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
February 2, 2016
3 weeks & 2 days into treatment
I got on this product because I was so sick and tired of my persistent acne. Throughout high school and most of college I had regular skin with a pimple here and there but nothing abnormal at all. Right after I graduated college (22 years old) my acne started to get worse and worse. At its worst I have subsurface pimples, large pores, blackheads, and whiteheads. My cheeks is where I get the majority of my acne and towards the sides of my face. On my forehead there are a few blackheads here and there and the same goes for my chin. The subsurface bumps are soooooo painful!! I started epiduo in January 2016, and today marks the 3rd week and 2nd day. I haven't had any significant improvements in my skin as a whole but I made the decision to stick with the treatment for a total of 3 months and if I saw no improvements I would either get to a dermatologist or try the acne.org regimen. Every single review I've read has said that it does take a while to work, so I believe 3 months is plenty of time for my skin to be well adjusted and for me to see some type if results. I also noticed that a lot of reviewers were saying that their skin started to clear within the first 1-2 weeks while using epiduo, but I just figure because I have sensitive skin it may take my skin a little while longer than others. Right now my skin is very dry/flaky, and my cheeks still have a ton of bumps on them. I use the epiduo with the Cetaphil face wash and moisturizer and Botanicals Rosewater toner to combat irritation. Again after 3 months I'll decide if epiduo is worth staying on but if it continues the way its been going then I'll probably just try the acne.org regimen! I gave the product 3 stars and recommended simply because I have only been on it for 3 weeks so I can't say with confidence that it does or does not work. I will post another review after 3 months!
August 8, 2015
Timeline
I will be updating this timeline as my treatment progresses! Final review will be at the end of my treatment (: [Taking this with minocycline] Week 1- It burned and stung like crazy as soon as I applied it and stayed like that throughout the entire night. It turned my skin from extremely oily to dry, flaky, and red. Week 2- It doesn't sting as bad when I apply it now. My skin looks like its clearing up a little bit! Week 3- It now is completely sting-free when applied. My face is breaking out again though :-( Week 4- I'm still breaking out very badly. Mostly black heads surrounding my lips although there ARE pustules (pimples) too :-/ Week 5- No significant difference from week 4 Week 6- My forearms have significantly improved, but the rest of my body is still a mess. My chin is breaking out sooo bad. I'm tired of waiting for this to work. I just want to start on some other prescription already. Week 7- Just ran out of my first bottle. will update soon.
September 14, 2015
You might have been using too much, It took me at least 6 months to go through my first bottle.
April 23, 2015
Two Minds...
Hi,
While holidaying in New York my skin broke out something chronic. I walked around the shops buying everything anyone would sell me, just to clear it up. It didn't work. It only got worse. Before you knew it, I was back to AUS with a horrible red-pimpley face. Just so you know; growing up I never really had acne, the odd hormonal pimple and thats about it. Well its been two years and I am now 24 and the battle is still going on. I have spent thousands of dollars on treatment - cosmetics, cosmeceuticals, peels, light therapies, doctor appts and now I am onto my pharmaceuticals.
My cosmetic doctor has given me a prescription for an oral antibiotic and this EpiDuo gel - he suggested using it with Rationale products.
So far - there are maybe slight improvements? But what I am STRUGGLING with most is the burning. I wash my face, apply hydration gel, epiduo and my face just BURNS!!!!? Is this normal? I have red inflamed and flaky areas on my face - this is my second week and I feel like I am really struggling. Can someone please tell me if there face feels like its on fire?!?
January 23, 2015
Scared of the results
My daughter was prescribed this but based on the reviews that I am reading, I am a little scared to have her try it. This is expensive and will be such a waste of money if it doesn't work.
January 19, 2015
Okay, I guess
I used this for about 5 months and it worked at first, it got rid of a few bumps. After that it just controlled my acne for a long time and then the acne just came back. It was just a temporary fix and it wasn't very effective. My sister had mild acne and just within a few months her acne went away using Epiduo, so if you have mild acne I'd give it a shot. If you don't, it's not really worth it and it doesn't do much.
December 24, 2014
help??
Ive been on epiduo for aprox. 3 weeks. Ive had acne since I was 13 years old. At first it was just a couple of pimples here and there (It wasnt really acne yet) but I didn't mind them at all because I used to have bangs which helped me cover them. However, it started getting worse when I was 15. I turned 16 a couple of months ago and I just couldn't take it anymore. The small breakouts I used to have turned into moderate acne. I was prescribed epiduo about 3 weeks ago and at first I was extremely pleased. The first week I experienced a bit of redness but my skin had improved greatly (I had no active pimples). The second week was fine as well, I experienced itchiness, redness, and peeling (my skin had become extremely dry), but I had no pimples. However, lately, its been getting worse. I haven't left my house in 6 days (im extremely self conscious and I suffer from social anxiety and my acne makes me feel really bad), my skin is EXTREMELY dry, and every time I take a shower or wash my face my skin literally comes off. The weird thing is, as soon as I put the product on my pimples become invisible and they look like they're cured and healing, but when I wash my face my skin starts peeling off and the pimples become extremely visible. I really dont know what to do, my skin has NEVER been worse and I dont know if I should continue applying the cream. Help, please? (my mom is tired of hearing me cry because of my skin) Thanks
August 18, 2014
could have been better
I have been using this for going on 8 months. I apply it before bed every night and wash thoroughly in the morning. I did notice results in the first month, but noting dramatic. My skin burned, reddened, itched, and cracked after using this product for two weeks. Many months later, my results have plummeted and I see no difference since the first month. I feel like this is a good product for other people but it just didn't do it for me. Hope this helped. :)
July 30, 2014
Works well but still get minor breakouts
It takes a couple months to work, but did a good job of preventing my pustular breakouts (not the big hormonal ones in my experience). I didn't really have issues with flaking and dryness, as I switched to a gentle, non-medicated cleanser while using it, and have extremely oily skin. I used it nightly in a THIN layer over my whole face and washed it off in the morning. Even though my complexion drastically improved, I still woke up to a few small, but manageable, pustules virtually everyday. My pores were also still extremely clogged. I believe it also helped fade my dark marks at the same time. Lately, however, it hasn't been working as great as it used to, even though I haven't changed my cleansing routine. It might have something to do with other lifestyle changes such as water composition, sleep patterns, and diet. For these reasons, I believe that if your acne is caused by a more serious, internal issue, epiduo might not work as well as expected. For me, it was only a short term confidence booster. Additionally, I am slightly suspicious that it exacerbated my dry eye issues.
June 13, 2014
Great for Mild acne, but if you are a cystic sufferer than STAY AWAY
I started Epiduo + Doxycycline in October 17th 2012, nearly 8 months ago. The first three months were hell, red peeling skin and horrible initial breakout, I had to constantly moisturize and missed out of a couple of social functions because of it. After that my skin started to calm, and somewhat started clearing. This phase lasted about 2 and a half months, in which my acne was getting better but was leaving behind unsightly red marks. The red marks concerned me so I took a trip to the derm, who said they should fade in a matter of months. 2 weeks later I was back at the derms, because my face, chest, and back had EXPLODED in cystic acne and small red hard pimples, the Epiduo stopped working entirely and I am currently making the switch to accutane. If you suffer from cystic acne do not even bother with this, it does NOTHING to stop it. This is for people like young teens with mild acne or minor scarring they wish to heal.
January 19, 2014
Epiduo
Cons:
dry red itchy skin
painful to wash face
I have really oily skin and I'm prone to breakouts on my forehead so my dermatologist prescribed this for me. I have been using it for a month and my acne has cleared up somewhat. The product makes your face feel like its on fire when washing it or putting moisturizer and medication on. I would highly recommend not using soap but a gentle face cleanser while using epiduo. I have never had dry skin before ever and it is really quite flakey and red on my lower cheeks. Also the few breakouts that I have been getting aren't clearing up at quickly as normal. I wouldn't start using this during the winter and I advise being careful during the summer because I think I will be seeing a lot of painful sunburns in my future due to my now sensitive face. Epiduo served its purpose but not without consequences.
Pros:
clears acne
less oily