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Hello! So I've been on epiduo for nearly 3 weeks I'd say, and I'm fairly pleased so far. Like many are saying, it makes my skin feel much smoother and the irritation and "topography" of my acne has gone way down. I'm only 14 so maybe my skin is reacting differently due to the sort of acne I have but I'd stick with it. The breakouts everyone are experiencing are purges of the skin which suck at the time but are actually very good because they clean out everything under the surface and not just the current pimples you see In the mirror. My dermo said that if this doesn't work I'll go back on accutane for the 2nd time, so I'm really hoping it clears it up completely cuz accutane is brutal. I also have been on differin and I just couldn't handle it because it made my eye area extremely irritated but luckily I haven't had any of that with epiduo yet. I'm also surprised that some of your dermos prescribed using it in the daytime because adapalene makes skin extremely photo-sensitive so I'd just take it at night. Otherwise just use a lotion like cerave or aveeno with sunscreen, they work and feel pretty nice 
good luck!
23/F, struggled with acne since 12 yrs old. Tried multiple antibiotics, accutane, topical creams and then stopped when I got pregnant. Skin was beautifully clear while pregnant and breast-feeding, but now i'm back to moderately broken out on face and back.
Been on Epiduo 3 full weeks and my face and back are really clearing up!! Skin is very smooth and very DRY! Experiencing redness, dryness, flaking, swolleness that has persisted since day three. I occasionally put Epiduo on every other night to prevent extreme redness. Does the dryness ever stop?? I am thinking of getting on Yasmin for acne treatment (also for prego prevention), anyone on Yasmin?
Does anyone use emu oil or aloe vera for the dryness/redness?
Regimen:
AM- wash with Ivory soap
Neutrogene ultra sheer Sunscreen SPF 55
Cetaphil Mosturizer
PM- wash with Ivory soap
Epiduo
Cetaphil Mosturizer (I wait a few minutes before I moisturize)
Hello everyone,
I browsed through this section before starting Epiduo and felt really encouraged - so thought I'd share my experience on Epiduo, which has been so positive, in the hope that it will help everyone else.
I am 22 F and had mild acne - I never had a problem as a teenager but for the last 6 months or so I have had a few breakouts with big, inflamed (and painful!) pimples on my chin. They always seemed to happen in the same places.
I started Epiduo 3 weeks ago and now my skin is completely clear - and I am losing the red pigmentation left by old pimples. I couldn't be happier. I kept my regime simple, using Epiduo once at night after cleaning my face, and then washing it off in the morning. I use lots of moisturiser - I use Olay complete care for sensitive skin which is SPF 15.
Day 1-2 Didn't notice much, had same number of pimples.
Day 3-4 Had some redness, but not too bad at all. No burning or stinging.
Day 4-10 Had very dry skin, and had some peeling which was very annoying. This may have been due to the cleanser (an Olay brand cleanser for sensitive skin) I was using so I stopped that and just started washing my face with plain water after removing my makeup with a make-up remover towelette.
Day 10 - 21 Clear skin, and so smooth! May have very very tiny pimple once a week or so, but the Epiduo makes it go away more quickly and keeps it dry! Crossed fingers it stays this way.
In Australia Epiduo is a private prescription (non-PBS) and it cost me approx. AUS $35. Good value I think because I only need a tiny amount each night.
Hi everyone
19/F and I've had mild acne (especially on my forhead and chin) since I was 14-15. My mother never allowed me to go to the dermo, so that's why I never did anything about it up until now.
I started with Epiduo two weeks ago. My dermo told me to put it on every other night for the first two weeks, so my skin could get used to it. And after that I could put it on every night.
I'm also using an antibiotic called Docminocycline.
The acne is slowly going away on my forehead and has almost completely dissapeared on my chin. I'm really happy with this product!
The dermo told me I should keep going on with the treatment for at least two months, so I still got a while to go, but I'm already very pleased.
My skin did feel a bit fiery when I started using the Epiduo, but since I only use it every other night, my skin has gotten used to it now.
After I wash my face in the morning, it does feel very dry. I never had this problem before I started using Epiduo. But I'm using a good moisturizer, so it should be alright.
I am currently on Epiduo and happy with the results I am seeing after only two weeks. My derm recommended using it only twice a week at first and slowly building up to six nights a week, depending on my level of dryness and irritation. This approach has really worked for me- I had peeling/redness/very uneven tone after my first application, but on my most recent application experienced only minimal dryness and a tiny bit of blotchiness that was gone after 24 hours.
For those experiencing dryness and irritation, give jojoba oil a try. There has been plenty of discussion about it on these forums. I mix four or so drops with my moisturiser at night. You can use it straight if you need to. It works like a charm I use the Simple light moisturiser.
Cetaphil moisturiser works well too but I find it a bit heavy. I only ever use that one at night.
hey guys im new here.
ok so my GP prescribed epiduo for me 4 days ago, along with doxycycline (once a day). he said to apply it once a day at night. i am 27 and i have always had mild acne here and there but nothing major. a couple of months ago my face just decided to declare a war on me - i still dont even know what went wrong. And i have never been on any acne med before. the only thing that i have tried is proactive, which i didnt like.
so i have been applying epiduo once a night after using cetaphil cleanser. and in the morning with breakfast i take one doxycycline.
day 1 i felt only mild stinging and tightness on my face after epiduo, nothing too uncomfortable.
day 2 i started to break out with big nasty cystic acne along my jaw lines, on my chin, cheeks, temples, etc, so painful too!!
day 3 my face started to burn, just like all the other description here, hurt pretty bad
day 4, which is today, my face started to become extremely red, dry, flaky, sensitive even after i washed my face this morning with cetaphil cleanser (which is supposed to be gentle, soap free and all) and i swear i was almost in tears when i applied moisturser on my face cuz it hurt sooooooo bad!!!!
i am really freaking out and i am sooooooo discouraged and depressed even. i hate how my face looks and i dont know if its gonna get better from here or what...
could anyone pls tell me have you had similar experience with the cystic acnes on day 3-4 and how long will this last??
thanks guys!
Michy
P.S i will try to come back to update u guys as often as i could just to monitor the progress...fingers crossed...
This is honestly unlike anything I've ever heard of. It sounds like you might be allergic to one of the ingredients, which would explain the sudden breakout - I mean, that's REALLY quick to develop cysts otherwise. I would discontinue use immediately and contact your doctor as soon as you can.
hey guys im new here.
ok so my GP prescribed epiduo for me 4 days ago, along with doxycycline (once a day). he said to apply it once a day at night. i am 27 and i have always had mild acne here and there but nothing major. a couple of months ago my face just decided to declare a war on me - i still dont even know what went wrong. And i have never been on any acne med before. the only thing that i have tried is proactive, which i didnt like.
so i have been applying epiduo once a night after using cetaphil cleanser. and in the morning with breakfast i take one doxycycline.
day 1 i felt only mild stinging and tightness on my face after epiduo, nothing too uncomfortable.
day 2 i started to break out with big nasty cystic acne along my jaw lines, on my chin, cheeks, temples, etc, so painful too!!
day 3 my face started to burn, just like all the other description here, hurt pretty bad
day 4, which is today, my face started to become extremely red, dry, flaky, sensitive even after i washed my face this morning with cetaphil cleanser (which is supposed to be gentle, soap free and all) and i swear i was almost in tears when i applied moisturser on my face cuz it hurt sooooooo bad!!!!
i am really freaking out and i am sooooooo discouraged and depressed even. i hate how my face looks and i dont know if its gonna get better from here or what...
could anyone pls tell me have you had similar experience with the cystic acnes on day 3-4 and how long will this last??
thanks guys!
Michy
P.S i will try to come back to update u guys as often as i could just to monitor the progress...fingers crossed...
hey LocalMack thanks for your reply!
yeah i was completely freaked out by how much it hurt my face. the weird thing was that my doctor didnt tell me anything about the side effects even tho i did ask him. i had to do some research on my own after my face started to burn to find out that i applied too much - ppl say a pea size should be enough for whole face, i was using practically a pea size per zit! holly molly no wonder i had those freaking bad reactions! idiot =( so on day 4 i didnt apply epiduo at night to give my skin a chance to recover. the next morning when i woke up the redness has gone away and it didnt hurt as much anymore.
by day 5, at night i only applied tiniest amount on each zit and waited a lil while before i put on moisturiser. i felt minor stingy sensation but nothing major nothing unbearable - i was so relieved!
day 6 i was mainly dealing with the fact that i look like a monster, which is such a depressing feeling, i literally wanna peel my whole face off and get a new one. i applied epiduo carefully at night, again, tiniest amount on each of those suckers. and no exceptional irritation.
day 7, which is today, i woke up seeing the cyst acnes that i had on my chin, along my jaw lines have mostly come to a white head. looks disgusting. like im seriously grossed out by my own face when i look in the mirror. it is painful, my face hurts. i wonder when will i start to see results??
hey LocalMack thanks for your reply!
yeah i was completely freaked out by how much it hurt my face. the weird thing was that my doctor didnt tell me anything about the side effects even tho i did ask him. i had to do some research on my own after my face started to burn to find out that i applied too much - ppl say a pea size should be enough for whole face, i was using practically a pea size per zit! holly molly no wonder i had those freaking bad reactions! idiot =( so on day 4 i didnt apply epiduo at night to give my skin a chance to recover. the next morning when i woke up the redness has gone away and it didnt hurt as much anymore.
by day 5, at night i only applied tiniest amount on each zit and waited a lil while before i put on moisturiser. i felt minor stingy sensation but nothing major nothing unbearable - i was so relieved!
day 6 i was mainly dealing with the fact that i look like a monster, which is such a depressing feeling, i literally wanna peel my whole face off and get a new one. i applied epiduo carefully at night, again, tiniest amount on each of those suckers. and no exceptional irritation.
day 7, which is today, i woke up seeing the cyst acnes that i had on my chin, along my jaw lines have mostly come to a white head. looks disgusting. like im seriously grossed out by my own face when i look in the mirror. it is painful, my face hurts. i wonder when will i start to see results??
Wow! Okay, no wonder you were getting red. But if you're spot treating with Epiduo (applying it to each zit), you're still not using it correctly. Take a pea size amount and spread that amount over your entire face. The adapalene (retinoid) in Epiduo is meant to exfoliate your skin and PREVENT future zits, which is why you should use it all over; the benzoyl peroxide in Epiduo is meant to treat existing zits. So make sure you put it evenly on your entire face!
i am 17 years old, female, caucasian--mildly disruptive acne for over 2 years.
Peiatrician prescribed epiduo (0.1/2.5%)...i began daily use one week ago.
Every night i used a pea-sized amount and covered my face. Gross initial breakout, particularly on the forehead, spanned days 2-5, but skin seems clear now. It really seemed to calm the breakout when i used a hot washcloth to open pores and applied a spot treatment in the morning. At present, only a few pimples are on my face. They're super-small whiteheads and easy to deal with. However, the benzoyl peroxide is drying out my face and the skin on my temples and upper cheekbones is starting to flake. I'll be taking a break from it tonight and tomorrow, as i need.
I used to wash my face with clean and clear morning burst and use stridex benzoyl peroxide wipes before bed, and a spot treatment as well (clearasil, etc)
...now i've relaxed my routine. I've been using olay "beauty fluid" moisturizer once-twice a day and use dove soap at night instead of the BP wipes
the breakout at first worried me (it spurred some research on retinoids) but i'll see how my skin reacts as it gets used to this new medicine. So far, I like how it's working, and i'll be careful not to overdry my skin. Updates to follow! I hope my experience helps the rest of you.
Epiduo did NOT work for me. The second time I put it on it burned so bad I had to run to the bathroom and wash it off. I felt like my face was on fire. The next morning I was peeling everywhere and I looked really burned. I let my skin recover and I tried again, I did not burn as bad but i still peeled really really bad. I do not recommend epiduo. However Differin did work for me a couple years ago..I think I might ask my doctor to prescribe it again.
I started using epiduo about 3 weeks ago. I have noticed an improvement in the size and look of my pimples. My face is really bad, red spots everywhere, HUGE pustles, and sometimes even cysts. It's been like this since I was fouteen(now 16). I am going to continue using it. And to everyone who says that it burns and drys it out, you have to FOLLOW DIRECTIONS! only using a pea sized amount for the whole face. I have really sensitive skin with a red undertone so it really shows if it is irritated and this product does not do that.
I also LOVE this mask called Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay that really pulsates the skin and shirks my pores that I use 3x a week. I strongly recommend it because you can feel it working, sometimes it dries your skin but it is nothing that a little moisturizer can't fix. Just depends on how long you leave it on. I got it a Whole Foods but I'm sure you can find it other places too.
There is also something that may seem crazy to yall but if you have really sensitive skin, try only using a gentle cleanser maybe 3x a week and on the other days, use a wet paper towel with warm water to wash it because your skin just might not like the cleansers you use. I use Purpose and it seems to work well.
Anyway, GOOD LUCK Y'ALL!
I've been using Epiduo for a while now, and have very sensative skin. Ever since I started using it my skin is flaky and dry if i dont use moisturizer, and my face burns after application, and is always very red. It does work to clear up acne, but I hate the side effects. but its the only thing that has helped me so far so I guess it works...
I've been on Epiduo for about 3-4 weeks now and it's not doing SH*T for me. It's cleared up my skin maybe 10%, but then the next morning I just wake up to find new pimples/bums forming. My doctor told me to apply at night EVERY OTHER night. I tried that. It didn't do sh*t. I applied twice a day, it burned the heck out of my face, I couldn't even put moisturizer or makeup without my face feeling like it was on fire. Also, it made my face peel like crazy. Now I'm using it once a day, sometimes every other day, depending on how my face feels and looks, its not really doing too much. I have new pimples popping up every or every other day. My left cheeck is infested with like 30 pimples. The other cheek, completely clear. WHAT THE HECK?!?! My forehead has cleared up some, but still not like it should for $200+. I called my derm today and he told me it takes 6-8 weeks to show real results. WHAT??!?!?!? And he keeps telling me how stress in my life is the main factor. I'm not that stressed....and some stress is just apart of LIFE! I can't do anything about that. smh! I have NEVER had acne throughout my entire life. Now, I'm 23 years old (female), and the past year I look like a 14 yr old girl going thru puberty. A few zits here and there during my or before my period but this stuff is horrible. I feel like I have a disease on my face! #WTFFFF I don't know where this came from and why and I can't find any medicine to fix it. I'm going to give this stupid epiduo another 3 weeks, if I don't see major improvement....I'm not wasting my $$$ again and giving it a F- rating on ALL OF MY SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i had really bad acne and then i used epiduo the first 3 weeks where bad, and my face looked really bad but now i have been using if for a month and bam no more problems i have an accessional one or two on my forehead but other then that i have 0 then i stooped putting it on for 2 or 3 months and still very little problems with pimples i have at the most 5 i think but then it went down to 3 after i used epiduo again for a week and now i have been applying it for 3 months.. and i dont have any at all so i love this epiduo, sure it has a bad start but an amazing ending
Hi!
Just thought I'd check in after reading the whole history of this forum and express what I've gathered and what I'm personally experiencing (for the whole week I've been using epiduo).
**Consistency in reviews
- You must give Epiduo it's full term (suggested 12 weeks) to see the true satisfying results
- Most people experiencing sever side affects are applying too much gel or using too frequently
- Maintaining optimism and a positive outlook is necessary....I know this is going to be hard..
- Use mild cleansers only
Me with Epiduo***
I kept getting annoyed reading about people that had been using Epiduo for a few days as I just wanted to know how it was going to be in the ennnnd;however- I am now one of these people... using Epiduo for a week.
I started my first 3 days applying every second day - but then felt it would be ok to move on to every evening.I use about half a pea size to each side of my Jawline (spreading down to my neck) as this is my affected area....
I started feeling an itching by the second use and by the morning I'd woken up with a really thick layer of oil on my face including the non-affected areas. My face has since then completely dried out... similar to sand paper at the moment.
All in all after the first week... I would say that the worst of it is the itching for me... Day and night.. and I've appeared to go too close to my ear lobe (they're flaking also). 
The best of it ... is that I can see some sort of process hapening...I did have a new pimple this week and it's gone already and I'm remaining positive! 
May check in later on to let you know how it's going... Starting on the pill "Yasmin" next week so hopefully that will aid in my cure!
Cheers, Itchy Australian.
ive been using epiduo for about a week and its deff working. the thing i do with it is i apply it after i take a shower and wait 15 min and wash it off. eventhough i do this, my skin gets itchy and peels. hopefully i will get used to the drug and wont have the side effects
I've just switched from BP to Epiduo because after 2 months I started to break out again..two weeks with new pimples and I gave up.
No burning or anything like that..my skin must be resistant. Anyway, would be good to know what type of acne everyone has and how this shit worked for you.
Mine is whiteheads and closed comedones. Mostly noninflamed acne.
I almost am totally clear up~ i use epiduo and one other cream in the morning~
on a side note, since epiduo doesn't help scaring; do u know anything that will
GLAD THIS IS WORKING FOR SO MANY !
Well for scaring i seriously recommend Mederma-i once had a scar on my forehead and it was gone in 3 weeks. This product is super soothing and feels very refreshing on the face.
Also, about your experience with Epiduo... did you have any irritation at first and how long did it take for you to clear up using Epiduo?
Hi, new here. Been battling adult acne ever since stopping birth control.
Started Epiduo a week ago and used WAY too much at first. Skin was burning, stinging and red. These symptoms increased with moisturizer. Peeling and dryness especially under mouth. Kept applying tho used smaller ammounts and avoided chin area. Peeling and dryness bad but no new breakous and acne healing faster so wanted to keep using.
The peeling and flaking was bad and made more noticable from suncreen and foundation so I used a facecloth to exfoliate gently and ended up with a patch of raw oozing skin on chin. I think I removed too many layers at once, wasn't being gentle enough, idk? So, now in additions to zits and red marks, I have a big scrape type thing on my chin which may turn into a scab...yuck. Obvio I am stopping epiduo for a few days to give my skin time to recover and heal.
I still think this will turn out to be a good product but advise everyone to take it REALLY slowly. ANd be super careful when washing face.
A weird side note, my doc also prescribed Vanos cream for irritation and I did some research and this stuff is really dangerous and harsh and NOT for use on face (which is where I have condition). So...I won't be going to that doctor anymore. The other advice I have is to research all medications before starting a regimen. No doctor will care about your health more than you and some are downright irresponsible.
Please let me kno if anyone has any advice for supporting face moisture and skin heath during use of Epiduo! Also, what should I do for this raw patch of skin that is like a scrape? It is really tender and red and stings 
Trying neosporin for now,
I know that's a lot. Thanks for reading and for any help!
I Have been using Epiduo for 3 and a half months so far, and there has been no improvment since the start. I don't even think it effects my skin. it doesn't sting or make me peel, i could basically use it as a moisterizer!!!! Plus, I have been taking antibiotics with it and still no improvment. My Dermatologist practically said i have one last hope, Accutane, but my parents won't let me take it.
I've been using Epiduo for 3 days now (applied before going to bed), along with some Clindagel (Clindamycin 1%) during the day. I haven't really noticed any improvements yet. I have somewhat mild acne. I previously used BenzaClin, Tretinoin cream, and Minocycline but dropped the Minocycline about a year ago and a month ago stopped using the Tretinoin because I live in Hawaii and I'm always in the sun or at the beach so that doesn't really help. The BenzaClin was fine but it didn't clear me up completely and I have some bumps on my forehead and around my temples and cheeks which I'd like to go away. The derm said they're comedones even though they don't look like them... I don't know. I was on the BenzaClin for probably 4 years I think. I hope the Epiduo and Clindagel rape my acne. Pissin' me off. I did notice some mild burning on my upper cheeks and around my nose, and now when I wash my face with Cetaphil cleanser it is a little irritated and burns a little, which I thought wouldn't happen because I had gotten used to BenzaClin... But it's not a big deal. No redness or peeling (probably because of the humidity).
Oh and I was wondering, I'm leaving to Germany in a week and will be living there for a year, how can I get my acne meds refilled over there? Thanks.
Hi, I live in Belgium and just started using epiduo last week. My dad's a MD so he prescribes it for me, 20 euro with discount, so I'm guessing it'll cost you around 35 euro.
I'm really happy about it so far. I'm on Diane 35 for about 10 years to control my acne, but I still suffer from monthly break-outs, comedones and enlarged pores. The post-break-out red marks make that I've never had that clear skin we all dream of. I'm even hoping I'll be able to switch from Diane to Yasmine +epiduo, since I'm experiencing some unwanted side-effects with Diane.
I'm using Dermalogica oil-free matte matte block spf20. And when my skin is feeling a bit thirsty I use Louis Widmer UV10 day cream. I avoid sun exposure as much as possible, so I don't need a high spf.
I was wondering how you guys deal with not having sun exposure? Do you consider taking treatment breaks a few times a year? Because I've been avoiding sun exposure like crazy (cuz I'm paranoid 
) and as a result my face is totally pale. I want to use a tanning bed some time in the future for a week (3 times 15 min to gain some color). Tanning beds give me a nicer soft tan in short exposure time, without burning. I honestly think they are healthier than lying in the sun for an entire week, just to obtain an uglier, uneven tan. Do you think it would be ok to stop epiduo for a few days, use the tanning bed and then continue using epiduo? I really don't want to be this pale for the rest of my life...
As for red marks and small scars... I'm using a home-use derma-roller (DTS) when my skin is relatively clear (which was one week a month) in combination with a your regular AHA collagen boosting drugstore night cream, which have given me the best result with a non-presription home-use cream ever. (don't expect miracles though). DTS is not advised when you have a lot of active lesions, since it will just cause the bacteria to spread all over your face. But I'm already quite impressed with the results from this minimini needle home-device. I'm considering going in for a professional DTS treatment (costs around 200$) with needles about 4 times as long (when epiduo had reduced all active acne lesions), since I think a proper collagen boost is required to heal small scars and red marks.
I'll keep you posted.