Good Active Ingredient Dermal Penetration

Adapalene

INCI: ADAPALENE

CAS Number
106685-40-9
Function
skin-conditioning, anti-aging
Safety Rating
GOOD

Regulatory Status

🇪🇺 EU Status restricted
EU Max Conc. 0.1%
🇺🇸 US Status permitted
US Notes 0.1% OTC approved for acne; 0.3% Rx. Anti-inflammatory retinoid with selective RAR binding.

For full compliance data across 55 jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.

Safety Data

Margin of Safety (MoS)
adequate
Dermal Absorption
moderate
Sensitization
low

Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.

Dermal Penetration Profile

Skin absorption and penetration characteristics of Adapalene, relevant to systemic exposure and MoS calculations.

Absorption %
4-8%
Penetration Level
epidermis
Penetration Depth
epidermis
Molecular Weight
412.5 Da
Log P
8.5
Systemic Absorption
minimal
Topical Bioavailability
2-6%
Safety Margin Factor
low
Vehicle Dependent
Yes — absorption varies by formulation

Source: FDA Dermatology

Expert Verdict

Third-generation synthetic retinoid selective for RAR-beta/gamma. Less irritating than tretinoin with added anti-inflammatory properties. 0.1% available OTC in the US for acne; strong anti-aging evidence at 0.3%. Preferred option for sensitive skin among retinoids.

⚠️
Concern Level: Low

Regulatory Flags

rx-only rar-selective lower-irritation

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Adapalene safe in cosmetics?

Third-generation synthetic retinoid selective for RAR-beta/gamma. Less irritating than tretinoin with added anti-inflammatory properties. 0.1% available OTC in the US for acne; strong anti-aging evidence at 0.3%. Preferred option for sensitive skin among retinoids. The EU classifies Adapalene as "restricted". Safety rating: GOOD.

Is Adapalene allowed in the EU?

Adapalene EU regulatory status: restricted. Maximum allowed concentration: 0.1%. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.

What does Adapalene do in cosmetics?

Adapalene functions as: skin-conditioning, anti-aging. It is classified as a Active Ingredient in our database. CAS number: 106685-40-9.

What is the Margin of Safety for Adapalene?

adequate The Margin of Safety (MoS) is calculated using SCCS methodology. A MoS above 100 is generally considered safe. Use the MoS Calculator tool to calculate MoS for your specific formulation and product category.

Compliance Tools

Check Adapalene compliance across multiple jurisdictions:

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Ingredient Decoder
Paste a full ingredient list for instant analysis
 🌸
82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
 🧪
Substance Compliance
Check compliance across 55 jurisdictions
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MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
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Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions

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