Epiduo how long until it works

If you like to use Epiduo your better choice would be the lees irritating regular Epiduo gel. To find the right acne treatments for your unique skin, take the free skin assessment by clicking here. Recomended Read. Read More. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors.

Epiduo Gel and Epiduo Forte Gel are topical acne treatments that are used to treat mild to moderate acne. Each formulation is actually a combination of two different acne medications: Differin adapalene and benzoyl peroxide. These two formulations contain the same active ingredients, with different concentrations.

The original Epiduo Gel contains 0. Both gels contain the same percentage of benzoyl peroxide at 2. You can only get Epiduo with a prescription. Epiduo can be used by teens, younger tweens, and adults with acne.

It works to treat both inflammatory acne as well as comedonal acne. Epiduo works to treat acne in several ways, thanks to its two acne-fighting ingredients. Adapalene is a retinoid drug that works as a comedolytic , meaning that it inhibits the formation of comedones blackheads and whiteheads.

By sloughing dead skin cells, adapalene helps clear pore blockage and prevent future breakouts. Studies have shown that adapalene significantly decreases the size and number of comedones, in part by tempering inflammation in skin cells called keratinocytes. Benzoyl peroxide acts as an antimicrobial, neutralizing bacteria responsible for acne breakouts. A review of studies in the Archives of Dermatological Research reported that benzoyl peroxide reduced the number of acne lesions by an average of Since Epiduo works on many of the factors that cause acne, it is an effective treatment for non-inflamed whiteheads and blackheads as well as inflamed pimples.

Furthermore, it has been shown to reduce scarring from acne. Epiduo isn't the only medication that contains adapalene or benzoyl peroxide. In fact, you can get each of these medications on its own. The bonus of using a combination acne medication like Epiduo is that it streamlines your acne treatment routine—one application and you're done. With Epiduo, you apply a pea-sized amount of the gel about one pump from the bottle over clean, dry skin once a day.

You'll need to apply it over all of the areas where acne is a problem, not just on individual pimples. By doing it this way, you may be able to stop breakouts before they occur.

Epiduo works on the face but can also be used to treat breakouts on the back, neck, or other parts of the body. Epiduo gel can cause some side effects. Your dermatologist will give you a rundown of what to look out for, but these are the most common:. The side effects are typically at their worst during the first few weeks of treatment.

After your skin adjusts to the medication, side effects usually diminish. Of course, tell your healthcare provider if side effects are persistent, bothersome, or severe. In addition to these side effects, Epiduo may cause your acne to flare up for the first few weeks of treatment. And skin purging has occurred in clinical studies of other medications that contain adapalene. They may be able to suggest ways to help reduce this possible effect. Epiduo and Epiduo Forte can cause mild or serious side effects.

The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Epiduo or Epiduo Forte. For more information on the possible side effects of Epiduo and Epiduo Forte, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

They can give you tips on how to deal with any side effects that may be bothersome. Most of these side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks.

To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or visit the prescribing information for both Epiduo and Epiduo Forte. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Both Epiduo and Epiduo Forte are approved to treat acne. Epiduo can be used in children ages 9 years and older, while Epiduo Forte can be used in children ages 12 years and older.

The side effects of Epiduo and Epiduo Forte seen in children are similar to those seen in adults. You may wonder how often certain side effects occur with this drug, or whether certain side effects pertain to it. With skin purging , your skin quickly gets rid of dead skin cells, oil, and other substances that cause acne. This process may cause acne breakouts in some people.

However, it has been seen with other medications that contain the same active drug as these medications contain. Epiduo and Epiduo Forte can each make your skin sting or burn. Sometimes, this type of reaction can be similar to a chemical burn. Typically, symptoms caused by Epiduo or Epiduo Forte include painful, reddened skin. Burning is typically worse during the first 4 weeks of treatment with either Epiduo or Epiduo Forte.

But this side effect should become less bothersome as you continue using either drug. They can recommend ways to help reduce your discomfort. Epiduo and Epiduo Forte have each been studied in adults and children ages 12 years and older.

This percentage range varied depending on which drug was being used. Studies of Epiduo in children ages 9 to 11 years showed similar results. A placebo gel contains no active drug. When it was at its worst:. At the end of treatment with Epiduo or Epiduo Forte:. Applying these drugs to the skin around your eyes may cause flaky skin or dry skin in the area.

But you should avoid applying Epiduo or Epiduo Forte to the skin around your eyes. If these drugs do come in contact with the skin around your eyes, rinse the area with water. This may help lessen your chances of having dryness or flaking. If you have bothersome skin peeling with these drugs, talk with your doctor.

They may suggest ways to help lessen this side effect. For example, using an oil-free or noncomedogenic moisturizer may help with skin peeling. Noncomedogenic moisturizers are less likely to clog your pores and cause breakouts. But of people who did have peeling skin while using Epiduo or Epiduo Forte, this side effect was at its worst during the first week of use. When peeling skin was at its worst:.

Peeling skin lessened over time during the 12 weeks of treatment. At the end of 12 weeks of treatment with Epiduo or Epiduo Forte:. As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after using Epiduo or Epiduo Forte. A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible.

Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:. Call your doctor right away if you have a severe allergic reaction to Epiduo or Epiduo Forte. Erythema skin redness is a common side effect of Epiduo and Epiduo Forte. It typically occurs over the first several weeks after you start treatment with either medication. But this side effect should lessen as you continue using either drug. They can recommend ways to help reduce this side effect. Of those who had skin redness while using Epiduo or Epiduo Forte, this side effect was at its worst during the first week of treatment.

When skin redness was at its worst:. Some people using Epiduo or Epiduo Forte may develop a skin rash. In addition, your doctor may be able to suggest ways to help clear up the rash. With eczema, you have areas of the skin that are cracked, itchy, and red. In comparison, no one using a placebo gel gel with no active drug developed eczema. They may recommend ways to treat or reduce your eczema.

For example, using an oil-free and noncomedogenic moisturizer may help to reduce symptoms of eczema. Specifically, Epiduo is approved for this use in children ages 9 years and older. And Epiduo Forte is approved for this use in children ages 12 years and older. Acne is a common skin condition that affects people of all ages. Symptoms of acne can include having the following types of skin lesions :. Acne occurs when pores in your skin are clogged with dead skin cells or bacteria.

When your skin produces sebum oil , dead skin cells may stick together inside your pores. Bacteria may also become trapped inside skin pores. Both of these situations can clog your pores, leading to red and swollen spots on your skin called pimples. Epiduo and Epiduo Forte contain two active drugs: adapalene and benzoyl peroxide. These two active drugs work together to treat acne and help prevent new breakouts. Below, we describe results from these studies. In clinical studies of adults and children with acne, Epiduo was compared with the following products:.

In comparison, after 12 weeks of treatment with the other products, the following results were seen. In clinical studies of adults and children with acne, Epiduo Forte was compared with the following products:. In comparison, after 12 weeks of treatment with the other products tested, the following results were seen.

Epiduo and Epiduo Forte are both approved to treat acne in children and adults. And Epiduo Forte is approved for use in children ages 12 years and older. In clinical studies, these medications were effective when used in children with acne.

They can recommend appropriate treatment options. And you may wonder if Epiduo and Epiduo Forte are used for certain other conditions. But these medications have been studied for this purpose.

One clinical study found that Epiduo was effective in reducing the risk of new acne scars in people using the drug. Another clinical study found that Epiduo Forte was effective in:. More research is needed to know the role of Epiduo and Epiduo Forte in preventing and treating acne scars.

However, some people who use Epiduo may have brown spots or skin redness after their acne clears. And to view pictures of results seen with Epiduo, check out this study. Epiduo and Epiduo Forte are both approved to treat acne in adults and children. These drugs may be used with other facial products as part of an acne skin care routine. In addition, Epiduo or Epiduo Forte can be used before you apply makeup to your skin. Epiduo and Epiduo Forte may cause dry or irritated skin. Examples of such products include Cetaphil.

In addition, try to avoid using skin care products that will dry or irritate your skin. Products that contain alcohol, lime, or spices may be too harsh on your skin when used in combination with Epiduo or Epiduo Forte. On the other hand, products that contain vitamin C may help to reduce some skin inflammation.

If you have questions about using a certain moisturizer with Epiduo or Epiduo Forte, talk with your doctor. They may be able to recommend a specific moisturizer that would be best for you.

Yes, both Epiduo and Epiduo Forte can increase your risk of sunburn. You should also wear protective clothing to cover areas of your body where you apply Epiduo or Epiduo Forte. If you have concerns about your risk of sunburn while using Epiduo or Epiduo Forte, talk with your doctor.

They can help advise you on how to avoid sunburn. If you have sensitive skin, talk with your doctor before using Epiduo or Epiduo Forte. Your doctor may recommend a different acne treatment option for you. So using Epiduo or Epiduo Forte for this purpose would be an off-label use. Adapalene, one of the active drugs in Epiduo and Epiduo Forte, belongs to a group of drugs called retinoids. Other products made with adapalene are sometimes used to reduce wrinkles. They can recommend appropriate options for your condition.

Yes, both Epiduo and Epiduo Forte contain a type of retinoid called adapalene. Epiduo and Epiduo Forte also contain a drug called benzoyl peroxide. Other drugs are available that can treat acne.

Some may be a better fit for you than others.