Adapalene the right way.

— § 01

The steps.

1. 01

   PM

   Gentle non-foaming cleanser

   Low pH, fragrance-free

   Adapalene's tolerance window is set by what you do before it. A non-foaming, low-pH cleanser preserves the acid mantle and avoids the cumulative micro-injury that turns a tolerable retinoid into an intolerable one.

   CetaphilTier A

   Gentle Skin Cleanser →

   Default

   La Roche-PosayTier A

   Toleriane Hydrating →

   For dryness

2. 02

   PM

   Adapalene 0.1% gel

   Pea-sized, dry skin

   Apply to fully dry skin (wait 20 minutes after cleansing) at a pea-sized dose for the entire face. Start three nights a week for two weeks, then alternate nights for two weeks, then every night. The biggest mistake is starting nightly — and quitting in the third week.

   DifferinTier A

   Adapalene Gel 0.1%

   Default

   GaldermaTier A

   Deriva-CMS

   With moisturiser

3. 03

   PM

   Ceramide moisturiser

   Wait 5 minutes after adapalene

   Sandwiching the retinoid between moisturiser layers (the so-called 'sandwich method') significantly improves tolerance with minimal efficacy loss. We prefer the simpler 'wait + buffer' approach for adult acne — moisturiser five minutes after the adapalene, slightly more generously than usual.

   CeraVeTier A

   PM Facial Lotion →

   Default

   La Roche-PosayTier A

   Cicaplast Baume B5+ →

   For irritation

4. 04

   PM

   Spot treatment as needed

   Benzoyl peroxide 2.5%, 2× per week

   On active inflammatory lesions only. BPO is bactericidal and prevents adapalene resistance over years; nightly full-face use is unnecessary and dries the surrounding skin. Apply to the lesion, wait, moisturise around it.

   PanOxylTier A

   BPO 2.5%

   Default

   La Roche-PosayTier A

   Effaclar Duo+M →

   Combination