Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical and Dryness: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Fro...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 29, 2021

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I got prescribed Epiduo one week ago, and I've been putting it on two times since then. And oh my god, it's so painful. My skin is red, and it is so dry I can barely open my mouth. I'm having to constantly wash my face with water because the moisturizer I'm using is barely working for more than ten minutes. I'm thinking of quitting the medication every second, but reading all of your comments really inspires and motivates me to keep fighting."

• Rob...
• January 6, 2015

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "My son has used this for about a month. It's possible he was using too much of it, but his face is extremely dry and scaly feeling and also burns. He used it on his chest as well, and you can actually see that the skin is burned and raw. We will discontinue use until these symptoms clear and then may go back to just a few days a week."

• Ela...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 28, 2018

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "My dermatologist prescribed me Epiduo Forte a little over a month ago. I have been taking doxycycline with it as well, but feel like the Epiduo is what is most effective! At first, it was sort of burning my skin and making it extremely dry, so I cut back to every other day, and my skin slowly got used to it. When I first started, my face was entirely cleared up in a week, and now my acne is normal, but applying this to the breakouts really gets them working. I am really happy with this product so far, and it is supposed to take 6-8 weeks for full results, so I’m hoping I’ll see those soon! Strongly suggest."

• Des...
• December 28, 2015

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I started about a month ago, it seems to be taking a long while to start showing any difference. If anything, my acne is getting worse, but in new spots. Also, I can't use it every night as directed because the dryness and burning are too much to handle. Literally tearing up from pain. I'll update again if it starts doing its job :("

• Cal...
• July 9, 2021

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "So I was prescribed this and lymecycline from my doctor, and at first, I would put a little bit on my spots. It itches so bad for 2 hours after I’ve put it on. It was so bad, stung loads. Never wanted to use it again. I would wake up in the morning and my skin would be so red, puffy, and my eyelids were swollen as well. Skin went so dry and started peeling. Was not great. Skin got worse and everything. I’m coming up to nearly 2 months, and now it doesn’t sting at all when I have it on. I clean my face and moisturize. I also put Vaseline on my eyelids and around the eyes because they were the worst affected with swelling and drying out because of it. Then I wait 30+ mins, then apply Epiduo as per usual, then go to sleep. I wake up with no sore eyes, no stinging. I guess you have to stick it out with it and just try. I was so close to stopping after like 2 weeks because it was so painful and terrible, but it soon stopped."

• Lib...
• November 30, 2015

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I just finished my first week using Epiduo. I have mild acne and oily skin. Details day-by-day: -1st and 2nd days: I felt no difference at all. My skin was just the same before starting the treatment. Not much to say. -3rd and 4th days: I was surprised because new grains were appearing. I didn't know what was happening until I researched about it. The issue is that Epiduo pulls out your grains and then kills the grain spot so it does not respawn again. So it's normal if new grains appear meanwhile you are using it. -5th, 6th, and 7th days: I started to feel a bit of stinging sensation in the areas where I was applying the cream. Be really careful to not apply in the eyelids. Also, my skin started to peel off and it's very dry."

• Jay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 16, 2020

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I am currently on my third month using Epiduo Forte. The first month was quite problematic as I started out using it every night, terrible idea. My face was extremely irritated and was dry and peeling. Since then, my acne has only been getting worse. I've been taking weekly pictures for comparison (which I recommend for everyone on acne medication), and the further I go backward, the better it looks. I don't know if this is part of the process, but I am just going to continue until the entire pump is empty. On the positive side, pimples that do pop up appear smaller and disappear faster, but that's it. Hope this improves, my face is literally just a big blob of scarring, which is absolutely terrible."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 1, 2014

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I've only been using this cream for about 2 weeks now, but since I started, my skin has been red, flaky, and inflamed. Feels a lot like a sunburn. Hurts to even rinse it with water. Exfoliation, moisturizer, nothing helps. It did help a little with acne on my forehead, but the dryness and the flaking are definitely making me want to stop using this."

• nei...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 18, 2020

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I have been using Epiduo for exactly a year for acne and have now discontinued its use. At first, I had the common side effects, such as burning and dryness, but even months later after that subsided, my skin just always looked red. Even the morning after I applied the Epiduo, it was still red and was noticeable. Looking back over the past year, I don't think it has made much of a difference to the acne, as I still broke out frequently over six months into using the medication."

• Din...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 23, 2016

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I have had acne all my life, and I'm now 24, so getting pretty fed up with it. So I got this gel prescribed by a Superdrug doctor. Honestly, the best thing I've ever done. The first few days I used it, my spots went down dramatically, and then after the 3rd day, the redness started, although it wasn't as awful as I was expecting. My skin was very, very sensitive and did look like sunburn, but I decided to put some bronzer on my nose, and it looked like I had just caught the sun! Win-win. My skin was very flaky, every time I ate or spoke, it would crack, but I just applied Simple Spot Free moisturizer with cotton wool, and it kept it under control. Now, on my 3rd week, the redness has gone, my skin is expectedly dry, but I'm totally spot-free."

• Cra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 29, 2020

For Acne "I had a horrible experience on Alesse birth control and Accutane, it made my skin explode with acne in places I've never had it. It was the worst 4 months, my confidence and skin were just ruined. I made the decision to stop and start Yaz and Tactupump. I was terrified of going through another disaster for my skin and hormones, and especially the purging period. However, within a week, my skin was drastically different. It was smooth, and the pimples on the surface were beginning to heal. A month in of Yaz and this product, my skin has completely changed. It is now completely smooth, something I haven't experienced since January. I've had no crazy purges, just simple dryness and itchiness, which I can handle. I am so grateful to have found something to save my skin and calm down the mess Accutane and Alesse left. I still have lots of post-acne marks, but my doctor says those will fade with time. I've gotten my confidence back slowly. I can look in the mirror and feel like myself again."

• Soo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 9, 2016

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I'm a 33/f with cystic acne my entire life. I've been using Epiduo Forte and Aczone for over 4 weeks now. I started using the Aczone daily in the AM and Epiduo every other night along with doxycycline. My face started clearing without any dryness. Then week 2, I began using the Epiduo every night, and within 2 days, my entire face broke out. But this was expected, and I knew purging might occur. However, the pimples did not last long. Only about 2 days or so and came to a head quickly. I'm pretty confident the pimples dried up quickly because of Aczone. My face got pretty dry, though. So now, I use a daily exfoliant, hydrating serum (put on before meds to combat dryness/irritation), meds, and CeraVe (AM/PM) lotion. Works great! Just have to be patient!"

• Did...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 15, 2015

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I was given Epiduo from my doctor to help with my acne. Now, for the acne side of things, the product really does work, and I could see a difference within a few days of using the product. However, after 2-3 days, I have nothing but persistent dryness, swelling of the eyes, and a stinging sensation. I could cry with the stinging, as it is so uncomfortable that I have to bathe my eyes with cold water just to try and take the pain away. I have gone for weeks without using it to go back, as it may have been something else that had been causing it. I couldn't have been more wrong. I would rather suffer with acne than use this product or recommend it to anyone."

• fin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2019

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I have been using Epiduo for 3 months, and it is the best my skin has looked in years. I have had mild to moderate acne (all the kinds: cystic, blackheads, whiteheads, comedones) for 10 years. I tried everything (antibiotics, tretinoin, Differin, other prescription benzoyl washes and creams over the years), pretty much everything except Accutane. Before this, I was using tretinoin, but it was always very irritating and drying to my skin, so I had trouble staying consistent. Epiduo is a godsend; it isn't irritating at all, and I use it daily in conjunction with prescription benzoyl peroxide wipes twice per day (I have been able to decrease to once daily now that my skin is clear). Hopefully, these effects will last, but so far I am delighted. I finally look like an adult."

• Pri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 27, 2016

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I have been using Epiduo for almost a week now, and it has been burning a little bit, so I cut back on how much I put on my face, and it feels much better. I did not have a lot of acne at all before using it, but only a few on my cheeks, and those are all gone now after a few days of use. The few bumps on my forehead are still there, but I'm positive the Epiduo is fighting to get rid of it. I will give it a couple of weeks :). (Avoid using in the eye area and the area right around the nose... those are sensitive areas that can easily turn dry.)"

• Nic...
• December 8, 2015

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I've been dealing with moderate to severe acne for well over 10 years now, but I never wanted to go on Accutane. Epiduo Forte works! I saw results in 1 week, with less and less acne coming through. It even is starting to reduce the red marks that I have from old acne. People complain that it burns and dries out their skin, but in my case, it wasn't that bad. My skin was a little sensitive, burned only a little, but did get dry. It felt like a tight pulling at times, and my neck was very flaky. My skin is very oily, which may cause it to not be as dry as a result of the medication. I'm working on my 5th week on Epiduo, and again, I am very impressed. I have my follow-up in a few weeks, and I am excited to share the results with my doctor."

• Eli...
• February 10, 2015

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I recommend Epiduo for people with oily skin. For the most part, Epiduo is a very harsh treatment that dries out and irritates the skin. It didn't really help my acne, but it might've if I had oily skin."

• Don...
• January 6, 2018

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "A dermatologist prescribed Epiduo, then Epiduo Forte for my acne. I used it for over a year. It only helped a little with the breakouts, and it made my skin super dry, super sensitive, and red. I think it's a big waste of money."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 29, 2018

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I have used Epiduo on and off for 2 years. At the end of the day... Epiduo strips your skin of its natural oils and leaves it dry and pale because it also bleached your skin. I had decent skin before using Epiduo, but the moment I started taking it, my skin broke out EVERYWHERE and flaked and was extremely sensitive. The whole “gets worse before it gets better” never worked for me - it is not worth it."

• J45...
• August 28, 2017

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I bought this gel a few years ago and stopped using it, as it wasn't that effective on my skin. However, recently I started applying this along with a few other products, and it was great. For me, I find it most effective when I apply it twice a day on the painful cystic pimple (normally on my nose). I wash the acne-prone areas on my face with a wash that has salicylic acid 2%, then use a toner with witch hazel or a cotton pad soaked with pure green tea. I apply retinoid, let it sink in, and then I apply Epiduo on those areas. I think it's important to use it as a spot treatment if you're overly sensitive like me. If you're feeling dry, I apply a cream with hydrocortisone over it at the end. My pimple bump disappeared in two days."

• VAG...
• December 4, 2017

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I'm a little over a month using this cream to help clear mild acne. The first few weeks were horrible. Face would sting, especially around the mouth and corner of eyes. Skin was peeling and super dry, with dry patches appearing during the day. I use it every night and, if needed, would take a night off. However, I stopped feeling them around week 3. My routine is: exfoliate face with Philosophy exfoliating wash, followed by cleansing with their face wash. I apply a vitamin C serum (Trueskin is the brand), leave to air dry for 2 minutes, then I use CeraVe daily moisturizer, applying a generous amount. Wait 5 minutes, then apply one pump of Epiduo Forte gel on cheeks and chin. My skin looks drastically clearer. Still get breakouts around cycle, but they don't last long at all."

• NOT...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 3, 2019

For Acne "Using this product, my skin became super dry and irritated, causing my acne to get worse and my skin to burn when anything came into contact with it (soaps, face masks, or literally any other product). I would NOT recommend this product to anyone, very disappointed that my doctor had given this to me."

• ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 23, 2017

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I've had stubborn acne for years and have tried so many different products. This gel hasn't totally cleared up my skin, but it has definitely improved it. At first, I piled it on problem areas like a spot treatment and didn't follow the instructions to apply a thin layer all over every night. It didn't work that way, it needs to be used consistently. When I started using it properly, my skin got dry and irritated, especially around my mouth, but it adjusted pretty quickly (I skip a night when needed). My old hyperpigmentation has started to fade a bit, and new breakouts go away faster, but it's not a miracle cure for me."

• Sha...
• August 24, 2016

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I am currently taking Minocycline, and I just got a face peel a week ago. A few days after my face peel, my face still wasn't improving very well. I started using my Epiduo cream, and my face is almost completely clear. It has made my face dry, and it burns pretty bad, but with lotion, it isn't bad at all. I am very impressed. I am sure that the medication and the face peel have both made an impact on my face, but the Epiduo is helping a lot! I was skeptical of using this product since I have read that the acne will get worse before it gets better. That has not happened to me."

• Dev...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 30, 2021

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I started using this product for VERY oily skin. I had occasional acne breakouts, but the constant oily skin made me feel self-conscious about my face. I am 2 months into using this product, and my skin is significantly less oily; my skin feels soft and smooth. I am experiencing a bit of purging on my chin and dryness around my nose, so I am careful to avoid putting this product around my nose. Overall, I am happy with this product and look forward to seeing how my skin looks after the purging period."