Benzoyl peroxide / clindamycin topical and Redness: What Users Say (Page 2)

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

Benzoyl peroxide / clindamycin topical for Acne "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

Benzoyl peroxide / clindamycin topical for Acne "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!!!!"

• Anonymous
• December 8, 2009

Benzoyl peroxide / clindamycin topical for Acne "I went to a new dermatologist because my acne is out of control. I've had acne for 10 years, and this is the worst it has ever been. He gave me Acanya for the morning, and it stings so bad I could cry. My face turns red, it's tight, burning, and not improving. I've been using Acanya for almost a week, I know results might take longer. As for now, I am not happy. Just be warned, it is very drying and can make your day uncomfortable."

• Whi...
• July 16, 2019

Benzoyl peroxide / clindamycin topical for Acne "I was prescribed this by my doctor for some minor cystic acne around my chin (I'm in my mid-20s). I used it as instructed, knowing that due to the benzoyl peroxide, it would irritate and dry the skin initially, but after five days, I just had to stop. My skin became raw, red, flaky, excoriated, discolored, and painfully dry. It made my skin WORSE, instead of a few ugly spots, I now had angry, red, peeling patches on my face, and for nearly a week, I had to slather on liberal amounts of moisturizer and bio-oil just to keep the itchiness, irritation, and pain of my dry cracked skin down to tolerable levels. Five days of using Duac, and it took my skin over a week to get to the point where I don't have to layer on moisturizer to get through the day (still not even back to where it was pre-Duac), and the worst part was, it didn't even help with the spots! They're still there. Completely useless, made my skin so much worse. 100% would not recommend."

• Pat...
• August 16, 2016

Benzoyl peroxide / clindamycin topical for Acne "Had a cyst-like spot thing on my chin that lasted for 3 years. Would come and go, always raising its ugly head. I got this cream from my GP, used it for one month, and any recurring spots have not completely gone. It's been nearly a year and clear skin! Very, very happy with the results. It does cause your skin to dry out when you use it and can be a little red, but this goes down after a few days. Worth it for the end result."

• Ano...
• February 1, 2015

For Acne "I cannot tell you how much this has changed my life! I was always afraid to go to the dermatologist because it would cost too much. Finally, I sucked it up and went. I was prescribed clindamycin phosphate benzoyl peroxide gel for morning application and adapalene for at night. The gel does dry your face out, more when you first start using it. At first, my face was really irritated and red after applying, and it lasted for about a month. I stuck through it, and it was so worth it. I might get a pimple every few months now, and I suffered from cystic acne before. I really, really suggest sticking with it even though it will burn your face for the first few weeks."

• Anonymous
• July 31, 2016

Benzoyl peroxide / clindamycin topical for Acne "Absolutely amazing!! I first got this and was unsure, but when I used it, I had no redness, flakiness, nothing. In 1 week, 90% of my acne was gone, and in 2 weeks, I was acne-free. I've been using this for months, and I feel confident and not scared to sweat or get dirty, as I used Duac at night, and all day I'm protected from acne, and I haven't had spots for like 4 months."

• Arl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 29, 2015

Benzoyl peroxide / clindamycin topical for Acne "I've used it for a week, and the first three days were okay besides the peeling off the skin; it was moderate and not itchy a lot, so I gave it a chance. After a week or so, one morning I woke up with completely irritated skin, red; it was like I had a laser procedure. I didn't use it the following night, hoping redness and itchiness would go for good, but the following day was even worse. Puffy, red, itchy, and irritated skin, dry like a raisin. So, as it's the weekend, I have to stay calm till tomorrow's doctor's appointment, hoping it will all get cured. It really seems like an allergy or chemical burn. I really hope it will be healed. I really advise using it on small parts of the acne-affected places just to give it a try."

• chl...
• November 30, 2011

Benzoyl peroxide / clindamycin topical for Acne "I have been using this cream for over a year now, and my spots have cleared. I do still get the occasional one now and then, but that's normal. Duac cream has reduced the darkness of my blackheads as well. I have also been noticing my skin has been quite red, so I've laid off the cream for a while and just been using a scrub before bed to see. Overall, I would recommend this to anyone, but there are side effects if you are allergic to some of the products in it. Ask your doctor for more information. Hope this helped."

• ask...
• February 18, 2018

Benzoyl peroxide / clindamycin topical for Acne "This was great for my blackheads for the first few months that I used it. Really smoothed out my skin, got rid of blemishes, and even helped prevent breakouts (and if I did get something, it dramatically reduced how bad it was and how long it lasted). Then all of a sudden, it started making my face red. Not itchy or dry (kind of shiny actually), but very red. My dermatologist told me to try using it every other night instead of every night. But still, whenever I'd apply it, I'd wake up the next day so red, and it would be like that for a full day, sometimes two days. I kept trying to reduce the frequency of use, but every time I use it now I just get completely red. Not sure what the deal is, but it no longer feels worth it. A shame though, since it was great when it was working."

• Bee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 16, 2020

For Acne "I have been using benzoyl peroxide with clindamycin on my acne for a few days now, and it has really helped clear it up so far. The doctor told me it was very drying, so to avoid irritation, itchiness, etc., I apply it at the end of my skin routine after moisturizer. Based on some of the reviews, I was nervous to use it, so I did a skin test before putting it all over my face, and I haven’t experienced any redness or peeling skin, as some people have. Everyone’s skin is different, and I'm not an esthetician, but I think as long as your skin is properly moisturized beforehand, you will reap the benefits of the medication without many of the side effects (provided you have no allergies and you pass the skin test, etc.). I only use it once a night and am hoping once my skin clears up to slowly wean it out of my routine."

• m45...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 30, 2015

Benzoyl peroxide / clindamycin topical for Acne "Awful product. Did not do anything it was supposed to. I have very, very mild acne. I wouldn't even call it acne, just pimples. And every time I have tried to use Acanya, it hasn't helped with any pimples and just left my face red and burned the next day. This redness stays for at least 4 days. It's so embarrassing and not worth it for a product that just makes your pimples more obvious because of huge red spots. Awful product. Throwing it in the garbage so I never have the idea of using it again."

• Ros...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 13, 2016

Benzoyl peroxide / clindamycin topical for Acne "I went to the doctor's about my acne, and she prescribed me this gel. I used it on my face the first night I got it, and it was fine, I woke up with a few red patches, but overall thought it worked well. I applied it on the second night, and I woke up to severe redness and itchiness on my face, as well as big dry patches on my cheeks, chin, and forehead. Turns out I had an allergic reaction to this gel, which has left my sensitive skin unbearable to look at. It has caused my eyes to swell up, and itching still persists."

• Kee...
• June 4, 2016

Benzoyl peroxide / clindamycin topical for Acne "Day 3 of using Duac gel, and my face is red, irritated, and very itchy. I woke in the night with a very itchy face, and it kept me awake, so I decided to wash it and apply a few layers of a moisturizer. It is still considerably itchy, but I think that helped. I have quite dry skin anyway, so I'm guessing that's why my face got so itchy. Hopefully, I'll start seeing better results soon."

• Con...
• July 4, 2016

Benzoyl peroxide / clindamycin topical for Acne "Very effective from the beginning! Although I came across a few side effects - redness, dryness, peeling of skin - this cream completely eliminated most of my acne. I particularly found it astonishing that over the space of a few months my cysts had decreased - in size - dramatically. They'd shrink and leak until they vanish, usually not leaving any scars, only marks - which will fade over a period of time. When my skin was feeling painful due to the side effects - stinging at night - I'd stop using Duac for a couple of days and moisturize up. Once the side effects decreased slightly, I'd go back on it. I took Duac alongside the antibiotic erythromycin - however, I didn't find that drug effective."

• Ash...
• March 7, 2019

Benzoyl peroxide / clindamycin topical for Acne "I’ve suffered with mild to moderate acne from about 14 years old and had tried almost every product and treatment method possible. As I turned 20, I’d noticed all my friends who’d had bad spots had lovely clear skin, and I was the only one who still had acne. I went to my doctor, and she prescribed me Duac. Within 3 days, the bumps I’d had under the skin on my forehead for years had gone. I was thrilled, and my skin became the clearest and softest it’d been since I was a child! After a week, I had no spots at all, even maintaining clear skin on my period. However, when I reached the end of my second month using it, I reduced the frequency of applying as I started to get redness on my cheeks after washing it off. I’ve now been off of it for 5 weeks, and my skin is back to where it was before I started the course, and the confidence I’d found through having clear skin has vanished, which is disappointing. The product itself worked marvelously for the 9/10 weeks I used it though, and the first couple after!"

• I ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2015

Benzoyl peroxide / clindamycin topical for Acne "Would not recommend this. I was recently prescribed by my dermatologist by using it every evening. I used it once, and the next day my entire face was red and itchy. I heard that the irritated skin lasts for a few days. Not only does it barely help my acne condition, but it's embarrassing and ridiculous to have to walk around with my face completely red."

• Emi...
• May 7, 2015

Benzoyl peroxide / clindamycin topical for Acne "I am a 23 y/o female and have had moderate acne since I was a teenager. I went to the dermatologist about 3 weeks ago, and she prescribed me Acanya for the morning, Ziana at night, and Minocycline twice a day. I can say I see a huge difference in my acne, I have had no new pimples since starting this treatment, and my acne marks are fading. My only issue is that the creams (mostly the Acanya) make my face red and burn very badly for an hour or so after applying, but that goes away. My lips are very dry and cracked as well. I do use a moisturizer, but I'm liberal with it because my face gets very oily."

• Nin...
• July 24, 2015

For Acne "I never do reviews, but after reading all the positive ones written on here, I felt frustrated as no one seems to mention the actual side effects of this gel. The first side effect I noticed was the redness it caused on the areas I put the gel. For me, it made my acne even more noticeable as now my skin tone was more uneven and looked even more sore. Another BIG side effect is the dryness, my skin is so flaky. So now, covering my acne with makeup is a near impossible task. Also, it is important to note I am moisturizing, which unfortunately, thanks to the fact my skin is burnt from the gel, just stings! As far as I'm concerned, this gel aims to fix one problem by giving you another."

• san...
• February 4, 2018

For Acne "I have very dry skin, but my acne started to flare up when I turned 15. I got little bumps that wouldn’t leave on my cheeks and forehead, plus cystic acne on my cheeks and chin. I knew it was hormonal, so I went to my doctor for birth control. However, she prescribed me this along with the birth control. I saw results almost immediately. I get almost no cysts, just a few zits every now and then. I’m four months into the medication, and it looks pretty good. There is a con to it, though. My severe dry skin was made so much worse. The skin around my eyes flakes, peels, and is red. I peel on my hairline (I don't put medication there or on my eyes). It took forever to find a moisturizer that worked, but I haven’t found an eye cream that doesn’t burn my eyes. Overall, I’m happy being somewhat acne-free. Someone with oily skin might have less of the side effects I’m having."

• Tor...
• April 5, 2021

For Acne "I’ve only ever had very minor breakouts when I was close to my monthly cycle. All of a sudden, I broke out with cystic acne and whiteheads. I tried everything over the counter. I was breaking out with 4 new blemishes daily. When I thought my skin was starting to look better, I would wake up with 4-5 new bumps and lumps. I waited 3 months to see if I could manage my breakouts, but I finally got fed up. I went to my GP and got “Benzoyl/P/C.” It took 3-4 days for me to see a difference, but I saw changes the first night of putting it on! I have EXTREMELY sensitive skin, and I’m allergic to almost everything. It dried out my blemishes and made my pores significantly smaller! The cons I have to say are that because I have extremely sensitive skin, it caused redness and it was drying, but I’d 110% take that over the cystic acne and pimples I had. I’d definitely rate this product 9/10!"

• Aly...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 31, 2018

Benzoyl peroxide / clindamycin topical for Acne "I've never had bad acne on my face, but I got some inflammation on my shoulders. As I got older, it started to fix itself, but I wanted something to help it along a little. I went to the doctor's and was prescribed Duac. Due to my pale skin, I was given a slightly weaker version of the gel. As expected, I had dry and itchy skin, but it passed. My shoulders became clearer, but I noticed that my face hadn't improved at all, it seemed to have gotten worse. It caused me to have a breakout on my chin that, two weeks on, still hasn't cleared up. I only apply it to my cheeks and chin, but noticed that I was getting small red lumps on my forehead. My skin has turned really red, and it seems like the irritation that you experience when you first start using this gel has returned. I have read the reviews and comments here saying that people could see improvements within several weeks to a month, but I've seen no change and it appears as though I'm just wasting my breath with this product."

• Sad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 18, 2018

For Acne "I never had a problem with acne. As a woman, I was diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), which causes adult acne. I had it mildly, 2-3 pimples a month. My doctor suggested Clindamycin and Benzoyl Peroxide Gel (to be applied twice a day). I used it for only 3 days and had to stop. The first 2 days, my skin felt tight and slightly irritated. I thought it was a normal reaction after having read reviews. Day 3, I noticed that the 1 pimple I had was going away. I was happy. Day 4, I woke up and went to wash my face and apply the gel, and when I looked in the mirror, I was horrified. The left side of my face under my eye, by my nose, my cheek, and chin were swollen, hived up, red, and very irritated. I stopped using the medication. I took a Benadryl, thinking it might be an allergic reaction to the Clindamycin, but it did not help. It has been 4 days with this rash, and it is getting worse. I am going to the ER."

• Vic...
• May 12, 2016

Benzoyl peroxide / clindamycin topical for Acne "I get quite a few red spots only in my T-zone, along with loads of little red bumps on my forehead. I've been using Duac cream for about 5 days now, and I have seen quite a good improvement, especially on my forehead. However, my skin is bright red and flaky that it almost looks worse. I don't have as many spots at all, but my whole face is red and constantly burning to the point where I cry. Yes, it is good for spots, but for me, it's not worth it."

• Jac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 19, 2018

For Acne "So I’ve already shared on here about 2 weeks ago about my progress. Today marks 1 month that I’ve been using this gel every night, and I have seen great improvement, but what I hate the most is that it doesn’t prevent new spots from coming, and it sucks. I thought I found my solution, but at least it gets rid of the spots overnight. I also hate the really flaky and red skin.:"