Adapalene / Benzoyl Peroxide (Epiduo®)
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Usually known by its brand name Epidu®, this topical treatment is a combination of adapalene, which is a type of medication called a...

Usually known by its brand name Epidu®, this topical treatment is a combination of adapalene, which is a type of medication called a retinoid that reduces inflammation in the skin and helps promote skin cell turnover, along with benzoyl peroxide, which kills acne bacteria and dries/peels the skin. 

It is usually applied once a day before going to bed.

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Read All About Adapalene / Benzoyl Peroxide (Epiduo®)
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5
39.1%
4
29.2%
3
10.3%
2
7.9%
1
13.5%

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August 8, 2012

Pros:

Works eventually
Very easy

Cons:

Dries face w/o moisterizer
Expensive
Breaks you out at first

I use the CeraVe cleanser, apply the product, and then use the CeraVe PM moisterizer. Epiduo is made to break you out first, and then clear you up. On the first couple days of use, I've noticed my redness going down. After about a week I could see more pimples showing up. Now it's slowly removing them entirely.
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August 3, 2012

Pros:

-Dryness
-Flaking
-Causes breakouts

Cons:

-It works!
-Keeps breakouts from happening

This stuff works. The first month is a little rough, but after that, it really works. I wanted to share a little secret about the dryness and flaking. My skin was really bad Epiduo made my skin dry and peel all day. No amount of moisturizer really helped. (i'm not getting payed to say any of this) I bought the Oatifix Fresh Face Mask from LUSH Cosmetics, and after the first use of this stuff, my skin was no longer dry, nor did it flake, at all! This is an amazing product if you're experiencing dryness/flaking. Its only about 7 bucks. Go give it a try. The combination of Epiduo and Oatifix made my skin great, and stopped breakouts all together.
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July 22, 2012

Pros:

Gets rid of acne
Gets rid of milia
Fades scars
Works fast

Cons:

REDNESS
BURNING
FLAKING

So im thirteen and ive only been using this for three days and i already see results. Ive had had a severe case of milia, bad acne, and quite a few scars. Ive tried everything and it all worked for a day then stopped working And made my acne worse. Epiduo worked and hasnt stopped yet. The redness and Burning only lasts while The medication is still drying, and the flaking is barely noticable. It got rid of a few painful cysts on my forehead that have been there for months, and i hardly recognise myself when i look in the mirror. Ive been using samples my doctor gave me with Cetaphil. I definitely recommend this product!!! :)
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July 19, 2012

Pros:

- The most least irritating acne product I have ever used
- The combination of benzoyl peroxide and adapalene is synergistic
- It works!

Cons:

- Like most acne products, it has its own side effects including drying, flaking, redness and itchiness BUT its side effects are minimal compared to the other acne products i have used
- I think it is expensive but i get it for free with my parent's insurance

Follow the directions on the label. My routine is as follows: AM: - Cleanse with Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser with warmish to coolish water - Pat dry with a towel - Moisturize with Cetaphil Lotion PM: - Cleanse with Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser with warmish to coolish water - Pat dry with a towel - Wait for 30 minutes - Apply the gel
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July 15, 2012

Pros:

-cleared up 90% of my acne
-lasts a long time (a little goes a long way)
-haven't had a major breakout in months
-easy to apply
-dries fairly quickly
-makes skin feel smooth & clean

Cons:

-takes a long time to work
-causes an initial breakout
-dries out skin for the first month or two
-burns & tingles when applied on the first month

If you're going back and fourth on whether or not to buy this product, I hope this review will convince you to. I'm 17 and i've struggled with acne since 13, and NOTHING has seemed to work. I've gotten topicals, oral medications, facials, peels, you name it, and none of them worked. I went through times where i would just cry due to the frustration of the acne on my face. Thankfully, I came across Epiduo, and it has seriously been a life saver. I got a compliment on my skin the other day (which never has happened) and i seriously cried, i was that happy. I was always known as the girl with the terrible skin, i even got my own nicknames! Now they have nothing to say, cause my face is extremely clear. Don't get discouraged if you don't see results quickly, it took 3-4 months for my acne to finally settle down. It will dry your skin out at first, but moisturizer will fix that problem. I used it the first week and it caused me to break out a bit at first, which made me think about not using it at all... Thank God i decided to stick with it. I'm a little mad at my doctor for not telling me about it sooner, it would have helped during my earlier high school years. But to whoever is reading this, go RUN to your doctor/dermatologist and get this product, you won't regret it :)
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July 10, 2012

Pros:

Clearer skin- Fast!

Cons:

Skin dried a bit at the beginning

SUCH a good product. Fast acting and it really works well for me (i'm 15)
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May 31, 2012

Pros:

Clears hormonal acne
Works fairly quick
LOVE this stuff!

Cons:

Can irritate eyelids even though you're not directly applying to the eyes
Does cause an inital breakout but eventually that would have happened anyway! Mine actually wasn't that bad.

I've been dealing with hormonal acne for years now (I'm 44) and recently had a major breakout of cystic acne. I have been going to a dermatologist for many years but more for melasma (also hormonal) on my face. My derm gave me a perscription for .04% Retin-A which did NOTHING after months of use. She then gave me samples of .1% Retin-A which did a little more than the .04% but very minimal after 2 months of use. I began to get frustrated and got a second opinion from another derm. He gave me samples of Epiduo and I started treatment that night. At first it dried my skin a bit but I think I was used to the drying due to using Retin -A for so long. I did get some drying around my eyes but moisturizer helped with that. I've been using Epiduo now for 3 weeks and on week 2 started putting a pea sized amount on 2X/day. I haven't had severe drying at all. What I do have is clearer skin because this stuff is making my past scarring disappear! Blackheads are literally falling out (I'm using a mild scrub twice a week) and with makeup no one can even tell I have scars. I work with animals for a living and don't ever wear makeup at work but was having to because of the acne. Now I have gone back to a makeup free face and don't feel like people are looking at my face wondering 'wow! what's up with her skin!' This stuff is crazy good...it does take patience to see results but ohhhh, so worth it. Try it, stick with it, use it religiously (don't give up) and I promise you will have clearer skin AND your confidence back. Since I work outdoors I am a huge advocate of sunscreen even before I started using Epiduo. If you're using this product in the morning BE SURE to use sunscreen on your face. There is a Retinoid in this product and your skin will burn if exposed to sunlight.
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May 27, 2012

Pros:

-Works great
-Gentle
-No pimples for 2 months

Cons:

-Must use at night (increases risk of skin cancer with skin exposure!)

When I turned 15, my skin got really bad. But after a year and a half of going through different products, I decided it was time to bring it up with my doctor. I wish I did it sooner. He prescribed me Epiduo and Duac. I had no dryness, and a couple months later, my scars are healing, and I haven't have a pimple in ages. It completely changed my life, and I have my old confidence back again.
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May 23, 2012

Pros:

- Clears acne 100%
- Controls oil production

Cons:

- Takes a while to work
- Dries skin

After becoming resistant to clindamycin (Duac) I switched to Epiduo. My skin cleared 100% in about 12 weeks. You have to give it the FULL three months, I was still breaking out up to and including week 12. Since then I have had two pimples (have been on for about 5 months now so 2 months = 2 pimples). Please give it time! It does dry you out a little but nothing moisturiser can't fix.
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May 23, 2012

Pros:

Cleared up almost ALL my acne! (only have a few small pimples)
Work immediately (within 2-3 nights)
Skin looks clean and fresh
Gave back my confidence! Haven't been happier with my face

Cons:

Burns like CRAZY after putting it on
Skin is very very dry (esp. around the nose.)
Bleaches things
Skin is very sensitive but its worth it..

I know some people have had bad results with this, but I was out of options and wanted to give this a last shot...I could not be happier! I've been using it for about a month and my skin looks wonderful...even though the acne is hormonal it took it all away! I would choose this over Retin-A any day! It also seems less harsh.
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Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.
Find a Doctor Using The American Acacemy of Dermatology Website

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.
Find a Doctor Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website