Duac Gel (3% & 5%)

What Is Acne?

Acne is a skin condition that occurs when your hair follicles become clogged with oil and dead skin cells. This happens when you produce too much sebum, an oily substance that lubricates the hair and skin. When there’s an overproduction of sebum, it mixes with dead skin cells and blocks your pores. If bacteria enters these pores, they’ll turn into acne.

Acne causes whiteheads, blackheads and pimples, and these can appear on the face, neck, chest, shoulders and upper back. It can be painful, and a lot of people find it makes them feel self-conscious, or even embarrassed about their appearance. Acne is most common in teenagers, though it can continue into later life, with around 3% of adults aged over 35 suffering from the condition.

How Does Duac Gel Treat Acne?

Duac Gel contains two active ingredients: clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide.

Clindamycin is an antibiotic that prevents bacteria from reproducing and helps to control the inflammation of the skin.

Benzoyl peroxide works to reduce the number of whiteheads and blackheads that develop. It does this by causing the top layer of skin to break down and shed. Benzoyl peroxide also helps to kill the bacteria found on your skin.

Duac Gel’s dual action makes it particularly effective at easing and preventing acne. Most patients should see an improvement in their symptoms after three months of daily use.

Duac Gel comes in two different strengths, 3% and 5%. This refers to the concentration of Benzoyl peroxide in the treatment. Speak to a medical professional to find out which strength is best for you.

How To Use Duac Gel

Dual Gel only needs to be applied once each day. Don’t use Duac Gel more than is recommended as this could cause your skin to become irritated.

You should make sure that you completely remove any makeup before using the gel. Thoroughly wash the skin of the affected area and gently pat it dry. Apply a thin film of gel to the entire area of affected skin using your fingertips. Make sure you cover all of the skin in the affected area, not just the spots. Wash your hands before application to prevent the transfer of bacteria from your fingers to your skin, and after to stop gel residue spreading.

How Quickly Does Duac Gel Work?

While some people may see results within a few days of beginning treatment with Duac Gel, you’ll probably need to wait two to five weeks before you notice a real improvement in your acne symptoms.

Alternatives To Duac Gel (3% & 5%)

There are a number of different acne treatments available. Some use vitamin A as a base to prevent hair follicles from clogging, while other acne treatments use an antibiotic base to fight harmful bacteria.

Some of the most popular alternatives to Duac Gel are:

• Tetralysal
• Skinoren Cream
• Oxytetracycline
• Zineryt
• Differin
• Treclin

Like Duac Gel, most of these medications are topical treatments (meaning they are applied to the skin), though some, like Oxytetracycline and Tetralysal, are capsules and you’ll need to take them orally.

Our team of medical experts will be able to talk you through the options to find the treatment that’s right for you. However, as there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for acne, you may need to try a few different products to see which is most effective for your skin.

Duac Gel Ingredients

The active substances in Duac Gel are: clindamycin and hydrous benzoyl peroxide.

The other ingredients are: carbomer 940, dimeticone, disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate, disodium edetate, glycerol, silica (colloidal hydrated), poloxamer 182, purified water and sodium hydroxide clindamycin and hydrous benzoyl peroxide.

Duac Gel Side Effects

The most common side effects associated with Dual Gel include:

Duac Gel is a powerful acne treatment, and you may experience some side effects when using it. The most common side effects of Duac Gel (3% & 5%) are:

• red, dry, peeling skin in the treated area or a rash
• a burning sensation in the treated area
• sensitivity in the treated area
• a mild-to-moderate headache

In most cases, these side effects will appear during the first two to three weeks of use. They should ease as your skin gets used to the treatment. It’s also important to note that Duac Gel can make treated skin temporarily more sensitive to UV light, making you more likely to burn in the sun. Wearing sunscreen while in the sun is always recommended, but especially while using Duac Gel acne treatment.

For more information on the pros and cons of this acne treatment, check out our Dual Gel reviews.

Duac Gel Warnings

• Only use Duac Gel on your skin. Keep it away from areas like your eyes, lips, mouth, or inside your nose and avoid applications to any sensitive area as it may cause skin irritation. For example, if you have cuts, grazes, sunburn or broken skin.
• Most people will experience some skin redness and peeling during the first few weeks of treatment. If your skin becomes irritated, you may need to use an oil-free moisturiser, reduce the frequency of applications, or stop using it for a short period to allow your skin to recover and then restart treatment.
• Try not to let Duac Gel come into contact with hair and coloured fabrics, including clothing, towels, bed linen, furniture or carpeting, as this product can bleach these materials.
• Duac Gel can make your skin more sensitive to the harmful effects of the sun. Avoid the use of sunbeds/lamps and minimise the time you spend in the sun. You should use sunscreen and wear protective clothing while using this gel.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine if:

• You have ever had any of the following gut problems: regional enteritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease or antibiotic-associated colitis.
• If you develop stomach cramps or diarrhoea that does not improve or is severe, stop using Duac Gel and contact your doctor immediately.

Please ensure you have read the Patient Information Leaflet thoroughly before use.

Can You Use Duac Gel While Pregnant or Breastfeeding?

Around 50% of women experience acne while pregnant, especially during the first trimester. This is caused by the change of hormones during pregnancy that can trigger sebum production and result in clogged pores when the skin becomes oily. It can appear on the face, chest, or even as back acne.

While Duac Gel is an effective treatment option, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it’s best to consult with your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using this medicine as there may be other acne treatments that are more suitable.