Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical and Stinging: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Sav...
• May 7, 2016

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I went to the doctor to see what type of medication I could get on to clear up my acne (mostly around my mouth and little dots on my forehead). My doctor recommended using Epiduo, and it has changed my life. My zits were painful, and I felt like I couldn't talk to anyone because all they would see is my acne. The first week, my skin took some getting used to. It was very dry in the places where I applied it and would crack since it was around my mouth. It also stung and was irritating for the first 4 days. After that, I couldn't feel anything, and I could see a MAJOR difference in my skin. I'm so happy I tried this and recommend it for anyone who is struggling like I was."

• ele...
• September 10, 2017

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "It burned, and my skin got really dry in the beginning, but after the first 2-3 weeks, my skin got used to it, and it's awesome! I've seen a huge difference in the 5 months I've been using it. I don't have as many breakouts as before, and right when a pimple shows up, I put on Epiduo, and it's practically gone the next morning. If it stings a lot or your skin peels, skip it for a day or two and then continue using it."

• Pim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2018

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I started getting adult acne at 35. I’d never had acne in my life. It was horrible. Along my jawline, I had all kinds of acne: cystic, whiteheads, blackheads, no heads... lol. I went to a dermatologist and had chemical peels. Used expensive skincare regimens prescribed by my esthetician. $1,000s later, I tried Epiduo Forte. I have been in treatment now for 8 weeks, and I can see a remarkable difference. And it’s not just me, my husband noticed initially. Yes, it stings a little, and if you aren't using a moisturizer, you will get peeling and dry skin. I am sure to put on an extremely high SPF EVERY DAY. (Very important)"

• Pot...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 26, 2016

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I had the worst skin in my year. It started off small, but then went haywire at the end of year seven to the beginning of year eight. Then my mum's fabulous doctor friend helped me out on Epiduo! I've never had better skin! I've gone from not being able to touch an inch of clear skin to being not able to touch a fragment of bumpy skin! Epiduo is a lifesaver. Without it, I don't know what my skin would look like now. It didn't really sting my face, but if your skin is dry, it will."

• Sos...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 19, 2019

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I started Epiduo a week ago, and I must say there has been a difference. I experienced a few breakouts a few days after I started using it, but nothing to worry about. I went from using it every night to three times a week, as I got a lot of stinging on my face when I tried using a cleanser or moisturizer with it. I also got a sunscreen to use during the day because, guys, you definitely need that. But overall, this is a great product to try. It creates new skin, and my face is feeling fresh and healthy."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 11, 2019

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I was prescribed Epiduo and Onexton by my dermatologist about three weeks ago. When I started Epiduo, I didn’t notice much but a tightening feeling after applying. The first four days, I noticed it made my acne significantly smaller and flat. But after the fifth day, my face started burning insanely after every application. So bad I wanted to cry, and I would want to stick my face in the freezer. I dreaded every application. My face would burn all day, and I was feeling horrible all over my face. I couldn’t even apply moisturizer or makeup because it would sting. I guess my face was too sensitive for such a harsh product :/ I have mild hormonal acne, with blackheads and milia in my jaw and cheek region."

• Mrs...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 2, 2015

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "Unfortunately, this medication just didn't work for me. First off, while I understood from the many reviews I read that there may be some stinging, the pain I experienced was excruciating and didn't dissipate with time. The pain actually turned out to be an allergic reaction to benzoyl peroxide, so don't disregard it if you continue to experience pain despite careful, staggered application over a couple of months. Secondly, it simply didn't clear my acne, but it did temporarily smooth out my frown lines and fine lines on my forehead, which was an unexpected bonus. Hope it works for you, it was simply the wrong product for me (Aczone turned out to do the trick)!"

• Lib...
• November 30, 2015

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I just finished my first week using Epiduo. I have mild acne and oily skin. Details day-by-day: -1st and 2nd days: I felt no difference at all. My skin was just the same before starting the treatment. Not much to say. -3rd and 4th days: I was surprised because new grains were appearing. I didn't know what was happening until I researched about it. The issue is that Epiduo pulls out your grains and then kills the grain spot so it does not respawn again. So it's normal if new grains appear meanwhile you are using it. -5th, 6th, and 7th days: I started to feel a bit of stinging sensation in the areas where I was applying the cream. Be really careful to not apply in the eyelids. Also, my skin started to peel off and it's very dry."

• 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."

• WKE...
• June 23, 2017

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I have been struggling with acne for a little over five years now. I finally went to the dermatologist after trying literally every face soap on this planet and got prescribed Epiduo Forte. I have oily skin and a lot of comedones on my forehead. The first week I could see the bumps on my forehead going down and some of them even disappearing. Then the second week my face was burning, and whenever I would apply my regular face wash, my face would sting, and it would hurt to apply it. I would definitely recommend using a moisturizer with this prescription. My pimples have come back, though, and my skin is worse. I am on my third week, which is a purge session, so I hope to see better results in the future to come."

• Daw...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 7, 2020

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "This has cleared my skin completely!! When I first had been prescribed the cream, I was very unsure because my skin is very sensitive and also has mild/severe acne. When I first used it, it would sting and dry my skin out, but I realized I was using too much, and you literally only need the smallest amount. I also recommend combining it with your moisturizer to help with dryness and its harshness. Your acne will probably become worse before better, but 10/10 recommended, especially for teens who have little time for a face routine."

• Bes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2023

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "My daughter has used this product, and her skin is burnt. She’s 14, and her skin is stinging and hurting her. I wouldn’t recommend buying it because it hasn’t worked, and she has used it for ages, but now it's stopped. I know it’s supposed to sting, but not this bad. It’s awful seeing my daughter in pain! I would not recommend it."

• VAG...
• December 4, 2017

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I'm a little over a month using this cream to help clear mild acne. The first few weeks were horrible. Face would sting, especially around the mouth and corner of eyes. Skin was peeling and super dry, with dry patches appearing during the day. I use it every night and, if needed, would take a night off. However, I stopped feeling them around week 3. My routine is: exfoliate face with Philosophy exfoliating wash, followed by cleansing with their face wash. I apply a vitamin C serum (Trueskin is the brand), leave to air dry for 2 minutes, then I use CeraVe daily moisturizer, applying a generous amount. Wait 5 minutes, then apply one pump of Epiduo Forte gel on cheeks and chin. My skin looks drastically clearer. Still get breakouts around cycle, but they don't last long at all."

• Ssh...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 5, 2016

For Acne "Much like many other individuals who posted on this forum, I experienced the same burning, peeling, and stinging feeling after using this product. However, I continued to moisturize and used drops of face oil. Only a small amount goes a long way. After a few months of using this product, the side effects went away. My skin is a little dry in the areas I use the medication, but I continue to moisturize using Cetaphil. Now my face is absolutely clear. No blackheads, no pimples. I've never been so happy with my skin. I had the worst cystic, deeply impacted blackheads and cystic pimples. Now I experience none of these. If you're experiencing the side effects, talk to your doctor, but sometimes just waiting goes a long way! Good luck!"

• Sho...
• February 8, 2017

For Acne "(Background: hormonal adult acne, dry skin) I went on Epiduo when my acne started getting relatively moderate when I was around 21. I had read about the initial purge and was willing to stick it out. My face was raw, red, painful to touch, all moisturizers stung whether they were oil or water based, I couldn't wear makeup and my acne was worse. I stuck it out for 4 months and convinced myself each week I was 'seeing results,' but my acne was still moderate, but I had a lot of new scars. Recently, I got Neutrogena's Rapid Clear Leave-On Mask, which is 2.5% BP you can apply up to 3x a day - no redness, barely any flakes. I truly believe I was intolerant to the adapalene or any inactive ingredients. Switch after 4 weeks if you don't see results!"

• 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."

• 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."

• Mar...
• October 17, 2015

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I was using this medicine on my face, and it caused my face to burn and sting and be really dry and peeling. When I would play basketball, I would sweat a lot, and the sweat would make my face sting and burn even worse. My acne has not gotten better at all. I think it has even gotten worse. I do not recommend people with normally dry skin, and if you sweat on your face a lot, to use 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."

• Pea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 18, 2020

For Acne "I’ve been using Tactupump for 2 months and am still currently using it. It definitely burned and stung the first week or so, but nothing major. I never really experienced a huge purge, but it did get better and worse and better and worse before the point I am at now. I still have the occasional pimple and leftover spots, but overall it has helped me. Get through the first couple of months, and I hope it’ll help you too. Tip: wear sunscreen or limit time outside! I went to the beach one day and wore sunscreen and a hat, I did not think I burnt, but sure enough, I went inside to apply more sunscreen, and it burnt like crazy!!!! I couldn’t even use my gentle cleanser, my face hurt so bad, it subsided in a day though, just be careful."

• Lau...
• October 6, 2015

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I had cystic acne, although not much of my face is affected by it, but the area I do have it is extremely bad! I have just been put on a 6-month course of antibiotics and Epiduo. I have only been using it for a week and, like many of the reviews say, my skin has been very sore and even the mildest of wash/moisturizers still sting when applied. But I think I have found a solution! When I apply the Mario Badescu healing soothing mask after washing my face, I rinse that off and then apply Epiduo, I have absolutely no sting at all! I would recommend people trying this! As far as whether it works or not, I think it's far too early to say but I hope I'm one of the success stories!"

• Bri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 23, 2013

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I was 13 when I got my first Epiduo. I suffered from serious, painful burning on my cheek/chin. It was so bad, I couldn't wear foundation or moisturizing cream because it stung, and it felt like it scraped loads of my skin off. I have been using it for about 1-2 months, and I cannot see a difference. The doctor said it's the best spot treatment, but I wouldn't really recommend it, and I'm on my second prescription of Epiduo now."

• 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."

• Isa...
• November 22, 2015

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "I've got mixed feelings about this product. I had blackheads on my nose and cheeks and also around the eyebrows, so I used Epiduo gel around my face. First couple of days, no difference. I've stopped using it. When I put sunscreen, moisturizer, makeup, or other acne gels on, I got a really bad stinging. My face was as bright as a tomato (I haven't been in the sun). My face was peeling! I now have to have a face washer on my face to cool it down, but I noticed that all my blackheads are gone and there's no sign of pimples. My paws are really clear with no signs of pimples, but I still have the 'sun' burn."

• Sar...
• May 3, 2020

Adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical for Acne "The first time using Epiduo was on Monday. It felt tingly but didn’t cause any pain, however, when I applied it on Tuesday, my skin began to burn to the point where I was uncomfortable the whole night. On Wednesday, it was just as bad. My skin felt hot, was stinging and burning, and was so painful. Cleansing and moisturizing was now giving me the similar burning sensation. On Thursday, my skin felt extremely tight, itchy, and sensitive. The skin around my mouth and on my chin was starting to peel, and it only got worse the next day. The peeling spread to around my eyes and eyebrows. I stopped using Epiduo because it was causing a lot of damage when I was seeing very minimal results. My skin is now extremely dry and sore, and I have to now see a dermatologist because it has only worsened my skin. My experience may sound insignificant due to the fact I only used Epiduo for two days, however, I want people to be aware of how painful and damaging this product can be."