Epiduo and Stinging: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• September 27, 2009

For Acne "I started using this medicine about a week ago, and I've already noticed significant changes in my skin. Prior to use, I had a very bad breakout of acne all over my face: small bumps and big ones. Now, I have very, very few bumps, and also the scars left behind from old bumps are also beginning to clear up and lighten my complexion for a more even tone. The only downfall is the stinging that occurs sometimes, along with minimal peeling. But other than that, it gets the job done, and I'm pleased with what I'm seeing thus far. Hopefully, it continues to eventually make me acne-free."

• Meg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 5, 2017

For Acne "Epiduo hurt. And stung. It hurt when I put it on, it hurt when I put on lotion, and it hurt when I tried makeup. I only put it on at night; washed my face, put on the Epiduo for 15 minutes, then covered myself in Nivea Soft lotion (the one that stung the least, $4.99). Today is day 18, and I am THRILLED! I only have scars, which are fading day by day. My skin is still peeling and stings! But it's tolerable. I haven't worn makeup to college or work for the past 3 days for the first time in my entire life, and I looked fine. A guy even hit on me in the parking lot! I will continue to use Epiduo even if the peeling face never goes away. It's done wonders! I'll wait another month and post on here again for the same results. STICK TO IT! TRUST!"

• Meg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 5, 2017

For Acne "Epiduo hurt. And stung. It hurt when I put it on, it hurt when I put on lotion, and it hurt when I tried makeup. I only put it on at night; washed my face, put on the Epiduo for 15 minutes, then covered myself in Nivea Soft lotion (the one that stung the least, $4.99). Today is day 18, and I am THRILLED! I only have scars, which are fading day by day. My skin is still peeling and stings! But it's tolerable. I haven't worn makeup to college or work for the past 3 days for the first time in my entire life, and I looked fine. A guy even hit on me in the parking lot! I will continue to use Epiduo even if the peeling face never goes away. It's done wonders! I'll wait another month and post on here again for the same results. STICK TO IT! TRUST!"

• San...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 20, 2019

For Acne "I am a male in my early 20s who has had acne for several years, getting both cysts and bad pimples, which has left me a couple of scars. I was on antibiotics, but these weren't hugely effective. My doctor prescribed me Epiduo as I was still getting spots. For the first time in years, I have gone months being spot-free. For the first few weeks to a month, the cream does burn, may cause skin peeling and extra redness. It even stings a little to put moisturizer on. However, once this initial period passes, the cream is painless, and you only have to apply it at night, which is really convenient. After about a month (may differ depending on the individual), my skin had literally stopped getting pimples. If nothing else has worked for your acne yet, I would really recommend this cream."

• Lia...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 20, 2020

For Acne "I'm on my 5th month of using Epiduo, and it has been a lifesaver. It's upped my confidence a lot. Recently, I've gotten a breakout again, but that's expected because of being a teen and all that. But my forehead is so clear, and my before and after pictures, I can't even explain... just incredible work. You have to be patient with this cream, and you will see results. Everyone should give it at least a 6-month trial and take before and after pictures. It stings at the start as the cream adjusts, but it soon helps, and the acne spots disappear quickly!"

• Bet...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 12, 2014

For Acne "I'm currently using Epiduo and have been for only the past few weeks. Although I have experienced the burning, stinging, redness, and dry skin on my face, I am already noticing an extreme difference in my acne. It has decreased an astonishing amount and has been the most effective treatment I have used yet. I highly recommend using the gel!"

• Fal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 8, 2014

For Acne "I started using Epiduo, and it was working perfectly. Then, one day around my eyebrows started to hurt, then, the next day, the skin was peeling. It wasn't sunburn for sure because there was no sunshine for days. I put the lotion on it, and it stung. Three days later, my skin is still peeling, it hurts when I touch it, and my acne is back."

• Rac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 29, 2017

For Acne "I would definitely recommend Epiduo for anyone struggling with acne. I have suffered since I was 15, and I am now 29. I have had some major flare-ups over the years and have tried all sorts of treatments that eventually helped clear it up, but once I stopped taking any medication, it would come back with a vengeance. This is the only treatment I have found that really worked for me. My skin is amazing now, and I rarely get even one spot! This is something I NEVER thought I'd be able to say. I started by using this in conjunction with antibiotics for the first couple of months, now I just use this alone, and it keeps it at bay. There are initial side effects, and you have to be prepared for the stinging and burning, but push through it. You won't regret it!"

• Lan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 14, 2019

For Acne "I have started using Epiduo for the last few months, so far, so good. It's normal to have the breakouts for the first 2 weeks, I was already aware since I've been reading a lot of reviews before I took it. It did enlarge my acne, but just trust the process. After that, I kept on getting better results, my acne started to shrink. I use moisturizer before applying it since it really stings, and it helped a lot to prevent so much flaking of my skin. Epiduo is a great product. Not sure why it doesn't work for everyone, but I recommend trying it first and seeing the result yourself."

• Aly...
• April 17, 2017

For Acne "I'm 18 years old. My acne started very severely when I was 16, and I was given medication by a dermatologist when it was at its worst. After a year, the pills stopped working, and my face broke out with giant, dark red cysts. I was then prescribed Epiduo. Not gonna lie, it was painful at first; my face was the darkest shade of red, super flaky, and burned something awful. Applying lotion to try and stop the peeling stung, and I was so embarrassed to go to school looking like I'd gotten the worst sunburn ever. After a little over a month of this, I became discouraged, BUT I continued using it, and I'm glad I did. My face is no longer red, and my acne is almost completely cleared up. STICK WITH IT! I've been using it for over a year now. It works!"

• Gee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 14, 2015

For Acne "I started using Epiduo last Monday. I did not have any side effects until day 5, my face peeled, but nothing I couldn't exfoliate off when I washed my face. No peeling after day 5. On day 6, my face stung a little when I put the lotion on a few minutes after the Epiduo. After that, my face still stings a little around the eye area only, but nothing that I can't just get over right away... Very mild. My face looks about 50% better already!! I am so happy, and my husband, kids, and coworkers have noticed. I'm afraid of the 'purge' to come since I have been on it for about 11 days now and see positive changes. I will update you guys again in about a week. I wanted to post because I am not having the negative experience most people are posting."

• Ajo...
• June 21, 2015

For Acne "I had tried everything going for my moderate acne - even twice on Roaccutane (with amazing results) but my skin started to get worse within eight months of coming off the treatment. I went back to the dermatologist, and they recommended the Dianette birth control pill, but it didn't get rid of the small bumps around my chin, and my confidence was getting worse. I kept taking this for about 18 months and went back to the dermatologist begging them to put me back on Roaccutane - but they said no to a third time. They prescribed Epiduo, which I'd never heard of, and I presumed it was going to be useless. I was wrong! After 12 weeks, I'm totally clear, with exactly the same results as Roaccutane (but without the risks!) it does sting though!"

• Wes...
• September 5, 2017

For Acne "This is only my 3rd week on the cream. Based on the other reviews, I am almost out of the 'storming phase.' I have seen an overall improvement and only got a few days of bad breakouts. Initially, I stopped wearing makeup because I wanted the gel to soak in. I tried wearing makeup yesterday and it stung so bad I had to take it off. My skin has gotten very dry, and this morning, for the first time since using this product, I'm seeing the dry patches. I used the Cetaphil daily moisturizer that everyone was recommending, it stung initially but visually took all flakes away! I am very hopeful and am already noticing a decline in acne! I will write again in another few weeks!"

• Epi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 12, 2016

For Acne "I'm 25, and I've tried lots of different approaches to get rid of my acne. This is the first time I've had any success. I should add that I had been prescribed benzoyl peroxide in the past, but I think I started getting side effects and stopped. I should not have stopped. That is my advice to anyone who starts using any benzoyl peroxide creams. Stick with it through the first few weeks of pain. It gets better. At least it did for me. It was so painful to begin with. My skin was red and so sore. It felt like a stinging, burning, itchy graze all over my face. No, it's not an easy treatment, but this is exactly what I do...clean my face at night, one pump of Epiduo, then Bio-Oil, not moisturizer, wash off in the morning. One month in and I'm spot-free."

• Anonymous
• December 9, 2010

For Acne "I have been using Epiduo for about a week. I have a lot of stinging and itching, and my skin is very dry. Giving up was my next step until I read your comments. I will continue using it along with a moisturizer and Neosporin, if necessary."

• Anonymous
• July 21, 2017

For Acne "So I started using this cream on Tuesday nights, and it is Friday now. On the first night using it, my skin did sting a bit, but it was fairly bearable. The second night I used it all over my face, as before, and my skin stung so much I had to wash it off, and it was still stinging, it hurt so much I was close to tears. However, I have now learned to not put the cream too close to the corners of my nose and also not use it all over my face. I would say that my skin has cleared up drastically. I started using the pill on Tuesday as well, and honestly, my skin has cleared up like overnight, and I had loads of tiny red, angry spots on my forehead that have virtually disappeared, with only a few left (touch wood)."

• Han...
• May 20, 2016

For Acne "I most definitely recommend this product! The first week will be hell, but I promise it gets so much better. I would cry because my skin was so dry and stung so badly, so I called my dermatologist. She said only put Epiduo on your trouble spots and avoid around the mouth! I only have a few pimples on my forehead and chin and was applying Epiduo all over, but once I only applied it to my trouble spots, it got so much better. It is week two today, and my skin is clearer than ever and isn't dry and doesn't burn anymore. Suffer through the pain, and it's worth it! Also, my derm prescribed clindamycin phosphate lotion to get rid of the bacteria, and it really helps speed things up. IF YOUR SKIN BURNS, DO NOT USE MOISTURIZER WITH SUNSCREEN!"

• Ari...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 26, 2016

For Acne "From reading the reviews on this page, it sounds as if Epiduo only works for some. Been suffering from acne for 15 years, and after 1 day using this, I saw the change. Now it's only been 5 days of using this, and it's cleared up significantly. If it doesn't work for you, go back to your GP for another cream. Only downside, it stings and burns!"

• bba...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2021

For Acne "I wanted to check in. I’ve been using Epiduo for over 3 months now! I left a review to say my face burned and stung - use Vaseline on affected areas, it’ll stop the benzoyl peroxide from causing further distress to your skin. The burning does end, it’s different for everyone, but for me, it stopped completely around week 6. My skin cleared up, save for large pores, and now I use Epiduo every night to spot treat and will use it once every few weeks all over my face to purge any underlying acne. I’m slowly getting into a skincare routine that hydrates my skin without causing additional whiteheads. It’ll be worth it, whether it be 6 weeks or 6 months, you’ll get there!"

• 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."

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 21, 2016

For Acne "I started using Epiduo approximately 3 weeks ago with very little advice from the GP. I suffer from breakouts and really sore lumps under the skin across my jawline and neck. Anyway, after about 2 weeks of using the cream, the skin around my eyes and jaw was so red and sore I thought I was having some sort of reaction. I was trying to moisturize as the skin was literally flaking off my face, but the stinging was unbearable. After reading this forum, I started using Cetaphil cleanser and moisturizer, and my skin is no longer sore and is clearing up brilliantly. Advice - use Cetaphil cleanser and moisturizer before applying a tiny amount of Epiduo. I don't wear makeup in the day, so I take my moisturizer with me and top up around lunchtime. Bear with it!"

• Anonymous
• December 7, 2011

For Acne "My doctor told me to just put a pea-sized amount of the cream on my face (not the moisturizer) because if you put too much, it will cause redness, dry skin, and stinging. He also said if it continues to work, just lower your dosage to nighttime only. Epiduo is AMAZING. I recommend this to everyone. You should be fine with it as long as you do as your doctor says, other than that, you just might be allergic to it."

• Jad...
• August 4, 2015

For Acne "If you're a person who normally has sensitive or dry skin, then I highly recommend NOT using this. I was recommended Epiduo Gel by my GP to treat acne. Three days after using it, my face became very dry, and it got worse even after I stopped using it. It started to sting and burn a lot, and when I'd apply my normal moisturizer, the stinging I experienced was so severe, especially around my eyes, and my skin became very red. Any product that really dries out the skin is very bad because it makes skin age quickly and causes wrinkles. My experience with Epiduo was bad, but reading other people's reviews, most say it worked for them aside from the dryness and redness of their skin."

• 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."

• ele...
• September 10, 2017

For Acne "It burned, and my skin got really dry in the beginning, but after the first 2-3 weeks, my skin got used to it, and it's awesome! I've seen a huge difference in the 5 months I've been using it. I don't have as many breakouts as before, and right when a pimple shows up, I put on Epiduo, and it's practically gone the next morning. If it stings a lot or your skin peels, skip it for a day or two and then continue using it."