Generic Name: Epiduo (adapalene-benzoyl-peroxide-topical)
Epiduo Reviews
For Acne "Used Epiduo years ago after coming off of oral contraceptives. Worked very well and I didn't have to use it for a few years afterwards. Recently, I'm having hormonal breakouts again around my chin and cheekbones, so I got another prescription. Works like a charm! PLEASE NOTE: moisturize first, let the moisturizer completely dry (to avoid the cream being absorbed too rapidly into the skin), and then apply the TINIEST amount to the affected areas and spread it thin. AVOID your eyes or anywhere even near your eyes! DO NOT use it every day when you first start using it! ONLY use it once a day! Using it more frequently will not improve your results! You have to build a tolerance or your face will burn like fire! If it starts to burn, then give yourself a day or 2 break before trying again. Hope this helps."
For Acne "This is my third week of Epiduo. All my life I've had beautiful skin. Until I turned 28 and had horrible hormonal acne on my cheeks and jawline. The acne is a combination of blackheads, cysts, comedones, whiteheads, and it is painful. My skin is oily too! I just look at my face and want to cry. My doctor prescribed Epiduo and Dermaplex soap-free face scrub, and the first week burnt like anything. My skin felt like it was on fire, and I was told to use an SPF moisturizer along with it. It burnt as soon as I applied anything, the itchiness was irritating too, but I pushed through. I'm on my third week, and I still have these hard bumps under my skin and whiteheads that seem to come overnight, but I'm being patient as I heard that it takes about 2 months to see real results. I want to avoid any oral treatment for my acne as I'm trying to have a baby, and meds like Accutane are said to cause severe birth defects. I will give an update in a few weeks about the Epiduo and the baby. Wish me luck!"
For Acne "I randomly started getting acne on my cheeks and mouth about 11 months ago. I visited a dermatologist and was prescribed Epiduo (0.1% adapalene + 2.5% benzoyl peroxide). My acne flared up for 8 months. But I powered through those times. In month 8, my acne reduced significantly and I am now (month 11) mainly dealing with hyperpigmentation from those nasty pimples. My advice: if this cream is causing acne, it's probably working. For the first two weeks, apply every other night after cleansing. If you have super sensitive skin (adapalene is one of the most gentle retinoids), apply moisturiser first (after cleansing), and then the Epiduo (after absorption). Avoid eyes (apply petroleum jelly around them first). IMPORTANT: This journey mainly tests your patience, confidence, and self-esteem. If you're worried about what people think of you, this will not be easy but it will be worth it. If people do think less of you because of your pimples, I say good riddance! Good luck on the road ahead!"
For Acne "My doctor prescribed me Epiduo around 7 weeks ago, and I have been using it ever since. I have experienced a burning sensation throughout the process so far, however, it is not major. I've had mild peeling/dry skin, with the area that's been the most dry being my eyelids. I have been using Cetaphil moisturizer to help with this. I definitely had a bad purging stage within the first 4 weeks, which then subsided. However, I am still purging around my chin quite badly with large lumps under the skin. I really hope that this subsides as I have heard that perseverance is key and that it may take up to 3 months to improve. Is anyone else still experiencing purging at week 7?"
For Acne "I’ve been using Epiduo since January 24th, 2020. My advice is to stay strong for the first few months. Don’t expect any results for 3-5 months and expect your skin to look horribly worse. Stay strong during that period. After 3-5 months, the face should look horribly red but breakouts should be getting to a minimum. For the next few months, Epiduo should still be in use for the redness and scars. This takes 3 months for the redness to be only visible really up close. I would recommend this gel, but you must not expect to have clear smooth skin in the first 2 months definitely. If lucky, 3-4 months, but you should make sure to know that 8 months could be a possibility and prepare and trust the process. My skin still isn’t where I want it, so I will still be using this to get the scarring fade, but compared to a few months ago, my skin looks 10 times better."
For Acne "So I have been battling acne for ages. I am currently on lymecycline as well as Epiduo. I'm only about a week into using Epiduo, but I am in so much pain that I'm thinking of using it less. My face is so red, dry, and it burns whenever I put anything on my skin (e.g., face wash and moisturizer), not just the treatment. Is this normal? I have no idea. I have used Duac in the past, which actually has more benzoyl peroxide in it, so I don't know why my skin is reacting so badly to Epiduo. Anyway, I can't say anything about its effectiveness to treat acne because I haven't been using it long enough. So I'll let you know how it goes."
For Acne "I have had acne my whole life. It started to get extremely bad when my Dr. put me on birth control for hormone therapy. At first, I didn't really think the Epiduo cream was working because it made my face worse for 2 good months. My neck would itch extremely bad, and when I would work out, it would turn bright red. I had read some reviews that said DON'T GIVE UP!! It took a good 6 months for my face to clear, but it was so worth it!! This medicine does take time to work, but I promise you will feel so much better in the end! Stick with it, and you will see results!"
For Acne "Everyone here is like, 'ONLY USE PEA-SIZED AMOUNT or it will burn and begin to irritate your skin, don't worry it'll still work.' Then there was me before I read these reviews crying because I used it as a moisturizer and my skin feels like it's burning."
For Acne "The very first week of using it I felt like my acne had pretty much disappeared, and then the purge started. It got worse over the first 4-5 months. I had horrendous cystic acne even worse than when I had started. My doctor told me to give it another few months so I stuck at it. I had horrendously dry skin alongside the purge and no makeup would cover my skin. Was it worth it as not my skin has never been clearer in all my life. I had to really stick with it to see the results I've seen today. This is a MIRACLE drug. I also use La Roche-Posay cleanser for medicated skin and all the Vitamin E skincare range from Superdrug, alongside a rose water toner. I make sure to keep on top of my skincare routine daily, on top of using the Epiduo cream at night. PUT A PEA-SIZED AMOUNT ON AT THE START. It will burn for the first 8 weeks. No photos do it justice. I look in the mirror and I am no longer ashamed of my skin 7 months later. This drug has been my saviour!☆☆☆☆☆"
For Acne "I've only been using it for 5 days, but the first 2 days it was fine. However, I have now developed a burning sensation, leaving red marks on my cheeks and making the skin around my cheeks, nose, and mouth really dry and flaky."
For Acne "This is my second time on Epiduo. The first time, a couple of years ago, I was on it for 3 months before I got fed up with my skin purging and continually getting way, way worse. I thought 3 months was a long time to still be purging, so I just gave up. DO NOT give up! I wish I hadn't, having read many reviews here and elsewhere stating that it may take 4-6 months for purging to end and for skin to clear. I have now decided to give it another go for a FULL 6 MONTHS. I am currently 3 months in and, again, my skin is so much worse than when I started it, constantly dry, red, and full of hyperpigmentation. I am so self-conscious of how bad it's gotten, but I will keep pushing through to mid-April and see whether it delivers. I will update then. Please keep persisting however bad it gets, it has to get bad before it improves!"
For Acne "I’ve been on Epiduo for about a week. I use it along with Doxycycline capsules. My skin has been bright red and super itchy all week, but my acne is entirely flat. It looks like I’ve had a really bad sunburn, and after I wash my face, it feels like it too. Even though my face is very, very red, I can tell this gel is working, and I’m super excited to have the possibility of clear skin."
For Acne "This Epiduo was a miracle cream! Coupled with antibiotics, it completely cured my acne and clogged pores. The first 2-3 months were absolutely terrible. So I urge all of you to not give up on the treatment. The clogged pores started to become pimples, and I had to squeeze all of them out. Things got better after the 4th month, and now I'm into my 5th month with no clogged pores or pimples at all! So guys, if you are using this for the first 2-3 months and are experiencing a purge, please DO NOT give up on it. Keep persevering, and you'll see the light. I used the gel every night, and it made my face red and itchy, but I continued on, and eventually, when things got better, I cut down to applying it once every two days."
For Acne "Do not give up! I was about to stop my treatment, but I'm glad I kept going. It is week 10 for me, and it just started to clear up. I had a bad, massive breakout at week 9 and seriously thought it wasn't working for me. And now it's finally getting better. So do not give up, even if it seems like it's not working, I promise it will, just be patient. :)"
For Acne "A dermatologist prescribed this for my tween son who had blackheads on his nose. I had tried a number of over-the-counter products that, if anything, just made it worse. So I made an appointment with the dermatologist for him, and he prescribed Epiduo. He told us on the first day to put it on for an hour and wash off half an hour later, put on Cetaphil Moisturizer. The 2nd day, two hours, the 3rd day, three hours, etc., and then, after 5 days, leaving it on overnight, still putting the moisturizer on half an hour after. We have had no dryness or irritation. The Epiduo seemed to bring any congestion in the skin up in tiny bumps, and after 3 weeks, his skin is clear from nearly blemishes. Don’t be afraid for it to bring a spot out, this means it’s working. Stick with it and be consistent."
For Acne "Do not let the negative reviews stir you away from this medication! This acne medication has changed my life. I dealt with severe acne for about two years. I got multiple hydro facials in hopes that it would clear my skin, but it did not. I began taking Epiduo about 4 months ago. The first couple of weeks my skin was dry, but that’s about it. At first, I felt like it was not working because my acne was still there and I was still having breakouts, but I stuck with it. I put it on at night after washing my face. After 4 months, my skin has cleared up, I cannot believe that it is this clear. I recommend this product! Stick with it, and it will work! Make sure to moisturize and wear sunscreen."
For Acne "I was prescribed Epiduo for moderate acne. She unfortunately didn’t discuss how sensitive my skin was, otherwise, I probably wouldn’t have been prescribed this. Epiduo is brutal. I thought I could perhaps tolerate the effect it had on my skin in the hope of combatting my acne, but it gradually got worse instead of better. I experienced extreme dryness and cracking. My face felt like it was on fire, and it was as if I had a chemical burn. It started to dry out my eyelids, despite completely avoiding the eye area. My lips became chapped and cracked. It hurt to even shower, as the water was uncomfortable on my face. I use CeraVe face wash and Cetaphil moisturizer, as they are non-comedogenic, but even this made me feel pain. Today, I was driven to tears at the extreme pain I was feeling, so I’m going to have to stop using it. I appreciate all the success stories, and I’m glad that people have experienced positive outcomes with their skin, but the experience for me was absolutely awful."
For Acne "This stuff is amazing! At first, I had my doubts because in the first week, my face became red, sore, dry, and flaky. However, that is something that you have to put up with for a week or two. My skin is almost completely clear, and I am up to about month 4 of using the gel. My advice is do not give up on the gel, keep using it, and you will see improvements!"
For Acne "I have been on Epiduo for about 3 weeks, and it seems like every time I apply the gel, I turn red and breakout more. Then it's accompanied by dry, flaky skin. I think I'm going to stop the use of the Epiduo gel."
For Acne "Epiduo has honestly been the only product that has had a significant impact on my skin. My acne got much worse on Epiduo for a couple of months (worse than ever before), but I stuck with it, and now, five months into treatment, my acne has completely gone. Only minor scars remain from the intense period, which are getting less notable by the day. I definitely recommend anyone suffering with moderate acne to try it!"
For Acne "Part 1: This stuff is amazing, by far the best product if you are looking for something to help with your skin. If you have gotten this product from a dermatologist and you've come across my review, make sure you aren't just slapping it on thinking it will give you faster results, this will dry out your skin if you aren't careful. Use enough that it will cover your whole face (don't get too close to your eyes), but only do this once a week and slowly add it into your routine. Then the next week, do it twice with a few days in between, then the next week three, etc. Your skin needs to adapt to this product, otherwise, it will hurt. If your skin does get a little dry, I suggest using 'Nivea Cream', it comes in a 100ml blue bottle."
For Acne "I started using Epiduo in mid-July, and 3 months later, I'm still getting significant breakouts (small whiteheads and cystic) and blackheads. I've been reading that the cream can take up to 3-5 months to be effective, so I'm holding out hope. The areas that weren't congested pre-Epiduo are SUPER smooth and clear (forehead and nose); however, my cheeks are still very congested. I have also developed lots of red marks from pigmentation. With all my strength, I have pushed out the purge for this long... I will keep going."
For Acne "I was worried about using this product after reading mixed reviews. The first three weeks were the worst experience ever. It started working in the fourth week. Now at 6 weeks, I am so glad I stuck through it. It was worth the burning, peeling, red skin, and the emotional pain. If you are reading this comment, then you are in the same spot as I was 6 weeks ago. Trust me, I lost hope but continued to use it. Now my skin looks great. Happy I didn't give up, and you shouldn't either."
For Acne "Been using Epiduo 0.1 gel for around 2 months. The first few days after using, my skin was on fire, but I carried on the next night, and from then on, it never happened again. The doctor did tell me I would get this burn, so I knew it was normal and not a reaction. I am super pleased with the results. I've not had huge bumps or spots, and if I have got a pimple within the day, it’s gone. It doesn’t progress into a huge, angry-looking lump. If you’re just starting using this gel, keep going. The results are amazing."
For Acne "I have had cystic acne for 12 years and it is honestly one of the most painful, confidence wrecking conditions. I have tried so many prescription creams including adapalene on its own but nothing has ever given me perfect skin. This cream is absolutely incredible. I’m just two weeks my skin is completely clear, I have post inflammatory hyperpigmentation and now a month in, it’s incredible. I cry when I look at my skin because I never thought it would be smooth. I never thought I could cure my acne. I still get one or two tiny pimples but I use the cream once a night and by day two it’s flat and gone. My skin is used to retinoids as I used adapalene with no joy for two years. Swapping to Epiduo has been incredible. The combination of adapalene and benzoyl peroxide did give me slight dryness but now my skin GLOWS. Miracle cream for severe cystic acne and I will never ever stop using it now!"
More about Epiduo (adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical)
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Pricing & coupons
- Reviews (722)
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Generic availability
- FDA approval history
- Drug class: topical acne agents
Patient resources
- Epiduo drug information
- Epiduo Pump topical
Other brands
Epiduo Forte
Professional resources
- Epiduo prescribing information
Other brands
Epiduo Forte
Related treatment guides
- Acne
