Acne.org Products
Topical Retinoid / Topical Antibacterial
Efficacy
67%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
Topical Retinoid / Topical Antibacterial
Side Effects
Low-Medium
Topical Retinoid / Topical Antibacterial
Acne.org’s Real World Take
A way of using benzoyl peroxide in combination with the topical retinoid, adapalene, that studies show works a bit better than benzoyl peroxide alone. Comes with side effects for the first weeks and can bleach fabric. Note: When used correctly, benzoyl peroxide on its own can completely clear the skin.
Topical Retinoid / Topical Antibacterial
How to Get It
Have a dermatologist? Make an appointment to get this medication. Don't have a dermatologist? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find one.
Used Adapalene / Benzoyl Peroxide (Epiduo®)? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
December 15, 2013
I love Epiduo <3
Cons:
May dry out skin if not using a moisturizer after
I have had skin issues since puberty but they really flared up when I was in my late teens. I have been cursed with an oily skin gene which has been the root of my breakouts. I wouldn't get huge pimples but mostly I would have small whitehead sort of blemishes. The first time I went on Epiduo I was 18 and it worked great. I used it for about two years and was very happy with my new clear skin. I had a breach in my insurance for awhile and was not able to get Epiduo anymore. I decided to use this as a time to see if my regular skin could fare the same without the cream. I was off Epiduo for almost two years. At first my skin did just fine with my regular regimen:
Cetaphil cleanser for normal to oily skin twice a day
And the Cetaphil AM and PM moisturizers. After about six months or so the break outs began again.
I had begun working out more habitually and was wondering if this was effecting my hormones or something because a new problem had arose with my skin. My jawline was breaking out like crazy!!
My jawline and neck were having these bumpy under-the-skin breakouts that were so unsightly for myself.
While my acne wasn't severe, I was hating looking in the mirror. I decided now it was time to get back on Epiduo a second time.
I have been on it for only four days and I'm seeing a complete turn around.
My jawline is very cleared up (I feel I can wear my hair up again - yay!) and my face is looking clearer as a whole.
Epiduo works really great if you have stubborn acne and very sensitive skin.
I seriously have never used anything that has made my skin look this awesome.
I have tried countless products. Pretty much the entire Neutrogena line and have tried Cetaphil products on their own. Now that I'm again using my Cetaphil regimen WITH Epiduo, my skin is clear.
This is a moderately priced cream if you're insured. I pay $30 with my insurance and I figure the tube should last me at least four months. I am so relieved my skin is niceagain and felt compelled to write a review on this amazing product.
I so appreciate Epiduo
November 3, 2013
IT WORKS.
Pros:
Flattens coloress bumps
Clears acne
Less inflammed skin
Cons:
Dryness (can be solved with moistruizer)
May take a few months to see results
I'm 17 and I've been struggling with typical teenage acne for about 5 years. I had it pretty bad -- My t-zone and chin use to be covered with active pimples/scars all over and eventually it started moving down my cheeks. I also had a lot of colorless bumps concentrated on my forehead which I believe were under-the-skin whiteheads. I use to be crazy with picking at my face and from experience, I can say that it's one of the worst things you can do to your skin. So I decided to give Epiduo a try after my doctor prescribed it to me and I've been using it very night for about 6 months. My skin looks completely different now -- it's no longer inflamed and the colorless bumps have almost all flattened out for me. I usually only get one or two spots when its that time of the month but other than that, my skin is clear. If you use Epiduo I recommend you trying it out every other night to see if your skin reacts and then gradually use it every night if your skin can handle it. Also make sure to apply moisturizer after letting it sit on your skin for a little while. In conjunction to using Epiduo, I've also stopped picking at my skin and changed from using cleaner from twice every day to only once every other day. If you're on the fence about Epiduo, take the chance because I did and I'm extremely grateful for it.
September 11, 2013
Great!!
Pros:
Cleared Acne
Good for everyday
Side effects go away after a couple of weeks
Cons:
Flaking
After treatment, my skin is red
I am 13, and for about a year or two I struggled with acne. I literally was obsessed with my skin. I was spending my free time looking up reviews of products and trying everything from cheap drug store products to expensive department store one and getting facials with my own money. All I can say is stop wasting your time and money looking for other products other than Epiduo. It took me a couple of months to start working and I'm happy to say that face is acne free. I was also using another product that I got from my Dermatologist called Ziana which was amazing also. I have to admit that my skin is a little more red than usual after using this wonderful product, but it can easily be concealed with a BB cream or tinted moisturizer. Please! If you are like me and have tried everything than get to your nearest dermatologist. It will change your life and give you so much more confidence. Epiduo Works!!!!
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?
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.
March 15, 2012
Pros:
*Completely cleared up my acne
*Cheap
*A little goes a long way
Cons:
*Stains my pillows a little
*Takes a while to dry (before I can moisturise)
I suffered from moderate to severe acne for two years. I had a few cysts and a constant supply of big red painful spots and pustules around my mouth, chin and cheeks. I tried nearly everything. I went to my Derm and asked for Roaccutane. She insisted that I try Epiduo first. I reluctantly agreed. Initially I used this twice a day (against instruction!) and (not surprisingly!) suffered horrendous pain, redness cracking and peeling. I then started using Epiduo as described and saw my acne slowly disappear. It was amazing, I went from having a face dominated by acne to being 100% clear in about three months. I apply Epiduo to the affected areas every night then moisturise with Cetaphil. It's been 9 months since I started Epiduo and I probably won't ever stop using it. Just in case. I currently experience no side effects, I'd wholeheartedly recommend this product to anyone suffering with acne.
February 6, 2012
I love Epiduo! Before I asked my doctor about it I read up on it and was worried because people say that it burns and makes your face red. After using it for a few weeks twice a day I have never felt any burning and my face did not get red. I have very sensitive skin. It takes a little while to start working, but you definitely get results.
December 9, 2011
Pros:
cleared up my face in about a week
Cons:
slightly drying
face stings for about a half hour after applying
This works for me. I've been using 10% benzoyl peroxide and 2% salicylic acid face wash twice a day for 10 years (I'm 24 now), and in the past couple of years, this regimen just has NOT been cutting it. I was getting 2-3 new pimples every day no matter what I tried. My face would get worse about a week before my period (those painful, under the skin pimples that never really surface). My dermatologist tried a couple rounds of antibiotics (erythromycin and doxycycline) which had minimal results and seemed to make my acne return with a vengeance after I stopped taking them. Finally, I got a prescription for Epiduo and Monodox (doxycycline monohydrate instead of hyclate). I've only been using these for a little over a week, and my face is almost completely clear. I had an initial breakout...all the pimples that were in the process of forming are forced to the surface of your skin at the beginning of treatment. There's some burning, redness, and peeling, but CeraVe lotion seems to really help. I'd trade this minor discomfort for finally having clear skin any day.
December 1, 2011
Pros:
-clearing my skin !!!!
-less inflammation
Cons:
-my face is a little dry and tender after washing
Important- this is only after 1 week and it is combination with taking minocycline, and birth control. Besides the mild burning after washing my face (due to driness) I'm really pleased with the results so far. My hard to get rid of zits' inflammation has dramatically reduced. I've had one tiny one sprout up since starting but it was gone very quickly. Bottom line- I don't know if its the drugs or the cream or the combination, but I'm very happy right now.
November 14, 2011
Pros:
Amazing - Works wonders
Cheaper than Clearasil with concession card!
Cons:
Initial breakout
Dry skin and flakiness
This product is amazing. Yes, there is an initial breakout period when your acne will worsen, but if you persevere with the product, your acne will clear up, and stay clear. I'm using this with doxycycline 50mg daily. Also, as I have a concession card I only pay $5.60 for a 30g tube. That's cheaper than most OTC topical agents! Very happy indeed.
Pros:
Moderately priced
Doesn't cause any other breakouts
Actually works