| Strength | Quantity | Price | Stock |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1%/2.5% | 1 x 45 g tube | £29.70 |  |
| 0.1%/2.5% | 2 x 45g tubes | £59.80 | |
Reviewed by Virginia Chachati MPharm
(2013, University College London)
GPhC Registration number: 2087654
Information last reviewed 24/04/21
Epiduo Gel is an acne treatment you can apply straight onto your skin. Epiduo Gel 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 starts working after a few weeks of daily application. It normally takes a couple of months for Epiduo Gel to clear acne completely.
Epiduo Gel is not an antibiotic. It contains a combination of two active ingredients: a retinoid (adapalene) and an antimicrobial peeling agent (benzoyl peroxide). These ingredients encourage new skin cell growth and prevent bacteria from causing acne.
Epiduo Gel is typically used to treat acne on the face, back and chest. Your doctor may recommend that you use it on other parts of your body, if required, for treatment.
While Epiduo Gel is effective at treating mild to moderate acne, severe acne usually requires oral antibiotics or a stronger retinoid, like isotretinoin, to treat it. However, once severe acne has started to clear, your doctor may recommend Epiduo Gel as the acne becomes milder and requires lower concentrations of medicine to treat it.
Acne occurs when the pores in your skin become blocked with dead skin cells and excess oil, known as sebum, from the sebaceous glands. Bacteria can get trapped and multiply inside these pores which results in spots or pustules forming. The main cause of acne is when hormonal changes take place, for example during puberty and menstruation. Genetics can also be a factor. Acne commonly affects teenagers but can occur in adults at any age.
The active ingredients in Epiduo Gel are Adapalene and Benzoyl peroxide.
The inactive ingredients in Epiduo Gel 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 Epiduo Gel to the affected skin area. Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. Keep your hair and clothing away from the area you have applied Epiduo Gel as it can cause staining.
Always 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 until your acne completely clears. In the first couple of weeks, your acne may look like it’s getting worse. This is due to Epiduo Gel working on spots underneath your skin. After this, you should start to notice a visible improvement.
If you forget to use Epiduo Gel at night, do not apply it the following morning. Wait until bedtime to apply your next dose. Epiduo Gel can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight so you must not apply it during the day. You can try setting an alarm or reminder on your phone or calendar so you don’t forget to apply Epiduo Gel at night.
Using more Epiduo Gel than you need can cause skin irritation, dryness and redness. If you use too much Epiduo Gel, you should stop applying it to the irritated area until your skin fully recovers. Applying extra Epiduo Gel won't help your acne disappear any faster and may make your symptoms worse.
Possible side effects of Epiduo Gel include:
Signs of an allergic reaction include:
If you experience any of these allergic reaction symptoms stop using Epiduo Gel and seek immediate emergency 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:
Avoid too much exposure to sunlight or UV rays while using Epiduo Gel and do not apply it close to your eyes, mouth or nostrils.
You must not use Epiduo Gel if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
Do not use any other acne treatments containing benzoyl peroxide or retinoids, similar to adapalene, alongside Epiduo Gel. You should also avoid using cosmetics or products which can irritate, dry out or exfoliate your skin.
Epiduo Gel should not be used during pregnancy or if you are planning a pregnancy. If you become pregnant while you are using Epiduo Gel, tell your doctor and stop using it straight away.
You can use Epiduo Gel while you are breastfeeding. Do not apply Epiduo Gel around the chest or breast area so your baby does not come into contact with the treatment.
There are many options to treat acne. What works best for you will depend on the severity of your symptoms. Over the counter creams, gels or washes contain benzoyl peroxide and can work well if you only have a few spots. Prescription treatments your doctor may recommend for moderate to severe acne include:
Epiduo Gel differs from other acne creams or gels as it is a combination treatment. It contains two active ingredients to help treat acne; benzoyl peroxide, an antimicrobial peeling agent, and adapalene, a retinoid.
There are steps you can take to help manage acne at home. These include:
Using toothpaste to dry out spots is not recommended as it can irritate your skin.
There are natural remedies that can work well for mild spots and pimples. These include:
Epiduo Gel will not get rid of old, deep acne scars but it will help prevent new scars from forming.
You can wear makeup while using Epiduo Gel. Non-comedogenic cosmetics are recommended so they do not clog up your pores. However, you should not apply makeup directly on top of Epiduo Gel on your skin at night.
Adult acne is common and can affect anyone. The main reasons for acne occurring in adulthood are hormonal imbalances or hormonal changes. These include menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. Sometimes adult acne can be genetic or occur as a side effect after using certain medicines.
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.
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