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La Roche Posay Adapalene Gel vs. Differin Gel

La Roche Posay Adapalene Gel vs. Differin Gel

La Roche Posay vs. Galderma Laboratories Inc. are said to have the best acne treatment gels in the market today. La Roche Posay Adapalene Gel vs. Galderma’s Differin Gel contains the same active ingredient, Adapalene which comes in the same percentage strength, 0.1 percent. 

Adapalene is a 3rd generation retinoid medication that helps treat acne by halting the formation of pimples underneath the skin surface. Over the years, Adapalene has gained a lot of popularity as an acne treatment ingredient due to its stable nature that makes it possible to combine it with other acne treatment methods such as Salicylic acid and Benzoyl acid. 

In addition to treating acne, this ingredient also has other benefits, such as anti-inflammatory and anti-aging benefits. La Roche Posay Adapalene gel and Galderma Differin gel contain 0.1 percent of Adapalene as their active ingredient. So which one of these two acne treatment gels is right for you? Below we compare and contrast these two gels to help you decide the better option for your needs. 

La Roche Posay Adapalene Gel

Effaclar adapalene gel 0.1% is the first prescription-strength retinoid acne treatment sold over the counter. La Roche Posay adapalene gel is a once-a-day acne treatment that is dermatologist developed and tested. This gel is also oil-free, non-greasy, fragrance-free, and non-comedogenic. 

La Roche Posay is best suited for those fighting blackheads, clogged pores, and whiteheads. It treats acne by regulating skin cell turnover to help remove and prevent dead skin from clogging the pores. You can use this gel to treat mild, moderate, and severe cases of acne. La Roche Posay Adapalene Gel 0.1% will help prevent the formation of new acne and fight clogged pores, acne blemishes, whiteheads, and blackheads. This gel is safe to use on acne-prone and sensitive skins. 

Ingredient List of La Roche Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel

Besides, adapalene 0.1%, its main active ingredient Effaclar adapalene gel contains the following inactive ingredients, sodium hydroxide, purified water, methylparaben, edetate disodium, poloxamer 182, and carbomer Homopolymer. 

 

La Roche Posay Adapalene Gel vs. Differin Gel

La Roche Posay Adapalene Gel

How to Use La Roche Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel

To use Effaclar adapalene gel, first, cleanse your face with a gentle non-comedogenic cleanser and apply a pea-sized amount of it all over your face. Next, follow it up with a mild moisturizer to help fight dryness and irritation. 

If using it in the morning, ensure to follow it up with an SPF 30 and above sunscreen to help protect against sunlight irritation. Your acne breakout may worsen during the first weeks of usage. This is normal and will clear up with time. So ensure to continue with the treatment and be consistent. 

Dermatologists recommend using it in your night/evening skincare routine to avoid the negative impacts of sunlight. They also recommend introducing it into your routine slowly, like twice a week as your graduate. 

It may take up to three months of consistent usage to see any improvements in your condition. 

La Roche Posay Adapalene Side Effects

There are a few side effects to keep in mind before buying La Roche Posay Adapalene Gel or Differin Gel:

1. Dryness

Both medications can make your skin dryer than usual, but there are some differences between the two. Adapalene Gel makes your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so it’s essential to wear sunscreen when using this medication during the day. Differin Gel may cause stinging or burning for a few minutes after you put it on, but it’s usually not uncomfortable for long.

2. Itching and Irritation

Both medications can cause itching, redness, burning, or stinging when you put them on. Differin Gel has a higher chance of causing these side effects than La Roche Posay Adapalene Gel does.

3. Headache

Adapalene Gel can cause headaches in some people. If you experience this side effect and it bothers you, Differin Gel may be a better option for you.

4. Redness

Differin Gel can cause redness on your skin than La Roche Posay Adapalene Gel. If you have sensitive skin, it may be a better option to reduce the chance of experiencing irritation or itchiness. Side effects are not common with either medication, but they’re important to keep in mind before buying.

Is La Roche Posay Adapalene Gel Right for Me?

Because the side effects of both medications are similar, it’s usually best to choose a medication based on how well it works and which one has ingredients that you like.

Both work faster than most other over-the-counter acne treatments and have been shown to reduce the number of acne lesions by more than 50 percent after 12 weeks of use.

La Roche Posay Adapalene Gel is also generic, so that it may be less expensive than Differin Gel.

La Roche Posay Adapalene Gel vs. Differin Gel

Differin Gel

Differin gel is an adapalene 0.1% acne treatment that renews the skin from the inside. This gel works by clearing the breakouts from where they start – (deep in the pores) and preventing the formation of new acne. 

The Differin gel helps treat the two major causes of acne, clogged pores, and inflammation. Differin gel is water-based, alcohol-free, non-comedogenic, oil-free, and fragrance-free. 

Ingredient List of Differin Gel

This gel contains Adapalene 0.1% as its main active ingredient and the following inactive ingredients, poloxamer 182, propylene glycol, purified water, sodium hydroxide, carbomer 940, edetate disodium, and methylparaben. 

How to Use Differin Gel

You should use this gel once a day, either in your morning or evening skincare routine. To use Differin gel, first, cleanse your face and pat it dry before applying a pea-sized amount of it all over your face. You can then follow it up with a gentle moisturizer and sunscreen to fight irritation and dryness. 

As with any other acne treatment, your breakouts and skin irritation may increase during the first weeks of usage. This is normal and should not keep you from using the treatment. The breakouts and other side effects such as redness, irritation, and burns will subside as your skin gets used to the product. 

 

La Roche Posay Adapalene Gel vs. Differin Gel

Differin Gel

What are Differin Gel Side Effects?

Side effects of Differin Gel tend to be similar to those of La Roche Posay Adapalene Gel, but they’re usually less intense. The most common side effects include:

1. Redness

Differin Gel can cause more redness on your skin than La Roche Posay Adapalene Gel. If you have sensitive skin, it may be a better option to reduce the chance of experiencing irritation or itchiness. Side effects are not common with either medication, but they’re essential to keeping in mind before buying.

2. Dryness

Both medications can make your skin dryer than usual, but there are some differences between the two. Adapalene Gel makes your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so it’s essential to wear sunscreen when using the medication during the day. Differin Gel may cause stinging or burning for a few minutes after you put it on, but it’s usually not uncomfortable for long.

La Roche Posay Adapalene Gel Vs. Differin Gel. Which Is Better?

As you may have already noted above, these two gels are the same in terms of their ingredient list. They also serve the same purpose, which is to treat acne. Both of these gels will help treat acne from where it begins and prevent the formation of new blackheads and whiteheads. 

The primary difference between La Roche Posay adapalene gel and Differin gel is the composition of the carbomer ingredient in each product. La Roche gel contains Carbomer Homopolymer, while Differin gel contains 940 carbomers. 

Carbomer refers to a family of cross-linked acrylic acid polymers and essential ingredients that help add desired aesthetics into products such as viscosity and texture. Carbomer also helps stabilize the product increasing its shelf life. 

It is the difference in carbomer ingredients that makes these two gels different. The carbomer Homopolymer in La Roche Posay gel gives it a smoother texture that enables it to easily spread on your skin compared to Differin gel, that’s stiffer and less spreadable. Besides this difference, these two gels work the same and will give you the same results in your acne treatment journey. 

Final Thoughts on La Roche Posay Adapalene Gel Vs. Differin Gel

La Roche Posay adapalene gel and Differin gel work the same in treating acne. They help in clearing out blackheads whiteheads and preventing clogged pores. In addition to acne, these two gels have other capabilities, such as non-inflammatory and anti-aging benefits. 

When used correctly, La Roche Posay adapalene gel vs. Differin gel will help you get rid of acne and other skin blemishes within a period of three months. When using these gels, it’s recommendable to remain consistent; use cleansers and moisturizers on your face to keep it hydrated and minimize irritation. 

It’s also advisable to include a 30 SPF sunscreen in your everyday skincare routine when using these gels to avoid irritation from the sunlight. Dermatologists also recommend using La Roche Posay gel at night.