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
January 5, 2014
hoping this will clear me up .
Cons:
My old acne scars look very red
I've bin sing epiduo 0.1% gel along with antibiotics tetralysal for about 4 weeks now I'm not sure I've seen much of a difference in my acne but I have noticed it's made my scars look very red and angry looking ! Not sure if this is suppose happen I will persevere with this one because I'm hoping this will clear me up .
November 14, 2013
works on minor acne
Pros:
helped with minor acne
little bit goes a long way
Cons:
didn't clear all acne
dry skin
I was given a bunch of Epiduo samples by my doctor as I waited over three months to finally get in to see a derm to be put on Accutane. Epiduo was easy to use and helped with minor acne that I had. I saw a slight improvement, however the only solution for me was Accutane. Over all for people with minor to maybe moderate acne, it's worth a shot.
October 8, 2013
Great for moderate acne!
Pros:
Clears acne
Cons:
Expensive
Smells horrible
I got epiduo when I was 16. My doctor prescribed me epiduo because I was getting moderate acne on my chin and T-zone. It didn't work very well the first two weeks or so, but it started working after that. The only reason I'm giving this 3 stars is because it's $70 WITH insurance, and it smells HORRIBLE, I don't recommend putting this anywhere near your nose, because you'll be able to smell it all day. Other than those two things, it's a great product!
June 24, 2013
effective to an extent, in reality broke our after stop using it. just wait out acne or get on the accutane
Pros:
cleared 70% of acne within 2 months
skin felt less oily
effectively cleared all acne on cheeks and forehead
Cons:
dry red irritated skin hurt to apply for first 2 weeks
did not completly clear acne
slow but effective to an extent
got given it by my doctor, first few weeks it burnt like hell for the first 5 minutes i put it on (maybe i put to much on ), then i started breaking out for the next 2 weeks, by the first month my face was dry irritated and red permanently, was quite embarrassing to go to school. after my acne improved and cleared up everywhere but my chin i was still getting persistent white heads in certain areas of my chin, no amount of epidou could prevent this. after 6 months with constant chin acne and red and dry skin, i decided to give up and give my skin a break took like 2 months for my skin to return to normal skin colour and still troubled by acne but its not too bad, just learnt to deal with it and its slowly clearing up with age as im am 17 now and have had acne since 12.
June 22, 2013
I might have really stubborn pimples
Pros:
might help a little bit in combination with the right antibiotic
worked best when I was taking Aldactone
Cons:
dries skin (not too much, at least for me)
somewhat expensive (with insurance copay not-so-great)
I have been on Epiduo for years in combination with different antibiotics and Aczone. Definitely doesn't work on its own, but for me it is not doing anything with the antibiotics. My dermatologist told me to put it on my whole face to help clear the small pimples. I put it on after moisturizer because it dries my skin and I don't see any improvements or if I do, the small pimples (that eventually become big ugly ones) come back. I am at my wits end.
May 23, 2013
Pros:
Minimizes redness
Drys out pores
Cons:
Takes awhile to work
Leaves acne scars behind
Burns skin when you first use it
I have been dealing with moderate-severe since I was 13 know at 18 my acne is worse then ever, got prescribed tactuo with minocycline been on it for 7 weeks and had very little improvement the tactuo is great for drying out pimples & minimizes the redness completely.
May 20, 2013
Pros:
Clears up skin
Cons:
Redness,dryness
not consistent or permanent
Very painful to use (burning sensation)
I got prescribed epiduo 9 months ago and it started working almost immediately. There was a pretty bad initial breakout and the dreaded flaking of the skin but after about 2 weeks I could tell it was working and by month 3, I was completely cleared up. I was incredibly happy with the results, I stopped worrying about my skin and I felt like a changed person. HOWEVER about a month ago I started to notice my skin gettting progressively worse and worse. At first I thought it was just a breakout but nothing seemed to be improving so I went to my derm and he prescribed me Tazorac. My skin is currently horrible but I'm hoping to find a more permanent and consistent treatment than epiduo. I think one of my mistakes while on epiduo was maybe that I used too much of it and my skin eventually became resistant to it but who knows.
May 11, 2013
Pros:
Quick spot treatment
Cons:
Can be irritating
I'm male in my late 40s and have had mild but persistent acne since my teens. Oral isotretinoin at 37 gave some relief for a while but then I went back on the usual cycle of prescription oral & topical antibiotics, plus azelaic acid and epiduo (2.5% BP + 0.1% Adapalene). Whilst this help control acne I found the BP part irritating and it led to dry, red patches on my skin that moisturisers only partially resolved. Overall it's good at zapping spots but can be quite strong for sensitive skin.
April 15, 2013
Pros:
some cleared acne
Cons:
redness
drying
flaking
itchy
pain
I have been using Epiduo for about a week. It worked well for a couple days, but I'm beginning to notice the cons above. (Although my skin is fairly clear.) I'm using it with Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser. It's extremely irritating throughout the entire day and noticeably red. I take a shower each night then apply the Cetaphil, then the Epiduo. I was wondering it anyone had recommendations to reduce the redness and pain.? If my skin is drying out often should I use the Cetaphil more often?
March 6, 2013
Pros:
- Fast results
- Easy to use
- Cheap
Cons:
- Results are temporary
- Redness increses
- Very dry skin
My severe cystic acne cleared up in a week, unfortunately my acne flared up again, then one week öster it disappeared, and came back..
I've been usling it for a month and I think just epiduo isn't enough, for me.. but it's definately worth to try because my acne is super-resistent :(
Pros:
Not sure yet !