An over-the-counter retinoid gel containing 0.1% adapalene, designed to improve skin texture and reduce signs of aging.
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Guru Score
The Guru Score: every expert's verdict on a product, in one simple number.
Under the score you'll see how many experts weighed in, or "Early verdict" while only a few have. Paid takes count for half in the score.
Guru Certified means at least 6 experts, a score of 85% or more, and almost no Nays.
How we score →Yay
3 experts · Moderate agreementWhat the gurus are saying
Adapalene at 0.1% earns approval from dermatologists as an accessible over-the-counter retinoid option. The gurus welcomed Neutrogena's entry into this space, appreciating that people can now access a proven retinoid without a prescription. Those new to retinoids or with sensitive skin may want to start slowly, using it just a few times a week and gradually working up frequency as skin adjusts.
What they liked
What they flagged
Nothing. None of the experts who reviewed it raised a problem.
The concerns the experts tie this product to, in their own words. Paid and founder takes don't count.
“It's great for [...] fading and preventing dark spots, it's anti-inflammatory, and it can help with lightening age spots.”
Dr Dray, watch at 14:54
“It's also good for rough and bumpy skin texture because it may help normalize skin cell turnover, which leads to the buildup of dry rough bumps in the first place.”
Dr Dray, watch at 14:54
“In keratosis pilaris, using a retinoid is also a good idea.”
Dr Dray, watch at 14:54
Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.
Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.
An over-the-counter retinoid gel containing 0.1% adapalene, designed to improve skin texture and reduce signs of aging.
Yes. All 3 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 84%.
Neutrogena Adapalene 0.1% Gel holds a Guru Score of 84%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 3 expert reviewers we have collected.
Neutrogena Adapalene 0.1% Gel is generally suited to acne-prone skin and mature skin.
In their reviews, experts say Neutrogena Adapalene 0.1% Gel is good for dark spots and post-acne marks (1 expert), rough or uneven texture (1 expert) and keratosis pilaris (bumpy arms) (1 expert).
Lower-priced products in the same category that the experts still rate highly.
See how they stack up →Other products the same gurus have weighed in on, plus more from this brand and category.
Compare side by side →Stories where our editors dug into this product or its brand.
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