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
May 15, 2012
Cons:
Takes awhile to work, can burn skin if too much is applied
I tried Epiduo twice. The first time I over-applied it and caused horrible burns on my face. I refused to believe it was my fault and stopped the medication. I got desperate a second time because my acne was taking over my face. I started it again, and after a few months of use (about 2) I started noticing a remarkable difference. With a little resilience, my acne cleared for the most part. A word of warning -- even if your acne is gone, DON'T stop using the medication until the tube is gone. I stopped the treatment after I was satisfied, and my acne has come back a little bit. I've started treatment again. THIS IS NOT AN OVERNIGHT CURE, but it is well worth the wait.
May 13, 2012
Works for a while, not a permanent solution though
Pros:
Cleared my acne for the first 1.5-2 years
Cons:
Stopped working
Expensive
I used this along with Aczone for about 2 years, and it worked great for the first year. After that, my acne got worse and worse, and I'm not sure if it was either this or the Aczone, but it worked well while it lasted. It is expensive though, so I recommend something like the acne.org regimen which has helped a whole lot more.
May 7, 2012
Pros:
Clears Acne
Cons:
Burning, itchy, irritating feeling
Takes a period of time to work
May initially worsen breakouts
I had to be VERY PATIENT with this product. I read all the reviews on how much this product was helping everyone, but I was over 6 weeks into using it and my acne had just gotten worse. But I stuck with it, as I was told it could take a while....and about the 8-9th week my face suddenly started to clear up. IT WORKS, you just have to wait it out, know that it can take 2 months before you see results....not just 2 weeks!
April 18, 2012
Pros:
Cleared up 95% of Acne
Works Fast
Haven't had many major outbreaks since
Cons:
Leaves skin red when ramp "ramp up the dosage"
Dries skin out
Bleaches materials it touches
Takes a while to dry
DOESN'T GET RID OF THE MARKS THE SPOTS LEAVE BEHIND
I have always been acne free my whole life minus the odd spot I used to get now and then (similar to any teenager).
However in late November I noticed I stared to get a few more spots than usual and before I could control it, about 80% of my face was covered. I had no acne whatsoever on my forehead but my chin and cheeks were pretty much completely covered in spots and red marks.
My GP prescribed me epiduo and I followed the instructions of applying a thin layer before bed. Within 2 weeks, every spot on my face had completely been killed (except 1 larger one on my cheek which took an extra week to clear) and reduced to a red mark. A week later and all the red marks on my chin had gone, HOWEVER the marks on my cheeks are still here. I CAN'T GET RID OF THEM!
In terms of getting rid of the actual spots/pimples this stuff really if great. Your just left trying to get rid of the marks after which is a lot harder :( I didn't have major cystic acne so I can't comment on how well it will work for that but I think it should do, this stuff is seriously great.
April 8, 2012
Pros:
Cleared huge zits in 3 day
doesnt cause scarring
no residue or film left behind
tingles (so you know its working)
Cons:
itchy
dries skin
Before buying this product my face was kind of clear but i had a few pimples here and there, until that time of the month came around and i broke out really bad (Very big nodular pimples) , which can be very sad and depressing when you have a boyfriend. I was in such a hurry and i was so desperate to find something to clear it up , after seeing a commercial for Epiduo and having a few samples i went straight to my derm and immediately mentioned ,i was so happy when i picked it up from the pharmacy , here i am 4 days later telling you that my face is alot better, my nodular pimples have vanished and im feeling better already, it did cause a few little pimples but those are gone and id much rather have 3 tiny pimples then big bolders any day. From what ive heard the product is pricey without insurance but i only payed 24 dollars with insurance and a discount card, i use it every night after i wash my face , it does make your pimples itch a little and it dried the skin around my mouth out, but nothing a little lotion cant cure. I can finally stop avoiding my boyfriend and stop hiding behind my bangs and big sunglasses. If i could thank the maker of Epiduo i would.!!!!
April 5, 2012
Pros:
Cleared up all my stubborn hormonal acne in TWO DAYS! :D
Cons:
Didn't work at all on whiteheads :(
My dermatologist prescribed this for me a long time ago and I never used it. I came across it one day when I was cleaning out my medicine cabinet and decided to try it. After just one application, it cleared up almost all the acne on my chin! Unfortunately, it didn't do anything for the whiteheads on my forehead :( Overall though, a great product. DEFINITELY recommend, especially for people with hormonal acne.
April 2, 2012
Pros:
Less breakouts
Helps cystic acne
Cons:
Dryness
Only used at night
Doesn't help scarring or redness
Epiduo works and even helps with cystic acne. I had small cyst 6 days ago and within 2 days, it formed the cyst into a head. I've only had 3 cysts thus far and the other two I used the cortisone shot. My dermatologist prescribed Epiduo and Doxyciclene. I know that Epiduo has helped with preventing breakouts but it hasn't helped with scarring or redness. I hope I can get to the point that I don't need to wear foundation.
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.
March 18, 2012
Pros:
Clears up acne
Doesn't smell like anything
easy to apply
Dries quickly
Cons:
Burns
Gives you dry skin
Makes your skin sensitive
Flaky skin
I used this at night, ONLY. I apply a pea sized amount to each section of my face. It burns a bit but it eventually goes away. At first, I started breaking out a little bit, but then it started getting clearer and clearer. Although it's making my skin dry and flaky, it's worth it cause it's clearing up my acne! I love it but hate how it dries out your skin :*(
And I normally have really oily skin...
I've been using this for like more than a week consistently.
I got it free using medicaid.
March 18, 2012
Pros:
Clears acne as well as spots
Cons:
severe dryness and redness
I started using Epiduo six days ago. I use a pea-sized drop all over my face once every night. My dermatologist told me to rub Cerave lotion into my skin to help dryness. The Epiduo leaves my skin extremely dry and Cerave, albeit a nice, high quality product, only works for a short time (a few hours). Aloe vera gel only makes my skin sting and redden more. After reading reviews, most people say the redness goes away in 7-10 days. Despite my having only used this product for six days so far, and the annoying redness, my skin is noticeably clearer. I've never had severe acne, it's mostly that my complexion gets spotted from past blemishes with a couple of pimples here and there. Epiduo seems to really be removing these spots, and so quickly too. The redness and dryness is uncomfortable and does appear to make your face look blotchy but I'd say, judging by my results so far, it's worth it. I recommend using this product with Cerave like I am, because it is a smooth cream for the skin and has SPF in it. Also, perhaps some home made masks of things like lavender oil, honey, oatmeal, green/chamomile tea, verbena, and other natural, soothing, nourishing things. I'm not sure how much it costs (I haven't filled my prescription yet, i've been using little bottles my doctor gave me in the mean time), but I think it's on the higher end of the line, between 20-30 dollars.
Pros:
Truly works, easy to use