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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Read All About Adapalene / Benzoyl Peroxide (Epiduo®)
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4
27.5%
3
11%
2
8.6%
1
14.7%

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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.
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gabbygette
September 14, 2015
You might have been using too much, It took me at least 6 months to go through my first bottle.
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July 27, 2015
Epiduo for Life!
Let me start by saying I have hormonal acne mainly on my lower cheeks. It started as soon as I turned 30 and I have been dealing with it for 4 years now. For the past year I'd get bumps primarily on my left cheek but now my right is being plagued too (**waaahhh**). I have been using epiduo for a year now and it truthfully hasn't done much to improve my acne completely, but it definitely helps even out my complexion on the rest of my face and smooth my skin which I will gratefully take. When I stop using epiduo for a period of time my breakouts will worsen so it absolutely helps calm it down some. Your face will get a little red and irritated (sometimes a bit itchy) at night when you put it on, but if you are consistent and fight through it you will eventually see some improvement. I am using epiduo in conjunction with finacea and differin. I will alternate between epiduo and differin every night (sometimes spot treat with both) and then use finacea every other morning. I am hoping this cocktail of topicals will eventually make my acne go away for good (*fingers crossed*).
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June 2, 2015
Epidou
I've been taking epidou for about two or three months. My face is way better then what it started off to be it probably would be totally clear right now but I stopped using it for a long period. I'm just now getting back on it. When I first used it 😩 it was hell. My face burned like crazy and turned red. I also applied some to my neck and my neck went crazy. About a week or so my skin got used to it and now when I use it I can see it's doing my face wonders. My doctor perscribed me to take it two times a day. But I only take it at night time because exposure to the sun while taking this can leave to a horrible problem. ðŸ'ŒðŸ¾
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May 15, 2015
Great but grew immune - not a long term fix
I immediately started seeing results from using this for my hormonal moderate acne. I was using it combined with hormonal treatments. After 3 months by skin was perfectly clear! It was amazing! This clearest it has ever been. But unfortunately it only lasted about 2 months before my skin started to breakout again.... I think my skin just became immune to it and it no longer reacted to it. My doctor has now prescribed me Tretinoin and Clindamycin cream.. really hope this works!
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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?!?
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April 10, 2015
Worstttt!
I started to grown severe acne last year. First, I tried Murad, which was absolutely a waste of money, didn't work at all and made my skin worse. Then i went to see a doctor, she first prescribed me Retin-A, I used it for 3 months, and didn't seem to work. Then she gave me Clindoxyl, it worked at the beginning, i got less break-out, but after 5 months, every time I use it, my face got burned, and became flaky, red, itchy, so I stopped, and it gave me scars! So I stopped. After that, my doctor said maybe go back to Retin-A, I said no. Then she gave me Differin, I didn't have any bad reaction, but it also didn't work, my acne came back, which is a total disaster.. Then, a dermatologist gave me this, I tried for two days, my face was on fire. so I listen to my pharmacist to put some moisturizer, but it became worse! My entire face was extremely painful! If you have sensitive skin, then run away from this product.
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March 18, 2015
Love it
I am 26 and I struggled with acne since high school. I started Retin-A about a year ago which helped, but I would break out again every time I was out in the sun for any amount of time, even wearing sunscreen every day. My derm recommended Epiduo and it has helped tremendously :) I use Retin-A at night and Epiduo in the morning. It's worked really well for me!
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February 1, 2015
I couldn't sleep
Taking Epiduo really messed with my sleep. When I first started taking it I couldn't sleep for 1-2 weeks. I tossed and turned all night and could never actually fall asleep. This is tough for me because I was a sleeper. I never put two and two together till I stopped using it then about 2 months later started using it again. I AGAIN couldn't sleep. Crazy?!? I googled it and saw that other people had the same side affect. No thanks, I'll go back to usin regular Differine which worked perfectly.
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January 12, 2015
works for some people but not for me DONT USE TWICE A DAY
used it for a year and diddnt work whatsoever stopped using it and my face was better but it works with some people but i started using it again after my doctor told me used it 2 a day and ended up with chemical like burns
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January 8, 2014
Worst of the Worst

Cons:

very harsh
dry and flaky
inflamation

I tried this product when it was very new on the market and my doctor was hopeful it would work on cystic acne. ...she was wrong. My face was inflamed, itchy, rough and INCREDIBLY FLAKY. While new break outs sort of subsided, I wondered if the trade off was worth it? my skin looked all over worse with all the new side effects than it ever did with just pimples. I've been off it for a few months now but I think it might be the cause of my now SUPER sensitive skin. This product is very harsh and damaging.
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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