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Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne User Reviews (Page 5)

Brand names: Epiduo, Epiduo Forte

Reviews for Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Lau...
  • April 7, 2021

"I started Epiduo early December 2020 for my moderate/severe acne, so it’s been about 4 months now. I started because I suffered from mostly closed comedones and had super textured skin. Even if there were no red pimples, my skin would look really bumpy in certain lighting, and it made makeup look nasty. I was told to use it every other night for 2 weeks, then use it every night. I think I ignored my doctor (don’t do that) and just started using it every night right off the bat. It did make my skin super red and flaky for a bit, so get a good moisturizer (I use CeraVe moisturizing cream). It made my skin a lot worse in the first month and a half, but at 3 months, my skin was pretty much clear, just a few scars remaining. At this point, my skin is clear (I’ve never had clear skin, so woohoo!). My skin is starting to get really dry again, so I’m gonna start using it every other day again and see how that works. Just stay patient with it."

10 / 10
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  • Chr...
  • October 24, 2019

"This works, trust me. I never leave any product reviews, but I'm making an exception for this one as it has really helped with my acne problem, which, for those that have it, would know how much stress and anxiety it can cause. Acne may look worse the first few weeks or months, but definitely will see significant improvements over time."

10 / 10
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17 Report
  • Sar...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 6, 2014

"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."

3 / 10
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35 Report
  • Mot...
  • July 18, 2013

"I have been using Epiduo for three months now. I was not seeing the results I wanted at first. My face was still breaking out and was very oily. My dermatologist told me to use a pea-sized amount for my whole face, as did the website. I read on the Epiduo site that using more would not help. So I kept using the pea-sized amount and kept breaking out. Last week at month three, I was ready to give up and say here is another product that failed to cure my acne. Instead, I decided to try using more of the product before giving up. Now I am using four pea-sized drops on my face. What a difference that made. For the first time in years, I am totally acne-free. So yes, 100%, it does work, just don't believe everything you hear, I guess."

9 / 10
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  • Syd...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • September 12, 2014

"I've used this product for about 1-2 months, and it is incredible. I have polycystic ovarian syndrome, so acne is a problem. Deep, sore, under-the-skin pimples would flare up and be so painful - no amount of expensive face wash would help. After Epiduo, I haven't had a single under-the-skin pimple! It's clearing out blackheads, too. You need to be really careful using it, though. Use too much, and your skin will be peeling for days on end. Use only a tiny bit on problem areas and ease yourself onto it. This is a great product that has really helped. My skin is loving it."

9 / 10
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  • NoM...
  • July 6, 2009

"It seems to be helping a lot. First 2 weeks there was a mild peeling of skin (similar to mild sunburn), but now it is fine. I haven't tried many prescriptions (mostly cosmetic over-the-counter types), but if you are curious, try this. It's pricey though."

9 / 10
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35 Report
  • Anonymous
  • December 19, 2010

"I love this product. I've tried everything under the sun for my cystic acne. Epiduo is the only one that worked. I'm using it in addition to clindamycin lotion and doxycycline and have been using it all for about 5 days. I noticed a difference in my skin the very first day. I am experiencing some dryness and mild redness upon waking in the morning, but nothing a little Neutrogena lotion with SPF couldn't handle. Also, I would recommend drinking lots of water if you're on the regimen I am. Need to stay hydrated while using these medicines. Believe me, I'm a registered medical assistant. If Epiduo didn't work, I wouldn't be on here saying it does."

8 / 10
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  • Kat...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 4, 2013

"I am 63 and still fighting acne. I have been doing so since I was a teen. I have tried everything with the exception of Accutane. I now take spironolactone and doxycycline every other day. I use Epiduo every night along with CeraVe cleanser and moisturizer. My skin is the best ever. It is clear, and when I start feeling a breakout, I immediately apply Epiduo. I am so happy with this product. My skin also looks younger. I would recommend this to anyone feeling frustrated after trying other medications that did not work. I found side effects minimal and manageable."

10 / 10
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  • Bot...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 17, 2013

"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."

9 / 10
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  • Wre...
  • May 3, 2018

"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!!"

10 / 10
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  • Reb...
  • January 8, 2015

"I have had acne since I was 11, and I'm 18 now. I tried everything, including Proactiv and Accutane. Nothing seemed to work, and even when my acne got better, I still had post-acne red marks. I started Epiduo about 2 weeks ago and already have seen amazing results. No new acne has come in, and I've coupled it with a Neutrogena alcohol-free toner to tackle the red marks. My skin looks better every day even though the marks aren't completely gone yet. My skin has not been dry, but I still use Cetaphil Sensitive Skin Lotion every night to keep it moisturized."

10 / 10
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  • Jum...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • July 11, 2014

"I have always had horrid acne, and nothing seemed to work. Tried Proactiv, and while it would work, the moment I skipped one day of treatment, I would break out. After years of fighting it, I went to my local Skin Institute, where they prescribed me Epiduo. It works, end of story. Now, for about the first month or two, it does dry the skin out, particularly around the lips and nose. What I found works is Aveeno facial moisturizers. They don't cause the skin to break out, and they help the affected areas. Within three months, my acne was noticeably better, and I'm very happy with it! Trust me, it is worth the wait!"

9 / 10
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  • hel...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • October 5, 2019

"I have been taking Epiduo since last year, but I stopped when my face cleared up 100 percent. Until later this month, a makeup primer broke me out, so I started using Epiduo again. The first 4 weeks will be so bad, your face will be so dry, and it will keep peeling. You won't even be able to apply makeup, but trust me, it gets better. You actually start seeing results after that, and your skin gets used to it so that you don't experience any side effects anymore. Just make sure to stick with it and use an exfoliator and moisturizer at all times, and I promise your face will clear up."

9 / 10
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  • Eva...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • February 21, 2020

"I used Epiduo for about 2 months on my moderate comedonal acne. I began breaking out everywhere in places I normally wouldn’t. At first, I just thought it was purging, but it lasted for the whole time. I personally believe the Epiduo made my skin worse. It’s worth a try, but not for me!"

1 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • August 3, 2019

"I have recently suffered greatly with painful, red cystic acne all over both my cheeks, in particular my jawline. I have tried multiple oral treatments for periods of time, and nothing has worked due to it being a hormonal imbalance. As a last resort, I was prescribed Epiduo Gel. I used it for 2 nights with no problems. Then, on the third day, I woke up to about 6-7 new BIG spots on each cheek. I had already read that this product will make your skin bad before it gets better, but I was never expecting this, my skin has never been worse. Not only that, I applied the gel to the problem areas, and even for it to then BURN my face, I have now been left with significant burns and scaling, as well as big horrible spots and redness. The only way I can explain it is that it felt like I was putting acid onto my face, it is a really unpleasant process. If you have extremely sensitive, acne-prone skin, then I would not recommend it, it's very invasive and chemical-like. Hope this helps someone out."

1 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 4, 2015

"I have only been using Epiduo for a few days, and I have already seen an improvement in my acne. However, my face burns every time I put it on. I've tried to use moisturizer, as my face is now extremely dry, but that hurt so much and made my face swell and go red! My face is so stiff and dry and hurts when I touch it! I have read these symptoms will go away, so hopefully, if I pursue, I will see an improvement."

5 / 10
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25 Report
  • ell...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 2, 2023

"I’ve had Epiduo in the past with doxycycline, and it completely cleared my skin, including the scars. If you don’t want to go through purging, I would really recommend introducing it slowly into your skincare: once a week, then twice, and so on. If you have sensitive skin, do not use it every day, but every two evenings. If you use it every night, you might purge for up to 4 weeks, but the results are the same :) Some tips with Epiduo: wait 10 minutes before you moisturize, use a pea-sized amount, and be careful with your clothes! It stains literally every fabric that isn’t white. And keep going :)"

10 / 10
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  • LAu...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • January 30, 2013

"This product is great! I suffer from adult acne and I finally found something that works. At first, it used to burn my skin, so what I did was use a very small amount only for one hour every couple of days. Then, when the skin wasn't getting burned anymore, I used it for two hours, and then three, and so on. Now, I use it all night about three times a week, and my skin is 100% acne-free! Hope this helps!"

10 / 10
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26 Report
  • Vic...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 28, 2016

"I'm 18, and I've had mild to moderate acne, including pimples and small bumps on my forehead and cheeks. I finally decided I had enough and was prescribed Epiduo. The first night, I only put it on for a couple of hours, and the following nights I put it on every other night. During the middle of week two, my skin became very sensitive, started to peel like a sunburn, and my face was slightly swollen. I patted on Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion and Cortisone 10 on the more severe parts for two days straight, all day. I also put a cold towel on my face, which helped a lot. It hurt, but it got better. Just be patient. I'm on week three, and my skin is almost clear! Overall, this stuff really works, but patience is very important."

9 / 10
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  • Mac...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 24, 2020

"My 12-year-old son had blackheads and acne on his chin and forehead. The dermatologist recommended a low-dose antibiotic along with the Epiduo cream. At first, it didn't seem like it was working, but I think it was because he wasn't consistent with the applications. Now his face is glowing, and he's very happy with the results. He's been using it for two months."

9 / 10
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  • Hap...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 8, 2014

"This stuff is awesome! I've had what looked like really bad heat rash on my face for a few years now, finally got sick of it and went to my dermatologist, and he prescribed Epiduo and gave me samples. Wasn't even done with my first sample and already saw a huge improvement. I'm one week on it now, and the bumps are GONE! This stuff is great, and I'm very hard to convince. Also, this is my first time to ever do a product review, that's how much I think this product needs to be promoted! It's awesome!"

10 / 10
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  • Ccj...
  • July 6, 2019

"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."

10 / 10
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15 Report
  • Fal...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 8, 2014

"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."

3 / 10
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  • i5a...
  • September 17, 2014

"I was prescribed this cream by my dermatologist years ago and have been using it ever since. I suffer on and off from large, cyst-like pimples on my chin that haven't surfaced from the skin, and Epiduo clears them before they even have a chance to surface! It's also great for the occasional pimple. I notice results in as little as 1-2 days. My only problem is makeup application; as others have said, it can dry out and flake the skin. However, a little cream goes a long way, and I would strongly suggest not to lather a large amount of the product on your face."

9 / 10
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  • Cak...
  • January 19, 2012

"I can honestly say I've only been using Epiduo for a week, and my skin is clear! All my friends have been coming up to me asking how my skin got so clear. I know some people said that their skin is peeling, but mine is only burning a little. Whoever made this product deserves a thumbs up."

10 / 10
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26 Report

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