Adapalene

Adapalene is 阿达帕林 (ā dá pà lín) in Chinese, written 阿達帕林 in Traditional Chinese/Taiwan. It's a third-generation retinoid that speeds up cell turnover to treat acne and improve fine lines and texture, with less irritation than tretinoin.

No. It speeds up cell turnover, but long-term use actually improves skin thickness and elasticity. Early flaking comes from the faster turnover — a normal adjustment phase, not thinning skin.

You must. Adapalene increases UV sensitivity, so SPF 30+ is mandatory during the day. Use adapalene at night and sunscreen in the morning — don't mix them in the same application.

Acne typically improves in 4-8 weeks; fine lines and brightening take 8-12 weeks. Expect some flaking and mild redness in the first 1-2 weeks — that's the normal adjustment phase.

Yes — start low (around 0.1%), 2-3 times a week, and build frequency gradually. If your barrier is already damaged, spend about 3 months repairing it before introducing adapalene.

Better not. While on adapalene, keep the routine minimal: pause strong masks, exfoliants, and irritating essential oils. Moisturizer plus sunscreen is all you need.