Peptide Skincare & BeautySkin science and ingredient guides

Ingredient or product comparison

Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment Versus Paula's Choice Resist Intensive Repair Cream

Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment Versus Paula's Choice Resist Intensive Repair Cream Detailed comparison of Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment versus Paula's Choice Resist Intensive Repair Cream. This acne treatment is formulated around Adapa

This source-based comparison does not add ratings or recommend a winner.

Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment Versus Paula's Choice Resist Intensive Repair Cream Detailed comparison of Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment versus Paula's Choice Resist Intensive Repair Cream. This acne treatment is formulated around Adapalene to clear breakouts and refine skin texture. This anti-aging moisturizer is formulated around Retinol and Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil to soften the look of wrinkles and hydrate skin. Adapalene 0.1% Carbomer Disodium EDTA Methylparaben Poloxamer 182 Propylene Glycol Water Sodium Hydroxide Adapalene 0.1%, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Methylparaben, Poloxamer 182, Propylene Glycol, Water, Sodium Hydroxide Ethylhexyl Stearate Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil Butylene Glycol Glycerin Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Petrolatum Cetearyl Alcohol Dimethicone Dipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate Glyceryl Stearate Tridecyl Trimellitate PEG-100 Stearate Phenyl Trimethicone Retinol Adenosine Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12 Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 Ceramide Ng Sodium Hyaluronate Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate Niacinamide Tocopherol Lecithin Linoleic Acid Linolenic Acid Retinyl Palmitate Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract Glycine Soja Sterols Tribehenin PEG-10 Phytosterol Magnesium Aluminum Silicate Sodium PCA Sodium Lactate Pullulan Xanthan Gum Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate Cetearyl Glucoside Tridecyl Stearate Behenyl Alcohol Sclerotium Gum C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate Polysorbate 20 Sorbic Acid Phenoxyethanol Chlorphenesin Benzoic Acid Water, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Petrolatum, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Dipentaerythrityl Hexacaprylate/Hexacaprate, Glyceryl Stearate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, PEG-100 Stearate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Retinol, Adenosine, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Ceramide Ng, Sodium Hyaluronate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Niacinamide, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Glycine Soja Sterols, Tribehenin, PEG-10 Phytosterol, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Sodium PCA, Sodium Lactate, Pullulan, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Tridecyl Stearate, Behenyl Alcohol, Sclerotium Gum, Carbomer, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polysorbate 20, Disodium EDTA, Sorbic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Benzoic Acid Be the first to review These ingredients are found in both products. Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount. Carbomer is a synthetic thickening and gelling agent. It's basically the ingredient that gives a lot of serums, gels, creams, and sunscreens their smooth, non-sticky texture. Although legally permitted at very high levels, carbomers are normally used at concentrations below 1%. It also needs to be neutralized to actually thicken, and because it is a large molecule, it doesn't really penetrate the skin barrier. Allergy-wise, the risk is very low. Clinical studies show carbomers have low potential for skin irritation/sensitization even at concentrations up to 100%. A 2024 UK study patch-tested 1,302 patients and found true allergy to the parent group of carbomer to be rare with no confirmed relevant reactions. Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air. This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with: On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it. One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin). Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption. You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%. Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective. In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline. Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated. "Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic. Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product. So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation. You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!