What Interacts with Adapalene?

October 9, 2025 •

4 min read

Acne is estimated to affect 9.4% of the global population, making it the eighth most common disease worldwide [1.9.1]. For many, adapalene is a key treatment, but it's crucial to understand: what interacts with adapalene to ensure it is used safely and effectively?

Quick Summary

A guide to the medications, skincare ingredients, and products that can interact with adapalene. Understand how to avoid irritation, dryness, and reduced efficacy by managing these interactions.

Key Points

Avoid Other Exfoliants: Do not use adapalene with other retinoids, salicylic acid, or AHAs like glycolic acid to prevent severe skin irritation [1.6.1, 1.10.2].
Be Cautious with Benzoyl Peroxide: While adapalene is stable with benzoyl peroxide, using separate products at different times of day is often recommended to reduce dryness [1.2.4].
Sunscreen is Non-Negotiable: Adapalene significantly increases photosensitivity. Daily use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30+) is essential [1.2.5, 1.7.3].
Use a Gentle Routine: Pair adapalene with a mild, non-medicated cleanser and a simple moisturizer to avoid stripping the skin barrier [1.3.4].
Avoid Waxing: Do not wax areas of skin being treated with adapalene, as this can cause skin damage and peeling [1.7.3].
Mind Other Medications: Be aware that other oral or topical medications, like certain antibiotics, can also increase sun sensitivity, leading to an additive effect [1.8.2].
Expect an Adjustment Period: Skin irritation, dryness, and a temporary acne flare-up can occur in the first 2-4 weeks of use [1.3.4, 1.7.4].

Understanding Adapalene and Its Role in Skincare

Adapalene is a third-generation topical retinoid, a medication derived from vitamin A, primarily used to treat acne vulgaris [1.2.5, 1.10.3]. It works at a cellular level to regulate skin cell turnover, which helps prevent pores from becoming clogged with dead skin cells and oil [1.4.5, 1.5.4]. By keeping pores clear, adapalene effectively reduces the formation of blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples. Additionally, it possesses anti-inflammatory properties, which help to lessen the redness and swelling associated with acne breakouts [1.5.4]. It is available over-the-counter (OTC) in a 0.1% concentration and by prescription in higher strengths, like 0.3% [1.10.4]. Due to its mechanism, it can cause initial side effects like dryness, scaling, redness, and a temporary worsening of acne during the first few weeks of use [1.7.3, 1.7.4]. Understanding its interactions is vital to minimize these side effects and achieve the best results.

Significant Interactions with Other Topical Acne Treatments

Combining adapalene with other potent topical treatments can lead to compounded irritation, excessive dryness, and a compromised skin barrier. Caution is strongly advised when considering the concurrent use of the following ingredients:

Other Retinoids (e.g., Tretinoin): Using multiple retinoids simultaneously is not recommended [1.10.2]. Both products work via similar mechanisms to increase cell turnover. Using them together significantly increases the risk of severe irritation, peeling, and redness without offering additional benefits [1.10.1].
Exfoliating Acids (AHAs and BHAs): Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic acid and lactic acid, and beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) like salicylic acid, are chemical exfoliants [1.6.1, 1.6.5]. While effective for acne, using them with adapalene can lead to over-exfoliation [1.5.4]. This strips the skin of its natural oils and can damage the moisture barrier, resulting in sensitivity, redness, and painful irritation. It is generally advised to avoid using them at the same time or on the same day [1.5.4, 1.6.3].
Benzoyl Peroxide: The interaction between adapalene and benzoyl peroxide is nuanced. While some older retinoids could be deactivated by benzoyl peroxide, adapalene is more stable [1.2.4]. In fact, prescription products like Epiduo combine both adapalene and benzoyl peroxide to treat acne through a dual-action mechanism [1.4.5, 1.10.1]. However, when using separate products, it's often recommended to apply them at different times of the day (e.g., benzoyl peroxide in the morning, adapalene at night) to reduce the potential for irritation [1.2.4].
Sulfur and Resorcinol: These are other common acne-fighting ingredients. Using them in combination with adapalene should be done with caution, as they can also have a drying and irritating effect on the skin [1.2.1, 1.2.2]. It's advisable to wait until the effects of these preparations have subsided before starting adapalene [1.3.4].

Comparison of Topical Retinoid Interactions


Feature/Interaction	Adapalene	Tretinoin
Primary Use	Acne vulgaris [1.2.5]	Acne, Photoaging (wrinkles, dark spots) [1.10.2]
OTC Availability	Yes (0.1% gel) [1.10.1]	No, prescription only [1.10.1]
Irritation Potential	Generally lower than tretinoin [1.10.1, 1.10.2]	Higher than adapalene [1.10.1, 1.10.2]
Use with Benzoyl Peroxide	Stable; available in combination products (e.g., Epiduo) [1.4.5]	Can be used together, but often applied at different times to minimize irritation [1.10.1].
Use with AHAs/BHAs	Caution advised; high risk of irritation [1.6.1, 1.6.3]	Caution advised; high risk of irritation [1.10.3]
Photosensitivity	Increases sun sensitivity; sunscreen is essential [1.7.3]	Increases sun sensitivity; sunscreen is essential [1.10.2]

General Skincare Products and Procedures to Approach with Caution

Beyond active acne ingredients, everyday skincare products and cosmetic procedures can also negatively interact with adapalene:

Harsh Cleansers and Astringents: Soaps and cleansers that are abrasive or have strong drying effects should be avoided. Similarly, products with high concentrations of alcohol, astringents, spices, or lime can strip the skin and cause significant irritation when used with adapalene [1.3.4, 1.7.4]. Opt for gentle, soapless cleansers.
Hair Removal: Using "waxing" as a method of hair removal on skin being treated with adapalene is strongly discouraged [1.3.4, 1.7.3]. The retinoid action can make the skin more fragile, and waxing can lead to skin erosions or painful peeling.
Sun Exposure: Adapalene makes your skin more sensitive to the sun and increases the risk of sunburn [1.2.5, 1.7.3]. It is crucial to minimize sun exposure and avoid tanning beds. Daily use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher is mandatory when using adapalene [1.2.5].

Interaction with Systemic Medications

While interactions with oral or injected drugs are less likely with topical adapalene, it's important to be aware of other medications that increase photosensitivity [1.2.5]. Using adapalene concurrently with other photosensitizing agents can have an additive effect, making your skin extremely susceptible to sun damage.

Examples of photosensitizing medications include [1.8.1, 1.8.2, 1.8.4]:

Antibiotics: Tetracyclines (like doxycycline) and fluoroquinolones.
Diuretics: Such as hydrochlorothiazide.
NSAIDs: Including ibuprofen and naproxen.
Other Retinoids: Such as oral isotretinoin.

Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements, before starting adapalene [1.2.5].

Conclusion: Using Adapalene Safely

Adapalene is a highly effective treatment for acne, but its success hinges on using it correctly and being mindful of what interacts with it. The key to a successful regimen is to support your skin barrier, not strip it. Avoid layering multiple harsh or exfoliating products, especially in the beginning. Prioritize a simple routine built around a gentle cleanser, a good moisturizer, and—most importantly—daily, high-SPF sunscreen. By managing these interactions, you can minimize irritation and allow adapalene to work effectively, revealing clearer, healthier skin. If you experience severe or persistent irritation, it's always best to consult with a dermatologist.

For more information from an authoritative source, you can visit the FDA's page on Adapalene: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2012/021753s004lbl.pdf [1.7.3]

Frequently Asked Questions

It is generally recommended to use them at different times of the day. A common routine is to apply vitamin C in the morning and adapalene at night to avoid potential irritation from using multiple active ingredients at once [1.3.5].

Using salicylic acid and adapalene together can cause excessive dryness, redness, peeling, and irritation because both are exfoliating agents. It is recommended to use only one at a time [1.5.4, 1.5.5].

Yes, niacinamide can be used with adapalene. In fact, niacinamide can help soothe the skin and reduce the irritation sometimes caused by retinoids. It's best to apply adapalene first, let it absorb, and then apply a niacinamide serum or moisturizer [1.11.4].

Mild to moderate dryness, scaling, and redness are common during the first 2-4 weeks [1.3.4]. You can try reducing the frequency of application or using a moisturizer to help. If the irritation is severe or you show signs of an allergic reaction, you should stop use and consult a doctor [1.7.3].

Adapalene makes the skin more fragile by increasing cell turnover. Waxing can grip the skin too strongly, leading to painful skin lifting, peeling, or abrasions. It's recommended to avoid waxing on any areas where adapalene is applied [1.3.4, 1.7.3].

There is no widely reported interaction between topical adapalene and oral contraceptives. However, always inform your doctor about all medications you use [1.2.5]. Some oral contraceptives can themselves affect acne.

It's best to apply adapalene to a clean, dry face. You can apply moisturizer shortly after the adapalene has absorbed, or you can try the "sandwich method" (moisturizer, wait, adapalene, wait, more moisturizer) to buffer potential irritation. A moisturizer is recommended to combat dryness [1.3.4].