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Head-to-head evidence comparison — which supplement is right for you?
Adapalene wins 2 of 3 categories. Both are solid choices — the best pick depends on your specific goals.
Verdict
Mostly mechanism / observational
Top outcomes
Verdict
Mostly mechanism / observational
Top outcomes
Topical use. Adapalene 0.1% (OTC) or 0.3% (prescription) gel/cream is applied as a thin layer to the whole affected area once daily, usually at night, starting every other day and building to nightly as tolerated. Full benefit takes ~8-12 weeks. There is no oral or systemic dose — it is not ingested. It is most effective combined with benzoyl peroxide. This library does not provide an ingestion protocol.
evening
Adapalene 0.1% gel/cream (OTC), applied nightly to the whole area
Prescription topical. Bimatoprost 0.03% is applied once daily as a thin line to the skin of the UPPER eyelid margin at the lash base (not to the lower lid, and avoid getting it in the eye), using a fresh applicator per eye. Continuous use is needed to maintain results. Use under a clinician, especially if you have glaucoma or take prostaglandin eye drops. There is no oral or systemic use. This library does not provide an ingestion protocol.
evening
Bimatoprost 0.03% solution (Latisse) with single-use applicators, under a clinician
Throughout
8-12 weeks
Throughout
First weeks
Throughout
8-16 weeks
2-6 months after stopping
Weeks to months
A comparison of the efficacy and tolerability of adapalene 0.1% gel versus tretinoin 0.025% gel in patients with acne vulgaris: a meta-analysis of five randomized trials.
Br J Dermatol (1998) · Meta analysis · n=900
Meta-analysis of five randomized investigator-blind trials (900 patients) in mild-to-moderate acne
Adapalene-benzoyl peroxide, a fixed-dose combination for the treatment of acne vulgaris: results of a multicenter, randomized double-blind, controlled study.
J Am Acad Dermatol (2007) · Rct · n=517
Pivotal 12-week double-blind RCT (n=517) of adapalene-BPO vs adapalene, BPO, or vehicle
Topical preparations for the treatment of mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris: systematic review and network meta-analysis.
Br J Dermatol (2021) · Systematic review
Systematic review and network meta-analysis of 40 trials (18,089 participants) of topical acne treatments
Long-term safety and efficacy of bimatoprost solution 0.03% application to the eyelid margin for the treatment of idiopathic and chemotherapy-induced eyelash hypotrichosis: a randomized controlled trial.
Br J Dermatol (2015) · Rct
1-year double-masked RCT: composite primary endpoint (Global Eyelash Assessment + satisfaction) met for bimatoprost vs vehicle in idiopathic (40.2% vs 6.8%) and post-chemotherapy (37.5% vs 18.2%) hypotrichosis
Bimatoprost for eyelash growth in Japanese subjects: two multicenter controlled studies.
Aesthetic Plast Surg (2014) · Rct · n=209
Two double-masked vehicle-controlled RCTs (n=209: 173 idiopathic, 36 chemotherapy-induced) in Japanese subjects
The efficacy of topical prostaglandin analogs for hair loss: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Front Med (Lausanne) (2023) · Meta analysis
Meta-analysis of six placebo-controlled RCTs of topical prostaglandin analogs (incl. bimatoprost) for hair growth (lashes, brows, scalp)
Adapalene has a higher evidence score (9/10 vs 8/10) and wins in 2 of 3 categories.
No known interactions between Adapalene and Bimatoprost (lashes) have been documented in our database. However, always consult a healthcare provider before combining supplements.