Epiduo Gel is a combination treatment for acne. It's a topical treatment which is applied to the skin and contains two active ingredients: Adapalene and Benzoyl peroxide.
Epiduo Gel works in two ways to combat acne. Adapalene is a type of retinoid which reduces inflammation and prevents the cells that carry acne bacteria from multiplying. Benzoyl peroxide works by decreasing the amount of bacteria which cause acne. It also dries out the skin, causing it to peel. Together, the ingredients both treat acne spots and prevent new ones from breaking out.
Epiduo Gel will usually start to work after a few weeks where you'll begin to see a visible improvement. It will take a couple of months for Epiduo Gel to clear acne completely.
Epiduo Gel is not an antibiotic treatment. It's a combination of a retinoid called Adapalene and Benzoyl peroxide.
Epiduo Gel can be used to treat acne on the face, back and chest.
While Epiduo Gel is effective at treating mild to moderate acne, severe acne usually needs oral antibiotics or Isotretinoin to treat it.
Acne occurs when the pores in the skin become blocked with dead skin cells and excess oil from the sebaceous glands. The main cause of this is when hormonal changes take place, for example puberty, pregnancy and menstruation. Genetics can also be a factor. The skin condition most commonly affects teenagers but it frequently occurs in adults of all ages.
The active ingredients in Epiduo Gel are Adapalene and Benzoyl peroxide.
The inactive ingredients are docusate sodium, disodium edetate, glycerol, poloxamer, propylene glycol (E1520), Simulgel 600 PHA and purified water.
Epiduo Gel should be applied to clean, dry skin once a day before bedtime. With clean hands, apply a thin layer of the gel to the affected areas, washing your hands thoroughly afterwards. Epiduo Gel can stain hair and clothing so take care to let the treatment sink in after applying it.
Use Epiduo Gel as your doctor or pharmacist has prescribed. It's likely that you will need to use it for a couple of months for the treatment to work properly. In the first couple of weeks, your symptoms may appear worse. This is due to the gel beginning to work on spots underneath the skin. After this, you should start to notice a visible improvement in your skin.
If you forget to use Epiduo Gel, this won't cause any issues. As Epiduo Gel is used at nighttime, it's best to wait until then to use it. The treatment is most effective when used daily. If you are liable to forget, try setting an alarm or reminder on your phone.
Using too much Epiduo Gel may cause skin irritation and redness. If you use more than advised, this won't help your acne to disappear any faster and may make your symptoms worse.
Possible side effects include:
Irritated skin
A burning sensation where the gel has been applied
Dry skin
Irritative contact dermatitis
Redness
Scaling
Itchy skin
Sunburn
Signs of an allergic reaction include:
Tightness in the throat
Swelling in the face, lips, tongue or eyes
Feeling faint
Having trouble breathing
Hives
If you experience any of these symptoms stop using Epiduo Gel and seek immediate medical attention.
Do not use Epiduo Gel if you are allergic to any of the ingredients.
Epiduo Gel should not be used on areas of the skin affected by:
Cuts
Scrapes
Sunburn
Eczema
Broken skin
Avoid too much exposure to sunlight or UV rays while using Epiduo and take care not to get it too close to your eyes, mouth or nostrils.
Do not use any other acne treatments containing Benzoyl peroxide or retinoids alongside Epiduo Gel. You should also avoid using cosmetics or products which can irritate, dry out or exfoliate the skin.
Epiduo Gel should not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while you are using it, stop the treatment right away.
You can use Epiduo Gel while you are breastfeeding. Take care not to use the gel around the chest area so that your baby does not come into contact with it.
There are various options to treat acne, what works best for you may depend on the severity of your symptoms. Over-the-counter creams or gels contain benzoyl peroxide and work well if you only have a few spots. Prescription treatments for moderate to severe acne include:
Topical retinoids
Topical antibiotics
Oral antibiotics
Azelaic acid
The combined contraceptive pill
Isotretinoin
Co-cyprindiol
Epiduo Gel differs from many other acne creams or gels as it is a combination cream. It contains two types of acne medicines; Benzoyl peroxide and Adapalene which is a retinoid. These components are usually used separately to treat acne.
There are steps you can take to help manage acne. These include:
Cleanse your face twice a day
Avoid over-washing
Avoid squeezing or picking spots as this can cause permanent scarring
Use makeup that is non-comedogenic and doesn't clog up your pores
Shower as soon as possible after exercising
Wash hair regularly as hair oils can transfer to your skin
Using toothpaste to dry out spots is not recommended as this can cause irritation and damage to the skin.
There are several natural remedies that can work well for mild spots and pimples. These include:
Tea tree oil
Aloe Vera
Honey
Green tea
Zinc supplements
Jojoba oil
Sea salt
Epiduo Gel will not get rid of existing acne scars but it will help to prevent new ones from forming.
You can wear makeup while you are using Epiduo Gel. Non-comedogenic cosmetics are recommended so that they do not clog up your pores.
Adult acne is common and can affect anyone. The main reason for it occurring is hormonal imbalances or hormonal changes. This includes menstruation, pregnancy and menopause.
Epiduo Gel is only available on prescription and cannot be purchased over-the-counter. We provide an online prescription for the treatment after a free consultation with one of our doctors.
NHS> Acne https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/acne/
NHS> Acne Complications https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/acne/complications/
Web MD> Adult acne: popular questions and answers https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/ss/slideshow-adult-acne
Web MD> 10 tips for preventing acne https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/acne/10-tips-for-preventing-pimples
Patient Leaflet https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/451/pil
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