What is the Difference Between Adapalene and Benzoyl Peroxide

The key difference between adapalene and benzoyl peroxide is that adapalene is a retinoid, whereas benzoyl peroxide is an antibiotic and skin-peeling agent.

Adapalene and benzoyl peroxide are well-known medications in treating acne skin. They both show considerable results, but there are some differences between these two chemicals.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Adapalene
3. What is Benzoyl Peroxide
4. Adapalene vs Benzoyl Peroxide in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Adapalene vs Benzoyl Peroxide

What is Adapalene?

Adapalene is a type of topical retinoid that is useful in treating mild to moderate acne and can be used as an off-label medicine to treat keratosis pilaris and some other skin conditions. This medicine is considered to be the least effective medicine among other topical retinoids we use to treat acne vulgaris. However, it has some advantages over retinoids as it is more stable and can lead to fewer concerns towards photodegradation. Further, this compound is more chemically stable and usually is used as a first-line agent.

The trade names for adapalene include Differin, Pimpal, Gallet, Adelene, and Adeferin. Its bioavailability is very low, and its excretion occurs through bile. The chemical formula of adapalene is C28H28O3 and its molar mass is 412.52 g/mol.

The most common side effects of adapalene include photosensitivity, irritation, redness, dryness, itching, and burning. These are mild and common side effects that tend to decrease over time. Severe allergic reactions are rare for this medicine.

What is Benzoyl Peroxide?

Benzoyl peroxide is an organic compound having the chemical formula C₁₄H₁₀O₄. There are two major applications of this compound; as medication and as an industrial chemical. The molar mass is 242.33 g/mol. It has a melting point in the range of 103 to 105 °C. However, it tends to undergo decomposition. It is water-insoluble because it cannot form hydrogen bonds with water molecules.

This compound is a major ingredient in medication and cosmetics that we use to treat acne. We use it to treat mild or moderate acne conditions. Other than that, we use this compound as bleaching flour, for hair bleaching purposes, teeth whitening, textile bleaching purposes, etc. There are some side effects of using benzoyl peroxide, such as skin irritation, dryness, peeling, etc.

What is the Difference Between Adapalene and Benzoyl Peroxide?

Adapalene and benzoyl peroxide are well-known medications in treating acne skin. They both show considerable results, but there are some differences between these two chemicals. The key difference between adapalene and benzoyl peroxide is that adapalene is a retinoid, whereas benzoyl peroxide is an antibiotic and skin-peeling agent. Moreover, benzoyl peroxide is comparatively more effective against acne than adapalene. In addition, adapalene is available only with a prescription, while benzoyl peroxide is available over the counter, without a prescription.

The following table summarizes the difference between adapalene and benzoyl peroxide.

Summary – Adapalene vs Benzoyl Peroxide

Adapalene and benzoyl peroxide are well-known medications in treating acne skin. They both show considerable results, but there are some differences between these two chemicals. The key difference between adapalene and benzoyl peroxide is that adapalene is a retinoid, whereas benzoyl peroxide is an antibiotic and skin-peeling agent. Moreover, adapalene is available only with a prescription while benzoyl peroxide is available over the counter, without a prescription.

Reference:

1. “Adapalene vs. BENZOYL Peroxide: Side Effects & Dosage for Acne Cream.” MedicineNet, MedicineNet, 14 Dec. 2017.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Adapalene structure” By Vaccinationist – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Benzoyl peroxide gel” By Obli at the English-language Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia