Duac is a gel used to treat acne in order to reduce the appearance of spots, pimples and blackheads. It’s known as an anti-acne preparation and contains both clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide.
The two medicines contained in Duac work together to treat acne. The antibiotic (clindamycin) fights the bacteria contained in spots to stop them from reproducing while benzoyl peroxide reduces the appearance of both blackheads and whiteheads and also acts against any lingering bacteria. This both stops acne from spreading and heals the skin to get rid of spots and redness.
Duac is very effective at treating acne provided it’s used correctly. It can take 2-5 weeks to notice any improvement so it’s important to persevere with it to give the treatment the time it needs to work.
Duac can be used on any affected area of the face or body. Avoid sensitive areas around the eyes and mouth or any areas of broken, irritated or sunburnt skin. uac can be used on any affected area of the face or body. Avoid sensitive areas around the eyes and mouth or any areas of broken, irritated or sunburnt skin.
Clindamycin and hydrous benzoyl peroxide are the active ingredients contained in Duac.
The inactive ingredients are carbomer, dimeticone, disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate, disodium edetate, glycerol, silica, poloxamer 182, purified water and sodium hydroxide.
Duac should be applied once a day in the evening for a period of 12 weeks. Wash the skin thoroughly before rubbing a thin layer of the gel into the affected areas, ensuring to cover the area entirely, rather than only applying it to the individual spots. For the face, use a fingertip sized measure to cover the skin and wash your hands afterwards. Always follow your doctor’s advice on how to use and do not exceed the 12 week treatment period.
Duac cream is 1% clindamycin and 3% benzoyl peroxide. A thin layer should be applied; using too much causes skin irritation.
Common side effects experienced in the first few weeks of using duac include:
Severe side effects which require medical attention include:
Duac should not be used if you are allergic to clindamycin, lincomycin, benzoyl peroxide or any of the other ingredients. Check with your doctor if any of the following apply:
Care should be taken around sensitive areas of the skin and Duac should not be applied to irritated skin, for example with cuts, scrapes or sunburn. Avoid using sunbeds while using Duac and minimise time spent out in the sun, using sun cream to protect the skin. Apply Duac carefully, as it can bleach surfaces, fabrics and hair.
If you are taking an antibiotic treatment containing erythromycin you will not be able to use duac at the same time. Let your doctor know if you are using:
Using additional acne treatments containing dapsone and sulfacetamide at the same time as Duac can cause your skin to take on a yellow or orange colour. This is temporary and will fade away
Moisturiser can help to combat flaky or dry skin caused by using duac. Apply the duac gel first and allow it to sink in before applying moisturiser. It’s important to avoid any alcohol based moisturisers as this can make dry skin worse.
It’s advised to check with your doctor if you are planning to use duac during pregnancy to ensure that the treatment poses no risk to the baby.
While Duac is a very effective acne treatment, topical retinoids such as Differin are a good alternative. The benzoyl peroxide contained in Duac has a bleaching effect on clothing, materials and hair and the gel is likely to cause skin irritation. In comparison Differin may feel milder. Azelaic acid based creams are a suitable alternative if you have experienced a great deal of irritation or peeling with Duac. The combined pill can be prescribed for women with acne, however in some cases it can make acne worse.
Duac can be used alongside other acne treatments. However, if they contain tretinoin, isotretinoin or tazarotene then using Duac may cause them to lose their effectiveness. Combining duac with other acne treatments will also increase the chance of experiencing dry skin.
You can still wear makeup as usual when using Duac. It’s recommended to use cosmetics which won’t clog up your pores to allow the treatment to work correctly.
Duac is a prescription only medication and cannot be bought over the counter.
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