Last reviewed 2026-04-20 · How we verify

differin

At a glance

Approved indications

• Acne vulgaris

Common side effects

• Erythema
• Dryness
• Scaling
• Burning/Stinging (persistent)
• Pruritus (persistent)
• Sunburn
• Skin discomfort - burning and stinging
• Skin irritation

Serious adverse events

• Acne flare
• Dermatitis
• Contact dermatitis
• Eyelid edema
• Conjunctivitis
• Skin discoloration
• Rash
• Eczema

Key clinical trials

• Experience With Topical Acne Treatment (EARLY_PHASE1)
• CD4^LVFOXP3 in Participants With IPEX (PHASE1)
• Clinical Trial to Compare Oral Isotretinoin to Standard of Care in Moderate Acne Skin of Color Patients (PHASE3)
• Tolerability Comparison Between Differin® Cream 0.1% Versus Differin® Lotion 0.1% in Subjects With Healthy Skin (PHASE1)
• Combination Therapy With Differin® Gel 0.3% and Duac® (Clindamycin/Benzoyl Peroxide Gel) in Subjects With Acne Vulgaris (PHASE4)
• Adapalene Gel 0.3% Versus Tretinoin 0.05% Emollient Cream for Treatment of Photodamage (PHASE3)
• Tolerability Comparison of Differin® Cream 0.1% Versus Differin® Lotion 0.1% in Subjects With Healthy Skin (PHASE1)
• Differin® Gel x12 Wks vs Tazorac® Cream x12 Wks vs Differin® x6 Wks Switched to Tazorac® x6 Wks for Treatment of Acne (PHASE4)

Primary sources

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Competitive intelligence

For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:

• differin CI brief — competitive landscape report
• differin updates RSS · CI watch RSS
• University of Magdeburg portfolio CI