Real Results, Side Effects & What to Expect – Beautiful With Brains

Final Up to date on December 22, 2025 by Giorgia Guazzarotti

Have you ever discover Benzoyl Peroxide zits remedies are quick disappearing from the pharmacy? This energetic is so highly effective, it acquired such a nasty rep for irritating and drying out pores and skin. So, it’s no surprise manufacturers are deciding to part it out and changing them with one thing gentler. And but… prescription remedies for zits nonetheless use Benzoyl Peroxide in area. Working example Epiduo. This prescription zits remedy comprises each adapalene, a retinoid, and benzoyl peroxide to deal with zits on two totally different fronts. On this Epiduo zits evaluation, l’ll share if that is actually the very best remedy for zits and whether or not you must add it to your skincare routine. Let’s get began:

Key Substances in Epiduo: What Makes It Work?

BENZOYL PEROXIDE

Benzoyl peroxide is an oxidizing antibacterial that principally suffocates acne-causing micro organism. Right here’s the take care of Cutibacterium acnes (the little bastards that trigger zits): they’re anaerobic, which means they’ll’t survive when there’s oxygen round. If you slap on benzoyl peroxide, it releases free oxygen radicals that create an surroundings the place these micro organism actually can’t dwell.

However wait, there’s extra. Benzoyl peroxide additionally breaks down keratin – that protein making up your useless pores and skin cells. This exfoliating motion stops pores from getting clogged earlier than they even begin. Plus it calms down irritation, which helps with the redness and swelling. The most effective half? In contrast to antibiotics, micro organism can’t develop resistance to it. A review in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology explains that benzoyl peroxide works by bodily oxidation somewhat than some organic pathway, so micro organism can’t adapt and outsmart it.

The catch? It’s gonna dry you out. Anticipate peeling, redness, and that annoying burning sensation, particularly at first. Some individuals get a heat feeling after placing it on. Normally will get higher as soon as your pores and skin toughens up.

Associated: Benzoyl Peroxide VS Salicylic Acid: Which Is The Best Acne Treatment?

ADAPALENE

Adapalene is a third-generation retinoid that works fully otherwise from benzoyl peroxide – that’s why throwing them collectively is genius. This factor penetrates your hair follicles inside 5 minutes (fluorescence microscopy proved this really occurs), then will get to work on the mobile stage. Right here’s what goes down: adapalene latches onto particular retinoic acid receptors in your pores and skin cells, primarily RAR-beta and RAR-gamma. Research in PMC reveals this triggers genetic modifications that get your pores and skin cells to behave themselves. Mainly tells them to cease overproducing and gunking up your pores. It quickens cell turnover so useless pores and skin doesn’t dangle round inflicting issues, and prevents these tiny microcomedones that flip into full breakouts later. (Oh, and it additionally helps fade away darkish spots).

Adapalene’s additionally genuinely anti-inflammatory. It blocks the lipoxygenase pathway, which stops your pores and skin from making inflammatory chemical substances like leukotrienes and prostaglandins. A meta-analysis in the Journal of Dermatology discovered adapalene works simply in addition to different retinoids however doesn’t wreck your pores and skin as dangerous. Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply it’s with out adversarial negative effects. Adapalene can nonetheless make your pores and skin extra delicate to solar, plus irritation, redness, dryness, itching, and burning. About 1-10% of individuals really feel stinging or heat once they first put it on. Normally gentle and fades after just a few weeks as soon as your pores and skin adjusts. Additionally – theoretical threat throughout being pregnant, so keep away from for those who’re knocked up.

Associated: What Skincare Ingredients Should You Avoid During Pregnancy?

The Relaxation Of The Components & Substances

• Docusate Sodium: Surfactant that helps the actives unfold evenly and sink in higher. Additionally provides some slip so the components doesn’t really feel harsh as hell.
• Disodium Edetate: Chelating agent that grabs steel ions and neutralizes them. Steel ions can trash the components and make it break down quicker, so this retains every little thing secure.
• Glycerol: Good previous glycerin. Humectant that pulls moisture into your pores and skin to counteract all of the drying from benzoyl peroxide and adapalene.
• Poloxamer: Artificial polymer doing double obligation as emulsifier and surfactant. Mixes elements that hate one another (oil and water), helps the gel unfold easy, and rinses clear.
• Propylene Glycol (E1520): Solvent and humectant that dissolves the actives and retains them evenly blended. Additionally attracts moisture, although it could possibly bug delicate pores and skin.
• Simulgel 600 PHA (Copolymer Of Acrylamide And Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 80, Sorbitan Oleate): Premade mix that creates the gel texture. The copolymer does the gelling, isohexadecane provides smoothness, polysorbate 80 and sorbitan oleate preserve every little thing from separating.
• Purified Water: Water with impurities stripped out. Base solvent every little thing else dissolves into.

Texture

Epiduo has that basic prescription gel texture: light-weight and spreads simply, but it surely’s acquired a little bit of slip to it. It absorbs fairly shortly into the pores and skin with out leaving a heavy movie, although you’ll positively really feel it sitting in your face for a couple of minutes earlier than it absolutely sinks in. The gel consistency means a small quantity goes a great distance. That pea-sized quantity everybody retains harping on about actually does cowl your entire face. It’s not sticky or cheesy, which is sweet, however it could possibly really feel barely drying because it settles into your pores and skin.

Perfume

There’s a gentle medicinal scent – nothing overpowering, however you possibly can positively let you know’re utilizing a pharmaceutical product. It’s that barely chemical scent you get with most benzoyl peroxide remedies. The scent doesn’t linger although, so as soon as it’s absorbed you gained’t be strolling round smelling like a pharmacy.

How To Use It

Right here’s one of the best ways to make use of it: Begin by washing your face with a delicate cleanser and patting it fully dry. And I imply fully – any dampness will make the product penetrate quicker and burn like hell. Apply a skinny layer to affected areas as soon as each day, ideally at night time. Right here’s the factor everybody learns the onerous method: don’t apply it each single night time whenever you first begin. Your pores and skin wants time to construct tolerance. Begin with a pea dimension drop each different night time for the primary week or two – some individuals even wait till the second week to make use of it extra often. In case your pores and skin begins freaking out (burning, extreme redness, peeling), again off to each different night time once more.

Wait no less than 20-Half-hour after making use of earlier than placing on moisturizer – this provides the product time to soak up correctly. And for the love of god, keep away from your eye space, lips, and any damaged or irritated pores and skin. These items will sting like loopy if it will get within the unsuitable locations. Making use of it to your complete face versus simply spot-treating is as much as you and your derm. Use it persistently on the identical time each night time. Consistency is every little thing with this remedy – skipping nights or utilizing it sporadically gained’t provide you with outcomes. 

Packaging

Epiduo is available in a typical prescription tube – nothing fancy. You may get it in 15g, 30g, or 45g sizes relying on what your physician prescribes. The tube is primary white with the Epiduo branding, and it has a small nozzle opening which really helps with meting out the correct amount. The tube is opaque, which is sweet as a result of each adapalene and benzoyl peroxide can degrade with mild publicity. It’s useful packaging – not fairly, not horrible. Will get the job finished.

Efficiency & Private Opinion

Dos Epiduo work? Sure, it’s a superb product for the remedy of zits vulgaris, however you’ve acquired to earn it. The primary 8-12 weeks are genuinely tough: your pores and skin will purge, it’ll burn, it’ll peel, and also you’ll in all probability need to stop. However for those who push by, the outcomes are legit. By the. 4th week, you must see a visual enchancment and reasonable success. After about 3 months, breakouts decelerate considerably, and after 6 months your pores and skin might be fully clear. The mixture of adapalene and benzoyl peroxide is wise as a result of they assault zits from totally different angles: one unclogs pores and quickens cell turnover, the opposite kills micro organism and reduces irritation. 

Collectively they’re simpler than both ingredient alone, however that additionally means extra irritation. The largest problem is that this remedy requires severe dedication. You possibly can’t half-ass it and count on outcomes. You have to keep it up by the ugly part, preserve your routine easy, put on SPF religiously, and be affected person as hell. For individuals who can try this, Epiduo delivers. For individuals who need fast outcomes or can’t deal with the adversarial results like pores and skin irritation, it’s irritating. (P.S. Epiduo Forte, the stronger model with 0.3% adapalene, can also be obtainable for extra extreme circumstances.)

What I Like About Epiduo

• Really clears grownup zits whenever you keep it up – not simply short-term enchancment, however genuinely clear pores and skin after just a few months
• Prevents new breakouts from forming, so it really works as each remedy and prevention
• Can be utilized long-term as upkeep remedy or spot remedy as soon as your pores and skin clears
• The mixture components means you’re getting two confirmed acne-fighters in a single product
• As soon as your pores and skin adjusts, you need to use it with out the loopy dryness and irritation
• Doesn’t trigger bacterial resistance like antibiotics do
• Works on each inflammatory zits (pimples, cystic breakouts) and comedonal zits (blackheads, whiteheads)

What I DON’T Like About Epiduo

• The purge part is brutal – your pores and skin will get worse earlier than it will get higher, typically for months
• Fairly normal disagreeable negative effects, like vital dryness of the pores and skin, peeling, redness, and burning, particularly at first
• Takes ceaselessly to see outcomes – you want 8-12 weeks minimal, typically longer
• Makes your pores and skin extraordinarily delicate to solar, so SPF turns into non-negotiable
• Can bleach towels, pillowcases, and clothes
• You possibly can’t use different energetic skincare merchandise whereas on it – no acids, no retinol, nothing
• Some individuals’s pores and skin by no means adjusts and so they should stop as a consequence of irritation
• Zits can come again for those who cease utilizing it

Who Ought to Use This?

• Epiduo is greatest for individuals with reasonable to extreme zits who’ve tried OTC remedies with out success. If you happen to’re coping with persistent breakouts – whether or not that’s hormonal zits, cystic zits, or cussed comedones – and gentler choices haven’t labored, that is value contemplating.
• It’s additionally good for people who find themselves dedicated and affected person. If you happen to can deal with a tough 2-3 month adjustment interval and stick to a remedy long-term, Epiduo can ship severe constructive outcomes. It’s prescribed for individuals 9 years of age and older, so it really works for each teenagers and adults.
• Who shouldn’t use it? Anybody pregnant or attempting to get pregnant (retinoids are a no-go), individuals with extraordinarily delicate pores and skin sorts who can’t deal with irritation, or anybody searching for fast fixes. 
• If you happen to want your pores and skin to look good for an occasion in just a few weeks, this isn’t it.
• In case you have dry pores and skin with zits, it is advisable to moisture tremendous properly after this. 

Does Epiduo Stay Up To Its Claims?

Worth & Availability

£35.00 by prescription solely

The Verdict: Ought to You Purchase It?

If you happen to’ve been scuffling with persistent zits and OTC topical remedies aren’t chopping it, Epiduo is value attempting – however go in with real looking expectations. This isn’t a miracle product or a delicate remedy. It’s a severe prescription medicine that requires months of dedication and can in all probability make your pores and skin look worse earlier than it seems to be higher. Discuss to your dermatologist to see if it’s the appropriate remedy for you.