Adapalene
On the label: Adapalene · Active · regulated as a drug in some uses
What it is
A synthetic retinoid sold over the counter in the US at 0.1 percent for acne; a drug, not a cosmetic.
Actives: Actives are the ingredients a product is built around: acids, retinoids, vitamins and the like.
Wikidata: Chemical compound. Q352348 →
In the research
356 PubMed papers mention it with skin, cosmetics or hair; the three most recent:
- Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine, Mili-Fire Needle, and Light-Emitting Diode Phototherapy for Cystic Acne and Post-Acne Sequelae · Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE, 2026
- Pigmented Actinic Lichen Planus Mimicking Chronic Photodermatitis in a Fair-Skinned Caucasian Woman: A Case Report · Clinical and experimental dermatology, 2026
- The Evolution of Topical Retinoids in Dermatology: A Cornerstone of Acne Management (1971-2025) · The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 2026
A paper is a paper, not a verdict: titles are listed so you can read them, and a study on cells or mice says little about a cream on a face.
Other actives
Dew & Balm describes ingredients from the public record and makes no claim about what a product will do for you. Statements about dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA. If a product causes a reaction, stop using it; a reaction that spreads or affects breathing is a call to a doctor or 911.