Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical and Itching: What Users Say

• Syb...
• May 3, 2020

For Acne "This is my third week of Epiduo. All my life I've had beautiful skin. Until I turned 28 and had horrible hormonal acne on my cheeks and jawline. The acne is a combination of blackheads, cysts, comedones, whiteheads, and it is painful. My skin is oily too! I just look at my face and want to cry. My doctor prescribed Epiduo and Dermaplex soap-free face scrub, and the first week burnt like anything. My skin felt like it was on fire, and I was told to use an SPF moisturizer along with it. It burnt as soon as I applied anything, the itchiness was irritating too, but I pushed through. I'm on my third week, and I still have these hard bumps under my skin and whiteheads that seem to come overnight, but I'm being patient as I heard that it takes about 2 months to see real results. I want to avoid any oral treatment for my acne as I'm trying to have a baby, and meds like Accutane are said to cause severe birth defects. I will give an update in a few weeks about the Epiduo and the baby. Wish me luck!"

• wen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 1, 2020

For Acne "This Epiduo was a miracle cream! Coupled with antibiotics, it completely cured my acne and clogged pores. The first 2-3 months were absolutely terrible. So I urge all of you to not give up on the treatment. The clogged pores started to become pimples, and I had to squeeze all of them out. Things got better after the 4th month, and now I'm into my 5th month with no clogged pores or pimples at all! So guys, if you are using this for the first 2-3 months and are experiencing a purge, please DO NOT give up on it. Keep persevering, and you'll see the light. I used the gel every night, and it made my face red and itchy, but I continued on, and eventually, when things got better, I cut down to applying it once every two days."

• Ben...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 19, 2021

For Acne "I’ve been on Epiduo for about a week. I use it along with Doxycycline capsules. My skin has been bright red and super itchy all week, but my acne is entirely flat. It looks like I’ve had a really bad sunburn, and after I wash my face, it feels like it too. Even though my face is very, very red, I can tell this gel is working, and I’m super excited to have the possibility of clear skin."

• xze...
• June 20, 2013

For Acne "I'm 18 and have always struggled with hormonal acne. But for some reason, the past few months have been terrible. It was everywhere, and I felt so insecure. I went to the doctor, and she recommended Epiduo. Best decision ever! At first, I hated it because my skin is dry, itchy, flaky, and burns. But I finally found out how to put it on so it doesn't. Try this and see if it works: First, wash your face GENTLY with a NON-MEDICATED cleanser. Now this is the key. You have to wait for your face to completely dry between layers. Wait at least 10 minutes. So once that's dry, apply the Epiduo in a thin layer all over your face. Let dry for 15 min. Then apply a ton of moisturizer. My skin is so clear now!"

• Yun...
• October 26, 2016

For Acne "Started in November 2015 when I was 18, and my skin was clear after 4 to 5 months by March of 2016. The first few weeks weren't easy. Even with pea-sized amounts used every other day, my skin was still itchy and blotchy. But I turned to a Cetaphil moisturizer as an important weapon in the fight. Epiduo is strong and can dry your face out, so use a pea-sized amount. If you're needing a refill every month, then you're using too much. One bottle should last you 3-6 months, not 1 or 2. Also, you'll break out the first month just because dirt and clogged stuff is being drained. Most importantly, don't bash on Epiduo, you might be impatient and want clear skin ASAP, but you'll have to learn to add it to your routine and turn to a moisturizer."

• Gab...
• July 24, 2014

For Acne "I have had moderate acne on my T-zone for about 4 years, and my doctor prescribed me Epiduo about 3 months ago. For the first two weeks, I had an initial breakout, but the pimples went away quicker than usual. Epiduo definitely makes your skin very sensitive for the first month or so, and it made my skin burn and itch for the first month or two. Now, I can apply Epiduo without any side effects, and my skin isn't as sensitive. Epiduo definitely cleared my skin and acne marks, but I still get the occasional zit. I had tried a lot of over-the-counter acne washes and home remedies, but Epiduo is the only thing to work on my face. Definitely worth it!"

• Sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 6, 2014

For Acne "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."

• Wre...
• May 3, 2018

For Acne "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!!"

• ell...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 2, 2023

For Acne "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 :)"

• Kel...
• June 28, 2014

For Acne "I am very happy with my skin now that I have been using Epiduo consistently for about 9 months. After the first 4 months, just about all of my acne was gone, and now almost all of my acne scars have disappeared. My method is: I use a Clarisonic twice a day with Eucerin face wash. Eucerin is the best product for me in terms of lotions and face washes/body washes because my sensitive skin needs something gentle that won't irritate it. Every night after washing my face, I apply one pump of Epiduo evenly on my face, wait at least 10 minutes, and apply Eucerin lotion. The reason I gave this product 9/10 is because the first few weeks of using this product, the skin on my face was red, itchy, and flaky. Also, I can't expose myself to sunlight."

• Lex...
• December 7, 2013

For Acne "This medication was amazing. It cleared, if not all, then most of my acne. It worked faster and better than anything I've ever tried. My skin did get dry and itchy at times, but the cheap moisturizer I use fixed that quickly. Overall, the product is genius and effective."

• Jay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 6, 2018

For Acne "This gel, combined with a daily dosage of doxycycline, completely transformed my skin! I was a bit skeptical to take it after reading reviews, but I realized what I had to lose? Best decision ever! Within three months, my skin has completely cleared. At first, my skin got really itchy and flaky, but I just added more moisturizer and hydrating serums into my skin care routine, and I’m fine. Honestly, just try it. It might just work!"

• ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 5, 2016

For Acne "I've been using it for 5 days, and I've got swelling, burning/stinging, redness, and itching. It did break out more, but I am sticking to it. The only bad thing is that it burns and stings a lot. I struggle to fall asleep. I've started applying Vaseline, but it does not help for the burning. I do hope that the burning goes away."

• Nit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 3, 2017

For Acne "27-year-old suffering from adult acne. I've been under Accutane twice in the past for 6 months each but relapsed both times. So this time I was prescribed Epiduo. I didn't get any redness or itching, but my acne got 10x worse. My acne is usually concentrated in the cheeks, but after Epiduo, I got newer ones in the jawline and forehead as well. The purge stage lasted for around 2 months, but I stuck with it, and now I'm acne-free and only left with scarring. I don't apply it all over the face, only in the acne-prone areas, and I've noticed the scars have also started fading gradually. Happy with this product so far."

• Nay...
• February 3, 2016

For Acne "I broke out with bad cystic acne on my jawline. The doctor prescribed me Epiduo. At first, it made it so much worse; it burnt and itched like crazy, but I was determined to complete the recommended 12 weeks. By week 8, my skin was so much clearer, and now, after 12 weeks, my skin is smooth and glowing-better than it's ever been! I'm literally so happy, and (I know this sounds well cheesy), but it's given me my confidence back! It's worth the horrible few weeks."

• Aur...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 25, 2018

For Acne "I’ve struggled with acne for about 5 years. I’ve been on Roaccutane, which did work for me, however, my acne has come back recently. The doctor prescribed me Epiduo. The first 3-4 weeks aren’t great. My skin was dry and itchy the first few weeks, then by the third, my acne was so much worse. I’m now on my 5th week, and I have no new spots, and my skin has pretty much completely cleared, just got a few marks from my previous acne. This gel does work, but just stick out the first part!"

• Man...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 18, 2019

For Acne "This medicine was great for my acne, however, I had severe swollen eyes, and my skin was so sensitive I couldn’t put anything on it! I continued using it for a year because I was willing to endure just about anything for clearer skin until finally, I started getting eczema on my eyelids, and eventually, I would wake up with my eyes nearly swollen shut (even if I only put a dab of it on a single pimple and washed my pillow sheets!) I’ve now been off the medicine for 6 months and still suffering from the eczema! I can’t believe this medicine was capable of such severe long-term damage and is still put on the market anyway. I’m terrified to try more acne medicine because of this."

• EIM...
• October 2, 2019

For Acne "I am a 24-year-old female who has suffered with mild to moderate hormonal acne for the past 10 years and comedonal acne for a good 5 years that, up to recently, was only getting worse. Just under 4 weeks ago, I went to a dermatologist for the first time, who recommended I try the Dretine birth control pill (also known as Yasmin) combined with Epiduo as the external treatment. For the first week, I had no burning, peeling, or really any symptoms, and my skin didn't really change. During week 2, my skin got significantly worse, with more cystic deep spots than I would normally have and my closed comedones coming to the surface even more. By the end of week 3, the burning sensation really started to kick in, and it was beyond itchy after every application for a good hour after. I am now coming to the end of week 4, and although the burning is still very much present and the dryness and peeling around my mouth has finally gotten noticeable, my skin is looking DRAMATICALLY better!"

• Val...
• November 12, 2013

For Acne "Was prescribed Epiduo by my doctor after being diagnosed with PCOS (spots/acne is often a common side effect of this). Anyway, the first two weeks of using it, my skin was BAD. Cystic acne, redness, itchy, painful skin to touch, the whole nine yards. Then it just stopped being as painful, and the spots really, REALLY cleared up. I have smooth cheeks now, with the odd one spot just creeping up hormonally as expected. However, do not use any other harsh spot-clearing product (or have a skin-specific facial) on the face, as I guarantee it'll be painful and red all day (speaking from experience!!!)"

• Pri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 16, 2013

For Acne "I started using Epiduo on May 8th, 2013. The next 5 days, I didn't find any visible change. I applied very little gel every night before bed. The next day, I washed my face. On the 5th day, I got a few acne on my cheeks and forehead. Day 6 - heavy redness on my full face with severe itching. Day 7 - called my dermatologist. She said to use it on alternate days and it will be fine. Still heavy redness and very severe itching. Day 8 - itching reduced, leaving no changes to redness. Day 9 - itching reduced further and redness became rosy. I could see it healing. Skin dried out, so I had to use Cetaphil moisturizer all day. Day 10 - I could see the redness visibly fading away, leaving the skin clearer. Itching reduced a lot, skin dry. I hope I could see positive results within the next 2 weeks."

• Ned...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 31, 2024

For Acne "It is almost 1 year since I got acne on my face. Firstly, it was only on my forehead, later, it spread to my chin and cheek and developed severe acne. I used Deriva CMS gel 0.1% adapalene alone on my face for almost 6 months, hoping that it would cure my skin, but it did not. Now my doctor prescribed Epiduo gel along with AHA Glow face wash and Clear gel. Now I am using Epiduo gel for almost 6 weeks. I don't see any visible results after 6 weeks. My acne keeps coming like I'm not using any medicine. I have dry, flaky, burning skin, and it's itching like hell every time I use this medicine, even after 6 weeks. I thought of giving up this many times. But after coming across many positive reviews, I feel to continue this and wait for 4 months, still hoping for results."

• Dai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 21, 2017

For Acne "My 14-year-old son was prescribed Epiduo for his moderate acne about 3 months ago. I myself am 36 and have suffered from acne my whole life (since the 5th grade!!). Anyway, I decided to try it with him, and I'm so glad I did. At first, it made both of our skin break out and was red, itchy, peeling, and irritated. So we started using it every other night instead (also, only use it at night and AVOID THE EYE AREA!!). After about 2-3 weeks of using Epiduo, I noticed a dramatic improvement in both of our skin. Now my son may have a few tiny little pimples here or there, but nothing like it was before, and I don't have any at all! Not only am I pimple-free, but my melasma/dark spots are almost completely gone!! I highly recommend!!"

• Acn...
• January 24, 2016

For Acne "I've had acne all my life, but it was never really that severe; just a few here and there. But once I turned 18, it was when my skin got super bad, where every night I would take off my makeup and start crying whenever I saw all my acne. I got prescribed Epiduo Forte by my dermatologist and started using it in October. It is now almost February, and I have been using this product for almost 4 months, and I can say my acne has officially cleared up. This drug does make your skin break out even more, and it does make it very sensitive for the first 2-3 months. After the 3 months of using it consistently every night, your skin will start to clear up. I do break out on my period, but now all I have to worry about are my scars. I love this product."

• jul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 21, 2016

For Acne "This stuff is so good! Wow-at first, my face was so dry, red, itchy, and burning that I could hardly wash it and spent days inside with ice and aloe vera on my face. But when I pulled through, all the tiny under-the-skin spots had completely disappeared, making a flawless complexion! Now I just use a tiny bit on my clear skin once every two days where I break out and get redness, as I am extremely acne-prone. Don't give up! It's so worth it when you get the results!"

• Ros...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 13, 2020

For Acne "Epiduo Forte has literally changed my life, and I'm so thankful to my derm who prescribed me this cream. I had cystic spots on my cheeks, bumps on my forehead, and blackheads along my jawline and chin. For 1 year, I tried using expensive skincare and getting microdermabrasion/facials, but nothing worked, so I decided to see a derm (which I should've done in the 1st place, but in my country, it can take up to 6 months to get an appointment with a derm). For the first 2 months, I had breakouts and itchy, red, peeling skin. I stuck it out and also used Cetaphil moisturizing cream and SPF 50+ sunscreen every day, and after 3 months, my skin was completely cleared of acne. It's been 12 months since I started using Epiduo Forte, and I now use a small amount every other night if I feel like I need to. Take pics of your face each night to track your skin's improvement!"