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
July 10, 2012
Cons:
Skin dried a bit at the beginning
SUCH a good product. Fast acting and it really works well for me (i'm 15)
June 29, 2012
Pros:
-Improved the number of pimples I got
-No greasy feeling when applying
-Made my acne not as red the next morning
-Made my skin look clearer
Cons:
-Initial breakouts
-Dried my skin out a lot
-Burned
-Didn't clear my skin completely.
I am so glad i used epiduo! I've been using it for almost a year now and my acne was REALLY bad. I have cystic acne so I would always get these massive bumps all over my face- even my nose! Epiduo made my acne better by not getting so many pimples. The downfall was the initial breakouts. I would breakout more at first but after a few weeks it got a little better and then I started seeing major improvements by about 3 months. I still use it now though. However, I had to use a lot of moisturizer because my skin would peel and fall off, and it really burned when i put it on the next day. I still do get huge bumps on my face, just not as many, but IT DOES NOT CLEAR YOUR ACNE COMPLETELY! One great thing I noticed is that it helps prevent breakouts when your stressed- and I have had a lot of stress after my aunt passed away of Ovarian Cancer and my mom getting breast cancer. When I used Epiduo, I didn't break out at all during those difficult times. I used cetaphil soap and moisturizer and it did my skin good. I would also get some sun during the summertime because thats the time my skin was the best, but I live in Florida so I guess that's normal. Overall, If you just want an improvement on the number of pimples you are getting, epiduo isn't a bad thing to ask your dermatologist about. But don't expect it to clear your acne all the way, i still get some zits but I am much happier than i was before!
June 17, 2012
Pros:
Cleared my acne
Exfoliated my skin
It was free because my derm gave me a bunch of samples
Cons:
Made my skin look flaky
Initial breakout sucks!!
I want to say I'm also on doxycycline which together with the epiduo has Completly cleared my skin of acne ( I get a pimple or two a week before my period but nothing like before) my skin was clear up until march if 2012 then it went crazy and started popping up all over my face forehead, cheaks, chin, and they were NOT SMALL!! They where big ugly and painful, it's been 11 weeks since I started the epiduo and 13 weeks for the doxy and I am so relieved. You just gotta get though that initial breakout and you will get great results, I used ( and am still using)Cera Ve foaming facial cleanser Cera Ve day and night facial moisturizing lotion, I put the epiduo on before my Cera Ve night lotion and it's never stung or burnt bad at all. I do think acne treatment benefits from antibiotics like doxy or minocycline (solodyn) so you treat from the inside and out, I'm also an aesthetician and I definitely needed presciption meds for my skin, I could not deal with it myself, thanks, and don't stop it because of the initial breakout be patient and you will see results!!
June 8, 2012
Pros:
Eventually will clear skin
Cons:
burning
itching
PAINFUL
redness
My younger sister bought this product and she LOVED it! I really don't have "bad" acne; my skin is actually really good. About 3 months ago my skin spazzed out on me! i didn't know what I was doing wrong: I didn't sleep with my makeup on, I always washed my face, etc... The only thing i can remember changing was I wasn't using my Clinque 3 Step System. My sister let me use her Epiduo, and by the second day of wearing it, my skin felt like it was on fire! My sister assured my that it was only temporary. I toughed it out, and it felt like it wasn't serving any purpose. After a month of torture, my acne cleared up slightly. I did not continue to use it after that, but I did switch back to my Clinque and my skin looks awesome!
June 3, 2012
Pros:
really works
easy to use
Cons:
possible irritation and dryness
takes 2-3 months to work
a couple months ago i had a huge patch of acne on my forehead that would not go away. It had been there for about 2 months and nothing would work on it. When i went to the doctors for a check up one time, the doctor noticed it and gave me some samples of epiduo without really telling me how to use it. I started using it that night but i was only applying it to my forehead, not my entire face. it took about 2 months and never dried my forehead out and the patch was COMPLETELY gone and still, a couple months later, i have not had one blemish on my forehead. However, i started getting alot of breakouts on my chin and on my cheeks which was unusual so i decided to go see a dermatologist. She prescribed me to use epiduo on my entire face which i didn't know you could do since i was never told how to use it, I just thought it was a spot treatment. But i have been using epiduo on my entire face every night for about 2 weeks and i can already notice a difference in my skin. My skin is not as oily and my skin is slowly clearing up. I still have some blemishes but it has gotten better. I have had a little flakiness around my nose and my mouth but its nothing that a little moisturizer can't fix but i would definitely recommend this product!
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.
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.
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.
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.
May 19, 2012
Pros:
WORKS, quite fast actually- 2 weeks!
Really easy to apply- you won't forget because it will be apart of your skin care routine.
Never had a breakout when I was stressed!
BEST PRODUCT I'VE USED!
Cons:
Dries out skin= flaky skin!
Made my eyes swell up
Stinging on second week...extremely painful!
Never ever writ a review but really thought I should for this product.... I'm 19 and usually get breakouts around my my period (guys are lucky ^.^). Epiduo really helped my skin from breaking out- I get the odd spots but they are not massive ones, so changed my acne type in a way, used to suffer from massive spots under my skin! I currently took my second year finals and when I am stressed it used to show on my skin! EPIDUO STOPPED THIS :D. Ok so, the bad stuff! When I started using epiduo I never really had a serious breakout like other people did but my gosh, my skin was so dry, specially on my eyelids and cheekbone area! Also it really made my skin sting on the second week of using Epiduo, was extremely painful! But the pain eventually went away. So advice:
1) USE A MOISTURIZER AFTER YOU APPLY EPIDUO. (other wise your skin will really dry out- I tried not using a moisturizer once and then spent 1 week getting it back to normal!). I use Simple Anti-Spot Moisturizer. 2) WASH YOUR HANDS AFTER APPLYING IT AND BEFORE YOU APPLY YOUR MOISTURIZER! (Ok, so never washed my hands once and my eyes inflated! Epiduo can really irritate your eyes.) 3) APPLY AROUND YOUR WHOLE FACE, even areas where not prone to acne! I don't know why, but it helps! 4) Well, I'm using Tetralysal too so maybe that's helping me too, but wouldn't recommend this antibiotic, I forgot to use it twice and both times had 2 spots the next morning!
Pros:
Clearer skin- Fast!