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
February 4, 2015
I swear by this - it truly works!
I've suffered from acne for about 4 years now. I'm 18 and I've tried almost everything to help improve my skin, but nothing has worked better than Epiduo. I'll admit I was initially shocked with the price, but only because I didn't want to spend money on products. I used Benzoyl Peroxide for a year and although my experience with it was good, it still didn't work as well as I needed to. I'm now using Epiduo instead of Benzoyl Peroxide as part of The Regimen, and I can truly say that The Regimen has made a difference in the improvement of my skin. I've been using Epiduo for nearly 2 months and my skin is at its best. You can really see the results within the first week or so. This is the best investment I've made so far, it's well worth the money. I've never felt more happy and comfortable in my own skin.
January 22, 2015
Made everything so much worse.
I know everyone recommends "sticking to it", but honestly, you have to know when to stop too. I had pretty bad acne, I would always have at least 2 or 3 cystic pimples at almost any given time plus blackheads under the skin and whiteheads on and off. I also had some mild hyperpigmentation and scarring. It was my doctor (GP NOT a dermatologist - please people, go to a dermatologist) who recommended this to me while I was waiting to see a derm, which was going to take about 6 months. My doctor told me that my skin would purge for 1-2 weeks, and then start getting better. The pharmacist told me 2-3 weeks it would get worse, and then better. However, I used this product for 5 solid weeks and my acne got worse each and every day. My skin was burning, flaking and red and I was breaking out like I had never broken out before. It was an absolute nightmare. Finally, I decided enough was enough and I stopped using it. And wouldn't you know, the acne started going away. A few months later, I met with a real dermatologist (not a GP playing derm) and took a 6 month course of Accutane. It totally saved me. Really, really wish I had just waited for that because this Epiduo crap (Tactuo here in Canada) left me with severe scarring.
January 19, 2015
It really works!
I've only just started using epiduo, I'm on my fourth day and I can already see a difference with my acne. Although my skin is very very dry and itchy. After reading lots and lots of other reviews this is normal and usually goes after a month or so. I've been on birth control pills, three courses of different antibiotics and used thousands of over the counter and branded products, which unfortunately none have improved my skin. I finally went back to the doctors after a few weeks of a really bad breakout which wasn't helping my anxiety at all. I went to the doctors wanting to come out with a referral to a dermotolitist but my doctor said we have to try at least another course of antibiotics before the dermotolitist even considers something like accutane. This is when she prescribed me Epiduo, which was very hard to get hold of in my local pharmacies. After my first night of applying the gel, I saw a difference the morning after with my acne. My problem areas weren't as aggravated but were very dry, which I'm sure can be helped my a good moisturiser. I keep telling myself to stick to using epiduo as it obviously helps acne prone skin. Would defiantly recommend even after 4 days! Stay positive!
December 30, 2014
Give it a try!
I was prescribed this in September, and I have mild acne, mostly under the skin. I used this product for two weeks and it was absolute hell. Like everyone else, I used too much at first, and my face burned till I thought I was going to die. I stopped using it after that. Then, in November, I decided to give it a try again and have now been using it for almost 8 weeks. I use it with an excellent Cervae moisturizer. Your skin will definitely get worse before it gets better. I know that no one wants to hear that, and I certainly didn't, but if you have the guts to stick it out you will be glad that you did. I still have minor issues going on, but they're getting better slowly. My skin has gotten oilier, which I did not expect, but it is overall a lot better. I will check back here with this review when I complete 2-3 months so you guys can see where I am with it
November 28, 2014
OMG FINALLY
So basically no OTC products worked, steivamycin worked for a short period but then became immune, benzaclin was an absolute disaster, ziana was the worst product i've ever used... So that left me with Epiduo (Tactuo where i'm from in Canada). My last chance at clear skin. Began using it, complete disaster. Bright red, dry, peeling skin. So I stopped using it after about 2 weeks. Acne got so bad that I had to force myself to go back on it. Turns out I was using it improperly the first time. Was putting way too much on the first time. PEA SIZED AMOUNT. Breakout has finally cleared and I only get about 1 or 2 spots every week now. Still gives skin a reddish tinge which I don't really like but hey it's better than a face full of acne
Regimine
Morning- wash face with cetaphil gentle cleansing bar, moisturize with Neutrogena oil free moisturizer
Night- Wash face with gentle cleansing bar, wet my finger and apply pea sized amount of epiduo all over my face, moiturize with oil free moisturizer, apply vaseline to lips and corner of mouth
THIS SAVED ME. Let's hope it keeps up.
Stick the first couple weeks of Epiduo out and you're gold!!
July 7, 2014
NOpe Noope Nope
I really disliked epiduo. Had moderate facial acne and a good deal of cystic bacne in my first year of college, and when I finally went to the derm, she prescribed me this along with an oral antibiotic. Epiduo felt greasy and disgusting on my skin, and it absolutely did nothing. Actually made everything worse, since I stopped doing my proactive regimen when I started it. I was on it for five weeks with NO improvement. Finally now I'm on aczone and doing great. IF OTC BENZOYL PEROXIDE DOES NOTHING FOR YOU, PROBS IS A BAD IDEA. Benzoyl peroxide does nothing but dry me out in any form. hate hate hate. However, if otc benzoyl peroxide does SOMETHING for you, this may possibly help. Feels totally gross though.
January 14, 2014
Brillant
Cons:
Sunburn prone
Expensive
Rash
Suffered for severe back acne for years now, it wasn't only staying around, I was sick of it so I went to my local GP and was prescribed epiduo, I had no idea what to expect, 1 month later and I am COMPLETELY clear of my back acne. There was a hiccup as I did break out in a rash that lasted a few days. If I had known about what this medication when I first started breaking out and what it could do for me, without a doubt I would have got it. Try this out if you want results.
December 16, 2013
THIS GIRL IS ON FIRE
Pros:
get to stay home from school because rash was bad
Cons:
BURNING, ON FIRE, OW
peeling, PAIN.
redness, i look like tomatoe literally
I use this occasionally and a few days ago when I used this I woke up with a huge frickin rash all across my face. IT BURNS. A LOT. I HAVE IT ON RIGHT NOW AND THIS GIRL IS ON FIREEEEE. ow ow ow ow OW. STINGING STINGING OH FRUMPALUMP THIS IS STINGING. OWWWW. ow. ow. ow. ow. AY AY AY CARUMBA. once upon a long long time a go , it worked, but it just hurts now.
December 16, 2013
Worst benzoyl peroxide product ever
Pros:
clears some acne
Cons:
burns
stings
redness
Epiduo works to clear some acne but does not completely clear your face. It also burns like nothing else. My skin never adjusted to the burning, every night was like my face was on fire. And I only used a pea-sized amount.
November 30, 2013
Not working and really irritates my skin
Pros:
Easy to apply
Cons:
Irritates skin
Dries out skin
Doesn't help much
I have normal skin, normally have 5-6 pimple around my chin, but I do have quite a few scars. I started using Tactuo (Epiduo) a month ago. It didn't help with the breakouts at all. The worst thing is it really irritates my skin, and now my skin is sensitive even to my regular skin care regimen (La Roche Posay Effaclar products). I had a bad skin burning sensation every time I applied Tactuo and it still hasn't settled after a month. I think I'll stop using it...
Pros:
Clear skin
Heals acne scars