Adapalene / Benzoyl Peroxide (Epiduo®)
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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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13.5%

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April 27, 2012

Pros:

Burns away the acne

Cons:

-Bad redness

Although it does get rid of acne. It does leave redness which takes months to heal. Do NOT use this product. I am currently on roaccuatane and this epiduo definitely made my redness very bad, and the dermatologist said the redness will take time to fade. Possibly years, because it has just burnt my skin. So now have to get blue light therapy, or laser to remove redness. DONT TRY. Yes its good in the short term, for about a week. But then after aq couple of weeks, you realise you have to deal with the redness. TERRIBLE
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March 20, 2012

Pros:

couldn't tell any

Cons:

didn't really do anything for me

this product did neither good nor bad things for me
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February 25, 2012

Pros:

consistency; easy to apply
no smell

Cons:

break outs worse than not treating it!
Expensive!

Waste of money. Splitpea size drop mixed with my daily moisturizer (on advice from my derm so I don't use too much) once per day at night after shower, then rinse off in the morning. After three months, no improvement at all. First eight weeks brought out worse breakouts than when I was a teenager twenty five years ago. Initially prescribed combined with oral minocin, but had a severe anaphalytic reaction so no more cycline antibiotics, EVER! Continued epiduo after discontinuance of antibiotic for ten more weeks. This is week thirteen and the oil on my face is worse than ever, my chest looks like I've been scrubbing it with a roofing shingle and my back is more spotty than ever. My cysts are deeper and hurt more. The only thing that helps the flaking is the jojoba oil. I am considering not returning to the dermatologist and just struggling along with OTC BP like I did before. At least it was cheaper. Between the initial consult, RX's, ER visit, more RX's, PCP followup, more RX's, return to derm, & PCP return, I've blown over a couple thousand dollars in the last four months. And that's not even mentioning having the Holiday season ruined and the repulsed look on my husband's face. Forget it! I've never experienced this kind of desperation in my life. Just complete discouragement. I'm ready to give up.
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February 12, 2012

Pros:

Lightens your skin maybe a LITTLE bit

Cons:

Dries out skin,makes acne worse

For me,it did not work at all.Bottom line,doesn't work
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January 28, 2012

Pros:

clears acne like nobody's business

Cons:

burns skin
makes skin pill off alot!!!!
dries out skin

I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT. i saw it on commercial an wanted my mom to get it which eventually resulted in my skin burning. i continued to use it thinking that it was burning because it was working, but all it did was dry my skin out and make it peal off.i was sooooooooo embarassed walking around with marks all over my face. my mom eventually ended up hiding this product from me so i couldn't use it anymore. i have a tan skin ton and you know there is something wrong when your face turns red like uve got a really bad sunburn and haven't even went swimming......sorry idk price my mom perscibed it from my doctor
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January 5, 2012

Pros:

Dries clear and fast

Cons:

Burns skin
Dries skin
Burned my upper eyelids
Didnt really work

I have been suffering with acne for 6 years (since I was 14) and have tired Many products and nothing worked. My derm gave me epiduo advertising it like it was a miracle cream and I was utterly disappointed not to see any major results. Benzoyl peroxide helps more than epiduo I wouldn't recommend this to anyone. Safe yourself the hassle of burning your face. I feel like anyone who's claiming it works is just having a placebo effect
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December 8, 2011

Pros:

during the first week dry my existing pimples

Cons:

after the first week i have orrible breakout
dry and peeling skin
horrible irritation

first the first week I see results but after that was a nightmare It was the most horrible moth of the history of my life, I have ligh acne and after that I have prety severe acne my right only have 1 or 2 pimples and 3 weeks after start the treatment I have like 7 or 10 (no joke) and my skin have breakouts like every day so I went again to my doctor and She was impressed by how my face had worsened and prescribe me differin, aczone, and doxicycline and for now is more better than when i am with epiduo only a few initial breakout but not so severe. but remember every skintype its different, maybe dont work on me but can work on you, good luck <3 xoxo
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October 21, 2011

Pros:

- not risky
- free on NHS

Cons:

- didn't clear me up at all
- can be irritating

Basically, I was on this for well over two months and I actually think it made my acne a little worse during that time. I'm going to go back to basics and use Dan's Regimen. It might work for you, but it certainly didn't for me.
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August 27, 2011

Pros:

It's very easy to apply and thats about it.

Cons:

It drys out the skin and doesn't really work at all.

First of all this product was insanely expensive and didn't even do it's job. I tried it for a year and tried to keep my hopes up but it just didn't clear up my acne and I put it on every night. It did aboslutely nothing and was a complete waste of money.
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August 13, 2011

Pros:

it doesn't burn your skin

Cons:

it just doesn't work

it just doesnt work and all i have is whiteheads and blackheads
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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