Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical and Itching: What Users Say (Page 3)

• JEN...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 27, 2017

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I have been using this medication for about a month now, and when it comes to my acne, I see a difference. However, I have rashes, an extremely bad burning sensation every time I apply moisturizer, and an itch all over my face! I have even considered stopping its use."

• Saz...
• August 26, 2017

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "The doctor prescribed Epiduo. As a 27-year-old, I have never suffered from acne, and it has just come out of nowhere in the past couple of months. After reading reviews, I cannot believe how I have the same experience using this as a lot of people! Yes, it gets rid of the spots, but at first, it was fine. Slight burning after the fourth day of using it (only once at night), my skin was worse than acne! I have never been in so much pain on my face! Red! Itching rash! I am stopping from using this now, as it feels like someone has scraped the skin off of my face! The doctors should warn us about this before prescribing!"

• And...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 10, 2016

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "Worst cream ever, it literally burned my face. I couldn't apply anything to my face for weeks because it was so painful. My skin became excessively flaky and sensitive, I couldn't even wash it because the skin was so sensitive. Waste of money."

• Anonymous
• June 17, 2012

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "My skin peeled severely for about 3 weeks, and I went through a lot of itching and burning. The acne cream is meant for small pimples, not if you have many breakouts all over your face. The process takes a long time, 3 months, and your face hurts almost every day. But once those 3 months pass, your face looks great."

• Kbr...
• August 19, 2015

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I'm currently 16. I started to get acne around 4th grade when I first endured puberty. It started out as blackheads around my nose, but now I have white and blackheads on my chin, cheeks (biggest problem area), and jaw. It got really bad my sophomore year. (I'm a junior), but it wasn't cystic. It was somewhere between grade 1 and 2 acne. I started Epiduo roughly two weeks ago. My first week, my skin cleared up! Not completely, but I did notice improvement. I apply it every night after washing my face and showering. Sadly, my skin and neck are irritated, itchy, red, and burning even with the small amount I put on. My acne has become worse. I'm hoping it will pull through. I got it for $45 (insurance didn't cover)."

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

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Lau...
• February 28, 2016

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "Awful. Doesn't work, made all my skin dry and flakey. I was so itchy after using it, and my whole face turned bright red. Even water stung my face, my face is swollen and too sore to even touch. My face and back are itchy constantly all day. Wouldn't bother using this product."

• ali...
• July 15, 2015

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "My dermatologist prescribed me Epiduo because my other acne medicine wasn't doing a very good job like Epiduo is doing now. When I started using it, it has worked well on my skin. I still have a few pimples here and there, especially on my forehead, but Epiduo has made them less noticeable and smaller every time I use it. But the negative thing is that once I started using it, my skin became very sensitive and dry, leaving white patches everywhere on my skin where I had used the cream."

• 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!"

• fro...
• February 6, 2016

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I do not like this product. I understand you need patience and results show within, but if you want results fast, I HIGHLY SUGGEST not to use it. It makes you break out and your skin very, very sensitive. On my second day of using it, I had terrible red marks all over my face, and I cannot get rid of them still. It has been 3 weeks! It is an effective medication, but if you aren't willing to have your face very irritated for a good 2-3 months on this cream, do not use it."

• Rac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 28, 2021

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I have suffered with hormonal acne since my mid-20s. I’m now 36, boo! I have a rare form of endometriosis, so I’m on a pill (single hormone) that really causes acne flare-ups. I was prescribed Epiduo a week ago. First night used half a pea size on freshly cleansed skin, it itches! In the morning, less redness, but more whiteheads? Next night, cleansed, although this time used Sunday Riley Juno before applying Epiduo as my skin was quite dry. Still itched like crazy but less dry. Exfoliating every other night is a must as you get dry skin build-up, but be very gentle. I found soaking in the bath with a warm flannel on my face softened the skin naturally, and then I just VERY gently massage in circles to remove dry skin, no products needed. I also use Epiduo two nights, then skip a night to avoid too much dryness. One week in and I can see improvement, so fingers crossed. Important! No matter what skin type you have, this product is strong, less is more, just be patient."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 8, 2021

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "On the 24th of August, I went to the dermatologist to FINALLY do something about my adult blackheads on my chin. They sent it to my door 2 days later and started that night! It’s now the 8th of September, and they are basically all gone! What they say about the side effects of redness, itching, SMALL breakouts around the affected area is true (for me). I had one more pop up, and I took care of it immediately. It does burn a tiny bit, that’s what benzoyl peroxide does! Your skin may get dry and flake (thanks to masks for covering up that) and feels dry. What they also say is true: it’ll get worse before it gets better-the redness, itching, etc. I wouldn’t recommend lathering this all over your face like my derm told me to do. I only did the affected parts! I had results in a couple of weeks! Impressive!"

• Dar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 23, 2016

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I have been using this Epiduo gel since 2012 until now. This gel is effective in clearing out the acne. Yes, it may cause your skin redness, itchy dryness. This past few days, my skin is very dry. But I know that this gel is effective, so I'm still using it. Half of my face is already clearing out. Some pimple marks. The other half needs patience to be able to clear as well."

• Ale...
• March 27, 2017

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "Well... I've never had acne-prone skin. I have mixed-oily skin and I have some acne when I get stressed. That's the reason why I visited a dermatologist. The doctor recommended I use Epiduo (every night), after I wash my face with a foam (I use the same foam in the morning with a gel cream after it and a moisturizing cream, as many times as I want). The doctor informed me that this cream may affect me (redness, itching, dryness, pain), but my face got like sunburned and it was scratching me so much. I was afraid, and I stopped it yesterday. I don't know if I should continue using this cream."

• Pre...
• December 5, 2015

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I started my treatment back in October, stopped my treatment because I didn't see a change. I did see a little change but became very impatient because my skin became very dry, especially around the eye area. It became so dry that every time I raised my eyes, it was painful. The skin irritation is bearable but painful. I am currently back on, when I stopped, my acne issue came back and was getting worse. I have an issue with picking my pimples until they become black, scarring my face. And yes, my skin around my eyes is very dry and painful, but no new pimples, and I have stopped picking, so we shall see. I'm also taking two other types of medication. I am supposed to apply two times a day, but my doctor told me to apply once a day if I ran into this problem."

• Anonymous
• December 27, 2020

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I was actually really worried about using Epiduo on my dry, sensitive skin. I started using it for just 20 minutes every other night. It didn’t sting, and my skin went through a horrible purging phase, which lasted like two weeks. I got dry patches after about 3 weeks around my face, which I neutralized with Cetraben. Six weeks in, I realized the initial big breakout was clearing up, but now I had big, red, dry, itchy patches around my eyes. My eyelids, in particular, are really red and dry even though I never put the product anywhere near my eyes. I also noticed that the spots on my chin just keep coming back, it hasn’t actually done all that much to clear my skin up. Now I’m still spotty, with really painfully itchy, dry, red rings around my eyes. I use a really gentle hemp seed moisturizer, which even stings now when I put it on. My skin feels super sensitive and sore and not that much clearer, to be honest."

• Hey...
• October 16, 2020

For Acne "My skin is dry usually, can be very sensitive. You want to cleanse before the benzoyl peroxide so it can penetrate and there isn’t dirt or oil blocking the skin. Use a hydrating one. After I use a 10% PanOxyl cleanser, the active ingredient is benzoyl peroxide and moisturizer, Vaseline on my lips, entirely around my eyes, and a little on the corners of my nose. To protect these areas from being overly dry or irritated. I use Differin gel, 0.03% Adapalene. I do this routine at night ONLY. Sun exposure while using BP/Retinoids can seriously burn skin and further cause damage. In the morning, cleanse with the same hydrating wash, moisturize, Vaseline all over my face (doesn't cause breakouts), I use a broad-spectrum SPF, be careful, do not wear Retinoids/BP in the sunlight. MOISTURIZE."

• Yoo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 10, 2013

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I am 23 with adult onset acne. I have tried so many things from natural products (honey, banana, cinnamon, etc.) to about every store-bought product in existence! Nothing helped. I've been on Epiduo for 4 days and have noticed my acne is already stopping. However, areas on my face are very dry with peeling, red, itchy, and painful to touch. Basically feels like a bad sunburn! I do expect that this should go away from other reviewers' results and plan to use a recommended lotion and avoid putting the Epiduo on the dry areas of my face for now. I am also on amoxicillin twice daily. I would recommend this so far!"

• Acn...
• September 4, 2019

For Acne "I started using Tactupump nearly 4 months ago, and only at the 3-month mark did I (and my family and friends) notice a CLEAR difference. For the first two weeks, my skin was awful. Super red, irritated, and itchy. It would burn when I cleansed and moisturized. Once the uncomfortable stage was over, I experienced two purging stages along with pimples here and there when I wasn't purging. Even though this was disheartening, I remained patient. My skin, although not perfect, is looking extremely good as of today. I'm thankful for this medication because if this did not work, I would have to resort to Accutane, which would suck. So, overall, really good medication if you can be patient and can endure some pain (mental and physical). The purging can suck mentally, and the first few weeks can be super uncomfortable because of the red, irritated, itchy skin. Do give it a try if nothing has worked for you so far! You may be thanking yourself 3 months later :)"

• han...
• January 7, 2017

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "Epiduo is honestly the best. I was discouraged the first few months due to my face breaking out worse, having sensitive, red, dry, patchy skin, but it is worth it. The clarity of my skin after using this is refreshing. I'm 20, and I've been using it since I was 18. Currently, I just use it for spot treatment whenever I have mini breakouts!"

• Jar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 19, 2017

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "After trying and failing many antibiotics and topicals, I began to feel as if Accutane would be my only solution. After switching to a dermatologist from a doctor, she recommended I try Epiduo Forte before committing to Accutane. In all honesty, the first few weeks will be brutal. The itching and burning are next to unbearable, along with red, puffy, dry skin. My acne also got worse for the first month until about one and a half months in, when all my active pimples started to shrink and disappear. However, I was left with a nasty case of hyperpigmentation, but now, after almost 1 year of use, I am so close to completely clear skin! (Applied every night)"

• Mer...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 25, 2015

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "Since using Epiduo, I broke out in painful cysts on my face. Which defeats the purpose of why I used it in the first place. Two years ago, I had the worst breakouts ever. But that stopped after four months on Aldactone. My skin went from breaking out in four to five big painful cysts on my face to one tiny pimple around my period. I don’t wear foundation or concealer, as my skin's pretty clear, but not 100% clear. Which is why I asked my doctor for a topical treatment to remove old scars. But since applying Epiduo, my painful cysts returned, and it dried out my skin so bad, it’s itchy. I used to use Proactiv, which does clear scars, but Epiduo has the same ingredient, 2.5% benzoyl peroxide, so I’m confused. Hopefully in the near future, it does clear my scars, but I wish I never used Epiduo."

• Bre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 24, 2016

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "As with all prescription acne medicine, it gets worse before it gets better. I have the 2.0% prescription, some of the reviewers may need a lower dosage or to use it less. But you have to have patience when using any prescription for acne. For me, it took almost two months for my face to finally get used to the medication. First, I broke out more, then came the burning and itching. Yes, it's a pain. Lucky for me, I'm a teacher, so I was able to hide out while my body was getting used to it. Once the irritation started, I stopped using it daily and started using it every other day. If you don't have severe acne, this product is not for you, and it may be more trouble than it's worth. But for those with severe acne, I highly recommend it. Good luck!"