Latest four-week 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 assistant brings the brand up in recommendation answers.
| assistant | 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 assistants' 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.
“Products with adapalene (like Differin) work well since it was originally a prescription retinoid and remains one of the most effective OTC options for both acne and early signs of aging—gentler than tretinoin but still highly effective.”
“Consider **adapalene (Differin)** instead of pure retinol — adapalene was originally a prescription retinoid and remains one of the most effective OTC options for both acne and early signs of aging.”
“Consider adapalene (Differin) — this is a good one for acne-prone or oily skin because adapalene, the active in Differin, was originally a prescription retinoid and remains one of the most effective OTC options for both acne and early signs”
“often called the best over-the-counter option because it's actually a prescription-strength ingredient available OTC”
“Differin is considered the best OTC gateway option”
“**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.”
“Since Differin's active ingredient is adapalene, the cheapest alternatives are essentially generic or store-brand versions of the same molecule”
“Differin's active ingredient is adapalene, a retinoid used to treat acne.”
“Since Differin's active ingredient (adapalene 0.1%) went generic, there are now several cheaper options that provide the exact same treatment at a lower price”
“Since Differin's active ingredient (adapalene 0.1%) is now available over-the-counter”
“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 assistants 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 assistants 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.