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.