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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496
Read All About Adapalene / Benzoyl Peroxide (Epiduo®)
Compare To Other Treatments
5
39.1%
4
29.2%
3
10.3%
2
7.9%
1
13.5%

Used Adapalene / Benzoyl Peroxide (Epiduo®)? Rate It:

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May 21, 2013

Cons:

burned, stings, redness
very drying (my skin is crazy oily!!)
breakouts continued

My doctor gave me this for my cystic acne........should have never purchased this!!! I used it like he said for 6 months and my skin had awful cysts and big pimples that didn't go away until a month after I stopped. I finally looked at the ingredients in it to see what was causing this and I found sorbitan oleate. This ingredient is known for causing big acne problems. It also stung my face after every apllication and made it crazy red. People asked me if I had been out in the sun lately. I have very oily, greasy skin and this caused my skin to flake up and peel which was annoying. I do NOT recommend this at all!! Especialy for acne-prone people!!
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May 20, 2013

Pros:

Clears up skin

Cons:

Redness,dryness
not consistent or permanent
Very painful to use (burning sensation)

I got prescribed epiduo 9 months ago and it started working almost immediately. There was a pretty bad initial breakout and the dreaded flaking of the skin but after about 2 weeks I could tell it was working and by month 3, I was completely cleared up. I was incredibly happy with the results, I stopped worrying about my skin and I felt like a changed person. HOWEVER about a month ago I started to notice my skin gettting progressively worse and worse. At first I thought it was just a breakout but nothing seemed to be improving so I went to my derm and he prescribed me Tazorac. My skin is currently horrible but I'm hoping to find a more permanent and consistent treatment than epiduo. I think one of my mistakes while on epiduo was maybe that I used too much of it and my skin eventually became resistant to it but who knows.
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May 11, 2013

Pros:

Quick spot treatment

Cons:

Can be irritating

I'm male in my late 40s and have had mild but persistent acne since my teens. Oral isotretinoin at 37 gave some relief for a while but then I went back on the usual cycle of prescription oral & topical antibiotics, plus azelaic acid and epiduo (2.5% BP + 0.1% Adapalene). Whilst this help control acne I found the BP part irritating and it led to dry, red patches on my skin that moisturisers only partially resolved. Overall it's good at zapping spots but can be quite strong for sensitive skin.
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April 15, 2013

Pros:

some cleared acne

Cons:

redness
drying
flaking
itchy
pain

I have been using Epiduo for about a week. It worked well for a couple days, but I'm beginning to notice the cons above. (Although my skin is fairly clear.) I'm using it with Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser. It's extremely irritating throughout the entire day and noticeably red. I take a shower each night then apply the Cetaphil, then the Epiduo. I was wondering it anyone had recommendations to reduce the redness and pain.? If my skin is drying out often should I use the Cetaphil more often?
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March 28, 2013

Pros:

Actually works!
Easy to apply.
Doesn't burn /dry out face.
Works within a week!

Cons:

It doesn't work over night.

I absolutely love this. I went to my dermatologist 2 years ago around this time and he recommended i be on solyden (oral treatment) and epiduo. At first i had severe acne it was just awful. Then I started using the solyden and epiduo and my skin got 10 clearer i have acne but its very very light now you have to be rally close to even tell I have any. I LOVE THIS PRODUCT!
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March 15, 2013

Pros:

almost immediate results
lasting result
great for sensitive skin
odorless
easy to use

Cons:

slight dryness
somewhat expensive

I started epiduo when my dermatologist recommended I try it and gave me a few samples, I had acne on my back chest, and face at that time. I used it once and when I got out of bed the next day, my mother immediately commented on how well it had worked. even before I tried epiduo I was using aveeno moisturizer, but when I realized my skin was still a little dry, I switched to cetaphil I would recommend this for anyone, it is a definite life changer.
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March 10, 2013

Pros:

easy to apply
no smell
absorbs fast
works great!
once-a-day application
removed acne scars
easy to use
one tube lasts forever
cheap

Cons:

drying if you don't use a good moisturizer

I'm in high school and I have never had an acne problem, EVER. All of a sudden my face just broke out. I would count the pimples and at one point I had 32 pimples on my face all together. Desperate, I tried all creams and scrubs but nothing worked. I saw my doctor 4 weeks ago, in tears and totally desperate. My face is totally clear now. 32 pimples to 0 all in 4 weeks. Proactive can't even do that! I'd recommend this to everyone. My doctor also has me using Cetaphil, both wash and moisturizer.
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March 9, 2013
The first 3 weeks were hell, my face exploded! I had to put tons of make-up on but it still won't cover it. I was literally mortified. I am in week 5 now and finally starting to see some great improvements! My forehead is becoming clear again, and my cheeks are slowly exposing beautiful healthy skin, and what is not clear can be covered by make-up until then I have also started drinking 9 bottles of water a day,I think that is what sped up the process.I can't wait to see the finished product!
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March 7, 2013

Pros:

Works great
reduced acne

Cons:

very drying
made face red
made face sting
moisturizers sting after using epiduo

Epiduo works great but you have to use moisturizer because its very drying. My dermatologist prescribed this with clindamycin and my face is much clearer. i would also recommend using it every other day because its very drying
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March 7, 2013

Pros:

cleared my acne and scars
one tube lasts several months

Cons:

first month face very red, itchy
large scaley looking pores at first
developed contact dermatitis around eyes (I believe from epiduo getting on pillow case since I don't use near my eyes)

I have been using this product for over 4 months and it has cleared my acne completely. The first month was rough, but from month 1 - month 2, saw drastic improvement. Still had lots of redness, so I decreased usage to once before bedtime every other night. Only had one zit the week after I decreased dose, cleared quickly, been acne free ever since. I'm in my 30s and have been dealing with moderate to severe acne since around age 19. Tried numerous products, including accutane, all worked well at first then my skin would become twice as bad as before. I had given up on prescription products years ago, but after having children my skin became impossible to manage. I'm so glad I gave it a shot. I use cerave foaming facial cleanser twice a day, complex 15 face cream in morning, and skinceuticals phloretin c, also in the morning. Epiduo every other night.
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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