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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March 7, 2019
Works but not long term permanent result

I found epiduo gel was really good, it made my subclincial forehead acne that I’ve had since grade 11 exams disappear and it was so nice to see a clear forehead again no burning, drying or itching. Except I’ve been through two rounds and I know you have to use it every day, sometimes I’d accudentally miss a day here or there by accident but really after two rounds of this stuff I was hoping it would be a permanent result.... so not really sure what to do and if anyone else is the same? I may need to go to see a dermatologist.

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November 9, 2018
Epiduo!
Hi there! I'm a 31 year old female. Struggling with acne for 15 years, with lots of ups and downs. Few years of clear skin, few years of horrible acne. Used pretty much everything, I can't even remember all of the creams and tabletes.. 2 years ago a got married, and stopped using bcp, as trying to get pregnant. Skin was clear, me happy. Then, about 4 months ago as we couldn't get pregnant naturaly, we started with the IVF. Allready done 2 cicles, no success. All I got from those synthetic hormones were cluged pores and comedonal acne. Was, and am, soo soo sad that my clear face was ruined. Anyways, I finnaly went to see my dermatologyst, and she suggested I take: Epiduo gel (at night, right before going to sleep), Eucerin Dermopure micellar water and Eucerin Dermopure Adjunctive Soothing Cream. Have been using this trio for exactly 18 days. Finnaly I can see the little improovement!! At firts, sking felt like it was too small for my face, it burnt, was itchy, peeling, got painful break out..and I was depressed, wouldn't go out, crying..was soo down, my self esteem so low, even I have the most wonderful man beside me. Now, 18 day after, i can see a light in the end of a tunnel. My skin condition is yet far from clean, but it's on its good way to that. Closed comedones are still here, but in smaller number, i have 1 cystic acne (from initial break out I think). I hope things would go well from now on.. I'm giving to Epiduo 3/5 cause I'm not acne free, yet, i hope! I'll keep you posted in comments. Fingers crossed! Wish all the best to all of you! P.s. when on Epiduo, your skin becomes very thin, so if you go and pop your zits you'll end up with real wound. Telling you-been there done that! Thank god epiduo fastens the act of healing!
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Ellieh2406
November 22, 2018

How are you getting on? I am one week into epiduo gel. I completely understand not wanting to go out. The final straw for me was when I was due to go for a meal with my other half and his friends and I tried to apply make up and felt so down I cancelled and stayed in crying! I decided I had to go doctors

How are you getting on? I am one week into epiduo gel. I completely understand not wanting to go out. The final straw for me was when I was due to go for a meal with my other half and his friends and I tried to apply make up and felt so down I cancelled and stayed in crying! I decided I had to go doctors

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Ofcica
December 16, 2018

Hey! My face isn't completely clear, but it's better. My face is soo dry, i'll have to avoid applying epiduo every night, as i did fot the past 2 weeks. Yesterday I went on comedone extraction and now have horrible reddness, i wont be able to go to work tomorrow!!!! God, I hope this will heal quickly!!! Enivejz, i am od 8th week now and hope in 2 weeks my face will be better, it's christmas soon and this is all i want...

How are u doing?

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February 9, 2018
Wasn't for me
First, you skin definitely needs time to get used to this. I strongly suggest only using Epiduo every three nights for the first month. *tip* My dermatologist told me to mix a pea size amount in with my CeraVe face moisturizer because of my sensitive skin, I barely had any irritation. Still, this will definitely dry out your skin. After about four months, I really started seeing results. I was so excited. Then, after about six months, my acne came back worse then ever before. I'm not sure if something happened internally to make my acne aggravated, but Epiduo completely stopped working for me.
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b765t
March 15, 2018
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August 15, 2017
Average
Ive used this on and off for years since I was 13 (I'm now 18) and always stop because it dries my oily skin up so badly. However I decided to stick with it and try again and it cleared up my skin quite well, I kept sticking out the dryness as I could see it was working but after 4 months I gave up again. The dry skin is just such a put off for me and always makes me stop using it. I think it works for clearing active acne but I can't say it did much for my skin texture or blocked pores. Also over the years I have destroyed countless clothes and pillow cases as this causing bleaching in fabrics. However id still recommend it as it did help my skin but it hasn't been a life saver for me. Its worth a try
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July 31, 2017
8 Weeks in
8 Weeks in and still no progress, help?! I apply a pea size amount every evening, but am still getting new white pustules every day
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naomiclarke
May 24, 2018
you may still be in the purging stage.
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April 11, 2017
Active ingredients seem to have already wore off by the time the medication is finished
I will try keep the medication in refrigerator and see if this helps Always a new gel has better results from a month old . I kept the medication under 25 celcius as advised ( room temp)
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sio06
November 8, 2017
It also advises not to refrigerate the gel (catch 22 for those of us in hot climates). Maybe that could be why?
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March 12, 2017
Short term effects
Worked for a short while to clear mild/moderate acne then skin adjusted to it and it wasn't having any effect. Makes skin burn unlike anything I've ever experienced. Good in the short term but results don't last in my case. It works to treat pimples but doesn't do much to prevent. I was still breaking out while using this. Didn't anything for clogged pores or acne scars.
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January 19, 2017
I thought it was a miracle cream... Until I suffered sensitivity and extreme breakout
My initial experience with my epi-duo cream was awesome - I felt like I'd finally found something that actively prevented any new active formations on my face, and my skin-tone evened out quite noticeably, making my skin appear to have a healthy glow. My application was consistent, being every second night. I would cleanse skin, wait until it dried and then apply a thin film of the cream over the majority of my face, however I would focus the application on my problem areas (outer cheeks and chin) and spread any leftover to the rest of my face. Within the first week, I FELT LIKE I saw results. While my skin did appear to purge slightly, the cystic acne I had was quickly dried out - intensely - and would flake off within a day or two. This meant the scar underneath was also noticeable muted when compared to the scars of my previously active acne. Of course I was overjoyed... A few weeks into using this cream, I began noticing no increase in improvement. If anything, my skin began worsening. Frustrated, I maintained consistency with application. It was one night almost immediately after applying that my skin began burning severely - nothing was different to my routine so I was troubled. I had to wash the cream off after 20 minutes of the same intensity of burning. Afterwards, in a desperate attempt to quench my skin, I applied an all-natural moisturiser, spf free, but this only burnt my skin more, so I had to wash it off immediately. I haven't used the product since - in my eyes, anything that burns the sheeeet out of your face isn't going to be good for you, holistically. My skin showed no noticable change, but now, 3 weeks after ceasing to use Epiduo, my skin has worsened - the acne has now spread to my jawline, and cystic-like bumps are appearing more frequently. I am frustrated - but I don't want to turn to this product again. While it provided immediate results, they were short-lived and seemed to come at quite some cost.
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naomiclarke
May 25, 2018
the same happened to me. epiduo is known to dry your skin out-when this happened to me i stopped epiduo for 3 days and applied coconut oil instead for intense moisture. I suggest that you also use a moisturiser in your night routine after your cleanser and before epiduo, to act as a barrier.
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naomiclarke
May 25, 2018
the same happened to me. epiduo is known to dry your skin out-when this happened to me i stopped epiduo for 3 days and applied coconut oil instead for intense moisture. I suggest that you also use a moisturiser in your night routine after your cleanser and before epiduo, to act as a barrier.
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April 30, 2016
Works but very irritating
Like the title says,very irritating but fair enough for mild to moderate acne.And since it causes skin flaking(at least for me),it gave me hypermigmentation.
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February 2, 2016
3 weeks & 2 days into treatment
I got on this product because I was so sick and tired of my persistent acne. Throughout high school and most of college I had regular skin with a pimple here and there but nothing abnormal at all. Right after I graduated college (22 years old) my acne started to get worse and worse. At its worst I have subsurface pimples, large pores, blackheads, and whiteheads. My cheeks is where I get the majority of my acne and towards the sides of my face. On my forehead there are a few blackheads here and there and the same goes for my chin. The subsurface bumps are soooooo painful!! I started epiduo in January 2016, and today marks the 3rd week and 2nd day. I haven't had any significant improvements in my skin as a whole but I made the decision to stick with the treatment for a total of 3 months and if I saw no improvements I would either get to a dermatologist or try the acne.org regimen. Every single review I've read has said that it does take a while to work, so I believe 3 months is plenty of time for my skin to be well adjusted and for me to see some type if results. I also noticed that a lot of reviewers were saying that their skin started to clear within the first 1-2 weeks while using epiduo, but I just figure because I have sensitive skin it may take my skin a little while longer than others. Right now my skin is very dry/flaky, and my cheeks still have a ton of bumps on them. I use the epiduo with the Cetaphil face wash and moisturizer and Botanicals Rosewater toner to combat irritation. Again after 3 months I'll decide if epiduo is worth staying on but if it continues the way its been going then I'll probably just try the acne.org regimen! I gave the product 3 stars and recommended simply because I have only been on it for 3 weeks so I can't say with confidence that it does or does not work. I will post another review after 3 months!
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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