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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November 3, 2016
It works!
I have had pretty bad acne for 4 years, and I especially get a lot of spots on my forehead. The only thing that worked for me was quinoderm so since that has been banned I have been desperate to find something else. I started using this cream about 3 weeks ago, and it does actually work, but it destroys your skin as well. After a week I noticed I went from a lot of medium sized spots to lots of tiny, hard, red, inflamed ones, almost like a massive rash across my forehead. This is because the stuff is awful for your skin and I was applying tons of it twice a day so use springy otherwise your face will be a red, itchy, peeling mess. However if you use a lot of moisturiser and get the balance right it works pretty well, and after three weeks I have FAR BETTER SKIN, so I am happy.
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September 13, 2016
Effective moisturizing options
Been using for two weeks now and haven't seen much improvement. Usually my skin is extremely sensitive and cracks and flakes with retinoids but I've been using manuka honey as a facial mask/cleanser in conjunction with Hawaiian moon aloe cream as a moisturizer and haven't had any of the flaking AT ALL! Totally recommend this stuff. The manuka honey I bought is trader joes brand (10+) which I personally love. The hawaiian moon aloe can be found on amazon but you can also buy on their website. Ive been using this moisturizer for about a year now, and although its a bit pricey, I'm a huge fan. Hope this helps someone out there!
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squidly
December 5, 2016
UPDATE: Its been around 3 months now and I'm definitely seeing improvement. My acne has totally subsided aside from the occasional white head during my cycle and the scars are starting to heal up. I use this in conjunction with a cleanser (naturopathica mens cleanser - works wonders!), a tonic (lush rose water tonic) and moisturizer (moon aloe (night) and lush vanishing cream (morning)). Also while I was still breaking out I used tea tree as a spot med and it worked amazingly!
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June 19, 2016
Didn't do anything for me
I used this for about 6 months with Aczone. I saw no changes one way or the other. I might as well have used nothing because there was honestly no change at all. I didn't even get an initial flare.
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June 7, 2016
Slather it on!
This stuff is great - if you use 3x the recommended dose. It comes in a little pump now and I use 2 or 3 pumps twice a day, and it clears up my skin in 4 days tops. It's really drying, just like any BP product, but the results are worth it. I also love how the cream isn't grainy like many BP products are. It doesn't seem to prevent my acne quite as well as it cleared up the existing ones, which is why I decided to give Dan's regimen a try. If the regimen doesn't work better than this stuff, I will most certainly come back to it!
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February 2, 2016
HAPPY
been suffering with acne on and off for 10 years and tried both aral medication and anti-acne product ..after being recommended by the derm 2 years ago i started to using this cream and apply skinoren after been using them for 2 years and i got wonderful result..be patient and stick in it!!
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January 12, 2016
would NOT recommend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Okay, I read reviews before I bought this and decided that many people seem to have found success. I have used a number of topical treatments before and found things to be drying, but I can put up with that!!! I started using this and hated it, but still gave it a chance. For the first 2 weeks it stung. so bad. It would sting when I would apply the medication, but also when I would exercise and sweat, when I showered or swam in a pool...ect...ouch! It also made my face really red. As everyone else said, it makes you skin flake and peel. But it was way worse than anyone warned. It got to the point where wind would move dead skin off my face!! I couldnt apply makeup because it was flaking so much. My face had an AWFUL texture and I look 100000x worse than with cystic acne. no thanks! but i continued with it (oh no...) by week 3 the peeling had yet to cease. it was bad. I reapplied the thickest moisturiser I could find 10+ times a day, and it was no help! felt so emabarrassed! WHY HAD I DONE THIS TO MYSELF!! My acne didnt clear up AND now, after a pimple would go away, the epiduo left a red mark where the pimple used to be!!!? this never happened to me before. but now not only do i have acne, but i also have a very uneven skin tone. needless to say, at the end of week 3 i gave up. overall, i wouldnt reccommend, not a good prouduct! However, it did help get rid of some acne (hardly, but a bit)
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September 14, 2015
LOVE
I love this product. I never had sever acne, I just always had a few marks on my chin and all a lot on my forehead and i was fine with that until I went to college. I started using it my freshman year of college, it took about a month and a half for my face to clear up, and everyone noticed! I used it until the middle of summer when i just forgot about it. My face stayed clear all summer, then as soon as my school started, so did the acne. So I started it agin and it cleared up my face again. If I can use this forever, I will! It does dry your skin out, so drink plenty of water and every morning wash your face with a not topical face wash (I use Cetephil) and apply lotion, (cetephil). And yes you face will look worse before it looks better, but give it at least 2 months and you will be so happy!
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September 6, 2015
it works
I've been struggling with acne for years now. My skin cleared up for about 3 years but then I started breaking out again. Went to the doctor and she prescribed me this. In the first 2 weeks, my skin was really dry and adjusting to the product. As other reviews have said, in weeks 3 to 5 your skin can start breaking out pretty bad. Mine definitely did. It got really really bad (worse than before I started using it). But I read a lot of reviews and just stuck with it. I totally recommend that you do stick with it because pretty suddenly, in weeks 6 to 7 my skin cleared up. I've kept using it for over 12 weeks now and my skin is completely different - clear and any spots that do come up, disappear very quickly. Really happy with it!! I used it with cetaphil cleanser and an aloe vera moisturiser. I didn't have any problems being in the sun either, my skin didn't burn at all. I do use sunscreen though. I know it is really hard to stick with it when your skin is going crazy, but I did and I am grateful. Sometimes you just have to believe in the product and it works out. Read a lot of reviews too, that can help support you. I'll definitely continue using this
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Lucymariexoxo
November 30, 2015
Hi, did you wear any makeup during the treatment process?
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September 1, 2015
number 1 product
Epiduo is nothing short of a miracle product for me. I had acne for 6 years, until finally I was referred to a dermatologist. I'd tried endless rounds of antibiotics, all of which either worked temporarily or made me too unwell to continue - or both - and had used Duac with, again, some temporary success. By this point I thought my skin would never be clear and I would have to live like this forever. Then my dermatologist started me on Dianette, a BCP, and Epiduo. The dianette made my skin a lot less oily and the epiduo cleared it up. It wasn't easy though. Even months in the epiduo stung so much to apply I'd almost be in tears. My skin has never been sensitive but it hurt even to moisturise it. Makeup was out of the question because it would get caught in these disgusting dry flakes, which was annoying because it made my skin quite red. This went on for months. I remember being very upset going out to parties at how horrible and red my face would look in photos, yet unable to wear makeup. My dermatologist actually prescribed me epiduo in the evening and Duac in the morning! I cringe to think of such a drying regime. I know Dan recommends being as gentle as possible, but what helped with the flakiness was using a gentle cleanser and my Clarisonic, followed by a moisturiser, to sort of buff off the flakes. Eventually, epiduo stopped irritating me so much and I settled in to a good regime and my skin was perfect! I came off Dianette because it made me very moody but my skin is still clear thanks to epiduo. It's a tiny bit more congested than it was when I was on the pill but I'm not going to complain because it's practically perfect. I never dreamt of having skin I was happy with and now I do.
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August 20, 2015
Teenage Acne
Hello, I'm 16 and have had acne since the beginning of high school, which is about 2 years for me. I'm going into grade 11 now and have had consistent and worsening acne while trying a number of different products. To debrief, I began using Epiduo in March and was very disappointed by the results I received after around 3 weeks to a month. I experienced an initial clearing of skin in the first week and then began to break out dramatically for weeks that followed. I put the product down after about a month and tried other methods. None of the products that I purchased seemed to better my skin, so after around 4 months I returned to my dermatologist in July with frustration and intentions to begin Accutane because the acne on my chin, though not severe, had not cleared for months and I had become extremely depressed with my failure to clear up. Reluctantly, I chose to take doxycycline and Epiduo from my dermatologist for a three month period. I'm on week five of this treatment and am not impressed with my results. I feel as though I may be in the same place as I was when I was prescribed and am growing impatient. I have had dryness, redness, and initial break outs but by week 5, my skin is continuing to have small break outs and hyper pigmentation. I'm wondering when I'll see dramatic results.
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soutera
August 21, 2015
comment with your help please?
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soutera
October 11, 2015
I'm on the eleventh week of this treatment and I've been moderately to completely clear for the past week. It's taken a very long time to have consistency in terms of getting no new pimples but I think that I'm finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel!!!
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Lucymariexoxo
November 30, 2015
Hi, did you wear any makeup during the treatment process?
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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