Latest three-month snapshot through 2026-07-31 · 1 wave. Use the controls above to change the window.
Retinol · 1 wave · n=90 answers, pooled
How often each model brings the brand up in recommendation answers.
| model | share of voice | answers |
|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT | 50% | 15 of 30 |
| Claude | 47% | 14 of 30 |
| Gemini | 50% | 15 of 30 |
Wave-by-wave share of recommendation answers that named this brand.
| wave | share of voice | answers | change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-31 | 49% | 44 of 90 |
Recurring descriptions in the models' own words, grouped by theme.
“1% Adapalene**, a prescription-strength, third-generation synthetic retinoid.”
“Here is why Differin (which contains 0.1% Adapalene) is the superior choice over The Ordinary’s retinols:”
“While Differin (adapalene) is a highly effective, budget-friendly retinoid, it is FDA-approved and specifically optimized as an **acne treatment**.”
“* **Differin** is incredibly budget-friendly (typically $15–$30 for a tube that lasts months) and widely accessible.”
“**Differin Gel:** The original OTC brand, usually costing **$15 to $20** for a standard tube.”
“While Differin (adapalene) is a highly effective, budget-friendly retinoid, it is FDA-approved and specifically optimized as an **acne treatment**.”
“It is highly effective at clearing acne, promotes cell turnover, and is clinically proven to be much less irritating than tretinoin.”
“It is widely considered one of the most effective, budget-friendly, and clinically backed skincare products you can buy over the counter (OTC).”
“1% Adapalene**, a prescription-strength, third-generation synthetic retinoid.”
“While "retinol" is often used as a catch-all term, Differin contains **adapalene**, a third-generation, prescription-strength retinoid.”
128 exact quoted mentions in this snapshot, grouped by coded tone. Recent quotes are deduplicated and mixed across models.
“**Differin.** Here is why you should choose Differin (which contains **0.1% Adapalene**) over The Ordinary's retinol options:”
“It's adapalene 0.1%—an FDA-approved OTC topical retinoid with stronger clinical evidence than cosmetic retinol/retinal products, especially if acne, clogged pores, texture, or long-term skin maintenance are concerns.”
“It's available without a prescription in the U.S. (for example, generic adapalene 0.1% gel / Differin).”
“a gold standard OTC acne treatment also used off-label for anti-aging, and generally very well tolerated”
“Differin Gel (Adapalene 0.1%) – This became available OTC in the U.S. and is one of the closest OTC substitutes to a prescription retinoid, effective for acne.”
“roughly **$23.99 for 45 g** for branded Differin at Target”
“If your primary, stubborn goal is treating active, painful, inflammatory acne, choose **Differin Gel** instead.”
“Since Differin's active ingredient (adapalene 0.1%) is now available over-the-counter”
“or are you weighing it against a specific alternative (like adapalene/Differin or a retinol product)?”
“**If acne is your main goal:** consider **Differin Gel (adapalene 0.1%)** rather than cosmetic retinol. It's an OTC retinoid specifically for acne, but it can be more irritating, so start carefully.”
“Differin is adapalene, a stronger acne-specific retinoid—not really a standard retinol—and is more likely to cause an adjustment period of dryness and irritation.”
“Differin is incredibly potent and notoriously harsh. It frequently causes intense dryness, peeling, redness, and a severe "purging" phase where acne temporarily gets much worse.”
Which competitors models suggest when shoppers ask for something cheaper.
23 of 130 mentions appear alongside an identifiable web citation. Citation does not establish causation.
| cited source | mentions |
|---|---|
| today.com | 3 |
| skinsort.com | 3 |
| reddit.com | 3 |
| youtube.com | 2 |
| drugs.com | 2 |
| healthline.com | 2 |
| singlecare.com | 2 |
| aad.org | 1 |
| everydayhealth.com | 1 |
| janeyoomd.com | 1 |
| dermapproved.com | 1 |
| intothegloss.com | 1 |
Stores and sites models name as places to buy this brand.
| retailer | mentions |
|---|---|
| Differin (direct) | 5 |
| CVS | 3 |
| Walgreens | 3 |
| Amazon | 3 |
| Walmart | 1 |
Method: fixed shopper questions asked repeatedly to Claude, OpenAI GPT and Gemini with web search on. Shares are the percentage of recommendation answers mentioning the brand. Quotes are AI outputs; full transcripts are kept as receipts.