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

• bil...
• September 23, 2016

For Acne "I had mild acne, so my doctor prescribed minocycline and the Epiduo gel. I can safely say that the combination of the two made my acne disappear! I experienced some flaking and redness the first few days after using the Epiduo gel, but after a few days, most of my hyperpigmentation was gone! The best!"

• sop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 8, 2017

For Acne "This drug is very effective in clearing acne, which is awesome, but it has very, very harsh side effects. I used this drug two days in a row when I first got it (bad decision on my part) and woke up the next day with burning, bright red skin that was sore and hot to the touch. People asked if I had gotten a severe sunburn! It really helped with my acne and definitely cleared my skin a lot, but the side effects made it impossible for me to use. It has now been 3 days since I last used it and my skin is peeling like crazy. I am using it in conjunction with clindamycin phosphate gel, a much gentler medication, and plan to only use Epiduo 2x a week because of the horrible side effects. Make sure you moisturize and ease into using the medication!"

• bc7...
• April 27, 2016

For Acne "I went on Epiduo at 20 years old, having acne since I was 17. My acne was moderate and occasionally moderately severe, my skin type normal/slightly sensitive. After day number 2 of Epiduo, I got an allergic reaction. My eyes swelled up, my whole face was rough and red, and at one point, I even had slight swelling in my throat. I went to the emergency room and was put under an IV drip of antihistamines or something. Call me crazy, but I didn't give up. After my face healed (i.e., was no longer dry as the desert and red), I started reapplying a small amount every other day. Eventually working my way up to pea-sized amounts per target area per night. It ALMOST cleared my acne up! I still have breakouts, but nothing like what I used to three years ago."

• Anonymous
• January 18, 2011

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

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."

• Sha...
• September 6, 2014

For Acne "I used Epiduo for about 3 weeks, the reason why I started using it is because I had small little dots on the sides of my face. The first couple of days, my face felt like it was burning, and it went so red. It caused so much acne on my face! Now, I have a lot of big pimples on my face, which scar. I have used a few acne creams, but this one has been the worst by far."

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

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."

• col...
• July 22, 2011

For Acne "I'm so glad that I have found this product because it made my skin stop such breakout. I have consulted a doctor for this, and I am really glad because it's effective. Just need to wait. Patience is a must. The only problem is the redness, like a small one dot."

• Cal...
• July 9, 2021

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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 24, 2018

For Acne "Thought out all my high school years, I used to have little bumps all over my forehead and chin. I was so insecure about this, I used to have a front fringe at one point to cover my forehead. I started taking the birth control pill to try and improve my acne, although I saw no outcome. Finally, I went to see a dermatologist, and she recommended Epiduo! Honestly, after a few weeks of applying this to my forehead, chin, and little spots on my cheeks, my skin improved so much! I literally swear by this cream. I have oily skin, and it’s very pale compared to my body. I have had no side effects, such as red skin or my skin flaming up! Highly recommend for anyone that suffers from acne (little dots all over their face that can’t be popped)."

• Kes...
• January 28, 2021

For Acne "I have been on Epiduo gel for 6 months. You really want to use a mild skin cleanser when using this product. Just because the cleanser says it is mild, it doesn't mean it really is, and it can just aggravate your skin and any side effects like burning or redness. It also won't help the Epiduo gel work faster and can mess with the pH balance of your skin. You can start by applying Epiduo three times a week to let your skin get used to the product and to prevent negative side effects. If you have very sensitive skin, then using this product three times a week should be enough. Avoid the mucous membranes on your face! This product has helped my skin a lot, but I do have markings now, so you really don't want to pop your pimples. You should also use a fragrance- and oil-free face cream that has sunscreen in it. I swapped to an oil- and fragrance-free face cream, and in three days, my skin stopped getting oily. I still have small little bumps on my skin, but the big ones with pus inside are gone."

• MSR...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 7, 2017

For Acne "I'm a 19-year-old male who suffered with moderate acne over my face, particularly my cheeks and chin. I had tried everything over the counter without much success. Epiduo has worked pretty well for me, greatly reduced the amount of spots I have (although I still get the odd one). The dry/red skin is the biggest side effect, however, regular moisturizing (1-2 times per day) helps to reduce that. It has taken a couple of months to get to this stage, but it definitely works well, especially if you are unable or do not wish to take antibiotics."

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

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."

• Lau...
• February 28, 2016

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."

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

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!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 17, 2018

For Acne "I am so happy with the results I have been experiencing so far after weeks of using Epiduo! At first, I often had redness on my face and extremely dry skin as I had read in other reviews. However, this got a lot better as my skin became used to it, and it was not extremely painful, there was just a slight tingling sensation in the first week. I wasn’t sure if this product would work as I have not had success with any other spot treatments, such as Proactiv Plus. I would say that you definitely need to be patient when using Epiduo and only use small amounts per application, but it really does work! I’m a few weeks in already, and I have very noticeable changes because I have very few blemishes at all now. Would definitely recommend to anybody who struggles with spots or acne! :) (Make sure to purchase a good moisturizer as your skin can get very dry during the process)"

• Sad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 10, 2016

For Acne "Used consistently 1x a day for the past 6 weeks. My skin has never looked worse. Epiduo cleared up the front of my cheeks and forehead very well (neither of which were ever really a problem, though). The main reason I got Epiduo was the mild acne on my right side cheek. After Epiduo, this area has worsened significantly, and the left cheek has too. My skin stopped flaking after I started using moisturizer every day, but the redness just got worse. I now have small white bumps everywhere on both cheeks. I get flat pimples painful to touch and have 2-3 big whiteheads at any given time now (neither happened before). Summary: I got new acne; old acne never went away, it just changed into a worse form. I'll give it a few more weeks, but so far... :("

• fro...
• February 6, 2016

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."

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

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

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

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."

• han...
• January 7, 2017

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!"

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

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."

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

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)"

• I...
• December 20, 2015

For Acne "So, when I had just turned 13 last year, I started experiencing some breakouts on my forehead. They weren't that bad, so it wasn't much of a worry, but over the summer and throughout the year, it had gotten a lot worse. So, I went to a dermatologist in November, and they got me set up with some Epiduo. At first, I actually saw a good difference the first week, but into the second week, I experienced common problems, such as my face drying out, burning, redness, dryness, and flaky skin on my face. That all went away in my fourth or fifth week. I'm seeing some differences. Still have acne, but it's not as much as I had before, so it did help."