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

Brand names: Epiduo, Epiduo Forte

Reviews for Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Kat...
  • August 16, 2019

For Acne "I started using Epiduo recently, and it has cleared up my skin heaps, considering the short period of time I've been relying on this amazing product. After using Epiduo for a week, my skin started drying up and becoming more flaky, as I already have combination skin. I soon noticed that blackheads/whiteheads started to come out onto my skin, but I wasn't sure if this would happen to anybody else out there. After permanently adding Epiduo into my skincare routine, my skin has never been so clear!"

8 / 10
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  • kay...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 29, 2019

For Acne "I have been using Epiduo for about 2 weeks now. My skin has gotten a lot worse than what it was. It peels 24/7, and it’s red all the time. Moisturizer burns, and so does washing my face with water. I can barely wear makeup because after a while of wearing some, my skin starts to peel, and it looks like a disaster. This is the worst experience I’ve gone through so far with my face. I’m going to try to keep using it for another two weeks. Hopefully, it starts working."

5 / 10
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  • Lea...
  • October 20, 2015

For Acne "I've been using Epiduo Gel for 4 weeks now, and I'm starting to see good results this fourth week. First week, I had itchy skin, and my face felt dry and red. Second week, I started peeling, with no real noticeable changes. Third week, I started to notice my acne shrinking and became less red. Even my family and work friends mentioned how much better my face was looking. Now, being in the fourth week, I only have a few acne spots, and my face is less red. I will be continuing on with it due to seeing good results. I recommend this acne product if you are serious about getting rid of those annoying spots! It does take a lot of patience, but I promise, it is worth it! Stick with it."

9 / 10
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  • Nic...
  • January 3, 2010

For Acne "I used it morning and night for about 3 days, and you can already tell a difference, and my acne is clearing up. Unfortunately, my skin is peeling, which forced me to get a moisturizer. Anyway, it works for me."

9 / 10
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  • Piz...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 6, 2013

For Acne "I'm 13, and I had really bad acne, like whiteheads and blemishes, a lot of those. And then when I used Epiduo, after a week, the old blemishes peeled off, and my skin was clear. But I had more whiteheads and pimples, but after another 2 weeks, they stopped coming out, so now I only have the blemishes. And my skin peels more now than before, but overall it is far more clear than it was 2 months ago."

8 / 10
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  • BTa...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • October 23, 2018

For Acne "I have had moderate acne for about 3 years (currently age 19). I tried Lymecycline for approx. 8 months, and it helped, but not much. I used Epiduo for about 2 months now, and my skin is almost clear for the first time in years! There was some slight dryness/flaking after a few weeks, but it cleared up with moisturizer. Great product."

9 / 10
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  • Ash...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • November 28, 2018

For Acne "You have to be so patient when using Epiduo! I started using it in February this year, and in the beginning, it made me break out, red and flaky, and I thought it didn’t do much. Now in November, I can say my skin is totally clear, I go to work now without makeup! I’m 32, and in October last year, I had rhinoplasty, which caused my once nice skin to break out, I was covered in tiny bumps and large bumps, and honestly, Epiduo saved my life! But you have to be patient. A lot of other reviews say 6 weeks, but I honestly didn’t see results until the 9-month mark!"

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • July 26, 2012

For Acne "If you want results real fast, Epiduo is wonderful. I noticed a complete face transformation within the first month of use. I only felt burning the first week. The only real downside is that it causes lots of peeling. I have to use an exfoliating facial scrub every other day just to keep the flakes off my face. So, the product itself is great, but the dried-up mess of skin it leaves on your face... not so much."

6 / 10
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  • jmi...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 7, 2013

For Acne "I have been using Epiduo for about a week now, and I am having major peeling, itching, and burning. I have noticed that my overall complexion is improving and the blackheads on my nose are significantly reducing, however, the side effects are almost too much to bear. I promised myself I would stick with it for at least 30 days. I can see how this could be a miracle if I ever get past this point."

7 / 10
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  • Lan...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • November 1, 2019

For Acne "I've been on Epiduo with antibiotic pills for 7 weeks now. In the first couple of weeks, I had horrendous itching, and my skin peeled. Now, in the 6th and 7th week, I've come out with cystic spots that are painful and swollen, and my skin looks worse than it has ever done. I'm hoping it'll start to clear up now, as I've heard good things about this stuff."

6 / 10
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  • 89J...
  • July 25, 2016

For Acne "Perfect!!! I've been on this medication for about 3 months now. Omg, a huge improvement. My face was horrible, huge acne cysts that I would try to pop, and nothing worked. When I started the medication, my face was very irritated, started peeling, got very red, looked like I was sunburned. I couldn't be in the sun for more than an hour because I would look like a tomato. Now, my face is clear, redness-free, acne-free. Best thing ever, highly recommended."

10 / 10
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  • Vic...
  • June 19, 2014

For Acne "I was about to give up on getting rid of my acne. I was on antibiotics, prescription face washes, gels, and masks. I finally went to the dermatologist, and she gave me a sample of Epiduo - within 2 days, my acne was already going away! It's like magic. I love my skin, I no longer have to wear makeup everywhere I go. Best thing in the world. I gave it 9 stars just due to the fact of the irritation that occurs when it's applied, it's sometimes unbearable. It may just be my sensitive skin. It also causes your skin to peel a lot!"

9 / 10
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  • Amb...
  • December 30, 2015

For Acne "I am 31 and struggled with acne in my teen years and got a few glorious years in my 20s of okay skin, occasional acne but nothing serious. As soon as I turned 30, boom! I went back and forth with birth control to help control hormones, sometimes it helped and sometimes it didn't. So I finally stayed off the birth control and my skin went crazy. It got to the point where I was embarrassed to go out on the weekends. I know it's superficial, but who wants to be the 'pretty girl' with bad skin? Literally, within a week of starting this, the huge cysts that took over my chin were shrunken down. I am now on week two and have only very light acne remaining. I have combo skin and it has helped control oil. But use a very good moisturizer, peeling will occur, but it's worth it."

10 / 10
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  • lau...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 4, 2017

For Acne "Epiduo is fantastic. I've only used it for 3 weeks, but my skin is so much clearer (I had moderate acne). However, it is a prescription treatment, and you have to be careful with it: use it sparingly and just once a day, more won't work faster. The best way to do this is to buy a gentle cleanser and moisturizer (Cetaphil and Eucerin are fantastic as they're formulated for skin undergoing acne treatment). Cleanse and moisturize morning and evening, and follow with a very thin layer of Epiduo every evening. The dryness and flaking disappear after 10-14 days, so be patient. If your skin is sensitive, the best thing to do is to apply Epiduo after your moisturizer has sunk in. This creates a barrier, but the treatment works just as effectively."

10 / 10
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  • Han...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 23, 2018

For Acne "I started Epiduo Forte about two months ago and didn’t see much of a difference in my skin until about a week ago. Combined with drinking lots of water, moisturizing, and ALWAYS wearing sunscreen when I go outside, this has worked miracles for not only my acne but also hyperpigmentation. I experienced a lot of the burning, itching, peeling, etc., at first, but after consistently using it and giving it time, my skin looks much better!"

9 / 10
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  • Lau...
  • April 13, 2013

For Acne "I am a 15-year-old girl who struggled with moderate acne for 4 years. When it started to get worse, my doctor prescribed Epiduo, and I love it! The result was not immediate, at first, it made my face red, flaky, and very dry. But now, after 6 months, all my acne has cleared, and I am left with smooth skin. My face does feel a little dry, but moisturizer clears that right away. I put Epiduo on my nose, forehead, and chin every night before I go to bed. It has worked wonders!"

8 / 10
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  • Ab ...
  • August 25, 2013

For Acne "I previously used Epiduo, and I absolutely loved it. It really helped keep my skin clear, and while some people have had issues with over-drying or flaking, I find that it brings my skin to a 'normal' state, and I just have to use a mild moisturizer (CeraVe is my personal preference). Anyway, when I ran out, I couldn't get back to the dermatologist right away, I started breaking out again. So, you do have to be really consistent with it. Put it on every night! You will see results. I just got a new bottle three days ago, and already my acne is less red and noticeably smaller. Love this product."

9 / 10
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  • Zac...
  • May 4, 2016

For Acne "I read several reviews talking about how it created drier skin within the first few weeks of using and caused irritation. Yes, it does make your skin somewhat flaky, and yes, it will cause some irritation that resembles some burning, but it is an acne product meant to change your skin, and it is a process. If you can make it through these side effects, it will genuinely improve your skin, helping to rid you of acne. Getting rid of acne comes at a cost, and if it means some burning and flakiness in my skin, it is worth it. I am on week two or so, and though I still experience these side effects, my skin has gotten significantly clearer. Would recommend to people who can tolerate some irritability, as it genuinely works."

8 / 10
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  • Lil...
  • May 10, 2016

For Acne "Epiduo is worth it. It was 3 months of flaking, burning, and more irritated acne than before, but after the worst months in my skin's history, I woke up one morning, and my face was just better. I used to have my entire jawline covered in painful cystic acne, but now I wake up to maybe a pimple or 2 at most. I promise that if you don't give up, it will pay off. This is one happy customer. If your skin ever gets too irritated, stop using Epiduo for a few days. Taking Epiduo every 3 days is always better than giving up. (Also, it cost $85 out of pocket, but I've been using the same bottle for 4 months.)"

9 / 10
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  • Xav...
  • February 29, 2016

For Acne "I have been using Epiduo for 3 months and even more, I think. It is so bad - no joke, it just peels my skin, burns my skin so much that I can't even sleep at night, and I hate applying it because once I put it on, the burning begins, and I usually put it on at night. It makes my skin so red, like a sunburn!!! I'm not sure if I have to wait any longer to see results, but in my opinion, I have waited for quite some time, and yet no results at all! The first week I saw a big difference in my skin, but that was all. Moisturizer just helps with the peeling. Do I recommend it? Yes and no. Yes, because some skin types are different, so just give it a try to see your luck. And no, if your experience is like mine. I'm not saying to not use it, just sharing my experience."

5 / 10
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  • Win...
  • June 24, 2017

For Acne "This is an amazing solution for acne. If you are getting flaky skin or it's burning, you are using too much. You only need a pea size (even smaller) amount to rub everywhere. I have been on it for 2 years and very rarely get a pimple anymore. Even after this long, if I put more than a pea amount on, I get blotchy and flaky, so be very frugal!"

10 / 10
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  • ane...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • September 27, 2017

For Acne "I was terrified to use Epiduo after reading the reviews, but once I realized I had to buffer it, it seemed much more approachable. If you're not used to using retinoids, don't put this directly on your face and don't use it every night. I took a pretty conservative approach and have mostly been able to minimize pain and flaking. Here's what I do: - Wash my face with a gentle cleanser (I use Aveeno Positively Radiant) - Put on some Cerave moisturizer - Wait 20 minutes - Put on the Epiduo Forte. I only do this at night, once every 2-3 days. If I feel my skin getting irritated, I'll stop using the Epiduo till it gets back to normal. Don't muck around with your skin! If it's irritated and awful, no reason to torture yourself and use the Epiduo every night, just use it every couple of nights."

8 / 10
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  • 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."

1 / 10
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  • Ups...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 7, 2022

For Acne "This has to be one of the worst acne treatments ever. They left my skin peeling on my neck and face with black spots. I am currently using Aveeno cleanser and moisturizer, and it is starting to help. Shea butter also helps. But I wouldn’t recommend this product."

1 / 10
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  • Meg...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • May 28, 2012

For Acne "One year ago - dozens of pimples on my face at a given time. Very severe. One year later - acne nearly gone! Here's my story: I am 17 years old today, I began Epiduo a year ago. My acne was very bad and very embarrassing. It made me so insecure about myself. Epiduo is very bittersweet. The first month I had it, my acne has reduced significantly. However, after the first month, my skin broke out even worse than what it had before I started. My skin was red all over for a good 2 months, my skin was dry as could be and peeled very badly, had acne all over, etc. It was very painful too, my face burned! Today, the side effects are gone and so is my acne! I have only 2 pimples on my face! But if you stop using the product, the acne returns!"

9 / 10
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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.