If you’re using adapalene for acne, adding a good moisturizer to your routine can make a big difference in how well your skin handles it.
Adapalene can cause dryness, redness, and irritation, especially when you first start using it.
Moisturizer helps support your skin barrier and can make those side effects easier to manage.
But you may be wondering where moisturizer fits into your routine.
Should you apply it before or after adapalene?
And how long should you wait between the two?
In this article, I’ll explain how to use adapalene gel with moisturizer, the different ways you can layer them, and how to build a routine that keeps your skin hydrated while you treat your acne.
What is adapalene gel?
Adapalene gel is a topical retinoid that’s mainly used to treat acne.
It’s a third-generation synthetic retinoid and has been FDA-approved for acne since 1996.
The 0.1% gel became available over the counter in 2016, so you no longer need a prescription to use this strength for acne.
You may recognize adapalene gel by the brand name Differin, but it isn’t your only option.
La Roche-Posay also makes Effaclar Adapalene Gel 0.1%, and both are available over the counter.
What does adapalene gel do?
When you apply adapalene gel, it works with retinoid receptors in your skin to change how your skin cells grow and shed.
This speeds up skin cell turnover and helps keep dead skin cells from building up and clogging your pores.
As you continue using it, adapalene can help:
Clear clogged pores
Reduce acne breakouts
Prevent new breakouts from forming
Calm some of the redness and inflammation that comes with acne
You may notice more breakouts or irritation when you first start using adapalene, so don’t expect your skin to change overnight.
It can take time for your skin to adjust and for you to start seeing improvement.
What are the side effects?
When you first start using adapalene gel, your skin may become dry or irritated as it adjusts to the treatment.
Some of the most common side effects include:
Dryness
Redness
Flaking or peeling
Burning or stinging
This is also why moisturizer matters so much when you’re using adapalene.
A good moisturizer can help manage dryness and support your skin barrier while your skin adjusts.
You should also wear sunscreen every morning to keep your skin protected.
Can you use moisturizer with adapalene gel?
Yes, and for most people, I’d recommend using one.
You can use moisturizer before or after adapalene depending on how your skin responds, so there isn’t one order that works best for everyone.
You don’t need a complicated formula either.
A gentle, hydrating moisturizer that works well with your skin is enough.
If you’re more sensitive to adapalene, the way you layer your moisturizer can also make a difference, which I’ll get into below.
How to Layer Adapalene Gel and Moisturizer
For most people, I recommend applying adapalene first and moisturizer afterward.
This gives the adapalene direct contact with your skin, while the moisturizer helps with some of the dryness that can come with using a retinoid.
After you apply adapalene, wait about 1–2 minutes for it to dry, then follow with your moisturizer.
On the other hand, if your skin is sensitive or you’re still getting used to adapalene, you can apply moisturizer first.
Having that layer between your skin and the adapalene can make it easier to tolerate if you’re dealing with irritation.
You can also try the sandwich method, where you apply moisturizer first, followed by adapalene, and then another layer of moisturizer.
This gives your skin even more moisture and can be helpful if dryness or irritation is making adapalene difficult to use consistently.
How to Use Adapalene Gel With Moisturizer
Once you know where moisturizer fits into your routine, using the two together is pretty straightforward.
As part of your evening routine:
Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and let your skin dry.
Apply a pea-sized amount of adapalene gel and spread it evenly over your face.
Wait about 1–2 minutes for the adapalene to dry.
Follow with your moisturizer.
If you’re using moisturizer before adapalene or trying the sandwich method because your skin is sensitive, you can adjust the order based on what we covered above.
My Moisturizer Recommendations for Adapalene
If you’re looking for a moisturizer to pair with adapalene, I’d focus on formulas that give your skin plenty of hydration and help support your skin barrier.
These are three I’d recommend:
Naturium Marshmallow Root Barrier Balm is the option I’d reach for if adapalene is leaving your skin dry or flaky. It contains marshmallow root, centella asiatica, and colloidal oatmeal, with a rich texture that helps lock in moisture and support your skin barrier.
Medik8 Advanced Night Ceramide is my favorite moisturizer on this list, and I’ve repurchased it more than six times. It’s a rich ceramide cream that helps replenish your skin barrier, and it’s designed to pair well with vitamin A products, which makes it a great option to use with adapalene.
Skinfix Skin Barrier Restoring Gel Cream is a lighter option if you don’t want a rich cream on top of your adapalene. It has a fast-absorbing gel-cream texture that provides hydration while supporting your moisture barrier, making it a good fit for normal to combination skin.
Final Thoughts
Adapalene is one of those products where your routine around it matters almost as much as the product itself.
If your skin feels dry or uncomfortable, don’t assume you have to stop using it right away. Sometimes adding a richer moisturizer or changing the order you apply your products is enough to make a difference.
I’d start with adapalene followed by moisturizer and see how your skin responds.
You can always switch things around or try the sandwich method if you need a little more help with dryness.
It might take some trial and error, but once you figure out what your skin prefers, using adapalene gets a lot easier.
Cheers,