What happens if you use too much adapalene?

Author: Dr. Okey Kihn Sr.  |  Last update: Saturday, July 26, 2025

If the adapalene is applied excessively, marked redness, scaling, or skin discomfort may occur. In addition, according to product labeling, chronic ingestion of the drug may lead to the same adverse drug reactions associated with excessive oral intake of vitamin A.

Is it bad to use too much adapalene?

If you or someone else has used too much adapalene, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

Is it bad to use adapalene every night?

Apply once daily, usually in the evening, and avoid excessive use. Start slow: If you're new to using adapalene, starting slow is key. Begin with using it every other night or one to two times a week for the first few weeks, allowing your skin to adjust.

What happens if I miss one day of adapalene?

Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not apply a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What does adapalene purge look like?

Retinization is a type of purging that is caused by retinoids, such as adapalene or tretinoin. During this time, your skin may temporarily become red, dry, and irritated. Other symptoms associated with retinization are increased breakouts, burning, flaking, or peeling.

Top 5 Differin Mistakes You Are Making

How do you know if I should stop using adapalene?

You should not stop using adapalene if your acne seems worse at first, unless irritation or other symptoms become severe. Check with your doctor if your acne does not improve within 8 to 12 weeks. Do not apply any topical product to the same area where you are using adapalene, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

What does drug acne look like?

"When you get it from a medicine, it tends to all look the same. It's all little, red papules or it's all little pustules, and they're kind of all the same shape and size. That's the giveaway that it could be medicine-related." Acneiform drug eruptions can happen in someone with no history of true acne, Garner says.

What to avoid when using adapalene?

When first starting out with adapalene, you may want to avoid:
  • Vitamin C.
  • Benzoyl peroxide.
  • Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) such as glycolic acid and lactic acid.
  • Beta hydroxy acid (aka BHA or salicylic acid)
  • Tretinoin, over-the-counter retinol products, and other topical retinoids.

Do you need to wash adapalene off?

Adapalene may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight than usual. Therefore, it is best to apply it at night and wash it off in the morning. A sun protection cream can also help if you are out in the sun on bright days, even if it is cloudy.

Will my acne come back if I stop using adapalene?

But acne medications don't change the way your skin behaves. If treatment is stopped, the pores become impacted again, and breakouts return.

Can I sleep with adapalene gel on my face?

Yes, one must use it regularly for 4-8 weeks, once daily at bedtime, for best results. It's better to apply it in the nighttime for at least 1-2 hours, as there will be no sun exposure at that time.

Is adapalene stronger than retinol?

Both retinol and adapalene are retinoids, but they are not the same thing. Think of it like this–both broccoli and cauliflower are vegetables with florets but one isn't the other. Adapalene is stronger and more potent than retinol because it contains active retinoic acid.

How long does Differin purge last?

It's believed that this purging period actually results from existing clogged pores coming to the surface, giving the inaccurate impression that things have got worse. If you keep applying Differin as recommended, you should see improvement once the purging period has concluded (usually after 6-8 weeks at the latest).

Why is my acne getting worse after adapalene?

Adapalene controls acne but does not cure it. Your acne may get worse during the first few weeks of treatment, and it may take 8 to 12 weeks or longer before you feel the full benefit of adapalene. During the first weeks of your treatment, adapalene may bring previously unseen pimples to the skin surface.

Can adapalene remove acne scars?

Differin Gel Adapalene Gel

It helps prevent breakouts, treat acne and improve acne scarring and hyperpigmentation, says Gmyrek. This gel comes recommended by our experts because of its benefits, which include increasing cell turnover and stimulating collagen to help mild scarring and pigment go away over time.

Can adapalene clog your pores?

Adapalene is also the first multi-benefit retinoid acne ingredient available over the counter, without a prescription. Benefits include: Continually renews skin cells to help prevent pores from clogging. Acting as an anti-inflammatory agent to reduce redness and swelling at the source.

How to know if adapalene is working?

Although some may start to see improvements in their skin after 6-8 weeks of treatment, most people see results from adapalene treatment after 8-12 weeks. This will depend on your skin type, how consistently you use your treatment and how your individual skin responds to the active ingredient.

Is adapalene 0.1 anti-aging?

Studies have shown that adapalene is an effective treatment option for wrinkles. Studies of adapalene 0.3% gel and adapalene 0.1% gel show that they helped improve the appearance of wrinkles and other signs of skin damage.

Does sunlight degrade adapalene?

With and without exposition to light, adapalene exhibits a remarkable stability whereas tretinoin is very sensitive to light and oxidation. The combination of benzoyl peroxide and light results in more than 50% degradation of tretinoin in about 2 h and 95% in 24 h.

What happens if you use adapalene too much?

If the adapalene is applied excessively, marked redness, scaling, or skin discomfort may occur. In addition, according to product labeling, chronic ingestion of the drug may lead to the same adverse drug reactions associated with excessive oral intake of vitamin A.

Should I put moisturizer over adapalene?

Yes, you can. I've been doing so for a few months now. You can always do the “sandwich” moisturizing method. Apply moisturizer, let it dry, then apply differin gel, and once dry, apply moisturizer again so you it doesn't cause too much irritation.

Can I apply adapalene under my eyes?

📌Don't use adapalene under eye without guidance. ✔️Read below to know more about milia. Milia are small, white or yellowish bumps that commonly appear on the face, usually around the eyes, nose, and cheeks. They form when dead skin cells and keratin become trapped in small pockets near the skin surface.

What is pearl acne?

Milia are bumps containing keratin that has been trapped underneath the skin, and are sometimes called “baby acne” or “Epstein pearls."

What does B12 acne look like?

High-dose vitamins B6 and B12 have also been linked to rosacea fulminans, a condition that looks like acne. Rosacea is marked by large red bumps and pustules that typically appear on the nose, chin, and/or cheeks.

What is your body telling you when you have acne?

Certain things may trigger or worsen acne: Hormonal changes. Androgens are hormones that increase in boys and girls during puberty and cause the sebaceous glands to enlarge and make more sebum. Hormone changes during midlife, particularly in women, can lead to breakouts too.

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