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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3.7
496
5
39.1%
4
29.2%
3
10.3%
2
7.9%
1
13.5%

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July 27, 2011

Pros:

Gentle on your skin.

Cons:

Doesn't seem to be as effective at controlling breakouts as other medications I have used (Retin-A).
Not As powerful when it comes to drying and eliminating existing acne as Retin-A
Overall poor product.

I am almost 19 years old and have been dealing with acne for nearly half of my life. As I have aged and slowly grown out of puberty, the severity of my acne has decreased. That is not to say that I have not been using medications to keep it in check in the mean time. I had been using retin-a micro .1% for the past two years or so with generally positive results. I would get around one minor breakout a month that would typically go away within a few days or so, but, as I am sure many people who visit this site would agree, even that can be agonizing. I decided to try, at my dermotologist's urging, to try out epiduo. It should be said that this medication is simply a combination of a synthetic retinoid and benzol peroxide [two medications that are typically prescribed in tandem, as they were for me in the form of retin-a and duac]. I mention this because I feel it is important that people considering this medication look at it realistically, rather than accept it as Jesus in topical medication form as I was foolish enough to. I began using the medication immediately with the optimism I mentioned above. I expected and was prepared for the initial breakout that is standard with these such medications, but as the weeks turned to months and before I knew it my entire summer was all but lost to a newfound increase in acne severity, I knew I had made a mistake. As I said above, this medication was simply not as effective in preventing or treating my acne as anything I have used before. I suppose my point is one of warning. If anyone is on the fence going into this medication while coming from moderate success with another, please take your time and consider the consequences at stake. I know how terrible acne is for people. That's the only reason I wrote this review. I don't want anyone to have to make the same mistake with this medication that I did. That being said, if epiduo is what you choose, I hope it gives you more happines
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June 28, 2011

Pros:

not many at all

Cons:

flaky
dryness
redness
burning

Not a good product for me. I used it for about 3 months and all it did was keep new pimples from forming. It did nothing for my acne that was already there. Maybe this product would be better for people with light acne, but i did not like it at all for me.
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June 24, 2011

Pros:

not many for me

Cons:

unlike others here..it made my skin all oily and caused me to break out

i was on benzaclin for a month which worked well..then the dermatologist prescribed me epiduo which caused my face to become super oily..after the second week on it i broke out and got huge cysts...now i stop using it and suffer because of it....i dont know what to do now
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June 21, 2011

Pros:

None for my son

Cons:

It removed my sons pigmentation on his face.

USE WITH CAUTION I purchased this prescription for my 13 yr old son with moderate acne. He used once a day, at bed time, for no more than 2 wks. At about a week I noticed him becoming pale. His teachers were sending him to the nurse. I wish I would have stopped using right then but I continued for another week until my son looked awful, like a myme. It has been over 7 months and he still has not gotten his normal pigmentation back. This product ruined my sons face and Galderma will do no more than send me back the money it cost me, and that is only after numerous phone calls and paperwork. I am completely dissatisfied and warn all to use with caution. P.S. I gave it a 1 rating only because I had to,
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May 6, 2011

Pros:

Haven't seen any

Cons:

None

Bottom line is I am reading these reviews & I have not experienced any of the mentioned pros or for tht matter Cons. In fact my skin is slightly worse. I HAD Light acne & this product has seemed to make it worse. I've been using it for 6 weeks and nothing to report.... perhaps the makers of this product are writing the good reviews lol I will stick with it for another 4 weeks???? We'll see!!
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March 18, 2011

Pros:

got rid of some blackheads

Cons:

creates dry and red skin
causes burning
turns blemishes to scabs.

My acne was never very bad. But it started getting worse and I figured I should do something about it. My dermatologist prescribed Epiduo. I started using it and didn't see any differences for the first week. Then, my skin got very dry and I found myself using much more lotion than usual. It also stung and burned my face to wash it. That went away after a few more weeks, however. Nothing really changed until I tried to pop this one pimple as usual, the skin peeled around the pimple, which had never happened before, and the blemish turned into a scab. Even pounds of cover up wouldn't cover this thing up. I couldn't even go to school it was so bad. Then, it happened again in another spot. After that cleared up, I noticed that this was happening on a weekly basis. I have decided to stop epiduo until my next dermatologist appointment. The only thing it did was clear up tiny little blackheads on my nose. Bottom line, only use this product if you have severe acne. It's not worth it if you just have a very light case. I. Hate. Epiduo.
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February 3, 2011

Pros:

none so far except that my insurance covered the whole expense

Cons:

red and VERY dry skin

I have used it now about 5 weeks and have seen no results. It made my skin so dry. I had to buy a new lotion for extra dry skin and reapply throughout the day. It might be worth it if I was starting to see result, but my skin has actually gotten worse since I started using. I have tried many different topical medications and do not recommend this for someone with severe hormonal acne.
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November 10, 2010

Pros:

Prevents breakouts.

Cons:

Your face becomes EXTREMELY dry.

My dermatologist provided me with samples of Epiduo and I used it for the longest time. I would apply it every night before going to bed. Although it might help moderate acne, it is not worth having dry, red skin. My face is so dry, that I cannot even wear makeup. When I smile, all the dry skin around my face cracks. I feel and look like a lizard. Also, I have fairly sensitive skin, so anything I apply on my face now burns me horrible. All in all, this product is not worth it. I would rather have a few pimples then a lizard face.
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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.
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August 9, 2010

Pros:

works at first...

Cons:

after a few weeks its stops working
doesnt get rid of all acne
doesnt get rid of blackheads

bottom line is this sh*t kinda sucks definately not worth the money and no offense but all these other reviews saying it works so well are bullllllllllllllsh*t dont buy this crap
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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