Epiduo and Irritation: What Users Say

• Mum...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 22, 2020

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."

• got...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 8, 2014

For Acne "I've had acne for 10 years, and this is the only thing that has worked. I've been on a few other prescription medications, and they didn't have the same results. My skin does get dry, but I just use a non-comedogenic moisturizer (Cetaphil), and it helps immensely. My skin is clear, and it feels smooth. Don't let the other reviews about redness and irritation scare you off. You should just reduce your usage to every other day instead of every day, and it still works. Also, the claims that it causes more acne are unlikely since it has TWO acne-killing medicines in it. If you use it correctly and how it best fits your needs, I promise you won't be let down."

• Niq...
• May 25, 2015

For Acne "I never had acne until I hit 19. I let it go for a while, thinking it would go away. Then I tried a whole variety of home remedies, over-the-counter treatments, supplements, and stopped wearing makeup, and NOTHING was working. I went to my GP, fed up and with low self-esteem, and she prescribed me Epiduo! At first, I was skeptical, after all, it was just a cream, but then I began to use it. For the first month, I had terrible irritation and burning, my skin would crack and peel, but I was so determined to clear my skin I pushed on. Around the 50-day mark, a miracle happened! Not 1 pimple! And I haven't had one since! My skin is just amazing now, people are complimenting me all the time about it, and I feel fantastic!"

• Bro...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 22, 2019

For Acne "First of all, after reading the other reviews, I see that a lot of people stop using this because of the redness, dryness, and burning it causes. If you stick with it for 2 weeks, the burning and redness subsides! You cannot give up on this product (or any other acne product) after only using it for a week. With that being said, I too experienced the irritation and dryness in the few weeks. I honestly love how much it makes your skin peel because it allows your past acne scars to fade! Yes, the dryness is annoying (especially if you are a makeup wearer)... but you have to look at the bright side, it fades your scars! I’ve been using this for 1 month and have seen drastic changes already in my skin's appearance and texture. I alternate between using Epiduo and Tretinoin at night. I had already been on Tretinoin for 3 months before adding Epiduo to my routine, so I did not experience a purge like other people do."

• Cam...
• May 1, 2015

For Acne "I had horrible acne since I was 13+. I've been using Epiduo since I was 16, and I can't go without it! I'm now 18, and I've never stopped using it. It's amazing. At first, you will be very irritated, and your skin gets super dry. But give it a week or two, and you'll be fine. Your skin adapts, and after that, it's great. I don't know what I would do without it, because there have been times when I stopped using it for about a month or two, and my acne starts coming back. So I guess I'll be using this the rest of my life, lol. I get so many compliments on my skin since I've been using this product, everyone asks me what I do."

• Sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 6, 2014

For Acne "I could not even go more than a month using this due to the severe irritation it caused. I have very sensitive skin, and whenever I use this product, my skin immediately starts drying, burning, itching, and swelling a little, much like a sunburn. I read somewhere that this sunburn feeling is sometimes an effect of this medicine, but I just cannot keep using this medicine. No matter how much moisturizer I apply, the horrible feeling does not go away, which led me to have to put a cold and wet washcloth over my face just to soothe the burning feeling."

• Bot...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2013

For Acne "I've been on Epiduo for about a month. And yes, for the first week and a half, maybe 2 weeks, my skin was irritated and it burned when I put the gel on. However, it subsides over time. Today, when I put it on, there is 0 irritation. Anyway, I had a breakout when I started, but right now, my skin is pretty clear and amazing compared to before. I do still get a few pimples here and there, but nothing major, and definitely not like anything compared to before. I will say that using Epiduo in the first month has its ups and downs. There'll be some days where you'll be like, 'This isn't even helping!' But just wait it out."

• Ccj...
• July 6, 2019

For Acne "When first getting this medication, I’ll admit I used it maybe for 5 days and decided this really irritates my skin. Fast forward about a year, and I decided to take a slower approach and give this a chance. I didn’t use it every night, maybe 4 nights out of the 7, and my skin slowly adjusted. Let me just say this: you cannot use this medication for a week or even a month, for that matter, and expect an immediate result. My skin didn’t fully build up until about 3-4 months. I know that sounds like a while, but it’s worth the wait in my opinion. I now can use it morning and night without any effects. For those of you worried about irritation, I recommend a facial glowing oil. I tried it for the first time this year, and I’m over here wondering why I ever used moisturizer (because my skin soaks it up way too fast). Just hang in and don’t be afraid to give this a try."

• Joa...
• March 10, 2016

For Acne "I've been on this product for about 6 months. Yes, the beginning is hard. You will get more pimples, and your skin will burn and turn red, but realize this will pass and the struggle is worth it. A couple of weeks is worth it compared to years' worth of bad acne. Do not wax your upper lip if you are applying Epiduo there - very painful. Also, after applying, use a fan or roll down a car window so that the air dries your face fast, so the irritation will go away quicker. I have no irritation of any sort anymore - just skin that gets better and better each day."

• Jes...
• June 1, 2020

For Acne "This was a lifesaver! I struggled with genetic acne for about 6 years until I came across Epiduo. I used it three times a week for about 3 weeks and then after, I used it every night. My skin completely cleared up within two months! It will make your skin very dry, so I would recommend using a hydrating toner, and make sure your skin care products aren’t too strong, as the combination of them and Epiduo will irritate your skin (my mistake! If it does happen, invest in a skin regenerating night cream to bring back your natural oils). I also used alpha arbutin serum to fade scars and SPF 30 in my moisturizer, which helped a lot! For great results, make sure your whole routine is well tailored, don’t rely on this alone! And stay consistent!"

• per...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 15, 2018

For Acne "Only recently, I started to get a little bit of pimples on my jawline and forehead, and I was really stressed about this because my whole life I had never gotten pimples (maybe 2 on my face at worst). I went to my doctor frustrated, and I was prescribed Epiduo (my acne wasn’t bad at all, I just wanted to have really clear skin). After the first use of Epiduo, I felt no burning, and the next day, I could instantly see a difference, it seemed like all my clogged pores were cleaned, and my face was looking smoother. Although the next couple of uses did irritate my face a bit (I was using way too much) and caused a breakout at about the 10-14 day mark, my face after a month of use is as clear as it’s ever been! Even clearer than what it was before I started getting pimples. To everyone reading this going through the initial breakout or irritation stage of Epiduo, I highly recommend continuing use, just maybe give your face a bit of time to rest between applying. Would recommend."

• Msh...
• May 24, 2013

For Acne "I've been using Epiduo for a little over a week now, and it has done wonders. My acne went away in two days, and my acne scars are already fading. Also, I've had no new acne breakouts. The only downside to the medication is that it makes your skin sensitive. Avoid using it under your eyes and try not to use too much makeup. Foundation can cause irritation. Hopefully, the irritation and burning will go away soon. I use the gel at night but always make sure to wash your face in the morning, or else irritation will increase. My dermatologist also gave me a coupon for the medication because it can be quite pricey without it."

• Lbl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 19, 2014

For Acne "I've been using Epiduo for a couple of months now. It's cleared my skin completely, I couldn't be happier! In the first week, I had red spotting on my face and tingling when applied, but whatever you do, don't overdo it, use a pea size and use it on only the affected areas! People that write negative comments about the burning and the irritation, read the instructions, it does inform you that they are common side effects! It strips your skin (due to the dry skin and flaking), and as for the people that are breaking out on it, don't lose hope, gels like Epiduo will bring up the bad stuff only to make it better. As for the people asking if it bleaches, just make sure it's massaged in and dry, because you go putting your head on your pillow."

• ony...
• January 21, 2021

For Acne "I am on my 8th week of using Epiduo. The first 1-3 weeks were awful. It felt like my entire face was severely sunburned, and my skin was peeling so much my masks and clothes were covered in dead skin (this is still happening, but it's not as bad as it was at first). Moisturizer helped relieve the pain, but no other symptoms. I am on week 8 now, and I am worried because I have acne scars still from the 6-week mark that will not go away? I have noticed I only have blackheads and whiteheads on my face and no more cystic acne or pimples, but I am very concerned that the redness and irritation and acne scars will not dissipate. I will continue going to the 3-month mark, but I am upset with the results because my skin is still peeling, red, and I'm having scars."

• Ser...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 20, 2021

For Acne "I am 21 years old and have been using Epiduo since I was 16. It has helped my mild to moderate acne so much. I’ve noticed it is not much help for cystic acne, which I have recently started to experience (due to a personal shift in hormones and stress). If you have sensitive skin, Epiduo is better than Epiduo Forte. If you can only get Epiduo Forte, try mixing it with some moisturizer. Overall, Epiduo has been a lifesaver for me. Give it time to kick in, wear sunscreen, and use it every other night if you’re concerned with irritation."

• 89J...
• July 25, 2016

For Acne "Perfect!!! I've been on this medication for about 3 months now. Omg, a huge improvement. My face was horrible, huge acne cysts that I would try to pop, and nothing worked. When I started the medication, my face was very irritated, started peeling, got very red, looked like I was sunburned. I couldn't be in the sun for more than an hour because I would look like a tomato. Now, my face is clear, redness-free, acne-free. Best thing ever, highly recommended."

• Vic...
• June 19, 2014

For Acne "I was about to give up on getting rid of my acne. I was on antibiotics, prescription face washes, gels, and masks. I finally went to the dermatologist, and she gave me a sample of Epiduo - within 2 days, my acne was already going away! It's like magic. I love my skin, I no longer have to wear makeup everywhere I go. Best thing in the world. I gave it 9 stars just due to the fact of the irritation that occurs when it's applied, it's sometimes unbearable. It may just be my sensitive skin. It also causes your skin to peel a lot!"

• Zac...
• May 4, 2016

For Acne "I read several reviews talking about how it created drier skin within the first few weeks of using and caused irritation. Yes, it does make your skin somewhat flaky, and yes, it will cause some irritation that resembles some burning, but it is an acne product meant to change your skin, and it is a process. If you can make it through these side effects, it will genuinely improve your skin, helping to rid you of acne. Getting rid of acne comes at a cost, and if it means some burning and flakiness in my skin, it is worth it. I am on week two or so, and though I still experience these side effects, my skin has gotten significantly clearer. Would recommend to people who can tolerate some irritability, as it genuinely works."

• Est...
• December 2, 2015

For Acne "I do not use Epiduo, but I am an esthetician. I read a lot of reviews, and I just really needed to say this: BPO is extremely drying and irritating to almost anyone and SHOULD NOT be used daily if you no longer have the breakout! If you are experiencing dryness and redness, that is the BPO working, but once your breakout is dried out, you should stop using Epiduo and switch to a salicylic product so you are not stressing your skin and causing more damage than good! If you are especially sensitive to the BPO, maybe try it every other day until your breakout is cleared up. Okay, I just had to share that info! Remember, you all are gorgeous, and positive thinking is like magic sometimes ;)"

• Swi...
• September 19, 2017

For Acne "I was prescribed Epiduo for mild recurring acne and now on my 3rd day. Tips: As advised by my dermatologist, apply only a small amount (size like a mango seed) and spread it thinly on your face, avoiding the lip and eye area. If causing irritation or stinging, then apply it every other night, once your face gets used to it, then apply it every night. Use sunscreen in the morning and a good moisturizer, but avoid applying those when applying Epiduo. So far, my small bumps are clearing. It is hard for me, but I have to stop applying makeup, which really makes me uncomfortable as I cannot hide my bumps, but I know this will be worth it. I'm applying this while taking antibiotics as prescribed. Lastly, be patient and give yourself time to improve."

• pup...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2015

For Acne "I have been using Epiduo for about a month now, and I have to say it is the most gentle acne med I have ever been on. I was expecting the horror stories of flaking and dry skin that I have read about, and I have had zero irritation since using it. Overall, it seems to work well, but I don't think it can tackle my severe nodular cystic acne, so I think I will have to go back on Accutane sadly. Please don't let people scare you away from trying this med, though. If I didn't have these huge cysts, I would rate this a 10, but as most people know, topical can do little for cystic acne, which is not this med's fault. Overall, my skin is super smooth, and I would highly suggest this medication."

• Cas...
• July 11, 2016

For Acne "This is my 2 1/2 weeks on Epiduo. My skin is clearing up a bit. I'm still getting used to the medication, so there is slight burning and irritation, and dry, flaky skin when I wake up for work. The doctor said it will subside, so I'm just waiting it out. A bit uncomfortable, but I'm willing to see how it goes."

• TAY...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 7, 2016

For Acne "Wow... Well, first off, I was prescribed Epiduo and some oral medication (which made me throw up every day and did not help whatsoever), so I stopped the oral medication and just used the Epiduo. Three months on, and wow-one pimple-on my whole face-one!!! It works a treat, but you've got to give it time. It took about two months to work for me, and I am so, so thankful for it. Only negatives for me are: it's pricey but worth it, I get irritation around my eye area from it, but I pretty much get irritation from everything, so it doesn't bother me anymore, and it doesn't reduce scarring, so I use a whole different product to combat that. But yes... if you are thinking of going on this, give it a try, it is a much better alternative to the pill."

• Sav...
• May 7, 2016

For Acne "I went to the doctor to see what type of medication I could get on to clear up my acne (mostly around my mouth and little dots on my forehead). My doctor recommended using Epiduo, and it has changed my life. My zits were painful, and I felt like I couldn't talk to anyone because all they would see is my acne. The first week, my skin took some getting used to. It was very dry in the places where I applied it and would crack since it was around my mouth. It also stung and was irritating for the first 4 days. After that, I couldn't feel anything, and I could see a MAJOR difference in my skin. I'm so happy I tried this and recommend it for anyone who is struggling like I was."

• MEH...
• January 16, 2020

For Acne "I am a 25-year-old female. I used Epiduo for 6 weeks, only on my chin. I always had two spots I would get recurring larger cysts, and I wanted to be proactive to prevent them. My dermatologist prescribed this to me at night in combination with Aczone in the morning. It immediately started to purge my skin. I kept reading the reviews on this site, which encouraged me to continue to stick through this purging period. However, this cream was too harsh on my skin and was contributing to the irritation and acne that was surfacing. I stopped at the 6-week mark and am left with a lot of scarring. I know this works for some people, but this didn't work for me. There are other less aggressive but still effective options. If you are going through the purging stage and feel like it is being too aggressive, I recommend switching to every other day and making an appointment with your dermatologist ASAP. Once my dermatologist saw my face after a week of not taking it, he knew it wasn't working the way it should."