Duac for Acne User Reviews (Page 5)

• mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 23, 2013

"I applied Duac on my face as instructed, and after 2 days of using it, I noticed that my pimples started to disappear, but the problem is my whole face got swollen, itchy, and red. I can't even sleep and go to school for days. So what I did is visit my doctor again, and he told me that those were the side effects of the product and told me to stop using it. To relieve the stinging and redness, I used an ice pack on my face and put moisturizer non-stop. Luckily, after a few days the swelling and redness disappeared. Thank God my acne disappeared, and since then, whenever pimples appear on my face, I just applied the gel directly on the pimples."

• Nat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 29, 2020

"I started using Duac gel in November 2018. It worked instantly for me, and all of my spots had completely vanished within a week. I used it every night, and it worked perfectly for me for over a year! However, it stopped working in June 2020 for me, and hasn’t worked since. I tried new bottles to see whether one was faulty or expired, but it just isn’t effective anymore, and my acne has sadly come back. Definitely worth trying, however, I think the skin must get used to the gel, and over time it can become ineffective."

• amy...
• November 18, 2017

"I've always suffered with acne, however, following two Roaccutane treatments and Epiduo (which was amazing!!) for two years, it was well under control... until Epiduo stopped working. After a huge hormonal breakout on my 30th birthday, I was at my wit's end, thinking acne had come back full force. I researched Isotrex gel and had high hopes, but it didn't work at all. After 11 weeks, I realized I needed something else. Less than 8 days ago, I went to my GP requesting Duac - since I put this on my face, I haven't had a single spot, and my skin looks how it used to. No new spots, no daily whiteheads, and no red peeling face! It's completely clear. This is the first time in 4 months that I dare go out of the house without makeup! Please give it a try."

• Tar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2017

"Have been using the cream for about a week on my jawline/cheek where, after several months of failed creams and face washes, I was recommended this cream by my GP. Admittedly, it has left my skin very dry and is getting flaky, but is also getting rid of the acne. Be careful that you do wash your hands afterward and do not touch the affected area after applying cream, as I have unwittingly, the first 2 to 3 nights, caused the cream to spread to areas where I have no acne, causing the skin to dry out. I am interested to see, as others have commented before, whether or not the dryness eases up after my skin acclimatizes to the cream. Would definitely recommend intense moisturizing on the affected area."

• Lou...
• February 14, 2016

"I'm 26 and have suffered from severe spots since my early teens. I've been using this cream for around 3 weeks now. I had quite severe spots on my chin that would become really sore. My Dr. gave me Duac along with tablets to take for 6 weeks. I've noticed such a massive improvement already, and I've got so much more confidence. It does dry your skin, but I've started using cleanser and a cleansing oil after washing my face, and I've got no dry skin. Only apply to areas that need it because it can make your face really red and itchy. Overall, I think it's brilliant. I'm so glad I finally went to my Dr."

• Dem...
• January 12, 2017

"Duac has been working well for me. Granted, it does dry the hell out of my skin, so I make sure to exfoliate in the daytime 2 to 3 times a week and use coconut oil on particularly dry patches, otherwise, things like foundation look awful on top of the dryness. That said, I have been able to comfortably wear no makeup most of the time anyway, as the Duac really has seemed to have gotten rid of the bad spots. I'm left with some red marks/scars from acne, but that can easily be concealed. The only cons are the drying out of the skin and the fact it has to be kept in the fridge, as I'm constantly on the move! Overall, it's been the best thing for me and my skin."

• CaK...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 27, 2016

"This product started to work for me in about a week. I had problems with chin acne, and it cleared up within two weeks. It did leave my skin dry and itchy, so I used a moisturizer for my skin the next morning after applying the gel the night before. A very effective product, I love it!"

• Iva...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 14, 2019

"Duac has cleared all teen pimples on my face, but it doesn't help with cystic acne issues. I still have painful and big acne on my nose, and this doesn't help! From what I've seen, Accutane is what I will end up on :("

• Emm...
• December 28, 2015

"I have tried many creams and masks to treat my acne but found only Duac worked. It reduced spots and decreased the amount I got. It worked within 5 or so days, and I would definitely recommend it to friends."

• Meg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 11, 2013

"Love this, and it's only been three days. I have had acne since I was 16 and just put up with it after trying Proactiv, Chinese medicine, every brand of stuff from the supermarket and chemist (well, almost), the Dianne contraceptive combination pill, changing diet, washing face compulsively, and also washing face less often! Nothing seemed to work! After having my son 3 months ago and frustrated with my acne, I decided to ask the doctor! I got a sample tube of this miracle cream and noticed a huge improvement on the first application, after half a day, my acne was less raised, and my older spots were healed with just a little bit of redness! Into my third day, and I'm so impressed, gained a bit of confidence back, and feeling good about myself!"

• Di ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 18, 2016

"I started to have acne issues after. Was trying to treat it with simple anti-acne medicines. Didn't help to recover fully, but managed to reduce a bit. Thought it's taking too long (1.5 months), so went to GP, who prescribed me Duac. Started to apply, the next morning, acne seemed to start drying. So continued for the next night. On day 3, woke up with severe redness on my forehead, chin, and places around my nose. It was the weekend, so couldn't go to see my GP straight away. Had to call my friend, a doctor, who said that the redness is caused by an allergic reaction. Apparently, it took time before Duac got absorbed into my skin and reached the blood capillary. That's why it took a while before the allergy appeared. Be very careful with this gel!!!!"

• Chr...
• July 1, 2021

"After a few months of struggling with never-ending spots, having used Duac for less than a week, my skin is pretty much cleared. It has left my skin pretty flaky, however, it has done such a fab job of clearing my skin that it does not bother me."

• spa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 22, 2015

"I'm 15 years old, and I've been on this treatment for about a year. Straight away, when I started using it, my skin totally cleared up within weeks. I stopped using the treatment for about 2-3 weeks, and I immediately noticed within a week of not using it, my spots had come back. I couldn't get hold of the Duac because there was a manufacturing problem, but when I could get it again and started using it, my spots wouldn't go away. It took around 2 months to get clear skin the first time around, but the second time, it took around 8 months. Another problem I've had with Duac is about 2-4 times I've used it, it's burned my face, so I've had to rub it off, and it tends to give me really flaky, dry, tight skin. Overall, I think it's really good."

• Liz...
• April 14, 2019

"My daughter is 14 years old and had been suffering from acne for about 2 years. She'd tried everything, and then I took her to the doctor, and they gave her Duac gel. At first, she thought this isn’t going to work. The doctor told her that it would take 4 to 6 weeks to see a difference, but it’s only been a week, and I see a massive difference in her skin. It made her skin go dry and patchy the first couple of days, so she just added oil-free moisturizer, and it helps. Her skin is so smooth-looking since using this gel. I highly recommend this!!"

• Ell...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 19, 2016

"I'm a 13-year-old girl going through puberty, and of course, puberty brings a bunch of annoying problems, including acne. My acne is mild, but a few have pus in them, and I'd rather not have that. I've had spots for about 3 years now (the first year only using drugs over the counter), and my spots wouldn't disappear after that first year. I went to see the doctor as I had started to get bacne (back acne). He prescribed Duac, once-daily gel. I honestly think Duac is the best thing I've ever used on my skin. I personally didn't experience any dryness or peeling, and I think that's because I put a thin layer over my face and washed my face every morning and night with a good acne-banishing facial wash (such as Vichy). A few days, no spots!!"

• lil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 14, 2018

"I was prescribed Duac 3% about two months ago by my dermatologist. Because my skin is quite sensitive, he told me to use it on alternate days and to use a different cream on the in-between days, so that's what I did. I only experienced extremely dry skin for about two days, two weeks after starting the treatment, besides that, I had no side effects. My problem was that on both sides of my face, I was having pus-filled pimples and a lot of big ones underneath the skin as well. I wouldn't say that the treatment worked fast for me, but it did work. I'm two months in, and my pimples are almost completely gone, no marks, no redness. Totally recommend this product under doctor's prescription. If you have more severe acne, you may want to ask for Duac 5%, but it is not recommended if you have sensitive skin, as it may contribute to severe dryness and skin breaks and cracks."

• Sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 20, 2016

"I was prescribed this by the doctor. She never mentioned that it could make my skin raw, dry, flaky, etc., so when I read reviews, I was a bit afraid to use it. I didn't slather it on but put it on the spots directly (though it says it's not for that). I figured if they dried out, it wouldn't be too bad. I tried this, and I thought it was really gentle. I had no red, dry skin, the spots looked smaller...this made me think that maybe mine was out of date or hadn't been kept in the fridge before use, like it says to do. Maybe I just have really resilient skin (as I have had acid peels). So for me, this was good. My skin isn't perfect, but the big spots I used to get are a thing of the past, and any new ones shrink quickly."

• ALe...
• January 15, 2012

"Duac is a great acne topical cream, but it works better if you take oral acne medications as well. It takes a couple of weeks for skin to completely look better, but stick with it. Use it once a day before going to bed, and I normally cleanse with Aveeno Clear Complexion, but Prascion as well if you ask your doctor. I have suffered with acne since I was 14, and now I'm twenty, and minocycline with Duac saved my high school life."

• Ann...
• March 1, 2016

"First time I tried this, it left me with VERY red, itchy, and dry skin for at least a week, so I took a gap and coated my face in coconut oil instead for a week to help it. I then went back onto it, using a little less than before, but also I swapped my moisturizer with coconut oil. My skin is still dry and can get itchy, but the redness has totally gone down, the red acne scarring on my face has gone down a lot, and it's only been two weeks. Very impressed."

• Eli...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 6, 2020

"When I was a teenager and my acne was more mild to moderate. This was my absolute favorite prescription topical to use, it wasn't overly harsh and would clear my acne substantially and quickly with no initial breakout. But now my acne has unfortunately evolved into adult acne, which is a lot more inflammatory and under the skin. This product is not strong enough to address the problem."

• Gir...
• February 20, 2017

"I used this cream for my acne, and about 3 months later, it cleared up my skin. However, it did leave my skin itchy, dry, and very red. I stopped using the cream for about a month and use it occasionally when I get a spot, but when I go to take it off, I have a red mask on! It's worse than having spots, to be fair. I have red patches everywhere, and it takes a while to go. Does anyone know how to get rid of the red itchy skin?"

• Cam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 16, 2018

"Patience is key. I have oily/combination skin, and I have been using this for 4 months, and my skin is slowly improving. At the start, it did make my skin go red and itchy (I still get the itchiness from time to time now), but it goes down, and I saw results after 2 months. My acne hasn't completely gone away, but my skin's texture has improved, and my past spots have gone. I replace my cream every 2 months, as otherwise it expires and loses its effect. If you use this, remember you won't see major results in a day or a week, it will take time, and hopefully it's worth it and it works for you, but it might not work for everyone."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 17, 2020

"Great! I love it. I’ve only been using this medication for about a week and a bit, but I can really see the difference. My doctor prescribed me this medication, and I was a bit worried about using this 'unknown' cream. But this proved me wrong! Very effective. 10/10. Would give a 100/10 if possible, haha."

• Fre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 25, 2015

"I'm 17 now and had been suffering from acne during high school years. During summer, I used Duac. At first, I had side effects of my skin peeling and extremely dry skin, but it eventually got better and cleared my skin up so well! Only got blemishes to deal with now. Cleared up within 6 weeks, all clear for college. I felt much more confident."

• Bus...
• September 21, 2017

"Well, I'm a bit confused. I started using this 2 weeks ago, and the other day I commented to my husband that my skin had really cleared up and I was feeling much better. Yesterday, I came up all red and blotchy and itchy, and today it looks even worse. Not sure if I've used too much or should have washed it off about an hour later or what, but I look absolutely hideous - now plastering my face in E45 and hoping it goes down soon."