Can you use adapalene with hyaluronic acid?
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This is a helpful pairing. Adapalene dries skin out in the early weeks, and a plain hyaluronic acid is exactly the kind of moisturizer its label allows.
What each one does
What adapalene does
A retinoid sold without a prescription for acne (Differin 0.1%). Used once a day; dryness and redness are common at first.
Usual over-the-counter strength: 0.1%
What hyaluronic acid does
A humectant: it helps the top layer of skin hold water. Despite its name, it is not an exfoliating acid.
Usual over-the-counter strength: up to 2%
Myth: you must stop moisturizing while on adapalene
Its label says a moisturizer may help decrease dryness and irritation.
Why hyaluronic acid suits adapalene
Adapalene's redness and dryness are most likely in the first weeks and usually ease after about four weeks of steady use. Its FDA label says a moisturizer may help decrease that dryness and irritation, as long as you avoid moisturizers with glycolic or other alpha hydroxy acids. Hyaluronic acid fits: it works in cosmetics as a skin-conditioning agent and is known for its intense moisturizing qualities. Most products use it at about 0.2% to 1%, where it draws and holds water in the skin.
SourcesFDA label (DailyMed): adapalene gel 0.1%, OTC Drug Facts and leaflet (Dec. 2022)FDA label (DailyMed): Differin Gel, adapalene 0.1%Becker et al., Int J Toxicol, 2009 (CIR safety review)American Academy of Dermatology: How to pick the right moisturizer (Jan. 2022)Juncan et al., Molecules, 2021
Do you have to stop moisturizing on adapalene?
No, and that's a common myth. The adapalene label itself says a moisturizer may help decrease dryness and irritation. The one rule is to skip moisturizers that contain glycolic or other alpha hydroxy acids, which the label says to avoid. A plain hyaluronic acid has neither.
How to layer them
Use adapalene once daily. At night, put a thin layer on clean, dry skin, let it dry, then apply hyaluronic acid. In the morning, hyaluronic acid goes on after cleansing, followed by moisturizer and SPF; applying your moisturizer soon after washing helps lock in water. Add hyaluronic acid whenever skin feels dry. For the full sequence, see the routine order tool.
SourcesFDA label (DailyMed): adapalene gel 0.1%, OTC Drug Facts and leaflet (Dec. 2022)American Academy of Dermatology: How to pick the right moisturizer (Jan. 2022)
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Questions people ask
Can I use a hyaluronic acid serum with adapalene?
Yes. The adapalene label says a moisturizer may help with its dryness and irritation, and hyaluronic acid is a gentle skin-conditioning humectant. Just avoid any moisturizer that also contains glycolic or other alpha hydroxy acids.
SourcesFDA label (DailyMed): Differin Gel, adapalene 0.1%Becker et al., Int J Toxicol, 2009 (CIR safety review)
Do I put hyaluronic acid on before or after adapalene?
At night, apply a thin layer of adapalene to dry skin first, let it dry, then hyaluronic acid. In the morning, use hyaluronic acid after cleansing, then moisturizer and sunscreen.
SourcesFDA label (DailyMed): adapalene gel 0.1%, OTC Drug Facts and leaflet (Dec. 2022)American Academy of Dermatology: How to pick the right moisturizer (Jan. 2022)
Will moisturizing stop adapalene from working?
No. The label itself says a moisturizer may help decrease the dryness and irritation adapalene can cause, so keeping skin moisturized is encouraged, not a problem.
Is hyaluronic acid safe during pregnancy?
Reactions to hyaluronic acid are rare and it's considered safe to use if you're pregnant or nursing. Adapalene is the different part: most experts recommend stopping it during pregnancy. More in our pregnancy-safe check.
SourcesAmerican Academy of Dermatology: Dermatologist-approved pregnancy skin care (updated June 2025)Cleveland Clinic: Hyaluronic acid (updated May 2022)
American Academy of Dermatologyaad.org
- How to pick the right moisturizer
Creams add more moisture and preserve more water than lotion; hyaluronic acid is known for its intense moisturizing qualities. | A gel moisturizer for oily, acne-prone skin; non-comedogenic; dry skin should start with a cream, which adds more moisture than lotion; avoid fragrances if sensitive; hyaluronic acid is known for its intense moisturizing qualities; apply moisturizer right after the shower to prevent water loss. | Creams add more moisture and preserve more water than lotion; apply moisturizer right after the shower to prevent water loss; oily, acne-prone skin can opt for a gel; choose non-comedogenic.
- Dermatologist-approved pregnancy skin care (updated June 2025)
Over-the-counter skin care containing a retinoid like adapalene should not be used during pregnancy. | Retinol should not be used during pregnancy; a dermatologist recommends a vitamin C product in the morning. | Azelaic acid is thought to be safe to use during pregnancy. | A dermatologist recommends a vitamin C product in the morning and one containing glycolic acid in the evening; salicylic acid above 2% used sparingly. | Most experts recommend stopping adapalene and tretinoin during pregnancy. | Lists ingredients to avoid and to use sparingly in pregnancy; does not mention niacinamide or hyaluronic acid. | A dermatologist recommends applying a product containing vitamin C in the morning. | Use salicylic acid at high doses (greater than 2%) sparingly and discuss it with your dermatologist.
DailyMed, US National Library of Medicinedailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA label (DailyMed): Differin Gel, adapalene 0.1%
Moisturizer may help; avoid alpha hydroxy or glycolic acid products. Adapalene 0.1% (retinoid) for acne, ages 12 and up; once a day, never more; thin layer over the whole affected area, not a spot treatment; up to 3 months for results, ask a doctor if no improvement after 3 months; irritation most likely in the first weeks and usually improves after about 4 weeks; you may want to delay starting it until irritation from other products has gone away; acne may look worse before it improves; stop and ask a doctor if you become pregnant or plan to. | Irritation is more likely when using more than one topical acne medication; you may want to delay starting adapalene until irritation from other products has gone away.
Cleveland Clinicclevelandclinic.org
- Hyaluronic acid (updated May 2022)
Reactions are rare, and it's safe to use if you're pregnant or nursing. | Comes in supplements and pills; long-term use on skin or by mouth can improve overall skin health; reactions are rare and it's safe if you're pregnant or nursing.
Studies and other sources
- Becker et al., Int J Toxicol, 2009 (CIR safety review)doi.org
Hyaluronic acid works in cosmetics as a skin-conditioning agent.
- Juncan et al., Molecules, 2021mdpi.com
More than 95% of products contain sodium hyaluronate rather than hyaluronic acid; used at 0.2% to 1%; high-molecular-weight HA forms a moisturizing film, low-molecular-weight HA can raise skin moisture.