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 25, 2013
Cons:
you grow out of this product
dries skins
irritations
This product is very harsh! it burned my face a lot. i used this product for 3 year, and the first 2 years were great, my acne cleared up, but i guess as soon as i hit 21 i grew out of this product.
September 29, 2012
Pros:
-Can be used as Treatment on the regiman
Cons:
-Expensive for the amount that you get
I didn't have health insurance when I got Epiduo from my dermatologist and paid double what I probably could have. I used a tiny pea size for a few months for moderate results. When I started the Regiman, I used the Epiduo I already had as my BZ product, and it completely cleared up my acne! However, I made the mistake of ramping up to the full amount in a week (because I'd already been using BZ for a few months, so my skin is used to it, right?) WRONG. DON'T DO THIS. If you've never had a chemical burn, this is not the way to find out what it feels like! Be careful when increasing dosage of BZ, even if you've been using a tiny bit for a long time - this stuff is powerful and it will feel incredibly unpleasant. Be patient, I promise you the results are worth it. But with that said, Dan's product is just as good, for much less money.
June 29, 2012
Pros:
-Improved the number of pimples I got
-No greasy feeling when applying
-Made my acne not as red the next morning
-Made my skin look clearer
Cons:
-Initial breakouts
-Dried my skin out a lot
-Burned
-Didn't clear my skin completely.
I am so glad i used epiduo! I've been using it for almost a year now and my acne was REALLY bad. I have cystic acne so I would always get these massive bumps all over my face- even my nose! Epiduo made my acne better by not getting so many pimples. The downfall was the initial breakouts. I would breakout more at first but after a few weeks it got a little better and then I started seeing major improvements by about 3 months. I still use it now though. However, I had to use a lot of moisturizer because my skin would peel and fall off, and it really burned when i put it on the next day. I still do get huge bumps on my face, just not as many, but IT DOES NOT CLEAR YOUR ACNE COMPLETELY! One great thing I noticed is that it helps prevent breakouts when your stressed- and I have had a lot of stress after my aunt passed away of Ovarian Cancer and my mom getting breast cancer. When I used Epiduo, I didn't break out at all during those difficult times. I used cetaphil soap and moisturizer and it did my skin good. I would also get some sun during the summertime because thats the time my skin was the best, but I live in Florida so I guess that's normal. Overall, If you just want an improvement on the number of pimples you are getting, epiduo isn't a bad thing to ask your dermatologist about. But don't expect it to clear your acne all the way, i still get some zits but I am much happier than i was before!
April 3, 2012
Pros:
Does clear up pimples.
You can get a pimple gone in approximately 3 days.
Works great with oily skin.
Gets rid of blackheads.
Cons:
DRYNESS!
Redness
Scaling and peeling skin
Makes you look like you have chemical burns
Makes your face very tight
Sunlight makes it worse
I have been using Epiduo exactly a year from today. I am a 16 year old male. Overall, the medication is great at getting rid of acne. When I started a year ago, (with moderate acne), it took about 2 weeks to fully clear up. This is a drug you have to be patient with until your skin gets the hang of it. With this medication comes a lot of irritating problems..
If I put it ALL over my face, I never have a breakout. But the thing is, my face gets EXTREMELY dry-- Almost to the point to where I can't even move my face and show facial expressions. If I attempt to smile or laugh, my face gets all cracked and looks horrible. My (now previous) dermatologist suggested for me to use spot treatment, but I have done that and it just makes my acne area look bigger and I have breakouts where ever I'm not putting it on. The dryness isn't such a problem around my forehead, but if you put it anywhere around your mouth, nose, or chin, expect the hideous cracking to take place. I just got back home from a new dermatologist (because my last one was continuing to prescribe me Epiduo, although I have stated I wanted something new), but my new dermatologist has prescribed me SOLODYN and Duac topical gel. I'm hoping it has better affects than Epiduo.
December 15, 2011
Pros:
I think it works.
Cons:
I didn't see many changes with my acne.
Expensive placebo.
November 23, 2011
Pros:
Dries Quickly
Seems to work
Cons:
Bad Burning!
Very dry skin
I have been using Epiduo nightly, for about 2 weeks. After reading reviews I can now sum up my suspicions about why my face has been burning like crazy! It hurts so bad I almost cry! Apparently, that's why skin getting used to the product. I guess I will wait it out because according to others, it is worth it. Lets hope so!
July 24, 2011
Pros:
seems to help reduce size and redness of existing acne; also seems to prevent certain spots of area from breaking out
Cons:
dryness, little stinging sensation when first using but goes away after using for awhile;
been using epiduo for about a year and a half now. I can honestly say that this has been the most effective topical medicine ive tried. Pro-activ is crap and only works for people with HARDLY any acne and are just whiners. I've tried clindamycin and a bunch of other topical lotions/gels but they all seem to make my skin very oily. Epiduo will dry out your skin and make it flaky but that is how it works, so your oil doesn't excrete as much and clog the pores causing acne. I tried antibiotics and i had bad experiences with that. It made me have diarrhea, light-headedness and now i seem to have shakyness in my hands from anxiety or whatever after using anti-biotics. Epiduo helps but its not the best. I can honestly say my acne would probably be worst if i didnt use this. Will use this until i can find something else worth trying without as many terrible side effects.
June 12, 2011
Pros:
i've been using it for two days only. once before bedtime. it dried out my existing pimples. and the blackheads on my nose was significantly reduced.
Cons:
i'm now dealing with a breakout on my chin, cheek and forehead.
will still have to wait and see... my derma did tell me it would take at least two weeks to see improvement and six to eight weeks to be really happy about it...
May 9, 2011
Pros:
Manages acne
Easy to apply
Cons:
Initial breakout
Burning
Dryness
May take a long time to see results
I have been using this product for approximately 9 months. I switched to Epiduo after my skin developed a resistance to the antibiotic in Duac, which kept my skin clear for about 6 months. The initial breakout lasted somwhere around 2-3 months for me. It was probably the worst my skin ever was. In addition, pimples would scar like never before. At around 6-7 months, I did notice improvement. However, I would still have breakouts, and numerous red marks and scars. Today, my acne is somewhere between light and moderate (moderate probably on occasion). However, all Epiduo really did for me was bring my acne back to what it was like before I ever used a prescription medication. In fact, it might be a little worse than it originally was. I will probably use Epiduo for another month to finish the tube, and will go back to simply benzoyl peroxide (considering I just lost my health insurance). Overall, Epiduo was not really worth it...not to mention the insane burning and dryness in the first few months. I wasted so much money trying to find a moisturizer that wouldn't make the burning worse.
April 21, 2011
Pros:
kind of cleared acne, over time
Cons:
peeling
moisturizing didnt help
burning if used too much
i reccomend this product only if you can get it at a discounted price. for some it works miracles, but it helped me only with a little bit. it made my complextion very blotchy and i use it every other day, or when my breakouts get really bad. i have definatley seen some improvement, but if you have to pay full price for it, it isnt worth it.
Pros:
clears pimples