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Duac Gel (3% & 5%)
from £22.99
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About Duac Gel (3% & 5%)
If you’re currently living with acne, you’ll know that, as well as causing painful spots and irritation, it can also affect your confidence and self-esteem. Finding a treatment to ease your symptoms and help you feel happy about your skin is essential.
Duac Gel (3% & 5%) is one of the most popular acne treatments in the UK. It works by killing the bacteria that’s responsible for causing acne and is clinically proven to help reduce symptoms, ease flare-ups and prevent acne from spreading.
- Suitable for age:18 Years +
- Maximums per order:Duac 5% Gel (30g)3Duac 3% Gel3Duac 5% Gel (60g)2
- Consultation required?YesThis treatment requires an online consultation for review by our medical team. The decision to supply the specific treatment and quantity requested will be based on whether our medical team are satisfied that it will be safe, appropriate, and effective.
| Type of medicine | Antibiotic, Antiseptic and effective in getting rid of bacteria and dead skin cells that clog your pores |
| Works by | Killing the bacteria responsible for the spread of acne |
| Active ingredient | Clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide |
| Effective within | 3 Months |
| Pack size | 30g and 60g |
| Strength | (3% & 5%) |
| Common side effects | Skin irritation such as burning sensation, peeling, itching, Dry or redness of the skin, Headache, Sensitivity to sunlight, Skin pain, Rash (dermatitis) |
| Manufacturer | Stiefel |
| Generic | Not available |
| Use with alcohol | No known issues |
We stock 3 different variants of Duac Gel (3% & 5%)
Duac Gel (3% & 5%) information
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:
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.
Duac Gel (3% & 5%) reviews
Duac Gel (3% & 5%) FAQs
Duac is a treatment which combines two of the most commonly-used acne treatments. No treatment will completely cure acne, but Duac should remove 2/3 of blemishes within 30 days of use.
First, it contains clindamycin, which is the top antibiotic used to treat acne in both the UK and in Canada. Unlike minocycline (the primary treatment in the US), it will not cause teeth to become stained or discoloured.
The second component is benzoyl peroxide. This is the most popular ingredient in all acne treatments. It contains benzoin and hydrogen peroxide, which kill acne bacteria which remains after the clindamycin treatment. This combination of ingredients ensures that the bacteria will not become resistant to one antibiotic.
Duac tends to work within 48 hours, which is notably faster than other combination acne treatments such as Zineryt or Differin.
A moisturiser will help to prevent dry skin, which is very important in treating acne. Moisturiser can be applied over a layer of Duac. However, do not use a moisturiser containing an alcohol, as this may increase skin irritation. Instead, select an alcohol-free alternative.
1 in 10 patients who use Duac will notice dry skin to some extent. This may lead to mild redness and peeling where the treatment is applied.
This side effect may be more pronounced when Duac is used in combination with certain other medicines, cosmetics, toiletries or soaps. Specifically, products which contain isotretinoin, tretinoin and tazarotene may interact with benzoyl peroxide and lead to skin irritation. If you must use these products as well as Duac, try to spread out the time of day when you apply them.
Duac should be stored below 25°C and kept for a maximum of two months after opening. Keep all medications away from children.
Duac will not react with the drinking of alcohol; however it might react with other topical acne products that contain alcohol.
Duac Gel can provide many benefits, the main ones being:
- A reduction in acne on the skin
- Decreases the chance of future outbreaks occurring
- Allows your skin to breath and heal
- It’s a cost effective solution
- By applying Duac directly to the skin, it is able to work faster than other medications, as well as decreasing the chance of side effects
- Some people see benefits within the first few days
Duac is a prescription only medication and is therefore not available over the counter. In order to purchase Duac gel you will need a prescription from a medical professional.
Approximately 10 percent of individuals who use duac will experience some level of dry skin. This can manifest itself as redness or peeling in the area in which the treatment has been applied. This kind of irritation can become more noticeable if duac is used in conjunction with other medication, cosmetics or toiletries. More specifically, products which contain ingredients such as isotretinoin, tretinoin and tazarotene can increase irritation by interacting with the benozyl peroxide. If you wish to use these products alongside Duac, it might be a good idea to spread them out throughout the day.
Duac works by making use of two active ingredients. The first one is called clindamycin, the number one antibiotic in the UK for treating acne. This has benefits over minocycline (which is the number one antibiotic used in the US), as it does not discolour or stain teeth.
The second active ingredient is known as benzyol peroxide, an ingredient which can be found in most acne treatments. The benzoin and the hydrogen peroxide work by killing any acne bacteria remaining on the skin. By combining with clindamycin these ingredients stop the bacteria from becoming resistant to one antibiotic.
Studies have shown that Duac works within 48 hours of use, much faster than any other combination treatment available on the market.
Yes – Duac Gel is intended for once-daily application to help treat and prevent breakouts.
Duac Gel is not recommended during pregnancy. This is because it contains benzoyl peroxide. Consult a medical professional for advice on a suitable alternative if you are pregnant.
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Authored by
Andy BoysanBPharmGPhC 2047716Director & Superintendent Pharmacist
Andy is a co-founder and the Superintendent Pharmacist and Director at The Independent Pharmacy.
Reviewed by
Daniel HurleyMPharm IPGPhC 2078790Pharmacist Independent Prescriber
Dan is an experienced pharmacist having spent time working in both primary and secondary care. He currently supports our clinical team by providing robust clinical governance review of our internal processes and information.
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