Topical Retinoid / Topical Antibacterial
Reviews
3.7
579 Reviews
Topical Retinoid / Topical Antibacterial
Efficacy
67%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
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.
Read All About Adapalene / Benzoyl Peroxide (Epiduo®)
Compare To Other Treatments
5
38.2%
4
27.3%
3
11.1%
2
8.6%
1
14.9%

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

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
July 12, 2012

Pros:

-Burns acne away in a couple of days

Cons:

- REDNESS
-BURNING

DONT RECOMMEND. I had a mild amount of acne. Although it did clear the acne in the short run, it didnt clear it in the long term. So i used this product for a while and acne kept returning. My face became very blotchy, with red spots. I am currently on Roaccutane (Accutane) and it has cleared my acne. BUT the redness is not disappearing. All because i tried epiduo. DONT RECOMMEND
February 20, 2012

Pros:

-Works fast
-Dries out any existing blemishes quickly
-Lightens hyper pigmentation
-Easy to use

Cons:

-Burning/scaling/redness the first week or so
-May cause initial breakout within the first few weeks (but goes away and gets much better)

I am so happy with this product. I got a little frustrated at first with the burning during the first week and on the third week I had a pretty bad breakout on my chin. However, both these side effects were to be expected, so I toughed it out and am completely COMPLETELY happy I stuck with it! It has lightened a lot of my red/hyper pigmented scars and dries out the occasional pimple really fast (like within a few days or so). I've seen such an improvement in only the one month I've been using it that I'm super excited to see what kind of results I can get in 3+ months! I'm only worried about it possibly losing its effectiveness for me, but according to many of these reviews a lot of people have been using this product for a longgg time and it still seems to do the trick :) I only had to pay $12.00 for my tube since my insurance is pretty decent, but your dermatologist/doctor usually gives you a discount coupon/card thingy so that you won't pay more than $35. Bottom line is I honestly recommend this product :D
February 17, 2012

Pros:

Clears milia
Comedomal Acne drying out fast

Cons:

Burning
Peeling
Redness

Ive only been using this since last Thursday. I haven't had an initial breakout. My zits and milia are almost gone.
January 11, 2012

Pros:

easy to apply
doesnt smell
REALLY WORKS
free if you have medicade

Cons:

takes a while to kick in
may dry your skin

these really works but you have to be very patient it may take a couple of weeks to really see results. But it is worth the wait trust me.
December 19, 2010

Pros:

Helps inflammation
Acne heals faster

Cons:

Expensive even with insurance
Drys out skin and causes slight peeling

Epiduo gel has really improved my face, my skin is pretty tough after years of using different acne products, I did not get the burning many have reported however my oily skin does get dry and peels a little after using this so I either scale back to every other day or put a calming moisturizer on top after the Epiduo gel dries. Unlike some products I have used in the past this one at least shows a noticeable improvement. It's worth a try, I hoping to be clear by summer so I won't have to wear globs of makeup :)
April 17, 2010

Pros:

It cleared me up fast.

Cons:

It burns like crazy! I got sick of the burning so I have switched to Proactiv which works just as well, without the burning!

I recommend this if you are very desperate to clear your skin. Epiduo REALLY burns though. But it works wonders. ;)
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
March 29, 2012

Pros:

Hasn't dried out my skin.
Seems to work.

Cons:

Burns my face a little when I put it on at night.
Caused extra acne on my face (i guess that's it just cleaning my face out).
Veerrryy expensive!!

I've only been using epiduo for 3 days now. My doctor prescribed it with clindomycin. I put a thin layer of both of them on at night. So far, i haven't seen much of a change. I have noticed just a few more bumps on my face, but nothing major. When reading these reviews before I started using it, I was scaredto even try it because I didn't want to have the 'major breakout' that most people say you have at the beginning. But I decided to try it while I'm on my spring break so that maybe the breakout would only last the week that I'm on spring break. But anyways, I Am sooo glad that Im not having the initial breakout, knock on wood, and I feel lie this is going to work for me! I hope so.
February 25, 2012

Pros:

it cleared up acne for a while. And its still working a bit.

Fades red marks
makes skin more toned

Cons:

drys out skin alot

alot of redness also

its worth getting but it will only be a miracle for some people
August 11, 2010

Pros:

none that i could see

Cons:

irritated skin; burning, redness
caused severe breakout

i'm honestly surprised by the good reviews this product is receiving. i've had severe cystic acne for eleven years, which is relatively under control at this point. two weeks ago i went into my derm to get two very small blemishes injected, as i have discovered that an early cortisone injection will prevent a larger cyst, and ultimately a cluster from forming. while at the office, my doctor insisted that i switch from benzaclin (which despite its mildness, has been working for me for years now) to a retinoid, and gave me a handful of samples of epiduo. normally i don't try new topicals so casually - i've learned this lesson many times - but since he would not renew my scrip for benzaclin until i tried it, i went ahead and did so. now, 13 days later, those two small blemishes - one on my cheek, one on my chin - have turned into clusters totaling 19 whiteheads (12 on my cheek, seven on my chin), with cysts forming below. i know these meds tend to cause breakouts before things get better, but to go from two to nineteen is ridiculous. i have enough acne scarring; i don't need more. the epiduo goes in the trash.

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.

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.