Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical and Redness: What Users Say (Page 5)

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

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I used to use adapalene only, which was very slow acting, up to 4 weeks to see results. After doing some research, I told my doctor to give me Epiduo. Within a day, redness and pimples had reduced dramatically. I go through periods where I don't use the gel due to laziness, and my acne comes back again. However, as soon as I use it again, my skin is clear within a matter of days. I'm not sure about how well Epiduo is for a long-term acne solution, but I know if you want immediate effects, then use this product."

• Aus...
• August 26, 2017

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "When I first started using Epiduo (roughly 2 years ago), I really struggled with dry, red, cracking skin. I was worried about the reaction and read a lot of reviews, many of which said, 'the redness and dryness stick around for 3 months and after that, it works perfectly.' In my experience, this was exactly right. After 3 months of the dry, cracking skin, my skin had adjusted and I had far fewer (and less severe) breakouts. At the time, I was taking doxycycline, which eventually became ineffective, and I've since been on the contraceptive pill for roughly 1.5 years. Epiduo is excellent for preventing small, bacterial pimples, and my skin is noticeably worse when I don't use Epiduo for a while."

• Kim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 29, 2016

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I was prescribed this due to acne around my chin/forehead and blackheads on my nose as well as my cheeks. The first two days of applying this at night it was fine. On the third day, I woke up to wash my face and noticed that my face was red, and when I used my daily face wash, it stung like crazy. After washing my face, I always use a facial moisturizer, and that even stung when I put it on! Later on in the day, I noticed that my face was so flaky. I did not apply the following two days due to stinging and extreme dryness. I plan to use it again when my symptoms die down, but instead of using it every day, I'll use it every other day instead. I think that this product is too harsh to use on your face every day."

• Ecr...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 11, 2025

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "Used it for acne during puberty. I applied a thin layer on my facial acne areas once or twice a day. It initially caused dryness and redness, but that resolved quickly, especially when I moisturized properly. It pretty much cleared most of my acne within a month. I also have no acne scarring in my T-zone, but some scarring outside as it would rub off in my bed too soon. So the gel does take a decent amount of time to absorb for full effects, even after drying. I am considering going back on it for acne and scarring as cosmetic retinoids are either not helping or worsening it."

• Tay...
• October 4, 2018

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I suffer from mild to moderate acne on my forehead, T-section, and chin. My mum ended up making an appointment to go see my GP for getting antibiotics to help cure my acne. My doctor prescribed me Epiduo and antibiotics. The first time I tried Epiduo, nothing happened. Then the second time I used it, I noticed a red itchy rash start to appear on my chin, then it appeared on my forehead, around my eyes, and on my cheeks. After the rash, my face got really red and started to swell up a little bit around my eyes. I read all the other reviews on this website, and it says to just minimize the amount I was using (noting I was using probably more than needed). I am also going to try using my Epiduo cream once every 2-3 days. Hopefully, minimizing the amount I use of this cream will mean the redness, swelling, itching, burning, and stinging will go away."

• Jac...
• January 10, 2018

For Acne "I felt like I tried everything for my skin, and it started to get to the stage where I didn't want to go out and meet my friends. I have only been taking this for a few weeks and have noticed a massive improvement already. Obviously, my acne has not completely cleared, but it's getting a lot better. I started off by putting it on once every 3 days because my doctor said that is the best way to get my skin used to it and reduce the dryness and redness that comes with it."

• Spr...
• October 23, 2015

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "Well, I was on Epiduo for about five months, and at first (like most acne medications) caused redness and peeling, but then it cleared up most of my acne. But then it seemed my body became used to it, and it no longer did anything."

• Cas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 28, 2016

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical "I suffer from cystic acne and was experiencing really big, red spots around my mouth, chin, and neck. The first couple of weeks using Epiduo was a bit traumatic - all the spots I was experiencing all raised up at the same time. I had around 6-7 large swollen spots on my chin. The Epiduo really made my skin red and dry also, which meant that any makeup I used to try and cover the spots would just come off. My face looked pretty terrible. However, I kept using it, and after 2-3 weeks, all the spots had gone. I have not been using Epiduo for around 7 weeks, and I haven't had any new spots occur. There is still some redness and scarring, however, it's getting better. Great product!"

• Use...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 21, 2019

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I have been using Epiduo alongside lymecycline for over a year for my acne. Using it every day on my body caused issues. After 4 days of using it daily, I started to feel pain on my skin, it felt like it was burning, leaving red patches all over. After that, I felt more bumps on my face. However, on my chest and back, it has helped greatly. Although my acne comes back near my period, the Epiduo helps a lot. I don't use it daily, just every other day on my chest and back."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 2, 2025

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I've had bad acne from my mid-20s going up into my 40s. Absolutely nothing worked, no matter how expensive the product. Epiduo is the first prescribed medication I have tried. The first week was awful, after 3 nights of using it, my skin burnt like mad, with redness, tightness in the throat, difficulty swallowing, puffy, scaly eyelids. I looked like some sort of lizard for the rest of the week. Aveeno was the only cream that worked to calm it. I haven't used it since, I was ready to throw it in the bin, but the miraculous thing is, and I can't find an explanation for it, my skin almost seemed to peel off a layer. It has been really smooth for 3 weeks since! As our skin goes through a 28-day cycle, I'm thinking it will soon come back, but I have never had skin this clear and smooth in my life!! It feels amazing! But I am worried about it returning... as I would be tempted to use it again for a week of hell!... just to have skin this clear. I can even use products that don't usually suit me!"

• Don...
• January 12, 2016

For Acne "I never really had bad skin when I was in my early teens, but when I was 17, it was as if overnight my face went from clear to horrible cystic acne all over. I looked horrible, people used to beg to know my secret of how I kept my face so perfect, to recommending products that could help. I went to the dermatologist and was put on an antibiotic and Epiduo. At first, it was the typical side effects: burning, peeling, redness. Then, within a month, my face was even better than before. The only thing it didn't do was clear blackheads I've always had on my nose and chin. My doctor said to try the peel-away strips to clear my pores because the medicine can't get down past my clogged pores. I'm going to try that and see if it works. This stuff works!"

• Bur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 21, 2023

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I used Epiduo for 3 nights in a row to clear up the spots and pustules on my skin. By the third night, I had to wash it off and apply a cold compress. I woke up the next morning, and my lips were swollen, and the skin on my face was red and sore. I stopped using it straight away. Five days after using, I still had spots, skin peeling, and very sore skin around my nose and chin."

• Ano...
• September 28, 2016

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "Oily skin, 29 days on Epiduo. Middle acne before using Epiduo. So when I started using Epiduo, I saw results the first week, my face was getting better. 2 weeks in Epiduo, my face was all red. 3 weeks, my face was getting worse. 4 weeks, it isn't improving. I will keep you updated."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 8, 2019

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I’ve been using Epiduo for 3 days. My acne is not very severe, but I would say that I’ve got quite a few pimples. The first night that I used it, my face didn’t react so badly, and I was happy because for one night, my face got a lot better, even discoloration brightened. Then came nights 2 and 3 - my face is really red (I look like a homeless alcoholic) despite that I use a good moisturizer. Now I notice that I got 3 new pimples. Even though I'm not going to give up, probably I will take a break and let my face breathe a little, but on the whole, I’m positive about Epiduo."

• lau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 30, 2024

For Acne "I'm glad I listened to everyone and stuck through the process as it took over two months to stop the breakouts. I struggled with hormonal acne for years (pustules, nodules, and cysts) until I tried Retin-A Micro, which cleared me right up for three years. Last fall, I decided to try Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream on my face, which plugged up my pores and caused severe cystic and nodular (hard bumps) acne on my skin. I tried the Retin-A, but it wasn't working. I decided to give Tactupump a go, and I went through all of the side effects - purging, dry, flaky, red skin, eczema on my eyelids and neck. I kept through it, though, and after two months of consistent use, I can finally see the light - no more active breakouts, only redness left over. I'm so grateful for the comments here as when I felt like giving up, I read 'DON'T GIVE UP,' and it's true, sometimes it will take months for this treatment to work."

• San...
• April 2, 2015

For Acne "I used this acne cream about a week ago and now I can say that the acne on my face has decreased very much. I had acne on the top portions of both cheeks and they were not going away for months. So for five days I applied the cream every night. Be forewarned that the cream burns/stings a lot. But I believe it is worth it. My skin is very sensitive and by the fifth day I started getting worried because I thought that the red marks that appeared on my acne areas because of the cream would not go away! So I stopped applying it on the fifth day. And the day after, I went to the doctor and he prescribed Cortate Cream for me to get rid of the red spots. I've been applying it for 2-3 days and the red spots are now gone."

• com...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 16, 2022

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I strongly recommend this medication for comedonal acne. I am 33 years old and underwent fertility treatment. Other prescriptions wouldn't help the bumps on my cheeks. A few days of Epiduo (Tactupump in Canada) and my comedones are almost gone! This is a seriously strong medication - do not put it anywhere near your mouth (2 in. on either side of the corners), or anywhere near the eyes, including the cheekbones. You will be red and shed so much dry skin. This cream is the reason I started using Cetaphil moisturizer - first to cover all areas but my cheeks and T-zone, then to coat and seal over the gel once dried to concentrate the product. Epiduo seems to bring my many close acne bumps into one whitehead on each cheek that bursts. There is pigmentation after, but this goes away over time, with the use of other products. However, this is so worth it for the ultra-smooth skin. It truly sucked all the oil out of my hormonal face in a matter of days!"

• Col...
• December 19, 2016

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I have been using this medication with Apo-doxy for 2 weeks now. The first 4 days I had no new breakouts, but now it's starting to get worse. That's what the doctor said, so I am still going to use it. For people that have burning red skin, please get some Neutrogena dry skin moisturizer, it is the best thing for your face. Use it in the morning for a few days, and it will reduce the redness and dry skin. It also stops the burning when you apply the Tactupump. Anyways, I hope this medication works for me. I am really embarrassed about my acne."

• 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."

• Aj ...
• April 27, 2016

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "First day, my skin feels fine and normal. Second day, minor scaling of skin. Third day, my skin gets itchy, redness, and scaling of skin becomes more noticeable. Fourth day, burns like crazy, my skin looks worse than it was before. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, it is hell. I am currently sensitive to sun and touch, and now I have more acne. Here's some advice: if you have the side effects, use petroleum jelly and wash your face every now and then. Right now, I'm raging in pain, therefore, I am not willing to continue using this product."

• Min...
• August 30, 2015

For Acne "This is literally the worst medication ever. I've used it only a couple of times, and it's done nothing but set my face on fire. I've had this rash around my nose for years, and a doctor prescribed me this gel, and it's bruised my face. It's made my rash rougher and very red, it burns and makes my face all flaky (even though I only put a dot around my nose). I don't recommend this medication for anyone, it's not effective at all. My sister also used it, and it did the same to her, so it's not only my skin. Around my nose is all blotchy and red, it hurts, and it's lumpy and VERY rough. It's been like this for days, and I don't know what to do. I hope it doesn't scar, I'd be devastated. This medication only made it worse."

• rac...
• October 26, 2015

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I have been using Epiduo for a week now. I have combination skin, but mostly oily, and I'm 17 years old. I have mild acne, but I just wanted to get rid of it completely. Since I have only been using it for a week, my rating is a 5. I put it on every night, and my skin surprisingly has not been very dry. It does make my sensitive skin more red, though, and I started to see an improvement, but then it pretty much made me break out. But that's the process of cleaning out your pores, so I'm excited to see the results when it becomes a full month or 2 months. I recommend using this because I have high hopes for this product."

• 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."

• Kat...
• February 28, 2017

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I have been recently having bad acne for a year now, I went to my dermatologist and they prescribed Epiduo. For the first week it worked great and really helped with my acne. But during the second week, that's when it started to get bad. After I would use it, my skin would burn and it hurt so bad that I was in tears. Nothing helped the burning but applying ice to it. It also made my face very red and my skin started to flake off. I don't tend to have sensitive skin either... would not recommend."

• Geo...
• November 5, 2016

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I hated it! Did not help my skin whatsoever, and I had to get off it within a week due to bad side effects. Epiduo made my skin burn extremely badly whenever I put it on my face, it made my eyes water and almost had me in tears. As well as that, it made my skin super sensitive, it now stings to put moisturizer, foundation, or anything on my skin! My skin went super red and flaky. Would definitely not recommend as I'm still experiencing the redness, sensitivity, and extreme dryness after being off Epiduo for 4 days."