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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

Topical cosmetic only. OTC retinol is formulated roughly 0.1-1% in leave-on serums or creams and applied to clean, dry facial skin at night, starting 2-3 nights per week and building to nightly as tolerated. There is no oral, injectable, or systemic dose — this is not ingested. Higher concentrations work somewhat better but irritate more; pair with a moisturizer and a morning sunscreen. This library does not provide an ingestion protocol.

Evening

Leave-on topical serum or cream (0.1-1% retinol)

• For topical (skin) use only — not for ingestion, not for injection
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding — retinoids are generally avoided as a precaution
• Known allergy/sensitivity to adapalene or formulation excipients

• Other irritating actives (other retinoids, AHAs/BHAs)
• Benzoyl peroxide

• For topical (skin) use only — not for ingestion, not for injection
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding — generally advised to avoid topical retinoids as a precaution
• Active eczema, rosacea flares, or broken/irritated/sunburned skin until healed

• Strong leave-on exfoliating actives (AHAs/BHAs, benzoyl peroxide)
• Other retinoids (prescription tretinoin, tazarotene, adapalene)