Epiduo & Epiduo Forte Gel

What is Epiduo?

Epiduo and Epiduo Forte gels are a prescription acne treatment that is available to order from The Independent Pharmacy. You can buy Epiduo and Epiduo Forte gel online following your free consultation being reviewed by one of our specialists.

Epiduo and Epiduo Forte are topical gels used to treat acne. They are manufactured by Galderma UK Ltd and come in a practical 45g pump dispenser. Epiduo and Epiduo Forte gels contain two active ingredients: adapalene 0.1% and benzoyl peroxide 2.5%.

Adapalene is a topical retinoid. It is particularly effective at treating acne, which has been caused by clogged hair follicles in your skin.

Benzoyl peroxide is a substance that kills bacteria used to treat acne. It tackles acne by cleaning your skin deeply. This reduces the amount of acne-causing bacteria (P. acnes) on the surface of your skin.

The combination of adapalene and benzoyl peroxide helps significantly reduce acne breakouts, preventing or reducing future acne occurrences.

What is the difference between Epiduo and Epiduo Forte?

Epiduo and Epiduo Forte work in the same way and contain the same active ingredients, except Epiduo Forte is stronger than Epiduo, containing adapalene 0.3% and benzoyl peroxide 2.5% compared to Epiduo's adapalene 0.1% and benzoyl peroxide 2.5%.

Epiduo Forte should only be used after an initial course of Epiduo has proven ineffective.

Furthermore, Epiduo can be used by adults and children from 9 years of age or older, whereas the stronger version, Epiduo Forte, can only be used by adults and children of 12 years of age or older.

How does Epiduo Gel work?

Epiduo contains adapalene, which is a synthetic retinoid (a man-made version of vitamin A that helps treat acne). It works to reduce the growth of keratin surface skin cells that can block pores. When adapalene is applied to an affected area, it will help unblock the pores and oil glands, allowing the sebum (natural oils) to escape. This will decrease the skin redness, swelling and inflammation associated with acne.

Epiduo gel also contains benzoyl peroxide, an antimicrobial medicine designed to kill the bacteria that can lead to acne symptoms. It also helps promote skin turnover, which will further help clear blocked pores and reduce the bacterial count on the skin’s surface. It is effective at treating different types of acne like blackheads, whiteheads, and inflamed red spots.

Combining both these ingredients in a single treatment will help provide an effective means of treating and controlling mild to moderate symptoms of acne. Epiduo has been clinically tested and approved for both short and long-term acne treatment.

Main Benefits of Epiduo Gel

• It is the only topical combination acne treatment that is free of antibiotics
• It kills Propionibacterium acnes – the bacteria which cause acne
• It helps to clear existing acne
• It helps to stop future acne breakouts
• It helps to dry greasy skin

Epiduo is an effective treatment option for acne that should be prescribed when benzoyl peroxide (Panoxyl) or adapalene (Differin) used on their own has failed. Epiduo contains both of these ingredients. This combination of ingredients may be more effective and help treat more severe cases of acne.

Epiduo Alternatives

Epiduo gel is a topical retinoid applied directly to the skin. It helps by balancing the excessive production of skin cells, removing dead skin cells, and thus keeping your pores clear. The other topical treatments available for your acne are:

• Topical antibiotics – these kill the bacteria on your skin that are responsible for infecting your clogged hair follicles. These include Zineryt and Dalacin T.
• Other topical treatments - these work in a similar way to Epiduo by reducing the build-up of dead skin cells, helping to keep your pores clear and therefore stopping blackheads and whiteheads. These include Acnecide and Differin. They are suitable for mild to moderate acne and can be combined with antibiotics for a greater effect.
• Azelaic acid (Skinoren) – this removes your dead skin cells and kills Propionibacterium acnes
• Antibiotic tablets – often used together with other acne treatments that don't contain antibiotics, help kill acne-causing bacteria and reduce redness and swelling from acne. These are suitable for moderate to severe acne and include Tetralysal and Oxytetracycline. Oral antibiotics work well with Epiduo to reduce severe acne.

Alongside the available prescription treatments for acne, there are a number of natural remedies that you can use to tackle your acne. You should also establish good skincare routines and make sure that you are:

• Cleansing your skin
• Exfoliating your skin
• Moisturising your skin
• Avoiding excessive sun exposure

You can read more about preventing acne on our advice page.

How to use Epiduo

Apply a thin layer of Epiduo gel to the affected area once daily in the evening. You should apply gel to the whole affected area, not just the spots themselves. Use continuously for up to 3 months.

• You should wash your face using warm water and a mild cleanser or soap before use.
• Pat it dry. Rubbing can irritate the skin and cause redness.
• If dry skin or irritation occurs at the start of treatment, try applying Epiduo every other day and slowly work up to daily applications.

This process should be repeated as directed by your doctor or pharmacist (usually once a day).

Early signs of improvement in acne symptoms usually appear after 1 to 4 weeks of treatment.

Epiduo and Epiduo Forte ingredients

Epiduo gel contains the active ingredients: adapalene 0.1% w/w and benzoyl peroxide 2.5% w/w.

Epiduo Forte gel contains the active ingredients: adapalene 0.3% w/w and benzoyl peroxide 2.5% w/w.

They both contain the inactive ingredients: docusate sodium, disodium edetate, glycerin, poloxamer, propylene glycerol (E1520), simulgel 600 PHA (copolymer of acrylamide and sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate, isohexadecane, polysorbate 80, sorbitan oleate) & purified water.

Epiduo side effects

Epiduo gel can cause side effects in a small number of people who use it. Potential side effects most often appear at the start of treatment as your skin gets used to Epiduo.

Common (affect between 1 in 10 and 1 in 100 people)

• Dry skin: If this occurs you can used a non-comedogenic moisturiser (like Cetaphil) to remoisturise the skin without clogging your pores.
• Irritant contact dermatitis.
• Skin irritation and burning: You should reduce the frequency of application or discontinue use until your skin is better, then slowly re-introduce treatment.

Uncommon (affect between 1 in 100 and 1 in 1000 people)

• Itching (pruritus)
• Sunburn

Ensure you read the Patient Information Leaflet before using Epiduo so you are aware of all the possible adverse effects.

Epiduo warnings

• Epiduo Gel should not be applied to skin that is broken or has eczema.
• Epiduo should not come into contact with the eyes, mouth, nostrils or mucous membranes (sensitive areas inside your body). If the product enters the eye, wash immediately with warm water.
• This product contains propylene glycol (E1520) that may cause skin irritation.
• Excessive exposure to sunlight or UV light (including sunbeds) should be avoided whilst using Epiduo.
• Epiduo should not come into contact with any coloured material, including hair and dyed fabrics, as this may result in bleaching and discolouration.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Epiduo should not be used during pregnancy. Speak to a healthcare provider or pharmacist before using Epiduo if you are breastfeeding.

Read the Patient Information Leaflet thoroughly for full details of warnings and precautions associated with this medicine.

Patient Information Leaflet

Before using Epiduo, it is important to read the patient information leaflet enclosed with your treatment.

Epiduo PIL

Sources

James Leyden, Linda Stein-Gold & Jonathan Weiss (2017). Why Topical Retinoids Are Mainstay of Therapy for Acne - https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13555-017-0185-2

NHS (2022). About benzoyl peroxide - https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/benzoyl-peroxide/about-benzoyl-peroxide/

Epiduo Patient Information Leaflet: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/451/pil