Epiduo Forte and Itching: What Users Say

• Wre...
• May 3, 2018

For Acne "So I have tried many products and pills having little to no results. I started struggling with acne during college, seemingly out of nowhere. Epiduo Forte is the ONLY thing that works for me. On the other reviews, some people reported having a burnt/fiery feeling on their face. I experienced this as well. This is what happens when you try to get your face used to the medication. I talked to my dermatologist, and he recommended cutting back from using it every night to every other night, which helped a lot! I also experienced an itching and peeling stage, which I would GLADLY go through again to get my face in the shape it’s in now! I wish I could upload photos of before and after this medicine. I don't wear any foundation or cover-up anymore because my skin literally glows! Do not be afraid to give Ep. Forte a try!!"

• Man...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 18, 2019

For Acne "This medicine was great for my acne, however, I had severe swollen eyes, and my skin was so sensitive I couldn’t put anything on it! I continued using it for a year because I was willing to endure just about anything for clearer skin until finally, I started getting eczema on my eyelids, and eventually, I would wake up with my eyes nearly swollen shut (even if I only put a dab of it on a single pimple and washed my pillow sheets!) I’ve now been off the medicine for 6 months and still suffering from the eczema! I can’t believe this medicine was capable of such severe long-term damage and is still put on the market anyway. I’m terrified to try more acne medicine because of this."

• Ros...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 13, 2020

For Acne "Epiduo Forte has literally changed my life, and I'm so thankful to my derm who prescribed me this cream. I had cystic spots on my cheeks, bumps on my forehead, and blackheads along my jawline and chin. For 1 year, I tried using expensive skincare and getting microdermabrasion/facials, but nothing worked, so I decided to see a derm (which I should've done in the 1st place, but in my country, it can take up to 6 months to get an appointment with a derm). For the first 2 months, I had breakouts and itchy, red, peeling skin. I stuck it out and also used Cetaphil moisturizing cream and SPF 50+ sunscreen every day, and after 3 months, my skin was completely cleared of acne. It's been 12 months since I started using Epiduo Forte, and I now use a small amount every other night if I feel like I need to. Take pics of your face each night to track your skin's improvement!"

• Kat...
• August 19, 2018

For Acne "I started using Epiduo Forte almost 8 weeks ago. I used as prescribed (slowly increasing use over time). For the two weeks or so, my skin purged and got worse (more pimples in the areas that normally broke out), but at about that 3-4 week mark, I started to really see a difference in my skin and got super excited. But now, for the past two weeks, my skin is pretty much right back to how it was before I started. Not terrible, but definitely not good, perhaps maybe even worse than before. I’m not sure what I may have done wrong, but if this is how my skin will continue to look using this, I’m going to stop. Also, this medication is extremely drying (especially around the mouth area) and causes your skin to flake and sometimes itch and slightly burn. I’m disappointed, but hoping to give it two more weeks before throwing it in the trash."

• Han...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 23, 2018

For Acne "I started Epiduo Forte about two months ago and didn’t see much of a difference in my skin until about a week ago. Combined with drinking lots of water, moisturizing, and ALWAYS wearing sunscreen when I go outside, this has worked miracles for not only my acne but also hyperpigmentation. I experienced a lot of the burning, itching, peeling, etc., at first, but after consistently using it and giving it time, my skin looks much better!"

• Sar...
• April 21, 2021

For Acne "I've been using Epiduo Forte for 2 weeks. The first week and a half was torture!!! My skin would burn so bad after washing it, putting lotion and makeup. I only use it around my jawline for cystic acne, it somehow affected my neck really bad. My neck was itchy, red, and super dry, it hurt to even touch it. My skin has been clearing up, and the burning has stopped (thank goodness). I was wondering if I could go any longer. I'm also on doxycycline, spironolactone, clindamycin/phosphate gel (morning use only), this combination seems to be working for now."

• nan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 1, 2020

For Acne "I don't think I've ever had such a bad experience with a product. Epiduo Forte left my skin dry, red, peeling, itchy, and burning. It was incredibly painful. I had to switch from using it nightly to using it every other night to using it twice a week, and nothing helped. I have a friend who had no issues with it and had wonderful results from it, but that definitely was not my case. To be completely honest, I do have sensitive skin, but no other product I have used in my 19 years of life has ever had a reaction like this before or anything like it. I had to throw it out."

• Sop...
• February 10, 2017

For Acne "I've been using Epiduo for maybe 4 months now. I use a pea-sized amount all over my face every night. I have to say, it didn't do wonders for my skin. It caused peeling, dry patches, and super sensitive skin. Whenever I wash my face with Cetaphil, it burns. Moisturizing my face burns as well. I know it's supposed to get worse before it gets better, but I've just seen no improvements. It wasn't for me, but maybe it'll work for you :)"

• Han...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2022

For Acne "If you’re reading this, please keep going. I purged for at least 3 months on Epiduo Forte. My skin got unbelievably bad during the purge, with breakouts all over my face. I was close to giving up. But it works, I promise. People say that you should see results after 8-12 weeks, but don’t listen to them because everyone’s skin is different. 5 (almost 6) months in, my skin’s the smoothest it’s been in a long time. Tips: I know we don't like hearing it, but eating healthier dramatically reduced the redness and irritation associated with my acne and Epiduo side effects. Specifically, foods that are anti-inflammatory—berries, greens, fish. I notice a huge difference in my skin when I eat junk or processed foods. If you’re desperate, please try it. I have naturally dry skin, so my skin was constantly red, flaky, and itchy on Epiduo. Aquaphor was a game changer! It seals in my moisturizer and Epiduo without clogging my pores. Hydrated skin heals your acne so much faster. GL!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 8, 2021

For Acne "On the 24th of August, I went to the dermatologist to FINALLY do something about my adult blackheads on my chin. They sent it to my door 2 days later and started that night! It’s now the 8th of September, and they are basically all gone! What they say about the side effects of redness, itching, SMALL breakouts around the affected area is true (for me). I had one more pop up, and I took care of it immediately. It does burn a tiny bit, that’s what benzoyl peroxide does! Your skin may get dry and flake (thanks to masks for covering up that) and feels dry. What they also say is true: it’ll get worse before it gets better-the redness, itching, etc. I wouldn’t recommend lathering this all over your face like my derm told me to do. I only did the affected parts! I had results in a couple of weeks! Impressive!"

• Jar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 19, 2017

For Acne "After trying and failing many antibiotics and topicals, I began to feel as if Accutane would be my only solution. After switching to a dermatologist from a doctor, she recommended I try Epiduo Forte before committing to Accutane. In all honesty, the first few weeks will be brutal. The itching and burning are next to unbearable, along with red, puffy, dry skin. My acne also got worse for the first month until about one and a half months in, when all my active pimples started to shrink and disappear. However, I was left with a nasty case of hyperpigmentation, but now, after almost 1 year of use, I am so close to completely clear skin! (Applied every night)"

• She...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 11, 2024

For Acne "I have suffered with all types of acne on my face for years. Epiduo Forte really does help. Although, it takes time and patience. I’m 11 weeks into using Epiduo Forte and it’s felt like the longest rollercoaster. My acne got much worse for what felt like the whole time. Cystic acne, repeating pustules, it has been tough. However, I’m finally seeing the improvements. New acne is halting and marks are fading. I find my skin will itch when the cream is applied, but nothing unmanageable, and it’s well worth putting up with. I would visit reviews to help me through all the months of purging, so I hope this helps someone else. Almost 3 months of using Epiduo Forte and I’m feeling comfortable in my skin again. It’s worth it. If you are worried about your acne and want to improve it long term, I recommend this product, but strap in for a bumpy ride and hold yourself to at least 3 months of use before making judgments."

• Jom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 30, 2020

For Acne "I have mild to moderate acne and textured skin (little skin-colored hard bumps), which I think is caused by my super oily skin. I’ve had all this ever since I was a teenager and throughout my adult years. I recently broke out (more than normal), so my doctor prescribed me TactuPump Forte. I’ve been using it for a month now: the breakout pimples are gone, and the hard little bumps on my skin are about 70% gone. Currently, I have a few active red pimples on my face, flaky skin all over, I feel extremely dry yet I’m still oily (much less than before), and my skin is now super sensitive. Using it every night burned my skin a lot, so I switched to using it every other night. I will continue to use TactuPump Forte, but so far, I think this treatment is just OK (taking into consideration the improvements AND side effects). Good luck to anyone who’s currently using this acne treatment or starting it!"

• She...
• October 30, 2015

For Acne "I have only had Epiduo Forte for a week and the small sample tube, so obviously there's not enough to put on my face besides the one little dab my dermatologist told me to. I'm currently sitting, waiting for the moisturizer to soak into my skin so my face will quit burning and itching so I can get some sleep..."

• Ano...
• December 24, 2018

For Acne "I just started using this. I probably put it on a grand total of 6 times, and my face is horrible. My face is swollen, red hot (to the touch and actually), peeling. My eyes are swollen, itchy, and dry. On the flip side, though, I only used it a few times and haven’t used it since, and my face has cleared up already. All my acne is not gone, but it is clearing up."

• Sar...
• May 3, 2020

For Acne "The first time using Epiduo was on Monday. It felt tingly but didn’t cause any pain, however, when I applied it on Tuesday, my skin began to burn to the point where I was uncomfortable the whole night. On Wednesday, it was just as bad. My skin felt hot, was stinging and burning, and was so painful. Cleansing and moisturizing was now giving me the similar burning sensation. On Thursday, my skin felt extremely tight, itchy, and sensitive. The skin around my mouth and on my chin was starting to peel, and it only got worse the next day. The peeling spread to around my eyes and eyebrows. I stopped using Epiduo because it was causing a lot of damage when I was seeing very minimal results. My skin is now extremely dry and sore, and I have to now see a dermatologist because it has only worsened my skin. My experience may sound insignificant due to the fact I only used Epiduo for two days, however, I want people to be aware of how painful and damaging this product can be."

• Cou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 23, 2018

For Acne "I do not recommend this! I got a sample from my dermatologist and used it twice. I may be a rare case, but I’m experiencing a severe allergic reaction. My entire face is swollen, eyelids, severe bumps, redness, burning, itchiness, the list goes on. My skin is not cut out for this strong stuff."