Adapalene is a topical retinoid — a vitamin-A-derived gel applied to the skin to treat acne. It works by normalising how skin cells shed inside pores, so blackheads and whiteheads stop forming, and by calming the inflammation that turns blocked pores into angry pimples. In Nigeria it sells as a 0.1% gel; internationally the best-known brand is Differin, and NAFDAC-registered equivalents here include Epiflin and Norbacare.
In the NAFDAC register
2 registered products
from 2 registration holders
What it costs online
Price varies — check with a pharmacy. This drug has not yet appeared in our fortnightly sampling of Nigerian online pharmacies.
Brands of Adapalene in Nigeria
Those 2 products from 2 registration holders include combination products and older listings; below are the most common brands.
| Brand Name | Manufacturer | Strength | Form | NAFDAC Reg. No. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epiflin | Akso Pharmaceutical Nigeria Limited | 0.1% (1 mg/g) | Gel | A4-101036 |
| Norbacare | Norbarc Pharmaceutical Limited | 0.1% | Gel | A4-100668 |
Adapalene Price in Nigeria
Our sampled online listings held no stable adapalene price this cycle, so we quote none. It sells as a 15–30g tube of 0.1% gel from pharmacies, with price varying by brand and import route. Ask a licensed pharmacy, and check the tube's NAFDAC registration before paying — acne products are a common target for unregistered imports.
We show a price here once it appears in our monthly sampling of Nigerian online pharmacies (MedPlus, HealthPlus), or when we have a reliable market figure. For now, confirm the current price directly with a licensed pharmacy.
How to Verify Your Adapalene is Genuine
- 1Check the tube and carton for the NAFDAC registration number — Epiflin gel carries A4-101036, Norbacare A4-100668
- 2Enter the number in our free NAFDAC checker and confirm it matches the product and maker printed on the pack
- 3Buy from a registered pharmacy — imported 'Differin' with no NAFDAC number on the pack cannot be verified here
- 4Be wary of any acne product that promises visible results in days: genuine retinoids take weeks, and the products that promise otherwise usually contain undeclared steroids
Where to Buy
Buying Adapalene by the carton
Cartons are bought at Nigeria's four open drug markets. Each guide names the sellers there you can contact, and how to buy safely:
No shop we list has Adapalene on its confirmed product list yet — the market guides still tell you where the trade happens and how to buy there safely.
Wherever you buy, buy only from licensed pharmacies and verified distributors — not roadside vendors — and verify the pack's NAFDAC registration before you pay. Buying Adapalene in bulk or for resale? See how to buy medicines in bulk in Nigeria safely.
Need Adapalene in bulk, or can't find it near you?
Tell us what you need and we'll connect you with a verified, NAFDAC-registered source.
What is Adapalene?
It is a treatment for the coming weeks' skin, not tonight's pimple: adapalene prevents new spots from forming, and the visible payoff arrives over 8–12 weeks of nightly use. Many people's skin looks slightly worse in weeks 2–4 before it looks better — a known settling-in effect, not a sign the gel is fake or failing.
Unlike the steroid combination creams widely sold in Nigerian markets, adapalene is actually meant for acne. Triple- and quadruple-action steroid creams make acne worse with continued use; adapalene is the evidence-backed alternative for pimples.
What is Adapalene used for?
In Nigeria, Adapalene is commonly used for:
- Mild to moderate acne — blackheads, whiteheads and inflamed pimples on the face, chest or back
- Keeping acne-prone skin clear with continued nightly use
- As the retinoid half of combination acne treatment (with benzoyl peroxide or an oral antibiotic) for more severe acne
Dosage
IMPORTANT
Always follow your doctor's or pharmacist's instructions. The information below is for general reference only.
Adults
Apply a thin layer to the whole acne-prone area (not just individual spots) once daily at night, on clean, dry skin. A pea-sized amount covers the face. Wash hands after applying. Expect 8–12 weeks of nightly use before judging whether it works; do not apply more often to speed it up — that only increases irritation.
Children
Suitable for teenagers with acne (12 years and older). Not for younger children except on a doctor's advice.
Elderly
Acne is uncommon after middle age — if new 'acne' appears later in life, see a pharmacist or doctor to check what it actually is before treating it.
Use a moisturiser (adapalene dries the skin, especially in the first weeks) and sunscreen or sun avoidance — treated skin burns more easily. Do not apply to broken skin, eczema or sunburn, and keep it away from eyes, lips and nostrils.
Side Effects
Common side effects
- •Dryness, peeling, mild burning or stinging where applied — usually worst in weeks 1–4, then settles
- •Redness and skin irritation
- •Temporary worsening of breakouts in the first month (the settling-in flare)
- •Increased sensitivity to sunlight
Serious side effects — seek medical help immediately
- Severe irritation, blistering or swelling — stop and see a pharmacist or doctor
- Allergic reaction: spreading rash, itching, swelling of the face
When to see a doctor
See a pharmacist or doctor if irritation is severe or not settling after the first month, if there is no improvement at all after 12 weeks of nightly use, or if acne is deep, scarring or cystic — that grade needs more than a gel.
Warnings & Precautions
Do not take Adapalene if you have:
- Known allergy to adapalene or any component of the gel
- Broken, eczematous or sunburnt skin
- Pregnancy — as a retinoid, adapalene is not recommended during pregnancy; tell your pharmacist if you are pregnant or planning to be
Drug interactions
- •Other drying or peeling products (strong soaps, alcohol-based toners, salicylic acid scrubs) — the irritation adds up; introduce one thing at a time
- •Waxing treated skin can tear it — avoid waxing areas under treatment
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Not recommended in pregnancy: although very little topical adapalene reaches the bloodstream, retinoids as a class are avoided while pregnant. While breastfeeding, avoid applying it on or near the chest and use only on a pharmacist's or doctor's advice.
Related Resources for Adapalene
Guides, articles, and tools related to Adapalene and other dermatology medicines in Nigeria.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
- •NAFDAC Greenbook — the official database of all products registered with Nigeria's National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control. Brand-level NAFDAC numbers for Adapalene on this page were cross-referenced against the Greenbook.
- •British National Formulary (BNF) dosing and interaction guidance for Adapalene.
- •Nigerian Standard Treatment Guidelines (Federal Ministry of Health).
Daily puzzle: Meddle — pair five brands with their medicines. New game at midnight.