Is adapalene safe during pregnancy?
Tap your actives or paste a label. See what to avoid, with sources.
- 1Actives
- 2Sorted
- 3Your list
Not medical advice: bring it to your OB-GYN.
Not medical advice: bring it to your OB-GYN.
Three stamps. The cautious one wins.
Avoid while pregnant: an FDA label, the AAD, ACOG or a peer-reviewed review advises against it. Ask your doctor first: a source says to limit it or to check with a doctor, the sources we read disagree, or we found too little to go on. Generally considered OK: every source we read that covers it says it can be used. No stamp replaces your OB-GYN.
Three stamps. The cautious one wins.
Avoid while pregnant: an FDA label, the AAD, ACOG or a peer-reviewed review advises against it. Ask your doctor first: a source says to limit it or to check with a doctor, the sources we read disagree, or we found too little to go on. Generally considered OK: every source we read that covers it says it can be used. No stamp replaces your OB-GYN.
Everything in this tool, in full
Educational, not medical advice. Every line below points to the source it comes from — bring it to your doctor.
What the sources say
A retinoid you can buy without a prescription. The AAD says most experts recommend stopping it during pregnancy. Its Drug Facts label says to ask a doctor before use if you’re pregnant, and to stop and ask a doctor if you become pregnant.
SourcesAmerican Academy of Dermatology: Is any acne treatment safe to use during pregnancy?American Academy of Dermatology: Dermatologist-approved pregnancy skin care (updated June 2025)Differin Gel (adapalene 0.1%): Drug Facts label (DailyMed)MotherToBaby: Topical Acne Treatments (fact sheet, February 2026)
What about breastfeeding?
Its Drug Facts label says to ask a doctor before use if you’re breast-feeding.
SourcesAmerican Academy of Dermatology: Is any acne treatment safe to use during pregnancy?American Academy of Dermatology: Dermatologist-approved pregnancy skin care (updated June 2025)Differin Gel (adapalene 0.1%): Drug Facts label (DailyMed)MotherToBaby: Topical Acne Treatments (fact sheet, February 2026)
Why the label says “ask a doctor”
Differin Gel 0.1% became the first retinoid for acne sold without a prescription in July 2016, for ages 12 and up. When it approved the switch, the FDA noted that some other retinoid drugs have been shown to cause birth defects, that there are no adequate studies in pregnant women, and that there is no specific evidence that adapalene used on the skin as directed causes birth defects in humans. That is why the label asks pregnant, planning or breastfeeding women to check with a doctor first.
Acne options the sources call safer
For acne, ACOG says over-the-counter products with benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid, salicylic acid or glycolic acid can be used in pregnancy. The AAD says azelaic acid and clindamycin are thought to be safe, and that benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are fine in limited amounts, after you check with your doctor. A 2023 American Family Physician review calls topical benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid and antibiotics the preferred options.
SourcesAmerican Academy of Dermatology: Is any acne treatment safe to use during pregnancy?ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists): Skin Conditions During Pregnancy, patient FAQErlandson, Wertz & Rosenfeld, Common Skin Conditions During Pregnancy, Am Fam Physician, 2023
If you used it before you knew
MotherToBaby says only a small amount of topical acne treatments is absorbed, and that over-the-counter topical acne products haven’t been linked to more birth defects, though topical retinoids like adapalene are generally avoided. Its general advice: risk depends on the product, timing and amount, so call your provider rather than panic.
SourcesMotherToBaby: Topical Acne Treatments (fact sheet, February 2026)MotherToBaby blog: A Slippery Topic: The Use of Essential Oils during Pregnancy (2016)
Check your whole routine
One ingredient is a start. The pregnancy-safe skincare checker stamps every active you use — tap them or paste a label — each with the reason and its source. Educational, not medical advice.
One face scan. Your whole routine, sorted.
This page answered your question. MySkincare starts from your own skin, and the products you already use.
- 1Scan your face3 photos: front, left profile, right profile.
- 2See your skin scoreFree6 zones scored separately: forehead, eye area, T-zone, both cheeks, chin.
- 3Scan your productsIt reads each ingredient list and says: keep it, watch it or replace it.
- 4Follow your routineMorning and night, checked so your products work together. With reminders.
MySkincare reads the products you already use and builds a routine for your skin. It doesn’t judge whether an ingredient is pregnancy-safe — for that, this page and your OB-GYN or dermatologist are the guide.
Questions people ask
Is adapalene safe to use while pregnant?
A retinoid you can buy without a prescription. The AAD says most experts recommend stopping it during pregnancy. Its Drug Facts label says to ask a doctor before use if you’re pregnant, and to stop and ask a doctor if you become pregnant.
SourcesAmerican Academy of Dermatology: Is any acne treatment safe to use during pregnancy?American Academy of Dermatology: Dermatologist-approved pregnancy skin care (updated June 2025)Differin Gel (adapalene 0.1%): Drug Facts label (DailyMed)MotherToBaby: Topical Acne Treatments (fact sheet, February 2026)
Is adapalene safe while breastfeeding?
Its Drug Facts label says to ask a doctor before use if you’re breast-feeding.
SourcesAmerican Academy of Dermatology: Is any acne treatment safe to use during pregnancy?American Academy of Dermatology: Dermatologist-approved pregnancy skin care (updated June 2025)Differin Gel (adapalene 0.1%): Drug Facts label (DailyMed)MotherToBaby: Topical Acne Treatments (fact sheet, February 2026)
Is Differin safe during pregnancy?
Most experts recommend stopping it. The FDA said there are no adequate studies in pregnant women and no specific evidence that topical use as directed causes birth defects, but some other retinoids do, so the label says to ask a doctor.
SourcesAmerican Academy of Dermatology: Is any acne treatment safe to use during pregnancy?MDedge Dermatology News (July 2016): FDA approves first retinoid for OTC acne treatment, with the FDA’s statement
I used adapalene before I knew I was pregnant. Should I worry?
Stop and tell your OB-GYN. MotherToBaby says only a small amount of topical acne treatments gets absorbed and that over-the-counter topical acne products haven’t been linked to more birth defects.
SourceMotherToBaby: Topical Acne Treatments (fact sheet, February 2026)
Where can I check my whole routine?
Use the pregnancy-safe skincare checker: it stamps every active you use, with the reason and its source. It’s educational, not medical advice — bring the result to your OB-GYN or dermatologist.
SourceAmerican Academy of Dermatology: Is any acne treatment safe to use during pregnancy?
American Academy of Dermatologyaad.org
- Is any acne treatment safe to use during pregnancy?
Isotretinoin, tazarotene and spironolactone: never take during pregnancy; if you’re pregnant, stop them immediately. Doxycycline, minocycline or tetracycline: stop by your 15th week of pregnancy. Adapalene and tretinoin: most experts recommend stopping. Azelaic acid and clindamycin: thought to be safe. Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid: safe in limited amounts or for a limited time, ask first.
- Dermatologist-approved pregnancy skin care (updated June 2025)
Should not be used during pregnancy, because they can put your baby at risk of birth defects: retinoids (including OTC retinol and adapalene), hydroquinone, finasteride, spironolactone, tetracycline, doxycycline and minocycline, and 5-fluorouracil cream. Use sparingly: salicylic acid at high doses (greater than 2%), benzoyl peroxide, parabens, phthalates, phenol, triclosan, some essential oils. Mineral sunscreen, SPF 30+. Vitamin C in the morning, glycolic acid at night. No mention of niacinamide.
MotherToBabymothertobaby.org
- Topical Acne Treatments (fact sheet, February 2026)
Only a small amount is absorbed; OTC topical acne treatments haven’t been linked to more birth defects; topical retinoids like adapalene are generally avoided; breastfeeding: not well studied, keep off the nipple and areola.
- MotherToBaby blog: A Slippery Topic: The Use of Essential Oils during Pregnancy (2016)
For many products there is no information at all; skin use usually doesn’t lead to large absorption, but constant use, broken skin and large areas raise it; risk depends on the product, timing and amount; if you used something, call your provider rather than panic.
DailyMed, US National Library of Medicinedailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- Differin Gel (adapalene 0.1%): Drug Facts label (DailyMed)
“If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a doctor before use”; stop and ask a doctor if you become pregnant or plan to.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologistsacog.org
- Skin Conditions During Pregnancy, patient FAQ
Over-the-counter products with benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid, salicylic acid or glycolic acid can be used; use of topical retinoids is generally avoided, and some OTC products contain them; isotretinoin should not be used; melasma and daily sunscreen.
Studies and other sources
- MDedge Dermatology News (July 2016): FDA approves first retinoid for OTC acne treatment, with the FDA’s statementmdedge.com
Differin Gel 0.1% approved without a prescription for ages 12 and up in July 2016; FDA: some other retinoids cause birth defects, no adequate studies in pregnant women, no specific evidence that topical use as directed causes birth defects; ask a doctor if pregnant, planning or breastfeeding.
- Erlandson, Wertz & Rosenfeld, Common Skin Conditions During Pregnancy, Am Fam Physician, 2023aafp.org
Topical benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid and antibiotics are preferred and considered safe for acne; melasma (mask of pregnancy) affects up to 75% of patients and resolves after delivery in 90%; broad-spectrum sunscreen; tretinoin and hydroquinone are melasma options after delivery; stretch-mark creams have limited evidence, with a modest benefit from Centella asiatica or hyaluronic acid plus daily massage.