Adapalene / Benzoyl Peroxide (Epiduo®)
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Side Effects

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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496
Read All About Adapalene / Benzoyl Peroxide (Epiduo®)
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5
39.1%
4
29.2%
3
10.3%
2
7.9%
1
13.5%

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September 20, 2013
Not Very Effective

Pros:

Cleared blackheads
Subdued Oily Skin

Cons:

Itchiness
Redness

I think Epiduo is very overrated. This was my second prescription topical gel I was given by my doctor. I used it religiously and hoped against all hope. I even used Cetaphil face wash like they recommend and used moisturizer. All I got from Epiduo was itchy, blotchy skin. I really thought this would work on my moderately severe acne, but unfortunately it struck out. Luckily I was able to get it with the coupon, so it was fairly cheap.
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August 4, 2013
Big Mistake.

Pros:

gave face nice look

Cons:

Lots of whiteheads
Broke me out
Drys skin for first few weeks.

I'm a 16 year old girl and my derm put me on this along with doxycycline (150 mg, once a day). The oral medication was definitely helping while the epiduo caused me to wake up with more and more big nasty white heads. They were larger than my actual acne before. My dermatologist said I was "sensitive" to it. Just please do not try this product, you'll regret it. (Sidenote) doxycycline worked pretty well, you should give it a shot.
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August 3, 2013
Do not use on sensitive skin

Pros:

Didn't give it more than a weeks chance, could work for some
You get a decent amount of product for price
ingredients have research and have been proven successful in some

Cons:

Chemically burned my skin
Skin will become dry and flaking
skin was oily in places where the acne was

I have moderately severe cystic acne and this product started burning, and when I mean burn I mean chemical burn, my skin raw after about a week of use. I couldn't even apply make up to cover it because my skin burned so bad. Granted, I only used it for a week and there is not gonna be much results, I found the product to be abrasive and not usable. If you tend to have sensitive skin, I do not recommend this product but if you have tough skin I would give it a go, all its ingredients set you up for success but maybe just not in my case.
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July 17, 2013
Eh
My acne is the type with congested pores that get inflamed, Basically this product never really cleared me up, just calmed it down. I stopped using because it made me extremely oily by the third month. It might work for you though.
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July 5, 2013
My dermatologist reccomended this to me because of my moderate acne

Cons:

flaky
dryness
makes pimples bigger

This drys the living crap out of me! But after a week my skin got used to it...(with tons of moisturizer) it just makes my pimples bigger and bigger and i feel like it just makes them redder
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May 18, 2012

Pros:

None

Cons:

Doesn't do anything. Maybe made it worse and left scars

Didn't work on my south asian skin and I've been using it for about 7 weeks for some sudden breakouts. Still have dark marks from where it caused me to break out. Didn't work for me, but still could work for you if you're not prone to PIH
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April 13, 2012

Pros:

it helps a small amount

Cons:

its very pricey
never got rid of my acne
dries out skin

no i don't recommend this because it never truly helped, and I only have mild acne.
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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.
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December 1, 2010

Pros:

Anti-inflammatory properties observed

Cons:

IB seemed excessive and no resulting change in overall skin condition was observed, save for deterioration due to the IB. Itchiness and dryness.

I used this product for 6 weeks. My acne was mild, and I figured I would endure the IB if it would eventually clear me up completely. Well, the IB was pretty bad, and made my skin worse than it's been in a long time, or ever. Furthermore, as I was nearing the 7-8 weeks mark when many have attested I'd see results, no end to the IB was in sight. In fact, all indicators of developing white heads pointed to an oncoming increase in severity. I know my skin well, and I didn't foresee a point where this medication would equilibrate into clarity for my skin. Therefore, I discontinued use even though I did not make it to 3 or even 2 months. Bottom line, if your acne is just mild, it's not worth the severe IB. If it is severe, it may be worth it, but I can not attest to whether it clears you up in the long run.
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October 23, 2010

Pros:

Dried out acne and gave me a face rash

Cons:

Have heard good things from others

Because this dried out my skin so much and caused a rash to break out around my eyes (did the same thing for a friend of mine), I didn't use it long enough to see results.
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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