Epiduo Gel
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Availability
Fastest delivery available: 23/12/2024
| Qty | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £29.99 | £58.98 | £88.98 |
Medication features
Epiduo gel is used to treat acne. It contains two active ingredients that work together to tackle outbreaks and prevent them from reoccurring. Benzoyl peroxide clears the pores in the skin, whilst adapalene reduces swelling and inflammation of the skin caused by outbreaks.
- Helps the skin to heal and renew
- Dual-Action: Adapalene 0.1%/ Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5%
- Simple once-daily application at night
Overview
What Is Epiduo Gel?
Epiduo gel is an effective acne treatment. It contains a combination of two active ingredients; benzoyl peroxide, a substance that kills bacteria, and adapalene, which is a retinoid (vitamin A derivative) that works with benzoyl peroxide to unblock the skin pores.
Approved for adults and children over the age of nine, Epiduo Gel contains 2.5% benzoyl peroxide and 0.1% adapalene.
What Is Epiduo Gel Used For?
Epiduo gel is used to treat mild to moderate acne. Acne is a common skin condition that causes spots and oily skin. It can also cause the skin to be painful and swollen. Most people will be affected by acne at some point in their lives.
Used over several weeks, Epiduo can reduce inflammatory acne (a type of acne with swollen, red blemishes) and non-inflammatory acne (a type of acne with non-painful blemishes). While Epiduo gel can help to prevent acne scars in the future, it is not intended as a treatment for your current acne scars.
How Does Epiduo Gel Work?
Epiduo gel is a dual-action treatment that combines the active ingredients benzoyl peroxide and adapalene. Benzoyl peroxide is an antimicrobial medicine that kills the bacteria that leads to acne symptoms and promotes skin turnover, helping to clear blocked pores and treating spots. Adapalene is a synthetic retinoid that combats the growth of keratin, a protein found in skin cells that can block the pores of the skin.
When combined, benzoyl peroxide and adapalene can control and treat acne symptoms, including spots such as whiteheads, blackheads, pustules, papules, cysts and nodules.
Epiduo and Pregnancy
If you are pregnant, you shouldn’t use Epiduo gel. While benzoyl peroxide may be safe for limited use, the consensus among experts is that adapalene shouldn’t be used during pregnancy. Stop taking Epiduo immediately if you are pregnant. There are some safe acne gel alternatives that you might consider using during pregnancy, including salicylic acid, azelaic acid, and laser or light therapies. You should always consult with your doctor before starting a new medication.
Epiduo can be used while breastfeeding, but if you are breastfeeding you should seek the advice of your doctor before starting to take Epiduo.
Epiduo Purging
Skin purging is when dead skin cells, oil and other acne-causing substances are disposed of by your skin. During this process, as these cells, oils and substances are brought to the surface of the skin, your acne may get worse. Even though Epiduo gel is an acne treatment, it may cause skin purging during your first few weeks of use.
If skin purging does happen when you start using Epiduo, you should rest assured that it will usually resolve after a few weeks, and your skin will get a lot better over time. The average time skin purging lasts is around four to six weeks. If this process lasts for longer than six weeks, consult with your doctor.
Epiduo vs Duac
Epiduo gel and Duac gel (also known by their generic name, clindamycin benzoyl peroxide gel) are both acne treatments that share an active ingredient - benzoyl peroxide. However, whereas Epiduo also contains adapalene, in Duac, benzoyl peroxide is combined with the antibiotic clindamycin.
Duac gel is used in the same way as Epiduo - it should be applied once per day over the affected area. Like Epiduo gel, Duac typically takes time to produce results, but after a month of using it, you should be able to see an improvement. You should stop using both treatments after three months of use if you haven’t seen an improvement.
A study which compared the tolerability and irritation potential of Epiduo and Duac found that although Epiduo may produce more side effects, “no other significant differences in self-assessment perceptions were observed between treatments”.
For more information, please refer to the Duac reviews page.
Epiduo vs Differin
Differin - the branded name for the generic adapalene – is a retinoid that is also a topical treatment for acne. Adapalene is an active ingredient also contained in Epiduo gel. However, unlike Epiduo, Differin doesn’t contain benzoyl peroxide. This is the main difference between the two acne treatments.
Epiduo and Differin work in similar ways - unblocking the pores of your skin to allow dead skin cells, oil and other substances to escape. The adapalene contained in both treatments assists by speeding up the turnover of skin cells. Both acne treatments need to be applied in the same way, once a day in the evening. Like Epiduo, you may need to use Differin for a few weeks until you see significant improvements. Some potential side effects – including dry skin and skin irritation - are shared by the two treatments.
Epiduo Gel Reviews
Users have stressed that patience is key when using Epiduo and that although acne can initially get worse with skin purging in the first period of treatment, a significant improvement can be seen after around 8-12 weeks. Reviewers have pointed out that persevering through the skin purging stage is key, and that these breakouts are worth it when results begin to show.
Most reviewers have reported little to no side effects. However, some have experienced mild side effects such as slight burning and stinging in the targeted areas, but using a moisturiser to combat these effects has been recommended. Overall, the general online consensus shows that reviewers are very impressed with Epiduo’s ability to effectively treat acne within just two to three months.
Can You Buy Epiduo Gel Over the Counter?
In the UK, Epiduo gel is only available with a prescription. Epiduo cannot be bought over the counter. A doctor will need to assess your suitability for Epiduo before you can be issued a prescription for the treatment.
Why not buy Epiduo gel online at Cloud Pharmacy for convenience? You’ll just need to complete a short questionnaire so that your suitability for Epiduo can be confirmed. We can then dispense the gel and deliver it to your UK address with our next-day delivery service.
Directions
How Long Does Epiduo Take To Work?
You can normally see signs of improvement in your acne symptoms within one to four weeks of using Epiduo. However, although the treatment does start to take effect right away, it may be eight weeks or more before some people see a significant improvement in their acne.
Studies have shown that after 12 weeks of treatment with Epiduo, 21.5-47.2% of people saw their acne reduce significantly to either clear or almost clear. Furthermore, people with inflammatory acne experienced a 36-53.4% reduction in red or swollen blemishes.
Epiduo is used for up to three months. You shouldn’t stop taking Epiduo before the end of this recommended time, as this may cause your acne to return.
How to Use Epiduo Gel
Before you apply Epiduo gel, wash your face with warm water and a mild soap or cleanser, and then dry your face by patting it gently. Epiduo should be applied in a thin layer on the affected area; once per day, in the evening. The gel should be applied over the whole area affected by your acne, not just the individual spots.
If you encounter irritation or dry skin when starting to use Epiduo, apply it every other day before increasing gradually to daily applications. Epiduo should be used continuously for up to three months.
For more information, please read our article on how to get rid of acne.
Side Effects
Epiduo Side Effects
Many people won’t experience side effects from Epiduo gel. Side effects are typically more common when you start using Epiduo, as your skin is getting used to the treatment.
Among the more common potential side effects of Epiduo are:
- Irritated skin
- A burning sensation
- Dry skin
- Irritant contact dermatitis (a skin reaction that occurs due to an irritant damaging the outer layer of the skin)
Rare potential side effects of Epiduo include:
- Sunburn
- Itching
If any of these side effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious allergic reactions from Epiduo are rare. If you notice any sudden symptoms such as:
- A rash
- Rapid swelling of the face or mouth
- Breathing difficulty
- Severe dizziness
Contact a medical professional or call 999 immediately.
Patient Information Leaflet
Epiduo Gel Patient Information Leaflet
For more information about Epiduo Gel, take a look at the patient information leaflet below:
Epiduo Gel FAQs
How does Epiduo Gel work?
The two active ingredients of Epiduo Gel – benzoyl peroxide and adapalene work differently in providing treatment to acne pimples. Benzoyl peroxide has the ability to reduce reducing the number of bacteria that causes acne and cause the skin to dry and eventually peel off.
Adapalene works by affecting the growth of cells and decreasing swelling and inflammation.
What are the benefits of using Epiduo Gel?
Epiduo Gel combines two medications that are similar to vitamin A and an antibacterial medication that has a mild drying effect used to treat acne in people who are at least 12 years of age.
Epiduo is effective in providing relief to the chronic problem of acne pimples. The gel reduces the bacteria that causes acne and cause the skin to dry and peel off, showing new clear skin free of acne.
It is also effective in decreasing swelling and inflammation of acne pimples on facial skin.
How do I use Epiduo Gel?
Wash your hands before you apply this medication on your facial skin. Gently clean the skin that has acne pimples with a mild soap or soapless skin cleanser and pat dry. Apply a thin layer of Epiduo Gel once daily or as directed by your doctor. Use your fingertips to apply a small amount of medication, about the size of a pea, to the affected areas of the skin.
Use Epiduo Gel on the skin only. Do not apply to the area of the inner lip, inside the mouth or nose, or on mucous membranes. Do not apply the gel to cut, sunburned, scraped, or eczema-affected areas of the skin.
If this medication is accidentally applied into the eyes, flush immediately with water. See your doctor if you develop an eye irritation. Thoroughly wash your hands after applying the medication to avoid the gel accidentally getting into your eyes.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember that you need to apply Epiduo Gel, use it at about the same time each day. Do not use a larger amount or use it more frequently than what is recommended by your doctor. Your skin will not improve any faster by doing so. It will only increase the risk of developing redness, pain, and peeling.
Inform your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.
How do I buy Epiduo Gel online?
You can safely buy Epiduo Gel onlineat Cloud Pharmacy. You will need to have first an online consultation with our medical prescriber before your order will be supplied. The online consultation will ensure that Epiduo Gel is the right medication for your medical condition.
I have started using Epiduo gel and the treated area is red and irritated, is this normal?
Redness and irritation of the treated area can occur when you use Epiduo for the first time. This is not usually serious and subsides typically within a week. During this time, try applying the gel every other day; this should ease these side effects.
Does Epiduo gel work for acne scars?
Epiduo gel is used to prevent, reduce, and treat existing acne. It can also help to rid your skin of acne scars that have come from previous outbreaks.
AUTHORED BY
Ibrahim co-founded Cloud Pharmacy, stemming from a desire to revolutionise healthcare accessibility in the UK. This vision was conceptualised in 2013 to provide patient-centred care across the country.
REVIEWED BY
Nazmul brings over 11 years of experience to his role as Superintendent Pharmacist & Director. A University of Strathclyde alumnus, he has a strong background in pharmacy, previously working as a pharmacist at Boots before co-founding Cloud Pharmacy with Ibrahim.
Epiduo Gel Reviews
Confirm Epiduo Gel treatment selection
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