Epiduo is a topical acne ointment available only by prescription and also goes by the trade names Differen and Adaferin. It is marketed by Galderma, a Swiss pharmaceutical company that is a subsidiary of Nestle and L’Oreal (I know what you’re thinking – Chocolate and shampoo don’t mix…but we digress.)
Epiduo Ingredients and Potency
Epiduo is essentially a cream that combines two ingredients -
- 2.5% Benzoyl peroxide
- 1% Adapalene
Benzoyl peroxide is a non-prescription element that is known to be pretty effective at reducing the appearance of acne, though sometimes at the cost of your skin’s comfort. Epiduo owes it’s prescription-only status (and high prescription-only cost) to adapalene, which is a chemical relative of Vitamin A. Even at such a small concentration, this chemical is very potent and has been shown to be fairly effective. This cream is applied once daily, usually before bed.
Epiduo Results
Users have reported fairly consistent success in reducing the appearance of acne pimples from regular use of this product. There is no question that millions of dollars of research are going to find a pretty effective solution, though it always comes at a cost.
Epiduo Side Effects and Safety
One of the main concerns with Epiduo use is the number of side-effects associated with it. The company reports that users often experienced “scaling, dryness, stinging and burning“. As well, it is important to note that adapalene increases your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight and propensity to experience UV damage.
Epiduo Value and Guarantee
As you can be pretty confident Epiduo will provide at least some positive results, it may be recommendable for those who have not found any other solution that helps but aside from the side effects a major concern here is also the cost. You have to factor in the cost of consulting a doctor to obtain a prescription and then depending on your plan you may end up paying a few hundred just to give this product a try. Also, the only guarantee you get here is that once you’ve spent the money, it’s guaranteed to not be refunded. For this reason it is certainly not the first we’d recommend but if you’re serious about waging a war against your acne, Epiduo may be a valuable, if expensive and uncomfortable, asset.
