Adapalene / Benzoyl Peroxide (Epiduo®)
Results
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.

 [more]
3.7
496
Read All About Adapalene / Benzoyl Peroxide (Epiduo®)
Compare To Other Treatments
5
39.1%
4
29.2%
3
10.3%
2
7.9%
1
13.5%

Used Adapalene / Benzoyl Peroxide (Epiduo®)? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
Sort by: Most Helpful
Order:
December 17, 2009

Pros:

I had mild acne and after using this product for about 4 months I can say I have seen a noticeable difference. I only apply it around my mouth/chin area, but where I once had multiple zits I now have 0-1. I use it once a night before bed

Cons:

Slightly drying, especially during winter. I use the acne.org moisturizer when needed and that takes care of the dryness. Also the treated area is more vulnerable to sunburns, so that needs to be kept in mind

I saw no initial "flare up" as other people on here have using this product. I am using the 0.1% adapalene 2.5% BP mix.. No more cystic zits and I am more than willing to pay for the dry skin in exhange for being acne free. I am very happy with the results.
This Was Helpful

14 user(s) found this helpful

Report
December 17, 2009

Pros:

I helped clear most of my existing acne and blemishes

Cons:

Didn't help keep it away for good

This really cleared me up for about 2 weeks but then my acne returned as it has before. I think my skin built a resistance to it because its only 2.5 % bp.
This Was Helpful

7 user(s) found this helpful

Report
December 16, 2009

Pros:

It's immediately started clearing up some very stubborn breakouts i'd had for weeks

Cons:

My skin is very dry and flaky... i'm sure this will go away once my skin gets used to the medication.

Taking this with doxycycline and using an 8% benzoyl peroxide wash. I'm sure once the antibiotics kick in after a few weeks I will clear up nicely. The first week I used it started clearing up areas that were very broken out. For a few days my skin and pores were very dry and flaky but I can see improvement in my pores... a lot of my black heads are gone. So far this is the best topical I've used thus far (ive used retin a). I have had a few new zits here and there but they are much faster to heal and I'm sure it's just getting prior existing blemishes out of my system.
This Was Helpful

16 user(s) found this helpful

Report
December 10, 2009

Pros:

None

Cons:

Drying and ineffective

It made my mild acne worse. I used it for 10 weeks, thinking that the new break outs were part of the initial purge, but everytime I thought my skin was getting better, I'd get several new pimples. On the Regimen, I would usually have one pimple or so at a time, but I still had some blackheads. I though Epiduo might give me the same benefits as the 2.5% BP Treatment and also help with the blackheads. Instead, I got large pimples on my chin, and also some on my forehead and cheeks (where I usually don't break out at all). I only spent $20 because I got a discount card from my dermatologist; I'm glad it didn't cost more because I was really disappointed in the product.
This Was Helpful

5 user(s) found this helpful

Report
December 1, 2009

Pros:

seems to help heal acne, although its acne that appeared after i started using epiduo.

Cons:

burned my skin, intensely! still not clearing my acne up and ive been using it for a month and a half.

give it a try. i use it twice daily now, and only for spot treatment. it is to severe for the entire face. at first it made me break out terribly and then my skin cleared up for a good 2 weeks. now i am back to another break out cycle. when is the relief coming!?
This Was Helpful

7 user(s) found this helpful

Report
December 1, 2009

Pros:

affordable--my insurance pays

Cons:

I've used epiduo for about 3 months now, with absolutely no reduction in acne. in fact, I think it's worse than it's ever been! I'm 48 and have never "outgrown" acne--even with this medication. I think I'm ready to try Acutane.

I'd pay anything it cost if it WORKED! But it doesn't. So I have to make yet another dermatology appt. to get this figured out.
This Was Helpful

3 user(s) found this helpful

Report
November 30, 2009

Pros:

Really clears up skin and improves skin tone

Cons:

Makes skin dry and flaky at first and it is painful to apply other products to the face

When I first started to use it, it was very painful and made me break out worse than ever but after a few days itcalmed down. If my skin became too irritaed I Began to use it every other day. After a while my skin became amazingly clear so I started using it Less and less and simply used an acne clearing face wash. I think I stopped using epiduo too soon though because recently my skin got much worse. I'm using it again now and my skin is starting to improve once again :)
This Was Helpful

9 user(s) found this helpful

Report
November 29, 2009

Pros:

The second day of using Epiduo my acne cleared about 25%. That was a total plus!

Cons:

Burned and made my face peel for a few weeks.

I am still waiting for the final results but it's deffinatly a great acne medication.
This Was Helpful

15 user(s) found this helpful

Report
November 28, 2009

Pros:

none

Cons:

made my acne 10 times worse,burns,stings,made my face dry and red

isnt worth it
This Was Helpful

Report
November 28, 2009

Pros:

Cleared up my acne.. after about 2 months of use

Cons:

Burns, made my skin peel nightly, made me break out

When I first started using this, it made my skin break out worse than I have ever seen; after that, it was just a battle to get it back to how it was originally. Epiduo made my skin burn and peel, but it also managed to remain oily.
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report
Previous
1 … 45 46 47 48 49
Next

Relevant Article(s):

Relevant Review(s):

Relevant Forum(s):

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