Inactive ingredients by manufacturer

Adapalene inactive ingredients by manufacturer

Wondering whether your Adapalene has lactose, gluten, soy, a dye or gelatin in it? The medicine is the same, but the fillers, coatings and colors differ from one company to the next. This page shows what each Adapalene product's FDA label lists, so you can find a version that leaves out what you avoid and ask your pharmacist for it by its NDC.

We have read the FDA labels of 36 of the 51 current Adapalene products on the market today, from 35 companies listing it with the FDA, and lined them up side by side. 15 are still being read and will appear on a later visit.

Ask about your bottle

Is there something in your Adapalene? Ask in plain words.

Name the company, strength or the NDC on your bottle and the ingredient you avoid. The answer comes only from the FDA labels on this page.

Answers are drawn from the FDA label data on this page and checked against it. They are not medical advice: confirm with your pharmacist before relying on them.

The short answer

Which Adapalene products list lactose, a gluten source, soy, dyes or gelatin?

  1. LactoseNo checked product

    No checked Adapalene product lists lactose.

  2. Wheat or gluten sourceNo checked product

    No checked Adapalene product lists a wheat or gluten source.

  3. SoyNo checked product

    No checked Adapalene product lists soy.

  4. Synthetic dyesNo checked product

    No checked Adapalene product lists synthetic dyes.

  5. GelatinNo checked product

    No checked Adapalene product lists gelatin.

Also listed by some products: Alcohol 1 of 36 Benzyl alcohol 4 of 36 Propylene glycol 33 of 36 PEG or polysorbate 34 of 36 Sugar 2 of 36

Find a version without it

Every current Adapalene product and what its label lists

Hide products that list:

ProductListsInactive ingredients on the label
Actavis Pharma, Inc. 1 product
3 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 00472-0126-45 Still being read Not read yet
Alchemee, LLC 1 product
0.1 g/100 g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 11410-0958-15 Propylene glycol Polyethylene glycol or polysorbate
Show 7 ingredients

CARBOMER HOMOPOLYMER TYPE C (ALLYL PENTAERYTHRITOL CROSSLINKED), EDETATE DISODIUM, PHENOXYETHANOL, POLOXAMER 182, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, WATER
Alembic Pharmaceuticals Inc. 1 product
3 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 62332-0549-15 Propylene glycol Polyethylene glycol or polysorbate
Show 8 ingredients

CARBOMER HOMOPOLYMER TYPE C, EDETATE DISODIUM, HYDROCHLORIC ACID, METHYLPARABEN, POLOXAMER 124, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, WATER
Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited 1 product
3 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 46708-0549-15 Propylene glycol Polyethylene glycol or polysorbate
Show 8 ingredients

CARBOMER HOMOPOLYMER TYPE C, EDETATE DISODIUM, HYDROCHLORIC ACID, METHYLPARABEN, POLOXAMER 124, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, WATER
Amerisource Bergen 1 product
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 46122-0768-36 Propylene glycol Polyethylene glycol or polysorbate
Show 7 ingredients

CARBOMER HOMOPOLYMER TYPE C (ALLYL PENTAERYTHRITOL CROSSLINKED), EDETATE DISODIUM, PHENOXYETHANOL, POLOXAMER 182, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, WATER
Bryant Ranch Prepack 2 products
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 72162-1048-02 Sugar (sucrose, dextrose)
Show 10 ingredients

CARBOMER HOMOPOLYMER TYPE B (ALLYL SUCROSE CROSSLINKED), CYCLOMETHICONE, EDETATE DISODIUM, GLYCERIN, METHYLPARABEN, PHENOXYETHANOL, PROPYLPARABEN, SQUALENE, TROLAMINE, WATER
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 63629-8791-01 Still being read Not read yet
CALL INC. (dba Rochester Pharmaceuticals) 1 product
1 mg/mL ointment or gel topical creamNDC 49908-0118-14 Alcohol (ethanol) Polyethylene glycol or polysorbate
Show 2 ingredients

ALCOHOL, POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL 400
Cardinal Health 1 product
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 70000-0666-01 Still being read Not read yet
Crown Laboratories 2 products
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 00316-0143-15 Propylene glycol Polyethylene glycol or polysorbate
Show 7 ingredients

CARBOMER HOMOPOLYMER TYPE C (ALLYL PENTAERYTHRITOL CROSSLINKED), EDETATE DISODIUM, METHYLPARABEN, POLOXAMER 182, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, WATER
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 00316-0284-15 Propylene glycol Polyethylene glycol or polysorbate
Show 7 ingredients

CARBOMER HOMOPOLYMER TYPE C (ALLYL PENTAERYTHRITOL CROSSLINKED), EDETATE DISODIUM, PHENOXYETHANOL, POLOXAMER 182, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, WATER
CVS Pharmacy 1 product
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 69842-0088-05 Still being read Not read yet
Cvs Pharmacy, Inc 2 products
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 51316-0114-05 Propylene glycol Polyethylene glycol or polysorbate
Show 7 ingredients

CARBOMER HOMOPOLYMER TYPE C (ALLYL PENTAERYTHRITOL CROSSLINKED), EDETATE DISODIUM, METHYLPARABEN, POLOXAMER 182, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, WATER
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 51316-0219-05 Benzyl alcohol Propylene glycol Polyethylene glycol or polysorbate
Show 8 ingredients

BENZYL ALCOHOL, CARBOMER HOMOPOLYMER TYPE C (ALLYL PENTAERYTHRITOL CROSSLINKED), EDETATE DISODIUM, HYDROCHLORIC ACID, POLOXAMER 182, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, WATER
Dolgencorp, Inc. (DOLLAR GENERAL & REXALL) 1 product
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 55910-0880-05 Propylene glycol Polyethylene glycol or polysorbate
Show 7 ingredients

CARBOMER HOMOPOLYMER TYPE C (ALLYL PENTAERYTHRITOL CROSSLINKED), EDETATE DISODIUM, METHYLPARABEN, POLOXAMER 182, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, WATER
E. Fougera & Co. a division of Fougera Pharmaceuticals, LLC 1 product
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 00168-0424-46 Sugar (sucrose, dextrose)
Show 10 ingredients

CARBOMER HOMOPOLYMER TYPE B (ALLYL SUCROSE CROSSLINKED), CYCLOMETHICONE, EDETATE DISODIUM, GLYCERIN, METHYLPARABEN, PHENOXYETHANOL, PROPYLPARABEN, SQUALENE, TROLAMINE, WATER
Galderma Laboratories, L.P. 2 products
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 00299-4910-00 Propylene glycol Polyethylene glycol or polysorbate
Show 8 ingredients

CARBOMER HOMOPOLYMER TYPE C (ALLYL PENTAERYTHRITOL CROSSLINKED), EDETATE DISODIUM, HYDROCHLORIC ACID, METHYLPARABEN, POLOXAMER 182, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, WATER
3 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 00299-5918-02 Still being read Not read yet
Glenmark Therapeutics Inc., Usa 1 product
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 72657-0158-15 Propylene glycol Polyethylene glycol or polysorbate
Show 7 ingredients

CARBOMER HOMOPOLYMER TYPE C (ALLYL PENTAERYTHRITOL CROSSLINKED), EDETATE DISODIUM, PHENOXYETHANOL, POLOXAMER 182, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, WATER
Kenvue Brands LLC 3 products
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 69968-0826-01 Propylene glycol Polyethylene glycol or polysorbate
Show 8 ingredients

CARBOMER HOMOPOLYMER TYPE C, EDETATE DISODIUM, HYDROCHLORIC ACID, METHYLPARABEN, POLOXAMER 182, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, WATER
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 69968-1004-02 Still being read Not read yet
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 69968-0945-02 Propylene glycol Polyethylene glycol or polysorbate
Show 8 ingredients

CARBOMER HOMOPOLYMER TYPE C, EDETATE DISODIUM, HYDROCHLORIC ACID, METHYLPARABEN, POLOXAMER 182, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, WATER
Little Pharma, Inc. 1 product
0.1 g/100 g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 72559-0015-13 Propylene glycol Polyethylene glycol or polysorbate
Show 7 ingredients

CARBOMER HOMOPOLYMER TYPE C (ALLYL PENTAERYTHRITOL CROSSLINKED), EDETATE DISODIUM, METHYLPARABEN, POLOXAMER 182, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, WATER
LOreal USA Products Inc 3 products
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 49967-0591-01 Still being read Not read yet
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 49967-0354-01 Still being read Not read yet
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 49967-0592-01 Still being read Not read yet
Mayne Pharma Commercial LLC. 1 product
3 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 68308-0666-25 Propylene glycol Polyethylene glycol or polysorbate
Show 8 ingredients

Carbomer Homopolymer Type C, Edetate Disodium, Hydrochloric Acid, Methylparaben, Poloxamer 124, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Water
Meijer, Inc. 1 product
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 41250-0288-05 Still being read Not read yet
Meijer Distribution Inc. 2 products
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 79481-1140-05 Propylene glycol Polyethylene glycol or polysorbate
Show 7 ingredients

CARBOMER HOMOPOLYMER TYPE C (ALLYL PENTAERYTHRITOL CROSSLINKED), EDETATE DISODIUM, METHYLPARABEN, POLOXAMER 182, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, WATER
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 79481-2210-05 Benzyl alcohol Propylene glycol Polyethylene glycol or polysorbate
Show 8 ingredients

BENZYL ALCOHOL, CARBOMER HOMOPOLYMER TYPE C (ALLYL PENTAERYTHRITOL CROSSLINKED), EDETATE DISODIUM, HYDROCHLORIC ACID, POLOXAMER 182, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, WATER
P & L Development, LLC 1 product
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 59726-0114-05 Propylene glycol Polyethylene glycol or polysorbate
Show 7 ingredients

CARBOMER HOMOPOLYMER TYPE C (ALLYL PENTAERYTHRITOL CROSSLINKED), EDETATE DISODIUM, METHYLPARABEN, POLOXAMER 182, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, WATER
Padagis Israel Pharmaceuticals Ltd 1 product
0.1 g/100 g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 45802-0453-84 Still being read Not read yet
Rite Aid 1 product
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 11822-0062-01 Propylene glycol Polyethylene glycol or polysorbate
Show 7 ingredients

CARBOMER HOMOPOLYMER TYPE C (ALLYL PENTAERYTHRITOL CROSSLINKED), EDETATE DISODIUM, PHENOXYETHANOL, POLOXAMER 182, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, WATER
Rugby Laboratories, Inc. 1 product
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 00536-1412-20 Propylene glycol Polyethylene glycol or polysorbate
Show 7 ingredients

CARBOMER HOMOPOLYMER TYPE C (ALLYL PENTAERYTHRITOL CROSSLINKED), EDETATE DISODIUM, PHENOXYETHANOL, POLOXAMER 182, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, WATER
Safeway, Inc. 1 product
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 21130-0754-05 Propylene glycol Polyethylene glycol or polysorbate
Show 8 ingredients

CARBOMER HOMOPOLYMER TYPE C (ALLYL PENTAERYTHRITOL CROSSLINKED), EDETATE DISODIUM, HYDROCHLORIC ACID, METHYLPARABEN, POLOXAMER 182, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, WATER
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. 2 products
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 51672-2150-01 Propylene glycol Polyethylene glycol or polysorbate
Show 7 ingredients

CARBOMER HOMOPOLYMER TYPE C (ALLYL PENTAERYTHRITOL CROSSLINKED), EDETATE DISODIUM, PHENOXYETHANOL, POLOXAMER 182, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, WATER
3 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 51672-1377-06 Propylene glycol Polyethylene glycol or polysorbate
Show 7 ingredients

CARBOMER HOMOPOLYMER TYPE C (ALLYL PENTAERYTHRITOL CROSSLINKED), EDETATE DISODIUM, METHYLPARABEN, POLOXAMER 182, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, WATER
Target Corporation 1 product
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 82442-0105-01 Propylene glycol Polyethylene glycol or polysorbate
Show 7 ingredients

CARBOMER HOMOPOLYMER TYPE C (ALLYL PENTAERYTHRITOL CROSSLINKED), EDETATE DISODIUM, PHENOXYETHANOL, POLOXAMER 182, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, WATER
The Kroger Co. 2 products
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 30142-0542-05 Benzyl alcohol Propylene glycol Polyethylene glycol or polysorbate
Show 6 ingredients

BENZYL ALCOHOL, CARBOMER HOMOPOLYMER TYPE C (ALLYL PENTAERYTHRITOL CROSSLINKED), EDETATE DISODIUM, POLOXAMER 182, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, WATER
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 30142-0725-05 Propylene glycol Polyethylene glycol or polysorbate
Show 8 ingredients

CARBOMER HOMOPOLYMER TYPE C (ALLYL PENTAERYTHRITOL CROSSLINKED), EDETATE DISODIUM, HYDROCHLORIC ACID, METHYLPARABEN, POLOXAMER 182, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, WATER
TOP CARE (Topco Associates LLC) 1 product
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 36800-0088-05 Propylene glycol Polyethylene glycol or polysorbate
Show 7 ingredients

CARBOMER HOMOPOLYMER TYPE C (ALLYL PENTAERYTHRITOL CROSSLINKED), EDETATE DISODIUM, METHYLPARABEN, POLOXAMER 182, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, WATER
Topco Associates 2 products
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 76162-0221-05 Benzyl alcohol Propylene glycol Polyethylene glycol or polysorbate
Show 6 ingredients

BENZYL ALCOHOL, CARBOMER HOMOPOLYMER TYPE C (ALLYL PENTAERYTHRITOL CROSSLINKED), EDETATE DISODIUM, POLOXAMER 182, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, WATER
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 76162-0114-05 Still being read Not read yet
Wal-Mart Stores Inc 1 product
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 79903-0338-05 Propylene glycol Polyethylene glycol or polysorbate
Show 7 ingredients

CARBOMER HOMOPOLYMER TYPE C (ALLYL PENTAERYTHRITOL CROSSLINKED), EDETATE DISODIUM, PHENOXYETHANOL, POLOXAMER 182, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, WATER
Walgreens 3 products
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 00363-0888-05 Propylene glycol Polyethylene glycol or polysorbate
Show 7 ingredients

CARBOMER HOMOPOLYMER TYPE C (ALLYL PENTAERYTHRITOL CROSSLINKED), EDETATE DISODIUM, METHYLPARABEN, POLOXAMER 182, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, WATER
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 00363-1401-05 Propylene glycol Polyethylene glycol or polysorbate
Show 7 ingredients

CARBOMER HOMOPOLYMER TYPE C (ALLYL PENTAERYTHRITOL CROSSLINKED), EDETATE DISODIUM, METHYLPARABEN, POLOXAMER 182, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, WATER
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 00363-4110-05 Propylene glycol Polyethylene glycol or polysorbate
Show 7 ingredients

CARBOMER HOMOPOLYMER TYPE C (ALLYL PENTAERYTHRITOL CROSSLINKED), EDETATE DISODIUM, METHYLPARABEN, POLOXAMER 182, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, WATER
Yyba Corp 2 products
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 73581-0215-45 Still being read Not read yet
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 73581-0214-06 Propylene glycol Polyethylene glycol or polysorbate
Show 7 ingredients

CARBOMER HOMOPOLYMER TYPE C (ALLYL PENTAERYTHRITOL CROSSLINKED), EDETATE DISODIUM, METHYLPARABEN, POLOXAMER 182, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, WATER
YYBA Corp 2 products
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 73581-0216-45 Still being read Not read yet
1 mg/g ointment or gel topical creamNDC 73581-0019-06 Still being read Not read yet

A product with none of these listed is not certified to be without them: the label says what the manufacturer declared, and the source of a starch or a flavor is often not stated. The companies are the FDA's labelers, which include repackagers and distributors selling another company's product under their own label. The NDC opens the product's own page, with the full label and its inactive-ingredient notes.

Adapalene without alcohol (ethanol)

Alcohol (ethanol): mostly in liquids; a concern in alcohol recovery, for children, or with disulfiram or metronidazole. 1 of 36 checked products list alcohol (ethanol); 35 do not.

Does not list alcohol (ethanol)

Lists alcohol (ethanol)

Adapalene without benzyl alcohol

Benzyl alcohol: A preservative, mostly in injections and liquids; not for newborns. 4 of 36 checked products list benzyl alcohol; 32 do not.

Does not list benzyl alcohol

Lists benzyl alcohol

Adapalene without propylene glycol

Propylene glycol: A solvent in liquids and capsules; a concern in kidney disease, for infants, and at high doses. 33 of 36 checked products list propylene glycol; 3 do not.

Does not list propylene glycol

Lists propylene glycol

Adapalene without polyethylene glycol or polysorbate

Polyethylene glycol or polysorbate: PEG, macrogol or polysorbate; a rare cause of allergic reactions. 34 of 36 checked products list polyethylene glycol or polysorbate; 2 do not.

Does not list polyethylene glycol or polysorbate

Lists polyethylene glycol or polysorbate

Adapalene without sugar (sucrose or dextrose)

Sugar (sucrose, dextrose): A consideration in diabetes, mostly in liquids and chewables. 2 of 36 checked products list sugar (sucrose or dextrose); 34 do not.

Does not list sugar (sucrose or dextrose)

Lists sugar (sucrose or dextrose)

At the pharmacy counter

How to use this at the pharmacy counter

  1. Pick the company whose list suits you and copy the NDC from the table. Many pharmacies order from wholesalers that carry several companies' versions and can request a particular one if you ask before the prescription is filled; some buy from one contracted source only, and a few insurance plans cover only certain NDCs, so ask the pharmacist to check.
  2. Treat "does not list" as exactly that. The label is what the manufacturer declared; a flavor or a starch may have an unstated source, and lines change. For celiac disease or a serious allergy, ask the manufacturer's medical information line for a written statement about the lot you have.
  3. Check the bottle each refill. A different company usually means a different shape, color and inactive-ingredient list; the pharmacist can tell you who made it, and the two-NDC comparison shows the difference line by line.
  4. If you need one company's version kept constant, ask your prescriber to write that company or the NDC on the prescription and tell the pharmacy you need it held. Rules vary by state and plan, so confirm with the pharmacist.
Ask Dr. Staiger which Adapalene product suits you →

Common questions about Adapalene inactive ingredients

Is Adapalene gluten-free?
This page cannot certify any Adapalene product gluten-free; it reports what each label declares. Of the 36 products checked, none lists a wheat, barley, rye or gluten ingredient, and none lists a starch without a stated source. If you have celiac disease, ask the manufacturer's medical information line for a written gluten statement for the lot you have.
Does Adapalene contain lactose?
No checked Adapalene product lists lactose on its label. People with a milk allergy or a strong intolerance often prefer a version that does not list it.
Does Adapalene contain soy?
No checked Adapalene product lists a soy ingredient (soybean oil or soy lecithin) on its label. Soy lecithin is the usual form and the amount is small, but people with a soy allergy often prefer a version that does not list it.
Is there a dye-free Adapalene?
No checked Adapalene product lists a synthetic dye (an FD&C or D&C colorant) on its label. Colorants often differ by strength within one company's line, so compare the lists above strength by strength.
Does Adapalene contain gelatin?
No checked Adapalene product lists gelatin on its label. Gelatin is usually bovine or porcine and the label rarely says which; for kosher, halal or vegetarian needs, ask the manufacturer.
Why do the inactive ingredients differ between manufacturers?
A generic must match the brand's active ingredient, strength, dose form and how it is absorbed; its fillers, binders, coatings and colorants are the manufacturer's own choice. That is why one Adapalene product can list lactose and a dye while another from a different company lists neither.
Can my pharmacy give me a specific manufacturer's version?
Often, if you ask before the prescription is filled: many pharmacies order from wholesalers that carry several companies' versions and can request a particular one. Some pharmacies buy a generic from one contracted source only, and a few insurance plans cover only certain NDCs, so ask the pharmacist to check. Give them the NDC from this page; the company name alone is often enough.
How current is this list?
The products are the ones in the FDA's current NDC directory as of October 5, 2026, and each inactive-ingredient list is the manufacturer's FDA label as our label sync last read it. Formulations change, so check the label on your own bottle and ask your pharmacist if a refill looks different.

Sources: the products are the finished Adapalene products in the FDA's current NDC directory (openFDA), as of October 5, 2026; each inactive-ingredient list is the manufacturer's FDA Structured Product Label via DailyMed, as our label sync last read it. The concern groups are HelloPharmacist's classification of the names the label declares. Educational information only, not medical advice; confirm with your pharmacist before relying on a list. ← Back to the Adapalene guide