Galderma’s Differin Gel 0.1% (adapalene) is now available over the counter (OTC) at major retail and drug stores.

Galderma officially launched the gel at a New York City media fete, and the skin care company came out of the gate in a very big way --a new commercial, a splashy digital campaign, a celebrity spokesperson and of course, a hashtag -- #differin. The coming-out party was appropriately held at the Nestle Skin Health SHIELD (Skin Health Investigation, Education and Longevity Development) Center in Manhattan, and celebrity spokesperson Ashley Benson, star of Pretty Little Liars, opened up abut her struggle with acne.

Differin Gel 0.1% (adapalene) was approved for over-the-counter use in July 2016, and has been available in stores since Jan. 2017.  In addition to the gel, the new OTC line includes Differin® Balancing Moisturizer and Differin® Balancing Cleanser.

Adam Friedman, MD, FAAD, associate professor of dermatology in the department of dermatology, Residency Program Director and Director of Translational Research at George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, DC, was on hand to discuss some of the commonalties seen in acne patients like Benson and why having an OTC retinoid is so significant.

“Every acne patient is unique but there are some commonalities including frustration,” he says. Patients are often frustrated that they are still breaking out even when their teen years are long gone, and they are also often disheartened that insurers wont cover the costs of their acne prescriptions, he says.

Access is the real game change, he says of the new Differin OTC gel. “Retinoids get into the skin where they tame inflammation and prevent clogged pores in the first place,” he says.

Benson has always been public about her skin woes, often posting "zit" selfies.

“Make-up takes a huge toll on the skin. By the end of the night, I can scrape off my makeup. It’s horrible,” she told the crowd. Benson has been using the new Differin line on her “super-sensitive skin” and says its working.

Differin® Gel will retail for around $13.99 for .05 oz. (up to 30 day use) 
and $29.99 for 1.6 oz. (up to 90 day use).