What Differin does

Differin is an over-the-counter skincare brand wholly owned by Galderma, the Swiss dermatology pharmaceutical major (US operating entity: Galderma Laboratories, L.P., headquartered in Fort Worth, TX). The brand is built around a single proprietary active ingredient — adapalene 0.1%, a third-generation topical retinoid originally FDA-approved in 1996 as a prescription therapy and re-approved in 2016 as the first new OTC acne active ingredient in over 30 years. Adapalene works through retinoid acid receptors (RARs) to regulate epidermal cell proliferation and differentiation, and is structurally stable to light and oxygen due to its naphthoic acid aromatic rings, which differentiates it from older retinoids on tolerability and formulation flexibility.

The product portfolio has expanded well beyond the flagship Differin Gel into a full acne-care regimen: benzoyl peroxide spot treatments, body washes/sprays/scrubs, daily and maximum-strength foaming cleansers, a pore-minimizing witch-hazel toner, an oil-absorbing SPF 30 moisturizer, salicylic-acid and hydrocolloid pimple patches (Power Patch Fast Fix and Skin Restore), and a post-acne range (Dark Spot Correcting Serum with 4% niacinamide, Resurfacing Scar Gel with bakuchiol and peptides). Epiduo Acne Gel, combining adapalene with benzoyl peroxide, extends the portfolio into combination therapy. The line targets primarily adults with mild-to-moderate acne — particularly women aged 20+, a segment estimated at 35.4 million US sufferers versus 19.5 million teens — with 64% of people in their 20s and 43% in their 30s experiencing acne.

Differin operates a direct-to-consumer e-commerce model (differin.com) alongside broad retail distribution through Amazon (including exclusive bundle kits), drugstores, mass merchants, and department stores. Revenue is generated through one-time product purchases (no disclosed subscription model despite "subscription options" mentioned in product pages). Marketing is concentrated in organic social (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube), content/education, influencer partnerships, and a dedicated healthcare-professional portal that funnels dermatologist recommendations into consumer trial. The brand is part of Galderma's broader OTC skincare portfolio alongside Cetaphil and is not independently capitalized — no venture funding, public listing, or M&A activity is associated with the brand.

Name

Differin

Legal name

Galderma Laboratories, L.P.

Website

https://differin.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Differin is a Galderma-owned OTC skincare brand selling acne-treatment products headlined by Differin Gel (0.1% adapalene), the first FDA-approved OTC retinoid for acne, distributed through retail, Amazon, and direct e-commerce to adult acne sufferers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

OTC Acne Treatment Skincare

NAICS

Health and Personal Care Retailers (456), Cosmetics, Beauty Supplies, and Perfume Retailers (456120)

SIC

Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844)

akta.pro primary industry

Treatment Skincare (Serums, Actives, Acne & Anti-aging) (CRABAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dermatology OTC & Skin Health (Acne Treatments, Eczema/Psoriasis OTC, Antifungals, Wart Removal) (CRADAMAF), Sensitive Skin & Barrier Repair (CRABAAAG)

Keywords

• Acne treatment products
• Retinoid skincare
• OTC dermatology
• Adapalene gel
• Skincare regimen

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Worth

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Personnel

Revenue model

1. OTC Skincare Products: Differin generates revenue through the sale of over-the-counter skincare and acne treatment products, including the flagship Differin Gel (adapalene 0.1%), cleansers, moisturizers, spot treatments, and patches. Products are sold as one-time purchases through retail and e-commerce channels.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Differin develops, manufactures, and sells over-the-counter retinoid acne treatment products under the Differin brand, owned by Galderma Laboratories, L.P. The flagship product is Differin Gel containing adapalene 0.1%, the first FDA-approved OTC retinoid acne treatment in more than 30 years. The portfolio extends across acne treatments, cleansers, toners, moisturizers with SPF, pimple patches, and post-acne treatments (dark spot and scar care).

Product overview

Differin is a skincare brand offering a comprehensive portfolio of OTC acne treatment and skincare products centered around adapalene, a prescription-strength retinoid now available without prescription. The core product is Differin Gel (0.1% adapalene), which was the first new FDA-approved OTC active ingredient for acne in over 30 years when launched. The product line spans multiple categories including acne treatments (Differin Gel, Epiduo Acne Gel, benzoyl peroxide spot treatments, body sprays/washes/scrubs), cleansers and toners (benzoyl peroxide cleansers, hydrating cleanser, brightening exfoliator, pore minimizing toner), moisturizers (oil absorbing moisturizer with SPF 30), pimple patches (Power Patch Fast Fix and Skin Restore), and post-acne treatments (Dark Spot Correcting Serum, Resurfacing Scar Gel). Products are designed to work together as a complete skincare regimen targeting acne-prone skin.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Differin 0.1% Adapalene Gel Treatment Flagship OTC retinoid acne treatment containing adapalene 0.1% for adults seeking prescription-strength acne treatment without a doctor's visit.
• Differin Epiduo Acne Gel Acne treatment gel combining adapalene with benzoyl peroxide for enhanced acne clearing.
• 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Spot Treatment Targeted spot treatment for individual acne blemishes using maximum strength benzoyl peroxide.
• Acne-Clearing Body Spray Body spray treatment for clearing acne on larger body areas.
• Acne-Clearing Body Wash Body wash formulation designed to clear acne while cleansing skin.
• Acne-Clearing Body Scrub Body scrub for acne-prone skin that exfoliates while treating acne.
• 3-Piece Acne Regimen Kit (Amazon Exclusive) Complete acne treatment regimen bundle including core Differin products for a full skincare routine.
• 5% Benzoyl Peroxide Daily Deep Cleanser Daily facial cleanser with 5% benzoyl peroxide for deep cleansing of acne-prone skin.
• 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Maximum Strength Acne Foaming Cleanser Maximum strength foaming cleanser with 10% benzoyl peroxide for severe acne.
• Daily Oil-Free Hydrating Cleanser Hydrating cleanser that removes surface oil and impurities while maintaining skin moisture.
• Differin Pore Minimizing Toner with Witch Hazel Alcohol-free toner with witch hazel that reduces excess surface oil, minimizes pores, and preps skin for Differin Gel.
• Daily Brightening Exfoliator Gentle dual-action facial scrub with salicylic acid and jojoba beads that exfoliates and brightens skin while improving tone and texture.
• Oil Absorbing Moisturizer with SPF 30 Oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizer with broad spectrum SPF 30 UVA/UVB protection featuring micropearl technology to absorb surface oil.
• Power Patch Fast Fix Acne patches formulated with salicylic acid designed to shrink emerging acne with visible results in 6 hours, featuring triple-action technology to flatten, soothe, and protect early-stage pimples.
• Power Patch Skin Restore Hydrocolloid pimple patches with zinc hyaluronate and niacinamide designed to absorb impurities, reduce redness, and restore skin while conditioning the area for smoother appearance.
• Dark Spot Correcting Serum Serum with 4% niacinamide and skin brightening botanicals to reduce post-acne marks and prevent new dark spots from forming.
• Resurfacing Scar Gel Post-acne scar treatment with bakuchiol and peptides that promotes surface cell turnover to improve uneven skin and minimize the appearance of scars.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 87% acne reduction by week 12 of treatment
• +3 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Galderma Laboratories, L.P.coreOthersGalderma Laboratories, L.P. is the parent company and manufacturer of Differin products. Galderma is a pharmaceutical company specializing in dermatology, and Differin operates as a brand within their OTC skincare portfolio. Galderma is a US affiliate of Galderma SA.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Proactiv: Proactiv is a leading direct-to-consumer and retail acne treatment brand built around benzoyl peroxide regimens. It competes head-to-head with Differin in the OTC acne category and targets a similar adult and teen customer base.
• CeraVe: CeraVe (owned by L'Oréal) is a dermatologist-developed skincare brand offering cleansers, moisturizers, and acne treatments including benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid regimens. It directly competes with Differin across cleansers, treatments, and moisturizers.
• La Roche-Posay: La Roche-Posay (L'Oréal) is a pharmacy-dispensed dermatologist skincare brand with a strong acne and post-acne portfolio (Effaclar line). It competes with Differin on dermatologist endorsement, drugstore shelf space, and clinical positioning.
• Paula's Choice: Paula's Choice is a clinical skincare brand known for BHA/AHA exfoliants and acne treatments. It competes with Differin in the actives-driven adult acne segment with a comparable DTC-plus-retail model.
• The Ordinary: The Ordinary (DECIEM, owned by Estée Lauder) is a clinical-actives brand offering affordable serums and treatments including retinoids and acids. It competes directly with Differin's Dark Spot Correcting Serum and Differin Gel on price and active-ingredient positioning.
• Cetaphil: Cetaphil is Differin's sister brand under Galderma, offering gentle cleansers and moisturizers. The two brands are co-marketed and share Galderma's dermatology distribution, making Cetaphil a closely related OTC skincare peer.
• Murad: Murad is a clinical skincare brand focused on acne, aging, and post-acne treatments sold through DTC, spa, and retail. It overlaps with Differin's acne and post-acne (dark spot, scar) positioning.
• Clean & Clear: Clean & Clear (Kenvue) is a mass-market acne and skincare brand targeting younger consumers. It competes with Differin in the OTC acne category, particularly in the mass-merchant and drugstore channel.

Broad incumbents

• Neutrogena: Neutrogena (Kenvue, spun off from J&J) is a mass-market skincare incumbent with a broad acne portfolio including benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid treatments. It competes with Differin across drugstore and mass channels.
• SkinCeuticals: SkinCeuticals (L'Oréal) is a professional-grade skincare brand with dermatologist-led acne, post-acne, and corrective serums. It competes with Differin in the clinical post-acne and dark-spot treatment segment via dermatologists and medical channels.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/DifferinUS
• Facebookfacebook.com/@differinus
• Instagraminstagram.com/differin

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Differin