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

• S-D...
• March 25, 2018

For Acne "I tried Epiduo about a year ago, and it did nothing for my acne. It made huge red, itchy patches on my face, which were very uncomfortable! However, after trying everything else, I decided to give it another go! I started to use Mario Badescu Acne Facial Cleanser, which contains salicylic acid, followed by Pixi Glow Tonic, which contains glycolic acid, and then I use Epiduo as a spot treatment. Again, at first it made my skin itch and burn, but I continued to use it, giving my skin a few days' break. Now when I use it, my skin doesn’t react, and it’s actually helped clear my skin! My skin has never looked so clear. This skincare routine is the best I’ve tried so far. Epiduo really flattens any active spots. Persevere with it and give it a chance, it needs a good couple of months to make any difference. Once you get past the initial dry, itchy skin, it does start to work. I have extremely sensitive skin, but everyone’s skin is different! It is definitely worth a try!"

• Spi...
• December 14, 2015

For Acne "It took about a month, but Epiduo works miracles. I don't know how well I can say it keeps my cystic acne from flaring up, but when I happen to get a breakout, I use some Epiduo and it dries up quick and doesn't leave a pigmented red mark as long. My biggest suggestion is do not expect a miracle in a week...keep using and you will eventually see amazing results. This will make your skin smooth and glowy. The burning and dryness will eventually go away too with continued use. More is not better with this gel - use a thin coat and do not cake it on."

• 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!"

• Tee...
• July 5, 2017

For Acne "I have used this in the past and was just prescribed it again. I only use a pea-sized amount three times a week because it can be very drying and harsh. I do want to point out the first night I used it, when I woke up the next morning, it looked like my pillowcase was bleached. Couldn't figure out what caused it until two nights later when I used it again, same thing the next morning. Be careful."

• 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."

• 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 ;)"

• ple...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 21, 2016

For Acne "Originally, I had been prescribed Epiduo as well as Sulfacleanse to use together, which was fine for about a week or so before my skin became incredibly irritated to the point of painful burning. I stopped using the Sulfacleanse and continued with only Epiduo. After doing that, my experience was amazing - the Epiduo did cause my skin to become very dry and sensitive, but that was manageable with a gentle moisturizer. The longer I used it, the less irritated my skin was. I've been on it for about a year now, and I am amazed at the condition of my skin. I rarely, if ever, get pimples, and my scars have faded to the point that I have stopped wearing makeup to cover them! I love Epiduo and highly recommend it."

• Jey...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 10, 2019

For Acne "I was prescribed Epiduo by my dermatologist after being on oral antibiotics. My skin is extremely sensitive, and I have been suffering from hormonal acne for the past 3.5 years. I applied Epiduo for the first time, and my skin turned red, dry, and patchy. I was also breaking out much more on the areas that I applied the cream. Hence, I stopped applying the cream. I later heard from my doctor that this was a normal reaction and had to be used for a minimum of 4-6 weeks in order to see results. So, I decided to give it another try a few weeks later after my skin had healed. This time, I broke out even more on my chin and had several cystic acne that have been so painful to deal with. Beyond that, my skin started to burn, and even my lips turned so dry. Now, I'm dealing with the newly formed cystic acne and dry skin. I do not recommend Epiduo for sensitive skin."

• Kas...
• June 3, 2020

For Acne "I’ve had clear skin all my life. But when I moved from the desert to Texas, my skin freaked with all the humidity. I was breaking out all over my face. My dermatologist gave me Epiduo Forte and, after using it as prescribed, my face was so dry, red, tight, and uncomfortable. I apparently have perioral dermatitis too, so the gel made the skin around my mouth and eyes dry and peel. All the dry skin would get on my pillow, and then to my neck, and I was getting these horrible red rashes all over my neck. I couldn’t exercise because sweating made my face burn like crazy. I had to stop. Fast forward 6 months and nothing was working. So I tried Epiduo Forte again. I am so glad I did. I switched from using it at night to applying it in the morning so I can moisturize during the day. My skin did crack and peel for a week. And it’s not completely clear yet. But, after less than a month of using it consistently, my skin is the clearest it’s been in a year. I wish I’d stuck with it months ago!"

• 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."

• Jes...
• August 27, 2013

For Acne "I have had acne since I was 12, and I have tried anything and everything you can think of as far as prescription oral antibiotics, topical medications, and have spent thousands of dollars on products that swore they would clear your skin in 30 days. Yeah, right! Epiduo has been the only thing that has cleared my skin. I started it 6 weeks before my wedding, and my skin was perfect! I get so many compliments on my skin now, and I thought that would never happen! Epiduo worked 90 times better than Accutane did for me, and without all of the horrible side effects! I recommend trying it for at least 60 days! The only reason I gave it a 9 is because my skin did get very dry and irritated the first month, other than that, I love it!"

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 14, 2016

For Acne "This product is AMAZING. For my whole life, I thought the condition I had was rosacea and spent literally £100s of pounds on these worthless moisturizers thinking it would work its magic. But no. So I had enough of my bad skin and went to my GP. She actually said I had acne and prescribed me Epiduo gel, which was £8. Oh my God, I cannot believe how amazing this stuff is. So for the first few weeks, my face was RED and dry and so sensitive it hurt! I literally couldn't put any products on my face and had to buy the most moisturizing moisturizer from Clinique, which helped a lot. However, the results, even after a few weeks, were so noticeable! I'm so HAPPY this has worked wonders for me."

• 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."

• KKD...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 22, 2017

For Acne "I'm on my 10th week of the drug, and it usually takes 12-16 weeks to see the full effects. I apply it at nighttime and sometimes apply a layer of moisturizer 15-30 minutes afterward. It dried me out so much in my first month and a half of use that I had to start skipping nights and use three layers of moisturizer. My skin burned when I would put on my lotion because it was that dry. I now use it every day and still have 2-4 active breakouts at any given time. I also get a lot of small whiteheads (those may be from shaving my face though), and I extract them myself, which probably isn't a good idea. My skin is definitely better on the medication than off, I just hope the results are better in 2-4 additional weeks of use."

• san...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 31, 2014

For Acne "I've suffered from acne for 8 years now and went through all sorts of phases. Now I'm 20 years old and it's all down on the chin area with deep, painful cysts everywhere. Unfortunately, Epiduo (or any topical cream, actually) is not good for that kind of stuff. If you're a teenager, this may yield more likely results. I had an extremely oily face as a teen, so I didn't even experience the red, dry, flaky skin that most do. Sadly, it stopped being effective about 6 months in, so eventually, I quit. Recently, I've tried it again, but now it gives me persistent, painful red, dry, flaky skin and not much positive results. It may be better for other people."

• ALo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 5, 2018

For Acne "Background: I never had acne as a teen, a few pimples but not acne. I have endometriosis, and in the last 2 1/2 years, my skin has suffered badly. I now have cystic and hormonal acne, and it hurts as well as being ugly as heck. I get it on my cheeks mostly. I have used Acnicide (benzoyl peroxide) and Duac (clindamycin + BP) when Acnicide stopped working for me, which did nothing but peel my skin, so I went back to the GP and was given Epiduo. I was told it could take up to 3 months to see a difference, which I was prepared for. I have now been using it for 3 days, and I’ve already seen a difference. My skin feels prickly and is stingy when I use my cleansers, understandably as it’s a harsh gel, but my acne has reduced by 40%, I would say, pretty much overnight! I am hoping not to have to use this for long and then top up every now and then as it’s so harsh on the skin, I don’t want to be left with horrid dry and flaky patches from prolonged use if I don’t have to."

• Dar...
• April 6, 2015

For Acne "My dermatologist prescribed me Epiduo, and it's been OK. My face has cleared up 40% of the way, but it BURNS! I will stop using the product for a little while until the dryness and rawness clears, and then continue about every other day."

• Par...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 18, 2022

For Acne "My son suddenly started getting cyst-type acne at age 14 - it caused huge cysts that, when naturally burst, they had pus and blood in them. He was in a lot of pain from then. Went to the doctor, and he was prescribed Epiduo and an oral antibiotic. Took 2 months for a noticeable difference, but 6 months in, the acne has cleared, and we continue to hold it back. He needs moisture in the mornings as he's a little dry, but the only concern now is the scarring from huge cysts: please persevere with the treatment - it takes time but does work!!"

• Abi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 22, 2017

For Acne "I had fairly mild acne, but when I went to the doctor, it had been flaring up and looked quite bacterial. When I first started using it, I was happy, as it appeared to clear up my spots in less than a week, but after maybe the third use (I was using it once per night), I noticed my skin was very dry, but was not too worried, as this is a known side effect. Unfortunately, the dryness only got worse, even when I used it after moisturizer, and even stopped using it. It got to the point where my skin was so dry and irritated that it was bright red, and I could barely splash water on my face without it stinging. If I used cleanser, my face would sting so badly I cried. It took 3 weeks to clear up, and I was left with chemically burnt skin."

• 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."

• 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!"

• Che...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2018

For Acne "I have had pretty bad acne and hyperpigmentation for well over 20 years, and have pretty much tried it all. I recently made a last-ditch effort and went to a new dermatologist who prescribed Epiduo Forte. She also preceded my treatment with a chemical peel and recommended that I not begin using the cream until my face had completely cleared from the peel. One week later, I started using Epiduo Forte, and I have been on it for a little over a week. The effects have been unlike anything I have ever encountered. While my face has not completely cleared up, all my acne is gone, and the severe hyperpigmentation has lightened substantially. I have never encountered a treatment that has had such an immediate effect as this - and I have done chemical peels and laser treatments to little or no avail. The cream is very drying, so be advised that you will need to moisturize. I would definitely recommend, but be conscientious about your skin's reaction to the treatment and adjust accordingly."

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 21, 2019

For Acne "Epiduo (paired with clindamycin in the A.M.) caused my skin to be very dry, irritated, and red the first month I used it. Then, it nearly perfected my skin. I had fairly clear skin after having acne in all areas of my face throughout my teenage years. It was an excellent 8 months that this lasted, with a few pimples coming and going, but my skin never returned to how it was. However, now at over a year I've been using it, my skin is starting to worsen, and I am likely going to switch back to another topical acne medication."

• Mea...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 10, 2019

For Acne "I had mild acne when I was prescribed Epiduo. Things got much worse in the first 4 months. My acne turned into moderate ones. I started developing big pustules that I had never had before. My face was very dry and it burned. Several acne spots developed every day and I felt like crying. Honestly, things changed on the fifth month. Firstly, my dermatologist asked me to use it as a spot treatment, I changed into applying it all over my face instead. Secondly, I changed my moisturizer. Thirdly, I started limiting my dairy consumption. Lastly, I stopped stressing too much about my acne. Not sure which one works, but the breakout is now on and off. I got several small whiteheads during my cycle or some super stress day. My face condition is not super clean now, but I am grateful that it has stopped purging. Although the post-breakout hyperpigmentations seem to be fading, it is not completely gone. However, I started to develop milia on my inner cheeks and T-zone."

• Meo...
• September 26, 2013

For Acne "I am 24, and have suffered from mild acne pretty much forever. I have very oily skin but was reluctant to go on Accutane. This is my second time using Epiduo. The first time I noticed it 'stopped working' and I was breaking out again, and that was only after a month or so. Going to try it long term this time! So far, my skin is dry and peeling, but the results are amazing, not one spot at the moment."