Epiduo Forte and Peeling: What Users Say

• Zoe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 25, 2020

For Acne "I left a review after the 1st week of using Epiduo, and I said I was positive about this product. I think I’m right. The first two weeks, my acne got worse, my right eye was swollen, and my whole face is burning like sunburn. I got huge and painful bumps on my forehead and parts that I don’t usually get acne, but I’m so glad that I didn’t give up. It’s been over a month now, and I only have some acne scars left to clear. I still have 1-2 bumps on my chin since I sleep late, which I think is normal. I can’t put on any makeup since it still gets super flaky. I didn’t use any moisturizer because my skin is already oily, instead, I use niacinamide 12% in the morning and Epiduo at night. Use it once every two days if you think it’s too strong for your skin. Yeah, girls, it will get worse before it gets better, don’t give up. Don’t use more than 1 pump, my face was almost ruined by using more than a “pea size” amount. DON'T DO IT, follow the instructions."

• May...
• June 27, 2020

For Acne "My dermatologist prescribed me Epiduo Forte two weeks ago. I’ve been on doxycycline for five weeks, and around week three is when she prescribed me Epiduo Forte for my acne. I heard, “it gets worse before it gets better,” but for me, it just got better... like... immediately. Given, I do use strong products on my face like retinoids and chemical peels often. My face has been purging since late March, I feel that I’ve gone through the purge stage already. Then I was left with these horrible dark spots, pinpoint scars, small acne, and red spots from the old acne. Washing my face with a gentle face wash every night, then using a small amount of my Epiduo on my troubled areas, and then you wake up... and it’s literally completely different than the night before. It’s what you need if you have cystic acne or scarring or a mixture of both, like me. I’m giving it a nine because my neck is peeling and burning from it, and I’m not sure how since I’ve never placed it down my neck."

• Qui...
• July 15, 2019

For Acne "When I first began applying Epiduo, I had a lot of breakouts coming through, but nothing I hadn't seen before. I have light acne, generally speaking. Using Epiduo at the beginning turned that light acne into moderate acne, which I understand to be the skin purging bacteria below the surface as the skin gets acclimated to the drug. Fast forward to two weeks in. I have clear skin. Tiny, texturized bumps that were there yesterday have vanished. I still have an active scab from a pimple I popped on my jawline, but I have never been more confident in this product. I am going to keep using it consistently so I don't disrupt this progress. I did/am getting a lot of dryness and flaking around the mouth and eyelids, but I am using CeraVe moisturizer to combat. Also, when I first started Epiduo, I was getting a TON of burning, and putting on moisturizer only made that feeling worse. That, however, is no longer the case after two weeks of consistent use. It doesn't burn at all anymore."

• 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!!"

• Lov...
• October 19, 2020

For Acne "I have been using Epiduo for close to two months now. I had never had really bad acne until about a year ago, and I decided to go to the doctor to get some help. She put me on a month of doxycycline, new products, a change of birth control, and Epiduo. I was worried because I read reviews about Epiduo that everyone seemed to experience awful dryness, peeling, burning, and purging of their skin. I started only 3x a week because I was scared of this, but I didn’t have any issues the first few times. Then, as I worked up to every night, I still didn’t have any burning sensation at all. I have seen a dramatic difference in my acne also. I barely have any pimples and just have fading scars. I use simple Cerave products and use Epiduo every night, but my doctor recommended that I wash my face, moisturize, then put the medicine on and rub it in with a bit more moisturizer. No idea if that had something to do with preventing the hard part of this cream, but I see amazing results."

• nyc...
• July 23, 2018

For Acne "Epiduo Forte is probably one of the most effective topicals I've used to date (suffered from hormonal cystic acne for 8 years now) and definitely more effective than Epiduo. I've never written a review for an acne medication before, so trust me when I say I rely on Epiduo Forte as an effective spot treatment. I find this topical to really help in thwarting those angry cystic pimples and stop them in their tracks. If I get them early and apply the Forte, they usually go away or just turn into a regular, smaller pimple with a head. The only thing I hate about it is that it makes the area where you apply the Epiduo Forte EXTREMELY dried out and flaky, which sucks for a foundation-wearer like myself. The flaking doesn't fully subside until about a week, so if you want your makeup to look smooth, try not to apply the night before or just apply a very thin layer."

• Jen...
• November 26, 2018

For Acne "I have had very bad acne, but after discovering Epiduo Forte, my face has definitely cleared up. I like how strong it is, and I love how quickly it works. The only downside to this medicine is that it makes your skin very, very dry, sometimes so dry that my skin would flake off, and it would sting to use lotion."

• 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!"

• Ups...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 7, 2022

For Acne "This has to be one of the worst acne treatments ever. They left my skin peeling on my neck and face with black spots. I am currently using Aveeno cleanser and moisturizer, and it is starting to help. Shea butter also helps. But I wouldn’t recommend this product."

• 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."

• ane...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 27, 2017

For Acne "I was terrified to use Epiduo after reading the reviews, but once I realized I had to buffer it, it seemed much more approachable. If you're not used to using retinoids, don't put this directly on your face and don't use it every night. I took a pretty conservative approach and have mostly been able to minimize pain and flaking. Here's what I do: - Wash my face with a gentle cleanser (I use Aveeno Positively Radiant) - Put on some Cerave moisturizer - Wait 20 minutes - Put on the Epiduo Forte. I only do this at night, once every 2-3 days. If I feel my skin getting irritated, I'll stop using the Epiduo till it gets back to normal. Don't muck around with your skin! If it's irritated and awful, no reason to torture yourself and use the Epiduo every night, just use it every couple of nights."

• 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 :)"

• MKa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 23, 2018

For Acne "When I first started using Epiduo, my skin became very dry and painful. It also peeled. Within the first two to four weeks, my skin got slightly worse. However, after one month, it began to work like nothing else I’d ever used. It was great for the skin-colored bumps on my forehead and normal acne. I strongly recommend using coconut oil as a moisturizer when on this medicine. It helps profusely, and it helps minimize the initial dryness/pain/peeling that this medicine causes. It is totally worth the money and beginning side effects!!! Best thing for my acne!"

• Can...
• May 2, 2020

For Acne "I went off of birth control, and gradually my skin kept getting worse and worse. I'd never experienced acne before, but I had also been on BC for almost 10 years. I was really impatient and started out strong, using it every night and without buffering with moisturizer before applying it. My skin went crazy, it was swollen, red, and flaky everywhere. Would not recommend. But I started buffering with a moisturizer before using Tactupump, then putting a moisturizer on after too for extra hydration. That calmed my skin down, and eventually, I stopped buffering with the moisturizer as my skin got used to the medication, and I didn't want to dilute the cream anymore. It's been a month, and my skin has seen crazy good improvements. Luckily, I didn't get a very bad purge phase, and my acne is pretty much cleared up, and I've got a really smooth skin texture now. I'm just waiting for the pesky acne scars to heal, which takes time. I definitely recommend this cream, but BE CAREFUL WHEN YOU FIRST START IT."

• Pim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2018

For Acne "I started getting adult acne at 35. I’d never had acne in my life. It was horrible. Along my jawline, I had all kinds of acne: cystic, whiteheads, blackheads, no heads... lol. I went to a dermatologist and had chemical peels. Used expensive skincare regimens prescribed by my esthetician. $1,000s later, I tried Epiduo Forte. I have been in treatment now for 8 weeks, and I can see a remarkable difference. And it’s not just me, my husband noticed initially. Yes, it stings a little, and if you aren't using a moisturizer, you will get peeling and dry skin. I am sure to put on an extremely high SPF EVERY DAY. (Very important)"

• Vin...
• March 8, 2018

For Acne "Before this, I used Accutane. That worked, but the side effects were not fun (dry lips, always tired, flushed face, etc.). It kept the acne away for a few months after treatment, but then it came back. I tried Differin 1% for a while, and that kind of worked. Eventually, I went to my derm and got Epiduo Forte. This works great! I didn't really have the burning or flaky skin that others have described, my skin is probably really resistant. I had a small purge, and it took about a month and a half before I realized I don't have any pimples on my face anymore. I use it nightly and then put CeraVe PM moisturizer on top. I've gotten a couple of zits on my forehead when I skipped a couple of days, but they went away quickly. I highly recommend this. It's worked just as well as Accutane without all the other side effects."

• Jay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 16, 2020

For Acne "I am currently on my third month using Epiduo Forte. The first month was quite problematic as I started out using it every night, terrible idea. My face was extremely irritated and was dry and peeling. Since then, my acne has only been getting worse. I've been taking weekly pictures for comparison (which I recommend for everyone on acne medication), and the further I go backward, the better it looks. I don't know if this is part of the process, but I am just going to continue until the entire pump is empty. On the positive side, pimples that do pop up appear smaller and disappear faster, but that's it. Hope this improves, my face is literally just a big blob of scarring, which is absolutely terrible."

• Tta...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 16, 2020

For Acne "Epiduo Forte is actually quite good for hyperpigmentation, as it renews the skin faster and the spots fade. It does take time. I put it on every night for nearly 7 months. This medication was expensive in my country, but I really wanted to solve my acne problem. I still had breakouts, just significantly less. It does not help with oily skin. A side effect is flaky skin. I eventually had to take Accutane because my acne was very persistent and hormonal-based, but want to give this medication credit for helping with my dark spots."

• Gra...
• May 5, 2020

For Acne "If you have super oily skin, Epiduo Forte might work wonders for you. I have an extremely oily forehead to the point where I could go all day without touching my face, and it will end up being visibly shiny and gross. However, the rest of my face remains dry. This medication works wonders on oily, acne-prone skin. My forehead cleared after only a few days of use, and it completely eliminated the excess oil on my forehead, making me feel confident. However, I also break out terribly on my chin, which is not oily at all. This medication does cause the areas around my mouth to become red and flaky. I moisturize these parts of my face daily. In my opinion, Epiduo Forte has been more successful than not and works wonders for me. No store-bought acne cream has ever worked for me, but Epiduo Forte clears my face in a few days and keeps it that way with regular use. If I start to experience too much peeling, I will use it twice a day on my forehead and once every other day on my chin."

• Nic...
• December 8, 2015

For Acne "I've been dealing with moderate to severe acne for well over 10 years now, but I never wanted to go on Accutane. Epiduo Forte works! I saw results in 1 week, with less and less acne coming through. It even is starting to reduce the red marks that I have from old acne. People complain that it burns and dries out their skin, but in my case, it wasn't that bad. My skin was a little sensitive, burned only a little, but did get dry. It felt like a tight pulling at times, and my neck was very flaky. My skin is very oily, which may cause it to not be as dry as a result of the medication. I'm working on my 5th week on Epiduo, and again, I am very impressed. I have my follow-up in a few weeks, and I am excited to share the results with my doctor."

• VAG...
• December 4, 2017

For Acne "I'm a little over a month using this cream to help clear mild acne. The first few weeks were horrible. Face would sting, especially around the mouth and corner of eyes. Skin was peeling and super dry, with dry patches appearing during the day. I use it every night and, if needed, would take a night off. However, I stopped feeling them around week 3. My routine is: exfoliate face with Philosophy exfoliating wash, followed by cleansing with their face wash. I apply a vitamin C serum (Trueskin is the brand), leave to air dry for 2 minutes, then I use CeraVe daily moisturizer, applying a generous amount. Wait 5 minutes, then apply one pump of Epiduo Forte gel on cheeks and chin. My skin looks drastically clearer. Still get breakouts around cycle, but they don't last long at all."

• 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!"

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 29, 2017

For Acne "I started this topical ointment back in February. Skin takes quite a while to get acclimated. I'd say a month+ before it stops burning. I'd apply Epiduo, followed by Aquaphor, to combat the dryness, and it just seals your face up for a good 20 minutes. I peeled a lot in the beginning, but I did not purge. I notice it actually makes skin much oilier since the pores are now unclogged. If I wear moisturizer under makeup, I'm an oil slick by noon. I try to avoid moisturizer now. I still have gotten pimples and a cyst, so I'm not sure how amazing this is. Also, someone said to use this in the morning. Please don't do that."