Review: Epiduo Anti-acne Gel

After weeks of zero low self-confidence, I finally visited my derma hoping that she can put an end to all this misery. As usual, she prescribed oral medication but this time, she put me on Tetralysal (Limecycline) instead of doxycycline which she prescribed me twice in the past. She also prescribed Epiduo Anti-acne Gel along with the anti-acne bar (with salicyclic and tea tree) and clarifying liquid. Both the anti-acne bar and clarifying liquid are her own formulation while the Tetralysal and Epiduo are from Galderma. The latter is the one I will be reviewing in this post.

Review

Packaging and Appeal. Epiduo comes in a small white tube similar to that of topical products we use to treat burns and other skin problems. The tube doesn’t have anything fancy printed on it. Based on the tube alone, you will know that this product is more of a medicine than a beauty product.

Ironically, the product doesn’t look like it’s in gel form however, the product is described in the label as white to very light yellow opaque gel. So yeah, I wouldn’t suggest changing it from anti-acne gel to anti-acne cream. LOL!

Effectiveness. This is by far the most effective topical pimple medication I have tried, maybe because I was also taking Tetralysal along with using this. However, even weeks after I’m done taking my dose of Tetralysal, it is still working as it is supposed to.

During the first few weeks, I use this twice or thrice a week to gradually get my skin used to it and prevent negative reactions such as stinging or flaking. I am happy to say that a day or so after my first application, I can see great improvement. My pimples, even those with lesion, started to heal and the part of my face with pimples is no longer itchy. Fast forward to three weeks, my face is way clearer than it was prior to using this. On my fourth week, I started to increase my usage to every other day and on my fifth week, I went back to applying thrice a week as my face is a lot better and the leaflet says to recede using when condition improves.

Right now, I still have some acne scars left and a couple or so small pimples appearing at times but nothing I cannot tolerate. I will continue using Epiduo until all the scars are gone or when told by my dermatologist to stop.

Scent. While it doesn’t say unscented, I have not noticed any smell when using this.

Ingredients. Epiduo contains Benzoyl Peroxide and Adapalene; these two components are already effective pimple treatment when used individually so combining them definitely creates a more potent weapon against frustrating acne.

Price. The only downside of this product is its cost. One small tube costs Php 1200 from my derma, Php 1280 on Mercury Drugstore and Php 1150 from Erin’s Family Drugstore (local drugstore). I think this is the most expensive skin care product I have ever bought. But then, I’d rather buy an expensive product that works than a cheap one that is of no use to me.

Availability. Epiduo can be bought from drugstores nationwide. Some dermatologists also carry this product.

Rating

Aspects	Rating
Packaging & Appeal	3.5/5
Effectiveness	5/5
Scent	4/5
Ingredients	4/5
Price	2/5
Availability	4/5
Overall Rating	3.75/5

Will I buy this product again?
Yes! I plan to use this long term, even just once a week, as a sort of maintenance to prevent pimples. Prevention is better than cure they say.

Conclusion.
For pimple sufferers, this one is for you. I’m not sure if this is OTC but you can find out in a drugstore near you. Otherwise, you have to see a dermatologist first for prescription.