Differin contains the retinoid adapalene as its active ingredient. It is available in cream, lotion, or gel forms at a strength of 0.1%. A 0.3% strength is available in cream or gel form. Which strength and texture to choose is best determined by consulting your dermatologist and taking your personal preferences into account.
As an example of costs, a 45-gram tube of Differin cream costs $132.93; the same size of alcohol-free gel costs $117.28. It is owned by Galderma, the company behind the Cetaphil brand. Adapalene can be used at the same time as benzoyl peroxide, which is something that cannot be said for tretinoin (the active ingredient in all forms of Retin-A). For more information about the active ingredient in Differin, please click on Retinoids from the Master Brand List.
Differin Lotion Contains Carbomer 941, Disodium Edetate, Medium Chain Triglycerides, Methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Poloxamer 124, Polyoxyl-6polyoxyl-32 Palmitostearate, PPG-12 / SMDI Copolymer, Propylene Glycol, Propylparaben, Sodium Hydroxide, Stearyl Alcohol, Purified Water.
Differin Gel Contains Adapalene 0.1% or 0.3% in a vehicle consisting of Carbomer 940, Edetate Disodium, Methylparaben, Poloxamer 182, Propylene Glycol, Purified Water, Sodium Hydroxide. May contain Hydrochloric Acid to adjust pH.
Differin Cream Contains 0.1% Adapalene in a base of Carbomer 934P, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Glycerol, Squalane, Methyl Hydroxybenzoate, Propyl Hydroxybenzoate, Disodium Edetate, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Phenoxyethanol, Cyclomethicone, Sodium Hydroxide, Purified Water.
