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- Differin belongs to Galderma, which also owns Cetaphil; the FDA approved Differin Gel 0.1% for OTC use on July 8, 2016, the first OTC acne retinoid.
- In May 2026 the FDA approved Differin Epiduo Acne Gel (adapalene 0.1% + benzoyl peroxide 2.5%) for OTC use, ages 12 and up.
- Adapalene 0.3% gel and Epiduo Forte (0.3% + 2.5%) still need a prescription.
- Best buy: Differin Gel 45 g at $23.99 (Target, November 2026), with a gentle moisturizer and daily SPF; Epiduo is $42.99 for 1.6 oz at Ulta.
Differin is an acne brand owned by Galderma, the Swiss dermatology company that also owns Cetaphil. Its core product, Differin Gel, contains adapalene 0.1%, the first retinoid the FDA approved for over-the-counter use, in July 2016. In May 2026 Differin Epiduo Acne Gel (adapalene 0.1% with benzoyl peroxide 2.5%) followed it off prescription, while the stronger 0.3% adapalene products remain prescription only.
Before you build a routine around a retinoid, you can scan each product's barcode or label with the ingredient scanner in Pori to check it against your skin type. Pori reads ingredients; it does not diagnose acne or any skin condition.
This guide covers who makes Differin, what changed in 2016 and 2026, which products to buy for which kind of acne, what to skip, and how it compares with retinol, tretinoin and other acne brands. We compared published Drug Facts and prescribing labels, brand claims and listed prices; we did not test these products on skin. Prices are Target listings as of November 2026 unless we say otherwise.
Who owns Differin?
Galderma owns Differin. Galderma was founded in 1981, describes itself as a pure-play dermatology company present in about 90 countries, and has been listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ticker GALD) since 2024. It also owns Cetaphil, which our Cetaphil guide covers, so the two brands are siblings. US Differin labels list Galderma Laboratories, L.P. as the labeler.
Differin started as a prescription drug. The FDA first approved Differin Gel 0.1% in 1996 as a prescription treatment for acne vulgaris in people 12 and older. Today the brand also sells cleansers, spot treatments, patches and a moisturizer with SPF around that gel.
When did Differin go over the counter?
On July 8, 2016, the FDA approved Differin Gel 0.1% for over-the-counter use in people 12 and older. It was the first retinoid made available without a prescription for acne, and the FDA called it the first new active ingredient for OTC acne treatment since the 1980s. The agency based the switch on five original clinical trials, 20 years of post-marketing safety data, consumer studies showing people could read the label and choose and use the product correctly, and a maximal use trial that found limited absorption into the body.
On May 22, 2026, Galderma announced a second switch: FDA approval of Differin Epiduo Acne Gel, adapalene 0.1% and benzoyl peroxide 2.5%, for over-the-counter use in ages 12 and up. Galderma said it would reach Walmart, Ulta, Target and Amazon starting in summer 2026. Ulta now lists it.
Which adapalene strengths still need a prescription?
| Product | Strength | Status in the US |
|---|---|---|
| Differin Gel | Adapalene 0.1% | OTC since July 2016, ages 12+ |
| Differin Epiduo Acne Gel | Adapalene 0.1% + benzoyl peroxide 2.5% | OTC since May 2026, ages 12+ |
| Differin Gel 0.3% and generic adapalene gel 0.3% | Adapalene 0.3% | Prescription only |
| Epiduo Forte | Adapalene 0.3% + benzoyl peroxide 2.5% | Prescription only |
| Adapalene cream (generic) | Varies by product | Prescription |
Differin's own pages call the 0.1% gel "Rx strength." That is fair in one sense: it is the same 0.1% that was once prescription only. A dermatologist can still prescribe the 0.3% gel or Epiduo Forte when 0.1% isn't enough. Outside the US, Epiduo remains a prescription product.
What are the best Differin products?
Differin Gel (adapalene 0.1%): clogged pores and mild to moderate acne
This is the product to buy. Adapalene is a retinoid that normalizes how skin cells shed inside pores, so it works on blackheads and whiteheads as well as red pimples. Differin's directions call for a pea-sized amount over the whole face once a day, morning or night, and say to give it 12 weeks. The gel base is simple: carbomer 940, edetate disodium, methylparaben, poloxamer 182, propylene glycol, water and sodium hydroxide. Target lists the 45 g size at $23.99. Our adapalene guide walks through starting it, purging and how long results take.
Differin Epiduo Acne Gel: inflamed pimples as well as clogs
Epiduo adds benzoyl peroxide 2.5%, which kills acne bacteria, to the same adapalene 0.1%. That makes it a stronger single step for red, inflamed breakouts. It is also more irritating, and benzoyl peroxide can bleach towels and pillowcases. Ulta lists the 1.6 oz pump at $42.99; Target lists a 15 g size at $19.99. The label warns against using it on damaged or very sensitive skin.
Benzoyl peroxide washes and spot treatment
Differin's Maximum Strength Foaming Acne Wash uses 10% benzoyl peroxide ($11.59 for 5 fl oz), and its Daily Acne Face Wash with benzoyl peroxide costs $7.89 for 4 fl oz. A 10% benzoyl peroxide spot treatment lists at $8.39. A wash is a gentler way to add benzoyl peroxide next to Differin Gel, since it is rinsed off. Read how to use benzoyl peroxide before you combine them.
Oil Absorbing Moisturizer SPF 30
A daytime moisturizer with avobenzone, octisalate and octocrylene, $10.69 for 4 oz. Retinoids can leave skin more sensitive to the sun, so a daily broad-spectrum SPF 30 is part of using Differin. Any well-tolerated sunscreen works; see best sunscreen for acne-prone skin.
What should I skip from Differin?
- Epiduo plus a benzoyl peroxide wash plus a spot treatment. That stacks three benzoyl peroxide products. Pick one source.
- The body scrub and body spray for facial acne. They use salicylic acid and are made for the body. On the face, Differin Gel does the main job.
- Travel sizes as a value buy. The 15 g gel and Epiduo cost more per gram than the 45 g pumps.
- Using Differin twice a day. Once a day is the label direction. More often adds irritation, not speed.
- Starting Differin while pregnant without asking. The label says to ask a doctor before use if pregnant or breastfeeding, and to stop if you become pregnant. Read our pregnancy-safe skincare routine.
How does Differin compare with retinol, tretinoin and other acne brands?
| Option | Type | Treats acne? | Price as of November 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Differin Gel (adapalene 0.1%) | OTC drug retinoid | Yes, FDA-approved for acne | $23.99 for 45 g (Target) |
| Tretinoin | Prescription retinoid | Yes, by prescription | Depends on insurance or pharmacy |
| CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum | Cosmetic retinol | Not approved as an acne drug | $21.99 (cerave.com) |
| The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion | Cosmetic retinoid ester | Not approved as an acne drug | About $12 |
Retinol is a cosmetic ingredient. It is gentler, it is sold for texture and signs of aging, and products don't have to prove they treat acne. If you have active breakouts, adapalene is the evidence-based OTC choice. Our explainers on retinol for beginners and retinal vs retinol cover the cosmetic side.
Tretinoin is the older prescription retinoid, used for acne and photoaging. A dermatologist may move you to it, or to adapalene 0.3%, if Differin Gel isn't enough. See tretinoin: what to know.
CeraVe pairs well with Differin. Its Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser carries 4% benzoyl peroxide, and its PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion is a light, fragrance-free moisturizer that suits retinoid users. Many other companies now sell adapalene gels too; DailyMed lists dozens of adapalene labels.
PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
Light night lotion that hydrates without feeding shine.
Suits: Normal, Combination, Oily skin
Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser
Face cleanser with benzoyl peroxide, niacinamide and glycolic acid. Fragrance-free.
Suits: Normal, Oily, Combination, Sensitive skin
Resurfacing Retinol Serum
Buffered retinol aimed at post-acne marks and rough texture.
Suits: Oily, Combination, Normal skin
Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
Retinoid for fine lines that irritates less than classic retinol.
Suits: Normal, Dry, Combination, Oily skin
From Pori's catalogue. Amazon links carry our Associates tag: Pori earns from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you. No brand pays to be listed. Photos: Open Beauty Facts contributors, CC BY-SA 3.0.
How do I start Differin without wrecking my skin?
- Wash with a gentle cleanser and let your face dry fully.
- Apply a pea-sized amount over the whole face once a day, keeping it away from the eyes and lips.
- If you are dry or sensitive, ask a dermatologist or pharmacist about easing in with fewer nights a week at first.
- Follow with a plain moisturizer, and wear sunscreen every morning.
- Expect dryness or peeling in the first weeks; our guide to peeling from retinoids and purging vs breakouts explain what is normal.
Is Differin OK for sensitive skin?
It can be, with care. Dryness, redness and peeling are common in the first weeks with any retinoid. The gel base is short, but it does contain propylene glycol and methylparaben, which a small number of people react to, so patch test first if you have known allergies. Epiduo is harder on reactive skin: its label says not to use it if you have very sensitive skin or are sensitive to benzoyl peroxide. If you have rosacea or eczema on the face, talk to a dermatologist before adding either one.
Where can I buy Differin in the US?
Differin Gel and the washes are sold at Target, Walmart, Ulta, Walgreens and Amazon, and differin.com links out to retailers. Epiduo Acne Gel is newer, so stock varies; Ulta and Target listed it in November 2026. Prices change often, and Ulta was running a members' Differin promotion in early November 2026. Compare other options in our cleansers and serums catalogue.
If acne leaves scars, forms deep painful bumps, or hasn't improved after 12 weeks of daily adapalene, see a dermatologist for prescription options. You can find one near you.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Differin?
Galderma, a Swiss dermatology company founded in 1981 and listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. Galderma also owns Cetaphil.
When did Differin become over the counter?
The FDA approved Differin Gel 0.1% for over-the-counter use on July 8, 2016, for people 12 and older. It had been a prescription drug since 1996 and was the first retinoid approved OTC for acne.
Is over-the-counter Differin the same as prescription Differin?
The OTC gel has the same 0.1% adapalene that used to need a prescription. The stronger 0.3% adapalene gel and Epiduo Forte, with 0.3% adapalene and 2.5% benzoyl peroxide, are still prescription only.
Is Epiduo available over the counter?
Yes. On May 22, 2026, Galderma announced FDA approval of Differin Epiduo Acne Gel, adapalene 0.1% with benzoyl peroxide 2.5%, for OTC use in ages 12 and older. Epiduo Forte remains prescription only.
Is Differin better than retinol for acne?
For acne, yes. Adapalene is an FDA-approved acne drug, while retinol is a cosmetic ingredient sold mainly for texture and signs of aging. Retinol is usually gentler.
Can I use Differin while pregnant?
The label says to ask a doctor before use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding and to stop if you become pregnant. Talk to your doctor or dermatologist before starting it.
Sources
- News-Medical: FDA approves new topical retinoid gel for OTC treatment of acne (July 8, 2016)
- Galderma: Galderma receives U.S. FDA approval for Differin Epiduo Acne Gel prescription-to-OTC switch (May 22, 2026)
- DailyMed: Differin (adapalene) Gel 0.1%, OTC Drug Facts
- DailyMed: Differin (adapalene) Gel 0.3%, prescription label
- DailyMed: Differin Epiduo (adapalene and benzoyl peroxide), OTC Drug Facts
- Differin: Differin Gel
- Ulta Beauty: Differin Epiduo Acne Gel (price)
- Target: Differin products and prices
- Galderma: About us
Pori is a wellness and skincare education app, not a medical device. This article is for general information and isn't medical advice. For anything that worries you, see a dermatologist.
