Head to head
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1%.
The bottom lineDifferin Adapalene Gel 0.1% and The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% land in much the same place on performance, so value decides it: Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% does the same job for less.
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% keeps clear of pregnancy-flagged actives, while Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% carries one that is best paused in pregnancy.
Which should you pick?
Pick Adapalene Gel 0.1% if
- plump, lasting hydration is what you want
- fine lines and firmness are the goal
- you want the more affordable option
Pick Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% if
- your barrier feels stressed and needs the support
- dark spots, dullness or an uneven tone are your focus
- you are pregnant or breastfeeding
What each delivers
Side by side
| Adapalene Gel 0.1% | Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Serum | Serum |
| Key actives | Adapalene | Azelaic Acid, Isohexadecane, Vitamin E |
| Texture | A light, fast-absorbing texture that layers cleanly under the rest of your routine, with no greasy film. | A light, fast-absorbing texture that layers cleanly under the rest of your routine, with no greasy film. |
| Fragrance | None detected | None detected |
| Fungal-acne safe | Likely | Not likely |
| Pregnancy | One caution | No flagged actives |
| Ingredients | 8 listed | 17 listed |
| Price | ~€17 | ~€23 |
What's in one but not the other
Only in Adapalene Gel 0.1%
Both share
No active in common.
Only in Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
The molecule doing the work
Better for…
- Dark spots & uneven toneAzelaic Acid Suspension 10%
- Fine lines & firmnessAdapalene Gel 0.1%
- Breakouts & congestionEither works
- Dryness & dehydrationAdapalene Gel 0.1%
- Sensitive, reactive skinAzelaic Acid Suspension 10%
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% is the cheaper of the two (~€17 vs ~€23).
Ready to pick one?
Affiliate links, so a purchase sends us a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Glow Simplified earns from qualifying purchases. We make and sell nothing here, so the verdict above never bends toward a sale.
Common questions
Is Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% or The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% better for dark spots & uneven tone?
For dark spots & uneven tone, The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% is the stronger pick by our read of the two formulas. Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% and The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% land in much the same place on performance, so value decides it: Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% does the same job for less. The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% keeps clear of pregnancy-flagged actives, while Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% carries one that is best paused in pregnancy.
Which is cheaper, Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% or The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%?
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% is the cheaper of the two (~€17 vs ~€23).
Can I use Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% and The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% together?
They are both serums, so you would normally pick one rather than layer both in the same step. You can keep both and alternate them (morning and night, or on different days) if you like variety, but you do not need two.
Compare it with…
All 48 comparisons
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 10
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs Medik8 Liquid Peptides
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs Torriden DIVE-IN Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Serum
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs iUNIK Beta Glucan Power Moisture Serum
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs The Ordinary GF 15% Solution
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 10
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs Medik8 Liquid Peptides
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs Torriden DIVE-IN Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Serum
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs iUNIK Beta Glucan Power Moisture Serum
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs The Ordinary GF 15% Solution
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum