Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical and Dry Skin: What Users Say (Page 4)

• MJ3...
• January 2, 2015

For Acne "Like everyone else mostly is, I was scared to use this medication at first because I was worried I would get an initial breakout, but that wasn't the case. This acne cream has cleared up almost all my acne. Right now, I'm currently just battling acne marks. (Also, I've noticed this product may help with fading them faster since Adapalene is a skin peeling agent.) But the only reason I'm not rating this a 10 is because of how dry it makes my skin and red. When you use this product, make sure you moisturize! At least twice a day. Besides the acne marks, my skin looks much better than it did 2 months ago. I've been using this for 2 months, and 90% of my acne disappeared. I still get some whiteheads, of course, but they're gone so much faster."

• Kep...
• March 21, 2015

For Acne "I've only been using Epiduo for a few days, and I don't know how I'll ever go without it. I use it twice a day, and it is working wonders on my acne. Some people have mentioned that it dries out their skin and makes it flaky. I have not experienced this whatsoever because I have very oily skin."

• Can...
• June 25, 2013

For Acne "A few weeks ago, I began breaking out on my cheeks like crazy, and it felt like I was back in my middle school days. I am 18 and recently graduated from high school and was wondering what the heck was going on. My mom and I went to see the dermatologist, and he immediately recommended Epiduo and a PanOxyl 10% wash. I use a pea-sized amount of Epiduo at night and the PanOxyl in the morning. So far, my acne and pores have been clearing up and looking great! But I have been dealing with burning and VERY dry skin. Reading other comments and advice, I plan on waiting 10 minutes between cleansing, Epiduo, and moisturizing. Seems like these side effects are common, especially dryness. It has been a week, and I have seen a difference!"

• 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 :)"

• Mag...
• July 28, 2016

For Acne "I was prescribed Epiduo 1.5 weeks ago, and at first, it was already getting significantly better, but then about a week ago, I started to get sunburned and flakiness on my face. My acne has also gotten worse. So, I am currently hoping that in about a week it will start to get better."

• Shy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 6, 2018

For Acne "My dermatologist recommended Epiduo for my acne. Tried everything, but nothing worked for me. Finally, this came to me as a rescue. My doctor advised like this: Apply moisturizer - Episoft first at night. Then apply Epiduo as a spot treatment. First two days, leave it for one hour and wash it off. Increase to two hours the next few days, thereby slowly making your skin adapt to the gel. Gradually increase the time and leave it overnight. By this way, my skin didn't become dry and red, which is the nature of Epiduo. Thanks to my doctor for making my skin acne-free. This cream won't do magic overnight. Patience is needed!!"

• 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."

• 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."

• Meg...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 28, 2012

For Acne "One year ago - dozens of pimples on my face at a given time. Very severe. One year later - acne nearly gone! Here's my story: I am 17 years old today, I began Epiduo a year ago. My acne was very bad and very embarrassing. It made me so insecure about myself. Epiduo is very bittersweet. The first month I had it, my acne has reduced significantly. However, after the first month, my skin broke out even worse than what it had before I started. My skin was red all over for a good 2 months, my skin was dry as could be and peeled very badly, had acne all over, etc. It was very painful too, my face burned! Today, the side effects are gone and so is my acne! I have only 2 pimples on my face! But if you stop using the product, the acne returns!"

• Adu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 8, 2018

For Acne "When my skin began to scar at age 24 with acne breakouts, I just about had enough! Tried a few different creams like Duac (awful). My doctor recently suggested antibiotic treatment combined with the Epiduo cream. He told me to apply it at nighttime lightly. After the first two days, myself and my family/friends could see the changes. If I use it too often, it does dry out my skin, but I alternate 1 night Epiduo, 1 night moisturizer, and I use a light exfoliator twice a week! Moral of the story: don't use it too often and be patient!"

• Hel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 8, 2021

For Acne "Since about 13, I’ve always had problems with textured skin and always felt super self-conscious about it. It started getting a lot worse about a year ago, so about 3 months ago, I finally went to the derm. I got the pill and Epiduo and was told to use it once a day at nighttime every night, and only a pea-sized amount. My amount of comedones tripled, skin became super sensitive to the sun, and my chin and cheeks were covered in hyperpigmentation. Nothing changed at month 2. I’m almost at the end of month 3 and just had another massive breakout, huge cyst-like bumps that I’ve only ever had on occasion, really deep, red scarring, and flaking skin. To be completely honest, this treatment is not for the faint-hearted. I’m going to stick it out until the 6-month mark because I’ve come this far now, and I’ve heard it can take that long. Hopefully, I see an improvement by then, otherwise, I’ll probably stop."

• sio...
• August 7, 2015

For Acne "Dried skin out at first, but persevere as skin gets used to it. Have to use every night or will get a spot, but went from having cystic acne to maybe one spot that time of the month! Brilliant product and doesn't mess with your body like the pill. Will never stop using! Great stuff."

• Mal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2019

For Acne "Every week, I used to have 3-4 spots, and it was mostly after shaving. For the first time in my life, I had to visit a dermatologist in 31 years. The doctor asked me to apply it for 30 minutes at night for 1 week and then wash it off. After 2 nights, I felt everything was okay and applied Epiduo for the whole night. The morning was okay until I applied sunscreen. It burned my skin as if someone poured hot chili water on my face. By afternoon, I could see a dry face, and by evening, my face was red as if burnt. For 1 week, I kept applying it for only 30 minutes and then cleaned it. Acne is gone completely, and my skin has become very smooth. I thought it would also help me with removing the existing scars of earlier acne, but it doesn’t."

• lov...
• July 16, 2015

For Acne "I LOVE EPIDUO!!! I have had really bad acne on my forehead since seventh grade, and I got Epiduo the summer before my freshman year. I tried everything the drugstore had from Clean and Clear, Neutrogena, and Yes to Tomatoes, but they all just dried out my skin and, in some cases, made it worse. The first week of using Epiduo, I noticed my really bad breakouts reduced in redness and size. I'm still using it a year later, and whenever I have a new pimple or really bad breakout, I put it on once a night, and it's almost completely gone a week later. The great thing is that it lasts you a long time since you really aren't supposed to use that much at one time. I would definitely recommend asking your dermatologist about it."

• Rom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 23, 2016

For Acne "I'm 13, and acne has always been a problem for me. I've been bullied and felt self-conscious for years. I tried everything from Duac to pills, but nothing has worked. But then I tried Epiduo. I have really seen an improvement in my spots, and I feel almost happy with myself. The only problem there is, which doesn't make this product a 10, would be how dry it makes your skin feel. Yes, it takes the oil off, but it makes your face feel so dry, almost stiff. Also, if you get it too close under your eyes, it burns like a sunburn, which isn't good. Overall, I recommend this product!"

• Ros...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 6, 2018

For Acne "I have suffered with hormonal acne since my teens and was on Yasmin for about 7 years, which made my skin clear. Due to the risks associated with Yasmin, my doctor changed me to a different pill, which made my skin horrific. After trying many different creams, I tried Epiduo. First, you shouldn’t use it every day at the start, my skin burnt and was extremely dry. After a couple of weeks, my skin completely cleared up, it does still make my skin dry but doesn’t burn. However, after 5 months, my spots have returned. I’m not sure if your skin gets used to the cream. I’m going to get a new prescription, and hopefully, it works."

• axd...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 29, 2020

For Acne "What this gave me in 3 months of usage was eczema on my upper neck area, on my eyes, around my lips and eyebrows, dry, flaking, and sensitized skin so bad that even water burns, some cysts (I had never had cysts ever in my life; my type of acne is comedonal), about 3 times as many comedones as I started with, and overall no improvement in terms of my acne. It made it worse, it destroyed my face, and it did not help with anything in exactly 3 months. Please, if you have sensitive skin, think twice before you use this."

• axd...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 29, 2020

For Acne "What this gave me in 3 months of usage was eczema on my upper neck area, on my eyes, around my lips and eyebrows, dry, flaking, and sensitized skin so bad that even water burns, some cysts (I had never had cysts ever in my life; my type of acne is comedonal), about 3 times as many comedones as I started with, and overall no improvement in terms of my acne. It made it worse, it destroyed my face, and it did not help with anything in exactly 3 months. Please, if you have sensitive skin, think twice before you use this."

• 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)"

• bc7...
• April 27, 2016

For Acne "I went on Epiduo at 20 years old, having acne since I was 17. My acne was moderate and occasionally moderately severe, my skin type normal/slightly sensitive. After day number 2 of Epiduo, I got an allergic reaction. My eyes swelled up, my whole face was rough and red, and at one point, I even had slight swelling in my throat. I went to the emergency room and was put under an IV drip of antihistamines or something. Call me crazy, but I didn't give up. After my face healed (i.e., was no longer dry as the desert and red), I started reapplying a small amount every other day. Eventually working my way up to pea-sized amounts per target area per night. It ALMOST cleared my acne up! I still have breakouts, but nothing like what I used to three years ago."

• Anonymous
• January 2, 2010

For Acne "I am in the first week of using it, and I have a lot of irritation, and my skin is very dry. I didn't have much acne before, and I have a lot now. Putting a lot of lotion helps the dryness, but I am in need of the bumps to leave."

• Can...
• September 26, 2019

For Acne "I’m just past week one with Epiduo, and it’s already improved my skin 1000%. I am not clear but getting there. Definitely had a purge as soon as I started. My skin did dry out, and the product gave me a painful burning sensation, but my skin has gotten used to it and now neither dry nor painful. I have mild comedonal acne, which I was convinced was fungal acne, so I wasn’t treating it correctly at all. Saw a dermatologist, and they prescribed me this. Weirdly, I’d been on it before, however, I didn’t find it as effective-possibly as I’d been using another benzoyl peroxide product prior to it-Duac. Duac cured my mild cystic acne and kept my face crystal clear for 2 years, but then suddenly I started to get bumps that never came to a head. I’m convinced it’s because I started using a Clarisonic and not cleansing with acne preventative ingredients. Anyway, excited to see what the next couple of weeks are like! Recommend this definitely."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 5, 2018

For Acne "Don’t waste your money. Made my skin dry and hyperpigmented patches. My neck became really itchy, red, scaly, dry, and irritated. I have dark patches on my neck now. It is worse than before! My skin was 10x better before I started using Epiduo. Not worth your time and money."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 5, 2018

For Acne "Don’t waste your money. Made my skin dry and hyperpigmented patches. My neck became really itchy, red, scaly, dry, and irritated. I have dark patches on my neck now. It is worse than before! My skin was 10x better before I started using Epiduo. Not worth your time and money."

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 19, 2021

For Acne "Epiduo gel was my savior. I genuinely cannot recommend it enough. I have struggled with bad acne since I was 13 years old and have tried so many products. Before resorting to the hormone pill, I thought I would try Epiduo gel as a last go. I used (and continue to use) it once a day before bed. The first month or so my skin got better but also got super dry. I've been using Epiduo gel for about 6 months now, and my skin is actually clear! I haven't gotten a whitehead in months, and I usually had about 10 at a time. I use Epiduo along with Minocycline antibiotics twice a day, and I honestly cannot recommend this combination enough. You have to use it for at least 4 months, I'd say, before making any verdict on whether it is working for you or not. 10/10."