Acne.org Products
I started using Epiduo 11 days ago. The first few days, I thought I'd struck it super lucky. I wasn't experiencing any of the side effects I'd read about. Boy was I wrong! From about day 8 onward my skin felt like I'd thrown acid on it as soon as I used it. Actually, I think putting on my (stupidly expensive) moisturiser is even worse - so painful!! And that would actually be FINE if my face wasn't bright orangey red, peeling, raw AND breaking out.
Sooo just wondering, how long can I expect to be in this much pain/look this terrible? I'm really hoping it's like a 2 week thing.
@Mia897
Hey there! I had the same experience with Epiduo. I would feel the exact same burning sensation. My skin became very irritated and the Epiduo somewhat burned my skin from how harsh it was. I recommend you talk to your dermatologist and consider discontinuing the Epiduo use. Currently, I have been taking Accutane at 50mg daily and my skin is doing great. Over the span of 20 days, it has become so clear. Moisturizer is everything. I recommend
-SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser $34
-Skyn Iceland Pure Cloud Cream $55
-Origins Drink UP Intensive overnight repair mask $17
-PCA Skin Acne Gel $45 (2.0% salicylic acid; making it gentle and only put a spot on each pimple: do not put an excessive amount)
Hope this helps, it helped me and I still use all products execpt the acne ge since i am on accutanel! All products can be bought via [Link removed], talk to your dermatologist. Maybe accutane is an option!
-Julia
Well, may as well use this to keep a log of my skin. Idea being that I'll stop obsessing over it and as a result will spend substantially less time crying in front of the mirror haha (nervous/distraught laughter hahah). I'll use acne.org as a dumping ground and then will just have to get on with life. The last two weeks were a bit ridiculous with not leaving the house.
Background:
- Normal, mild acne as a teenager. Had severe anxiety because my brother had severe acne. Went to GP and got put on oral monocyclin and retin-A. Freaked out after one night of retin-A and mono did nothing. Was put on Diane-35. Didn't notice a difference at the time but I had relatively clear skin from 16-19.
- At 19 I though I should give my body a break from BC. I went off Diane-35 and within about 6 months I noticed small bumps forming on either side of my chin (closed comedones). Within 6 months my skin quickly deteriorated. I had severe whiteheads, blackheads, papules and pustules on either side of my chin/mouth.
- Just before I turned 21 I started dating someone and wanted my skin better. I was diagnosed with peri-oral dermatitis (don't think that was correct) and prescribed a topical antibiotic (don't remember which one) and put back on Diane-35. My skin cleared up completely within 3 weeks (fuuuuuu pains me to write).
- Relatively clear skin from 21-23.
- Went travelling for a year at 22 and started getting a few more breakouts while living in London. My skin started getting better but then I changed from Diane-35 to Microgynon BC. Skin went slowly but progressively fucking mental.
- At 23 when I returned to Aus I went back on Diane-35 and started using clindatech. Skin was very shit for a while but then slowly got better. I still had persistent breakouts however. I was also having bleeding between periods so went off BC completely in Dec 2016.
- At 24 tried Duac because Clindatech didn't seem to be working.
Now:
Went to doc and got prescribed Epiduo (0.01% adapalene and 2.5% benzoyl peroxide) as well as doxycycline. This is essentially my last hurrah with topicals and antibiotics before I try roaccutane.
Day 1 - 7:
I felt like my skin was getting better. I wasn't really experiencing the dryness, redness or peeling that people talk about. I didn't notice a flare up.
Day 7 - 11:
My skin looked TERRIBLE. It was so red and dry that I had to take my makeup off throughout the day and reapply. It HURT and no amount of foundation helped to hide the hideousness. I ended up bawling my eyes out most days (tears are good for acne, right?!) and went to stay with my mum because I felt so vulnerable. My mum took my to her GP that night. I got a referral to a dermatologist and also reactivated my mental health plan so that I can go to a psychologist to deal with the trauma caused by acne (which sucks, btw).
Day 12:
My skin looks a lot less red today. I think that's because I put the epiduo on over my moisturiser last night. I might alternate between over and under to let my skin chill a bit.
Photo attached of how inflamed and red my skin skin was yesterday.
