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
March 12, 2012
Cons:
Price, a little drying
This product is the best product I've used I'm African American and have tried every thing, from olay to proactive and all Neutrogena products none worked but this! It cleared all my acne by two weeks. Its kinda expensive but you won't be wasting any money! It kinda dried out my face by my mouth but a little lotion did the trick.
August 23, 2011
Pros:
Clears acne FAST
Really effective
Makes skin smooth
Lasts long
Not irritating to skin
Cons:
Expensive if insurance doesn't cover it
My dermatologist prescribed this to me about a year ago. Luckily he gave me a card that allows you to pay only $35 for it, otherwise it can be expensive. I put a pea size amount on my face after I get out of the shower or wash my face and it works great. If I ever get acne I put it on at night and when I wake up the next morning its already mostly gone. It starts working fast, you can see it working about fifteen minutes after you put it on. Its very effective.
April 21, 2011
Pros:
kind of cleared acne, over time
Cons:
peeling
moisturizing didnt help
burning if used too much
i reccomend this product only if you can get it at a discounted price. for some it works miracles, but it helped me only with a little bit. it made my complextion very blotchy and i use it every other day, or when my breakouts get really bad. i have definatley seen some improvement, but if you have to pay full price for it, it isnt worth it.
December 16, 2010
snappy tomatoes I'm in the same boat you were in...I'm on week 5 and I'm still breaking out and haven't seen an improvement because of that. it took you 8 weeks to get results??? I figured by this time I should start seeing some light at the end of the tunnel but no such luck. hopefully I'm going to get the same results as you did.
November 10, 2010
Pros:
Prevents breakouts.
Cons:
Your face becomes EXTREMELY dry.
My dermatologist provided me with samples of Epiduo and I used it for the longest time. I would apply it every night before going to bed. Although it might help moderate acne, it is not worth having dry, red skin. My face is so dry, that I cannot even wear makeup. When I smile, all the dry skin around my face cracks. I feel and look like a lizard. Also, I have fairly sensitive skin, so anything I apply on my face now burns me horrible. All in all, this product is not worth it. I would rather have a few pimples then a lizard face.
July 22, 2010
Pros:
- See a big improvement in a day or so
- Dries up your acne, makes it "fade away"
Cons:
- Burns SO badly (makes you CRY)
- Dries out your face a LOT
- May give you an allergic reaction
I've had TERRIBLE acne for a few years now, and it was so life-changing, in a horrible way! I'm still using Epiduo (been using for 3 days) and it really seems to be working! The only 2 TERRIBLE things about this stuff is that it gave me a MAJOR allergic reaction (on neck and jawline) and it stings after you put it on for about...20 minutes. I see a HUGE improvement though, and would defineltey reccommend this to somebody with bad acne.
June 30, 2010
Pros:
- works quickly
- easy to use
- affordable
Cons:
- can be drying
I used to use ProActiv but it stopped working. I went to my dermatologist and he gave me a prescription of Epiduo. I LOVE THIS!!! He told me that I might see some drying in the beginning but that means its working. I did get some drying at first, but not anymore-- I guess my face got used to it. And he was definitely right about it working because I started to see a huge change within the first 3 weeks. I wash my face with a gentle cleanser (my derm told me to try cetaphil), let it my face dry (to avoid burning), apply a small amount of epiduo, then finish off with a moisturizer... all right before bed. I hope this helps because it made me feel better about my face. Also! make sure you get the coupon from [link removed]-- so worth it.
May 27, 2010
Pros:
None yet
Cons:
Dries skin out
Stings really bad especially if you put on moisturizer
I've been using this product for about 3 weeks now and I haven't seen any results yet. Right now all it does is just dry my skin out and it my face sting really bad! I can't even put anything on it cause it'll make it worse. I also take 100mg minocycline as an antibiotic 2x a day and I use Cetaphil face wash. Being on this pill has reduced the redness and pain of my pimples so that's the only Pro to my treatment right now. So far Epiduo isn't doing anything I just hope it kicks in soon.
December 17, 2009
Pros:
Easy to apply
Might have improved my acne situation (see bottom line)
Cons:
Severe redness
Severe burning
I used it on and off for three month for treating mild/moderate acne with antibiotics. I had to call in sick from work and sit with a fan towards my face because it burned so much. Lucky this was in the summertime because I could pass it as a "sunburn". The thing is, I did not use much at all. I was careful yet this happend. I don't think I got ultra sensitive skin either. It did seem to reduce the amount of acne but it could be also that the red spots got camouflaged by the redness and gave an illusion. I am sorry to say I can't recomend this, if you want to try it. Be really careful and don't start to apply it every night in a row at the start. Use Two or max three times a week for 1 month then increase.
December 1, 2009
Pros:
affordable--my insurance pays
Cons:
I've used epiduo for about 3 months now, with absolutely no reduction in acne. in fact, I think it's worse than it's ever been! I'm 48 and have never "outgrown" acne--even with this medication. I think I'm ready to try Acutane.
I'd pay anything it cost if it WORKED! But it doesn't. So I have to make yet another dermatology appt. to get this figured out.
Pros:
Works quick, all acne gone, best product,