Epiduo and acne

[Ansumpasty]

I’ve had acne for years and started epiduo 4 weeks ago. My skin is looking SO much worse. I’ve read that purging can be normal on this medication. Anyone else?

How long did the dr say to give it?, are you using too much product?.

Usually you build up slowly with retinoids.

@Fluffycloudland77

I never spoke to the doctor. I’ve been using benzoyl peroxide 2.5% for many years in proactiv from Canada, but because of Covid, couldn’t get hold of it. This is the only 2.5% benzoyl peroxide I could find, so I sent an online prescription request to my gp and they just sent it right to the pharmacy for me!
I’m using the size of a blueberry over my whole face. Maybe I should try thinner?

I remember your previous thread about getting starting epiduo.
I would use a pea sized amount for the whole face. I think my face got a little worse but not extreme. I kept getting flare ups over the years so I stopped using. But I didn’t have a massive purge when starting. You might be putting too much on your face but blueberries can be many sizes!

You need to make sure you use a good moisturiser afterwards but must wait 20 mins before to let the epiduo work.
I think it’s one of those things where it has to get worse to get better.

A pea size doesn’t sound like very much at all. But the very next day I could feel the soreness and dryness of the skin. So it must be strong. Overtime you can use a lot more once you get used to it.

Thanks! I’m going to come out of this lockdown looking like a beast I’m 33- I thought I’d have grown out of this by now!

I had adult acne. I saw a dermatologist through the NHS and tried a great deal of antibiotics, pills, creams and treatments. I changed my diet, washed my face and sheets obsessively, wore no makeup.
Epiduo the last thing I tried before Roaccutane and it worked for me. My skin got a lot worse before it got better. It was so dry that it hurt to smile. Red raw and even more active spots than before. I knew to stick with it for at least 6 weeks, and I'm glad I did. I'm still using it now 5 years later.
I've tried coming off it, but my acne usually comes back. It's annoyingly, but that's how I know that it's Epiduo, and not other factors in my life, that controls my acne.
Good luck with this. I know how much having adult acne can impact your life. I cancelled so many plans, and felt so unhappy for a long time because of acne.

@applesauce1 Thanks so much- that’s so reassuring! I’ve been scared to moisturise at night after using it but maybe I should, did you when yours was bad? I literally have about 30 spots on my face right now

@Ansumpasty
You definitely need to moisturise night and day. Cetaphil and CeraVe are recommended by most dermatologists.

You will need to use SPF in the day. I use a separate SPF (50+), as although you will find suncreams within moisturisers, one doesn't apply moisturiser thickly enough for it to have an effect.

@applesauce1 Thanks!
I’m yet to find an SPF that doesn’t give me acne. I’m relying on the SPF in my makeup at the moment!

I'd give it a go for a bit longer and if no luck maybe ask for Differin gel (adapalene on its own without the benzoyl peroxide). You may find that's less irritating. I never had any problems with it.

Epiduo will cause purging - any spots brewing will come up to the surface.

Sunscreen only causes spots as most people don't remove it throughly.

I've just posted this on another thread... but Paula's Choice clear range espexually their bha plus their AHA is the only thing that's cleared up my hormonal cystic acne. Took about six weeks of religious use and some gross purging but it has saved my skin. BP just made my skin really flaky and retinol did nothing.

@Custardandnoodle That’s good! I think that’s salicylic acid? That’s something that really doesn’t work for my skin, unfortunately. I used it for 6 months once and developed such bad acne that I now have deep craters on each cheek

You need to wear moisturiser, your skin will be terrible and dry if you do not. Epiduo dries out your skin. I am unsure why you are scared of using it.

@cinammonbuns I’ve finally found a moisturiser than I think is ok for me! For years, every time I try a moisturiser, I come out in lots of spots. I have very enlarged pores, so most things break me out. It makes me weary!

Try a fragrance free moisturiser. I recommend neutrogena hydro boost gel cream for dry skin. The dry skin one is the only one that doesn’t contain fragrance. My face was extremely sore and dry when first using epiduo that i had to use moisturiser. Epiduo

Paula's Choice clear range espexually their bha plus their AHA is the only thing that's cleared up my hormonal cystic acne. Took about six weeks of religious use and some gross purging but it has saved my skin

What was your skincare routine @Custardandnoodle ?