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Ada9.0

Adapalene Research

Mostly mechanism / observational

38 peer-reviewed studies

What the evidence says

Mostly mechanism / observational

Most Adapalene studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.

Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 1993–2026 with a typical study size of 253 participants.

Based on 38 studies · 2 meta-analyses · 35 RCTs · 2,269 total participants

Confidence

High confidence

By outcome

Skin healthSignificant reduction in comedonal and inflammatory acne (frontline retinoid); most effective combined with benzoyl peroxide · 8-12 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational13 studies
Safety profile
Too few graded studies2 studies
Muscle strength & power
Too few graded studies1 study

Steady research

8 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2016

199320092026

1Meta-Analysis2016

Friedman A, Waite K, Brandt S, Meckfessel MH · J Drugs Dermatol (2016)

2RCT2026

Harper JC, Woolery-Lloyd HC, Gold LS, Baldwin H, Callender VD, Gold M · J Drugs Dermatol (2026)

Adapalene Research

Mostly mechanism / observational

Accelerated Onset of Action and Increased Tolerability in Treating Acne With a Fixed-Dose Combination Gel.

Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2%/Adapalene 0.15%/Benzoyl Peroxide 3.1% Gel for Acne: Pooled Analysis by Age and Sex.

Adapalene/Benzoyl Peroxide Gel 0.3%/2.5%: Effective Acne Therapy Regardless of Age or Gender.

A double-blinded, randomized, vehicle-controlled study to access skin tolerability and efficacy of an anti-inflammatory moisturizer in treatment of acne with 0.1% adapalene gel.

A randomized investigator-blind parallel-group study to assess efficacy and safety of azelaic acid 15% gel vs. adapalene 0.1% gel in the treatment and maintenance treatment of female adult acne.

Comparable efficacy of adapalene 0.3% gel and tretinoin 0.05% cream as treatment for cutaneous photoaging.

Moderate and Severe Inflammatory Acne Vulgaris Effectively Treated with Single-Agent Therapy by a New Fixed-Dose Combination Adapalene 0.3 %/Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5 % Gel: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel-Group, Controlled Study.

Comparison of pneumatic broadband light plus adapalene gel 0.3% versus adapalene gel 0.3% monotherapy in the treatment of mild to moderate acne.

A randomized controlled trial of combination treatment with ketoconazole 2% cream and adapalene 0.1% gel in pityriasis versicolor.

Efficacy and Safety of a Fixed-Dose Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2%, Benzoyl Peroxide 3.1%, and Adapalene 0.15% Gel for Moderate-to-Severe Acne: A Randomized Phase II Study of the First Triple-Combination Drug.

Long-Term Effectiveness and Safety of Up to 48 Weeks' Treatment with Topical Adapalene 0.3%/Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5% Gel in the Prevention and Reduction of Atrophic Acne Scars in Moderate and Severe Facial Acne.

Comparison of efficacy of aminolaevulinic acid photodynamic therapy vs. adapalene gel plus oral doxycycline for treatment of moderate acne vulgaris-A simple, blind, randomized, and controlled trial.

Adapalene 0.1%/benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel reduces the risk of atrophic scar formation in moderate inflammatory acne: a split-face randomized controlled trial.

Customized Single-agent Therapy Management of Severe Inflammatory Acne: A Randomized, Double-blind, Parallel-group, Controlled Study of a New Treatment--Adapalene 0.3%-Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5% Gel.

The safety and efficacy of four different fixed combination regimens of adapalene 0.1%/benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel for the treatment of acne vulgaris: results from a randomised controlled study.

Prevention and Reduction of Atrophic Acne Scars with Adapalene 0.3%/Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5% Gel in Subjects with Moderate or Severe Facial Acne: Results of a 6-Month Randomized, Vehicle-Controlled Trial Using Intra-Individual Comparison.

Adapalene Gel 0.1% Versus Placebo as Prophylaxis for Anti-Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Induced Acne-Like Rash: A Randomized Left-Right Comparative Evaluation (APPEARANCE).

A skincare combined with combination of adapalene and benzoyl peroxide provides a significant adjunctive efficacy and local tolerance benefit in adult women with mild acne.

Two Randomized, Double-Blind, Split-Face Studies to Compare the Irritation Potential of Two Topical Acne Fixed Combinations Over a 21-Day Treatment Period.

Comparison of the efficacy and safety of 0.1% adapalene gel and 0.025% tretinoin cream in the treatment of childhood acanthosis nigricans.