
Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
Prescription-strength retinoid acne treatment with 0.1% adapalene
FEATURES
Prescription strength formula, Topical retinoid tested by dermatologists, Contains 0.1% adapalene
BEST FOR
oily
CHECKS
Free of alcohol, sulfate, silicon, oil, fragrance
Who Is It For?
Adults And Children 12 Years And OlderWhat Does It Help With?
Acne Pimples Blemishes Cystic Acne Hormonal AcneBudget
Affordable (under $30)How To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
What Neutrogena Says
Product Description:
Help clear up acne breakouts. Designed for acne-prone skin, this proven treatment contains 0.1% adapalene to fight pimples, blemishes & acne, including stubborn cystic & hormonal acne.
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
Adapalene, USP 0.1% (retinoid)*, carbomer homopolymer type C, edetate disodium, methylparaben, poloxamer 182, propylene glycol, purified water, Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Serine, Glycine, Alanine, Threonine, Arginine, Proline, Lysine HCl, Glutamic Acid, Sodium PCA, PCA, Sodium Lactate, Urea, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Betaine, Allantoin, Fructose, Maltose, Trehalose, Glucose, Pentylene Glycol, Synthetic Beeswax, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethiconol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide
Key Ingredients
adapalene
Ingredients Details
Methylparaben
Common Name(s): Methylparaben,cosmetic active,functional ingredient
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Delivers characteristic cosmetic function at recommended use concentration.
Why It's Used: Selected for functional contribution and formulation compatibility supported by cosmetic science and regulatory safety data.
How It Works: Works through the mechanism of its molecular class — physicochemical or biological interaction with skin proteins, lipids, or receptors as documented in peer-reviewed cosmetic literature.
Typically Found In: Skin care formulations
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient – cosmetic active
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%–10%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Conditional
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1–2.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Methylparaben has an established safety and efficacy profile within the cosmetic regulatory framework at standard use concentrations.
Last Verified: Cosing database,methylparaben technical literature
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Poloxamer 182
Common Name(s): Poloxamer 182
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Delivers targeted skin-conditioning or bioactive benefits through a specific mechanism of action suited to the formulation's intended purpose.
Why It's Used: Specialty actives address specific skin concerns through targeted molecular mechanisms, providing efficacy beyond what base formulation ingredients alone can achieve.
How It Works: The bioactive compound interacts with specific molecular targets in skin cells or the extracellular matrix — enzymes, receptors, structural proteins, or signaling molecules — triggering beneficial biological responses.
Typically Found In: Serums,treatments,moisturizers,specialty products
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Specialty actives
Secondary Functions: Skin-conditioning,anti-aging
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.01–5%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Specialty active ingredient; check individual sourcing for vegan status.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1
Comedogenicity Rating: 0
Sensitivity Concerns: Low sensitization potential at recommended use concentrations.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Well-characterized cosmetic ingredient with established safety profile. generally non-irritating at typical use concentrations. suitable for leave-on and rinse-off cosmetics.
Works Well With: Niacinamide,hyaluronic acid,vitamin c,peptides
Avoid Combining With: Incompatible with oxidizing agents; check ph stability
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Specialty actives typically work through enzyme inhibition (e.g., tyrosinase inhibition for brightening, mmp inhibition for anti-aging), receptor activation (e.g., retinoid receptors, ppar-γ for barrier genes), or transcription factor modulation (e.g., nrf2 for antioxidant gene upregulation). structure-activity relationships determine potency and selectivity.
Last Verified: Cosing eu database; pcpc cosmetic ingredient safety reviews; ingredient-specific safety and efficacy literature
Primary Sources: 2025-01-15
Propylene Glycol
Common Name(s): 1,2-propanediol,pdg,propane-1,2-diol
CAS Number: 57-55-6
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides humectant hydration alongside solubilization of water-soluble actives and preservation boosting.
Why It's Used: Multi-function glycol for comprehensive formulation utility: hydration, solubilization, and preservation in a single cost-effective ingredient.
How It Works: Two hydroxyl groups provide water binding for humectant activity. propylene backbone provides solvent capacity for both polar and moderately non-polar actives. antimicrobial activity via membrane disruption enhancing preservative systems.
Typically Found In: Moisturizers,serums,toners,almost all aqueous formulations
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient – glycol humectant / solvent
Secondary Functions: Tewl reduction,skin plumping
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%–15%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes – from propylene oxide (petrochemical) or bio-based (corn fermentation)
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Synthetic or naturally derived. excellent aqueous solubility.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 2/5 – low to moderate; potential sensitizer in sensitive individuals at high concentrations
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; suitable for all skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Well-established safety profile. ewg score: 3. bio-based pg available from corn fermentation.
Works Well With: Ceramides,emollients,occlusives,glycerin,hyaluronic acid
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Propylene glycol's dual polarity (two hydroxyl groups + propylene hydrocarbon backbone) enables dissolution of ingredients spanning a wide hydrophilicity range – from highly polar actives (amino acids, glycerin) to moderately lipophilic actives (salicylic acid, retinol). this broad solubility range makes it uniquely versatile as a cosmetic solvent.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Sodium Hydroxide
Common Name(s): Sodium hydroxide,cosmetic active,functional ingredient
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Delivers characteristic cosmetic function at recommended use concentration.
Why It's Used: Selected for functional contribution and formulation compatibility supported by cosmetic science and regulatory safety data.
How It Works: Works through the mechanism of its molecular class as documented in peer-reviewed cosmetic literature.
Typically Found In: Skin care formulations
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient – cosmetic active
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%–10%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Conditional
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1–2.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Sodium hydroxide has an established safety profile within the cosmetic regulatory framework at standard use concentrations.
Last Verified: Cosing database,sodium hydroxide technical literature
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12