Acne.org Products
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
March 8, 2011
Cons:
If you put to much on it can cause flaking and irritation.
This product is amazing! I had horrible SEVERE cystic acne that was so painful and embarrassing. I was prescribed epiduo by my derm. and felt like it was just another product that wouldn't work. But this is a miracle worker! in just under a month all my major cysts and pustules are gone! the only thing i have left to clear up is some red marks and thats it!
May 23, 2012
Pros:
- Clears acne 100%
- Controls oil production
Cons:
- Takes a while to work
- Dries skin
After becoming resistant to clindamycin (Duac) I switched to Epiduo. My skin cleared 100% in about 12 weeks. You have to give it the FULL three months, I was still breaking out up to and including week 12. Since then I have had two pimples (have been on for about 5 months now so 2 months = 2 pimples). Please give it time! It does dry you out a little but nothing moisturiser can't fix.
March 29, 2011
Pros:
- Skin feels nice, soft, and tight after use.
Cons:
- A little dry, but that is fixed with the correct acne moisturizer.
This product is really good, but you have to have patience. For the first month it might get worst, but thats normal, you just have to keep keep going and using for about 6 months to really see the results. It's worth it in the long run, because it's not one of those fake products that say "acne cured in 1 week." That doesn't work, so Epiduo is really good, with a lot of patience. :) try it, it worked for me
June 4, 2015
Took long to work, but worth it
I had a lot of hormonal acne and white heads from a birth control pill that made my face break out horribly. I switch pills and it was much better, but I needed something to really clear what was left. I needed a topical medicine so my derm gave me Epiduo. Week 1: Cleared a little, nothing really happened. Week 2: I had horrible burning, stinging, peeling skin. I had to start using it every other day for about 1.5 months until I got more used to it. Weeks 3-4: I started breaking out a lot, it was upsetting but I kept using it. Weeks 5-6: My skin started calming down again! Weeks 7-8: I broke out horribly yet again. I wanted to give up but I told myself stick with it for 3 months Week 9: I am currently on week 9 and it's a total change. My acne has stopped forming, and old acne is clearing! Now I see why the doctor says wait at least 6-8 weeks to start seeing improvement. Overal I'm very excited that my acne is starting to clear. I gave it a 4 only because it makes your skin dry and sensitive, and slightly oily. Not horribly though. I would definitely recommend this! And wait at least 3 months before quitting, any acne medicine takes a while to start working :)
May 19, 2012
Pros:
WORKS, quite fast actually- 2 weeks!
Really easy to apply- you won't forget because it will be apart of your skin care routine.
Never had a breakout when I was stressed!
BEST PRODUCT I'VE USED!
Cons:
Dries out skin= flaky skin!
Made my eyes swell up
Stinging on second week...extremely painful!
Never ever writ a review but really thought I should for this product.... I'm 19 and usually get breakouts around my my period (guys are lucky ^.^). Epiduo really helped my skin from breaking out- I get the odd spots but they are not massive ones, so changed my acne type in a way, used to suffer from massive spots under my skin! I currently took my second year finals and when I am stressed it used to show on my skin! EPIDUO STOPPED THIS :D. Ok so, the bad stuff! When I started using epiduo I never really had a serious breakout like other people did but my gosh, my skin was so dry, specially on my eyelids and cheekbone area! Also it really made my skin sting on the second week of using Epiduo, was extremely painful! But the pain eventually went away. So advice:
1) USE A MOISTURIZER AFTER YOU APPLY EPIDUO. (other wise your skin will really dry out- I tried not using a moisturizer once and then spent 1 week getting it back to normal!). I use Simple Anti-Spot Moisturizer. 2) WASH YOUR HANDS AFTER APPLYING IT AND BEFORE YOU APPLY YOUR MOISTURIZER! (Ok, so never washed my hands once and my eyes inflated! Epiduo can really irritate your eyes.) 3) APPLY AROUND YOUR WHOLE FACE, even areas where not prone to acne! I don't know why, but it helps! 4) Well, I'm using Tetralysal too so maybe that's helping me too, but wouldn't recommend this antibiotic, I forgot to use it twice and both times had 2 spots the next morning!
November 16, 2011
Pros:
Works Immediately
Smooths out the skin
Reduces Pimples
Cons:
Wait a while to take major effect
Dryness occurs at points
This stuff really works! Ive only been using this for about 3 days and I already see improvement. Ive read alot of reviews on epiduo and i seened many people say that it works alot!(:.. Heres some "heads up" comments on first time users or users that are concerned about using epiduo: ~Dont get freaked out if your face is having more bumps.. its suppose to have more bumps! Its cleaning all the dirt and yucky stuff (also known as bacteria lol) from the inside of your face and bringing it out onto your face
~While using the epiduo, make SURE! you use SUNSCREEN when you are outside on a hot day. If you are an outside person, then this is highly reccomended for you!
~I use epiduo before i go to bed. I dont normally use it daily. Make sure you let it dry before you hit those sheets because it will bleach 'em.
~Dont try to rush the process, be patient(:
~Putting hot water on your face will open up your pores. And its best to clean your pores, so what I would do is..literally fill my bathroom sink up with hot hot water, then put my whole face in the water (YES, LITERALLY PUT MY WHOLE FACE IN THE SINK) and sit there for about 3 minutes.. My face will turn red and i would clean it with my cleanser. The cleanser would go into your pores and cleanse them. I know it sounds crazy but this is what i do every day and night and it really works ! I have a very very sensitive face so for me, my face will take a while for it to get use to epiduo. I HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND EPIDUO! This stuff really really works for me and everyone else(: .. I will comment every week to tell you guys how my face is.(: *And the best part about the whole thing is....im only 14* (:
June 7, 2011
Pros:
Works well with cystic/pus type pimples
Helps with scarring
Sheds dead skin
Cons:
Very drying the first few months
Purges skin
I started using this in July of 2010 and it is now June of 2011, almost a year. When I started using this my face wasn't THAT bad, it had been A LOT worse. (of course when I go to the dermatologist, I only had about 2 pimples and I usually have 5 or more.) I get cystic/pus pimples which scarred my face. My main problem at the time was the scarring, it made my face look terrible and I didn't want to leave the house. I had no self confidence; I felt like everyone was staring at my pimples, so I didn't talk to anyone much. I tried so many expensive stuff that did not help. Right before I went to the derm, I was using DDF's Benzoly Peroxide gel, which helped the first few weeks, then made it worse so I stopped using it. My derm prescribed me Doryx (antibiotic), Plexion cleanser, and Epiduo. The first week I used this I noticed an improvement, my face looked healthier and I only had one zit. Then my face started to purge but I researched this product well so I knew I had to pull through it and I did. I don't remember how long it purged, but it wasn't that long because when I went for my 3 month check up, my derm was so surprised at how well my skin looked! At my 6 month check up she had me only take Doryx that time of month, and I occasionally get a few pimples when I'm not taking it, but they are not as bug and do that last as long so it's no big deal. Now, almost a year later, I'm not taking anymore antibiotics, but I'm still using Epiduo and Plexion and my skin is very healthy and clear. I still get the occasional zit or two but I have so much confidence now I don't even care. I still have a couple stubborn scars, but they're slowly fading. Its not drying anymore and I'm so happy with my skin that I've been able to go makeup free a lot this summer. Now, I can live my life happily and be a care-free 16 year old! I think I may have to find an alternative because this stuff is about 180 bucks for a bottle, but it lasted me about 10 months. Wish me luck!
August 3, 2010
Pros:
i never had break outs ever since! im so happy!
Cons:
you will seriously break out for the first 2 months. i mean TOTALLY! worst break out! thats whi im only applying every other night to lessen the irritation and break out. my dermatologist also advised me to wah with bezoyl P. 2x a day and take tetracycline.
It worked so well for me! honestly this is the best product that ive evr tried! i mean after using it for 2 and a half months i am currently having ZERO breakouts! i mean totally! my skin is much smoother! i really recommend this product.
June 29, 2010
Pros:
Clears Acne
Cons:
stings
I've tried EVERYTHING to clear my acne. I had taken antibiotics for a month and endured stomach problems (and the acne still didn't go away). This stuff actually works! Right away my acne cleared up. The stinging of the gel (for the first 15 minutes or so) is definitely worth having clear skin for a change! Especially since I'm 43 and really shouldn't have acne!!!
October 15, 2011
Pros:
- IT WORKS !
- Dries quickly
- Lightweight
- You can see difference within 1 week
Cons:
- Does make you break out during first 1-2 weeks
- For the first week you may expirience dry, flaky or really red/burning side effects on spots of your skin (BUT that's just cause your face needs to adjust to the medication, after it does, it's like a MIRACLE WORKER!)
Basically this thing REALLY WORKS!
I wish I could just tell anyone who has acne how much I love it, and PLEASE try it. I had really bad flare-ups and acne last year because I started using foundation all the time. Well, I stopped using the foundation, but the acne seemed permanent. I tried proactive (which is a joke people- don't do it) then I tried buying my own cleanser/ toner/ moistrizer. They were okay, but you could still tell the bumps were there- some of them really red. So I asked my doctor what she thought, and she gave me samples of Epiduo. OH MY GOD ! I know this sounds crazy- but I definetly saw results within 3 days. They were just minor at first: my redness was going down, the bumps seemed smaller, but by the end of the third week ALL MY ACNE had virtually dissapeared.
I am currently in the fourth week of using Epiduo, and just let me tell you that my confidence has gone up as a result. And for some reason I've been really motivated to work out. So indirectly, Epiduo is really a life changer and I HIGHLY reccomend it. * Please if you are having red/ flaky skin (during the first week) just know that it does go away with continuos use of Epiduo. I promise you! Just please stick it out, you'll be happy you did.* Good Luck everyone!
& please just remember to be patient with it, because it WILL work...but over time. P.S. I'm still using the samples my doctor gave me so I didn't pay for Epiduo, but I probably will have to when I run out.
Pros:
Clears acne
-white heads
-blackheads
-cysts/pustules
reduces redness
works pretty fast