Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical and Irritation: What Users Say (Page 2)

• MEH...
• January 16, 2020

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I am a 25-year-old female. I used Epiduo for 6 weeks, only on my chin. I always had two spots I would get recurring larger cysts, and I wanted to be proactive to prevent them. My dermatologist prescribed this to me at night in combination with Aczone in the morning. It immediately started to purge my skin. I kept reading the reviews on this site, which encouraged me to continue to stick through this purging period. However, this cream was too harsh on my skin and was contributing to the irritation and acne that was surfacing. I stopped at the 6-week mark and am left with a lot of scarring. I know this works for some people, but this didn't work for me. There are other less aggressive but still effective options. If you are going through the purging stage and feel like it is being too aggressive, I recommend switching to every other day and making an appointment with your dermatologist ASAP. Once my dermatologist saw my face after a week of not taking it, he knew it wasn't working the way it should."

• Cai...
• August 16, 2017

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "Y'all. This is only my fifth day on Epiduo Forte, so I don't have much insight on the medicine's effectiveness... but I have the cure for the burning sensation the product leaves! I got off work tonight and immediately washed my face. I use a Clearasil scrub daily, and that irritated my skin horribly! I then applied the Epiduo, and my skin began to burn! I do not have sensitive skin whatsoever, so I was unsure what to do. My initial thought was to apply moisturizer, which made it worse! I figured I'd let the pain pass... it didn't! After an hour, it finally hit me-vitamin E! I use this under my eyes to prevent wrinkles and thought it might help. I specifically used Sundown Vitamin E Oil and just applied a thin layer to my face. It worked wonders!"

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

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical 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."

• Anonymous
• January 2, 2010

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical 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."

• Ali...
• May 16, 2016

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I am 37 and never had acne until 7 months ago. Pimples on my jawline and forehead with acne scars started to wear on my self-esteem. I've been using Epiduo for 5 days and can already see an improvement. I purchased a mild facial wash, toner, and moisturizer with SPF 20 from Clinique to use while I'm in treatment. No irritation, flaking, or burning, just clearer skin and the scars are starting to fade already. I use my normal skin regimen in the AM and the Epiduo at night. I love this product."

• Anonymous
• January 18, 2011

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I have been using Epiduo for a month now and have had acne for a few years. It is great at getting rid of the acne, but the side effects are bad on me. It made my eye swell up and go red and cause major irritation. When I go back to my dermatologist, I will ask to be put on something else."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 26, 2015

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I am a female in her mid-20s. I've always had random breakouts due to hormonal changes and stress. Recently, my acne seemed to be getting out of hand, and none of the at-home treatments I was using helped. I have been using Epiduo for a little over 3 weeks now, and I think my skin is just now getting used to it. At first, it really irritated my skin and caused it to burn, become red, and look swollen. I have not experienced any peeling like most other people have. I have to experiment with it a little bit, though. I just apply it to my forehead and chin, then bring the excess onto my nose. I use Cetaphil daily moisturizer for dry skin on top of the Epiduo. For the past week, my skin has been exceptionally clear and not nearly as irritated."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Han...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2022

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "If you’re reading this, please keep going. I purged for at least 3 months on Epiduo Forte. My skin got unbelievably bad during the purge, with breakouts all over my face. I was close to giving up. But it works, I promise. People say that you should see results after 8-12 weeks, but don’t listen to them because everyone’s skin is different. 5 (almost 6) months in, my skin’s the smoothest it’s been in a long time. Tips: I know we don't like hearing it, but eating healthier dramatically reduced the redness and irritation associated with my acne and Epiduo side effects. Specifically, foods that are anti-inflammatory—berries, greens, fish. I notice a huge difference in my skin when I eat junk or processed foods. If you’re desperate, please try it. I have naturally dry skin, so my skin was constantly red, flaky, and itchy on Epiduo. Aquaphor was a game changer! It seals in my moisturizer and Epiduo without clogging my pores. Hydrated skin heals your acne so much faster. GL!"

• Hig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 7, 2022

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "This is my second time on Epiduo. I first started it in July of 2020. I went through the purging stage, but my face was completely clear by the time December rolled around. At that point, I was using the medication incorrectly and experienced severe burning and irritation. I decided to stop using it due to my clear complexion and the chemical burns I received. A couple of months after that, I started birth control to control my acne and hopefully keep my skin from breaking out due to having no topical in my regimen. That was a mistake. I broke out so badly while trying different birth controls over 2021. Finally, in July 2021, I had enough and went back on to Epiduo Forte. I went through some purging, but my face was 80-90% clear by October. It is now January 2022, and my face is beginning to break out once again. It could be due to fluctuating hormones, but it is beginning to take a toll on my mental health again. I'm hoping this is just the purge part two, but who knows. Wish me luck."

• Ros...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 1, 2021

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I am 21 and recently started getting acne breakouts. Looking back on pictures of the first ones I got, they really weren't bad, but I called the doctor as I had heard about Epiduo and got a prescription over the phone (he hadn't actually seen my skin). I have now been using it for about 3 months, and it is now SO bad, so, so, so much worse than it was at the beginning. I know it is supposed to purge your skin, but from reading around, I think if your skin is quite sensitive to it and becomes irritated, it can actually make the acne worse and prevent it from healing. To be honest, I WISH I had never started using this cream in the first place. Won't be the same for everyone, I'm sure, but just be careful with this product!! As I will almost definitely now get acne scarring, and who knows if/when it will clear up."

• Sha...
• January 10, 2021

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "This is the second time I have been using Epiduo gel. The first time I used it, it took me nearly a month to get my skin used to the gel. Later, it worked fine, and I stopped using it. After a few years, it is the second time I am currently using it. It took nearly a month again for my skin to get used to it. My acne was moderate but bad, like tiny lumps all over my cheeks. My skin eventually went through a process of irritation, dryness, and breakouts. But then I took better care by moisturizing my face and keeping my diet healthy and face clean. I must say now it has gotten better. I'm still using it. My face is almost clear. And once it is, I will stop using it. I have handpicked hyperpigmentation because I was very rough with my skin. But hopefully, it goes away this year. I decide to not pick on my face this year."

• Kim...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 14, 2016

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "It works!!!! I have been battling with acne for years. I am 35 years old, and I have been using Epiduo for over 6 or more years, and I can say it's a life-saver. A little redness and irritation is nothing to complain about, the results are great."

• Mck...
• January 7, 2017

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "This made my skin incredibly sensitive and irritated all the time, it dried out my cheeks and nose. It didn't get rid of hardly any acne. I have to stop using it after only about 2 months of use due to the sensitivity."

• Kry...
• March 12, 2018

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "CAUTION: this topical will burn your skin if you have a sensitive skin type (or overuse!) I, unfortunately, have and did both. Please be careful with this. A little goes a long way. If you use it as a spot treatment (you really shouldn’t), it will turn that spot bright red and make it more noticeable. Listen to your derm’s instructions but also feel it out. If it burns and you start seeing MORE acne that has been caused by irritation, then stop immediately!!! Call your doctor!!! This happened to me. However, it did dry up my big cystic acne... just turned my face into the Sahara desert for a couple of weeks. Very hard to conceal that with makeup..."

• Eri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 20, 2022

For Acne "This cream is a miracle worker for me!! I used to use it for acne and then stopped as I believed I did not need it anymore. This was a big mistake!! After a mixture of getting off the medication and stress, I broke out worse than ever and decided to get back on Tactupump. My skin was terrible for 1-2 months: breakouts, dryness, irritation, but I knew the worst of it would be short-lived. After about 1.5 months, my skin began to clear again and now I’m back to having some of the best skin of my life. My friends cannot believe how clear my skin is compared to how it was. The important part is don’t overuse this medication. Make sure your skin is VERY well hydrated. Do not use too many other face products. I use a very light face wash, eye cream, moisturizer, sunscreen, and Tactupump. Also, only use a VERY small amount and only use it where you need it!! I also only use it about 3 times a week before bed only. Less is absolutely more in my experience. So happy with the result :)"

• Mol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2016

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "At the age of 24, I unfortunately developed severe acne on my lower face. Tried everything the dermo suggested, antibiotics. Some prescribed creams, then Epiduo. Doctor told me I'd have some irritation, dryness, redness and my acne might get worse before it got better for a few weeks. So for 12 weeks, I patiently followed the doctor's directions using the suggested cleanser, moisturizer for the dryness and my nightly pea-sized application of Epiduo. This product, *sigh* made my acne WORSE for 12 weeks! More painful deep zits, bigger pores, more outbreaks. Like I didn't even go out anymore, it was so bad. I quit using it from frustration and oddly my acne cleared up 90%. Maybe I had a reaction? Who knows."

• Jes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 20, 2014

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I've been using Epiduo for two months now and it doesn't help at all. It burns my skin and dries it out so badly! It gets flaky, red, and very irritated. It feels like a horrible sunburn and it looks like you take horrible care of your skin. It stings to put anything on it, even water. It does do its job though, dries out the acne. But I still see the redness or dark brownness of the acne. It's so annoying, ugh."

• Raf...
• October 16, 2011

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "My skin got really better, got some irritation earlier, stopped using it and resumed the treatment again. Works!"

• Van...
• August 20, 2017

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "Definitely, this helped me treat my acne. It cleared out the skin gradually, and I didn't have any irritation or redness with it."

• aal...
• September 10, 2016

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I'm having really bad burning & irritation, not sure if that's normal. I've only been using it for 3 days & it's definitely making my acne worse, hopefully the pain & acne will go away soon."