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
December 9, 2019
after 20 years I have clear skin!
Im 34 and have had acne for at least 20 years. Ive tried many things including birth control pills, salicylic acid, oil cleansing regimens, benzoyl peroxide, essential oil blends, just all kinds of stuff. I settled on the acne.org regimen with the benzoyl peroxide, and that was the most helpful thing, it kept my acne fairly low but I would still have a zit or two at least at all times as well as many small blackheads and white heads. sometimes it would become very bad, such as it did this past summer when I was almost embarassed to show my face in public. it was bumpy and had sore spots.
I started this medication in July 2019, and my face has gradually gotten better and better, my breakouts less severe. At this point in early December, I have no active zits at all! my skin feels smooth when i run my fingers over it to wash it, and my old spots are healing and lightening. Im so excited that finally I get to have clear skin. I dont know why my skin never got better after my teen years, but Im glad Ive finally found a solution.
It's important to note that I didnt see a significant improvement for about 3-4 months. Also I have very light skin, I see some darker skinned people have had trouble with bleaching, but this isnt an issue for my skin tone.
March 6, 2019
Excellent!
I recommend Epiduo for mild and severe acne. I suffered adult acne for almost 1 year and this medication really works for me. I've noticed my scars are fading too.
I started to use Epiduo last November 2018 and I've experienced acne breakout for 2 months then after that my face started to get clear. Today, I have mild acne scars and I'm planning to undergo Dermabrasion procedure. You need to be patient and you will be satisfied with the result.
Everytime I have acne breakout, I applied clindamycin solution.
This medication was prescribed by dermatologist.
December 5, 2018
Product used: Epiduo (Forte Gel)
How to Use Epiduo Forte Gel
Hi Everyone,
I am currently still on my third week of using Epiduo Forte. I don't have much to review about this product yet, but I recently came across this video from a licensed dermatologist on how to properly use a retinoid/benzoyl peroxide treatment (ie. Epiduo Forte). I don't know about you guys, but I only had a 20 min session with my dermatologist and was hurried out of there as soon as I received the script. Therefore, this video has been really helpful in teaching me how to properly use this medication. Remember, hydration and reduced irritation is key to making sure this treatment works! Once I complete the third month mark with epiduo forte, I'll let you know my honest review of this medication.
October 7, 2018
Life saver!
I've been suffering from mild-moderate acne. I broke out severely after going through some health issues so I decided to see a dermatologist who recommended Epiduo. I started noticing my acne clearing within a few weeks! It's been 5 years I've been using Epido which I can't live without. I do get a pimple here and there but for the most part my skin looks so good and radiant. I would highly recommend this drug.
July 11, 2018
Not for all skin types but is definitely worth a try
When I say different skin types I mean varied dry skin types or sensitive skin types it could work for someone with oily skin and leave a rash on someone who also has oily skin, one time it may leave a rash, burn or dry skin if it does then stop using it but before u give up on it a couple months later try it again just to be sure if it still leaves a bad reaction don't use it again. At first when I used it it left a rash so I left it for a while now âges later I've started using it again and it is great for small forehead bumps and can even make a spot smaller overnight for me and I have really sensitive skin on my brothers face it burnt him so he moved on to something a little harsh so it really is not for everyone or even depending on ur skin type but it could be worth a try
June 10, 2018
Product used: Epiduo (Forte Gel)
Amazing!
I started on this mid-August of 2017, and now it's nearly been a year since I've been on it. When starting, I was definitely skeptical, based on the fact that no other acne treatments had been able to clear my stubborn, severely inflamed acne. I'm 14 now, I've had acne since I was about 9. Most people say that they go through a purge period while using this, typically at the beginning of use, but I was pretty lucky. I didn't get too many more pimples than I was getting on a weekly basis (about 4-7 new pimples a week :| ). I don't remember much from the beginning months. I had the same amount some weeks, I'd get new breakouts (not so many though) and the number of large, painful blind pimples and cysts I was getting has monumentally decreased since usage. Right now, my skin is 95% clear of acne, my main concern is hyperpigmentation, which is relieving to be concerned only about that. I can't recall the last time I had a cyst, which feels great! The only pimples I get now are super teeny and usually go away within 2-3 days. My best advice if you're trying this out would be to stick it out! Don't despair if you feel like you're getting worse, because it will definitely get better! Best of luck!
March 1, 2018
Really effective for stubborn mild acne
I've had acne all my life and as a teenager it got so severe that I eventually went on Roaccutane (which worked amazing, but came with a lot of side effects). 4 years after finishing accutane my skin started breaking out again, which was worsened by changing contraceptive pill. I didn't develop deep cystic acne again but had constant stubborn whiteheads and small bumps all over my t-zone. I especially had a breakout of bumps under the skin on my forehead that wouldn't clear. I was almost ready to beg my doctor for Roaccutane again but she said to try Epiduo as my case was still 'mild'. The first few weeks my skin was dry, red and flaky. It itched and looked pretty gross (so I wouldn't try it before a big event, I waited until I had study period for exams and wasn't seeing many people). I managed the dryness using Cetaphil moisturising cream which is amazing, as well as jojoba oil at night, and my skin eventually adapted. The key is to moisturise with it! Within a few weeks my skin had dramatically cleared and now I only need to use it every few days on new spots, and it dries them up really quickly and stops them becoming any bigger or inflamed. I'm not sure if it would work well with deep cystic acne, but for mild surface breakouts and whiteheads it has worked really well for me. Warning: if you use too much this will make your skin crusty and dry - use a sparing amount and make sure you moisturise with it and exfoliate dead skin regularly.
January 8, 2018
best acne treatment there is. WILL SEE RESULTS.
If you're reading this and you're debating whether or not to go on epiduo. Just do it. I've used this on 3 separate occasions, once for 5 months, once for a year and once for one month (currently still on this third time)... The thing about epiduo is that it WORKS. Look at your forearm right now and how smooth it is... thats what my red, painful acne turned into after exactly 12 weeks of using epiduo (both times). You HAVE to use cetaphil gentle cleanser and moisturizer otherwise it wont work as well (cera v made the process longer the second time i took it). It will get worse before it gets better. Your skin will be beautiful one week and hell the next. But when it's over you have clear skin. What do you have to lose? NOTHING. it WILL work. I can almost promise it to everyone. I find that it is very emotionally taxing to keep on desperately trying new things becuase you think that next thing, the one thing that youre "missing" is going to cure your acne but that is total bullsh*t. This will give you clear skin guarenteed. If the burning sensation is unbearable you are using too much, simple as that. The only thing I regret is not starting it right away and wasting so much time on guessing and checking and wasting hundreds of dollar on pointless methods and products. DO IT. Im posting my week by week review of this on my third time taking this (this time i will not be dumb and stop using it EVER lol). Please check it out! I also have a bunch of tips on there for anyone interested. You have to be mentally strong and push through this. 12 weeks for a LIFE of clear skin (if you sparingly maintain it) is plenty worth it to me.
a91
February 18, 2018
Hello, in your experience does epiduo stop working/ having any effect after a while?
Thanks!
TallJet
July 11, 2018
Amen! Me too!!
December 21, 2017
IT WORKS!!!
So this is the only treatment that worked for me 100%.It is true,the first 3 months are definitely hard,but I can say,worth the effort.After 5 months of using Epiduo,I HAD NO ACNE,it heals even the marks in the skin.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
February 18, 2018
Hello,
February 18, 2018
Hello, are it still using epiduo and does it continue to work for you?
December 3, 2017
Hopeful
I'm on my week two of epiduo and my acne was like worse than ever. Bumps keep coming up my face even on spots I don't normally get them. (So saaadd) but, but, I heard that this is the initial purging stage and yes! I could feel my bumps drying up and flattening. Yay! As for my skin, i have sensitive and oily type but srsly, it never dried up my face. I'm still oily. Hoping for better skin sooner!
December 29, 2017
How is your acne now with this Epiduo?
December 30, 2017
Hi @Hopeful74 I am now 1 month and 10 days using this Epiduo and most of my bumps had flatten. I still have active ones on the hairline (side of my face) that I think, is the latest part to experience purging. But I'm not giving up hope. Lot of people have been here and tells me to wait patiently (says the reviews I read lol) I have a few more weeks to be patient of. Have a good day! Haha.