating acne.
On the other hand, retinol is the gold standard in anti-aging and has decades of research backing up its abilities to reduce signs of aging and dark spots.
Therefore, the right retinoid for you depends on your most pressing skincare concern, whether that be acne or aging.
In this article, I’ll explain the difference between adapalene and retinol and help you decide which one is right for you.
What are retinoids?
Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives commonly used in dermatology and skincare to treat a variety of skin conditions.
The most common types of topical retinoids include:
Retinol
Retinaldehyde
Adapalene (often used interchangeably with Differin gel)
Prescription retinoids like tretinoin or tazarotene
All of the four compounds listed above fall under the umbrella term “retinoid”.
These retinoids are commonly used and prescribed for treating acne and signs of aging.
For people with severe cystic acne, dermatologists may prescribe isotretinoin (also known as Accutane) which is an oral form of vitamin A.
What is adapalene gel?
Adapalene gel is a third-generation synthetic retinoid that is commonly used to treat acne. It has FDA approval for the treatment of acne vulgaris, commonly known as mild to severe acne.
It is a prescription-strength topical retinoid that speeds up the turnover of skin cells which, in turn, reduces acne and prevents new breakouts from forming.
Adapalene gel is an affordable acne treatment, but it is commonly used as a second line of treatment after other over-the-counter options like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide.
Among retinoids, adapalene gel is generally considered to be less effective against acne than tretinoin or tazarotene but more easily tolerated with fewer side effects.
How does adapalene work?
Adapalene works by binding to specific retinoic acid receptors in your body and modifying the way your body produces skin cells.
Through this process, adapalene has mild exfoliating properties and even shows some anti-inflammatory properties which are both effective at treating acne.
What is retinol?
Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that is available over the counter and commonly used to treat signs of aging.
It is generally considered to be the gold standard in skincare for treating premature aging.
You’ll commonly find retinol included in serums and moisturizers to fight fine lines, wrinkles, and even hyperpigmentation.
How does retinol work?
When applied to skin, retinol undergoes one conversion step to become retinaldehyde, then another conversion to become retinoic acid.
Then, when the retinoic acid binds to your retinoic acid receptors, this triggers your body to:
speed up skin cell turnover
boost collagen production
and regulate sebum production
All of these processes help even out your skin tone and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
What’s the difference between retinol and adapalene?
Both retinol and adapalene bind to your retinoic acid receptors, but they don’t work the same way.
Retinol undergoes two conversion steps to become retinoic acid which, when bound to your retinoic acid receptors, stimulates processes in your body to fight signs of aging.
On the other hand, adapalene binds directly to certain retinoic acid receptors and exhibits an anti-inflammatory effect to fight acne.
Both ingredients speed up skin cell turnover and can help with hyperpigmentation.
Are retinol and adapalene the same?
While both retinol and adapalene act on the retinoic acid receptors in your body, they are not the same.
Retinol undergoes two conversion steps to become retinoid acid, while adapalene itself binds to your receptors without undergoing any conversion.
Further, retinol is a first-line treatment for signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles. On the other hand, adapalene has been approved for treating acne but not for anti-aging benefits.
Benefits of Adapalene and Retinol
Studies show that adapalene and retinol have skin benefits, but they don’t always overlap:
| Adapalene | Retinol |
|---|---|
Reduces clogged pores | Reduces clogged pores |
Fights mild to severe acne | |
Reduces acne breakouts | |
Speeds up turnover of dead skin cells | Speeds up turnover of dead skin cells |
| Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles | |
Treats post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation | Treats post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation |
Fights photoaging |
While adapalene is great for combating acne, more studies need to be conducted to fully understand whether adapalene also has the same anti-aging properties as retinol and tretinoin.
Side Effects of Using Adapalene and Retinol
Both adapalene and retinol can cause initial skin irritation, though your body typically gets used to them as you consistently use them in your routine.
This retinoid-induced irritation can present as side effects like:
redness
burning
stinging
flaking skin
and excessive dryness
For those with sensitive skin who cannot tolerate adapalene and retinol without developing skin irritation, alternative acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide may be more suitable options.
To prevent excessive dryness, don’t forget to moisturize at least twice per day.
Which one is better for acne?
Adapalene is better than retinol for treating acne.
It’s FDA-approved for the treatment of acne, while retinol is not.
Which one is better for anti-aging?
There are far more studies on the usage of retinol for treating aging than adapalene.
So, if you’re more concerned about fine lines and wrinkles than you are about acne, stick to retinol.
How to Use Adapalene and Retinol
To start, you should pick one or the other – adapalene or retinol, but not both.
Then, as part of your evening routine, follow these steps:
Wash your face with a gentle cleanser
Allow your skin to air dry or pat your face dry with a clean towel
Dispense about a pea-sized amount of adapalene or retinol onto your finger
Dot the pea all over your face, then gently rub it in until absorbed
Apply a hydrating serum and a thick moisturizer
That’s it – you’re all set!
Just be aware that retinoids can cause photosensitivity, so stock up on some good sunscreen to finish of your morning routine.
Should you use adapalene and retinol together?
No, you should not use adapalene and retinol together.
Since both ingredients are vitamin A derivatives, they do much of the same work by binding to your retinoic acid receptors.
If you want to use them both in your skincare routine, consider using them on alternate nights instead of layering the together.
Can everyone use retinol and adapalene?
No, not everyone can use retinoids.
In fact, dermatologists suggest that pregnant and nursing women should not use any retinoids, including Accutane, due to the potential for birth defects.
Further, people with sensitive skin and those under the age of 16 may be better off sticking to other acne treatments like salicylic acid cleansers, benzoyl peroxide treatments, or even mandelic acid products.
The Bottom Line: Retinol vs. Adapalene
While both retinol and adapalene are vitamin A derivatives, they have many differences.
Retinol is better for treating signs of aging thanks to its ability to stimulate collagen production and thicken the dermis.
On the other hand, adapalene is better for treating acne thanks its ability to gently exfoliate skin and reduce inflammatory breakouts.
To use retinoids in your skincare routine, you should first determine whether retinol or adapalene is best suited for your specific skin concerns.
Then, go ahead and start using in your evening routine three times per week and watch the magic happen!
Frequently Asked Questions
Adapalene is better for treating acne, but retinol is better for treating signs of aging. In fact, adapalene is the only prescription-strength retinoid available over the counter. Plus, it’s FDA-approved for the management of acne vulgaris.
Adapalene is a retinoid just like retinol is a retinoid – they’re both vitamin A derivatives. However, adapalene is only FDA-approved for the treatment of acne, while there have been extensive studies on the use of retinol for anti-aging.
Adapalene is the strongest retinoid available over the counter. However, there are stronger retinoids available by prescription for treating acne such as tazarotene and trifarotene.
Yes, some studies show that adapalene is useful for managing pigmentation abnormalities such as dark spots. That being said, it is only FDA-approved for the treatment of acne vulgaris, not hyperpigmentation.
Studies show that patients may see improvement in their dark spots in as little as four weeks, though some may take 8-12 weeks to see better results.
Yes, studies show that adapalene can help fade acne scarring such as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
