Epiduo Gel

Apply Epiduo Gel once a day in the evening to clean, dry skin. The skin should be washed with a gentle, non-medicated cleanser and patted dry before application.

Apply a thin film of gel evenly over the acne-affected areas, not just individual spots. For facial acne, a pea-sized amount is usually enough for each main area of the face, such as the forehead, chin and each cheek. Avoid contact with the eyes, lips, nostrils, mucous membranes and any cut, scraped, eczematous or sunburned skin. Wash your hands thoroughly after applying the gel.

Allow the gel to dry fully before bringing the treated skin into contact with clothing, towels, pillows or hair, as benzoyl peroxide can bleach fabrics, hair and dyed materials. Do not use other topical retinoids, benzoyl peroxide products or medicines with a similar mode of action at the same time as Epiduo unless advised by your prescriber. It is also recommended to be careful with exfoliants, scrubs, peeling products or alcohol-based astringents, as these can increase irritation.

Epiduo Gel should be applied once daily in the evening. There are two reasons evening application is preferred. First, both adapalene and benzoyl peroxide can increase the skin's sensitivity to sunlight, so applying the gel at night reduces sun exposure shortly after use. Second, evening application avoids the practical difficulties of applying makeup or sunscreen over freshly applied gel.

If you tend to use a moisturiser, apply it in the morning rather than at the same time as Epiduo. Wait until the gel has fully dried before going to bed.

Branded Epiduo and generic Adapalene/Benzoyl Peroxide gel contain the same active ingredients at the same strengths: adapalene 0.1% and benzoyl peroxide 2.5%. Both are prescription-only medicines licensed for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris when blackheads, whiteheads, papules and pustules are present.

The main differences between the branded and generic versions are:

• Manufacturer: Branded Epiduo is the original product, developed and marketed by Galderma (UK) Ltd. Generic Adapalene/Benzoyl Peroxide gel is produced by a different licensed manufacturer once the patent on the original branded product has expired.
• Price: Generic medicines are usually offered at a lower price than the branded equivalent, as the cost of original research and development is no longer reflected in the price.
• Appearance and packaging: The tube or pump dispenser, gel colour and outer packaging may look different between the branded and generic versions, but the formulation inside is bioequivalent.

Both products are applied in the same way, work through the same mechanisms and are licensed for the same indications. The choice between branded Epiduo and the generic version usually comes down to availability, price and personal preference.

NICE recommends an initial 12-week course of treatment. The duration of any further treatment should be discussed with your GP based on how your acne has responded and whether you have experienced side effects.

If the acne has cleared or substantially improved at 12 weeks, NICE recommends considering a maintenance regimen with topical adapalene, topical azelaic acid, topical benzoyl peroxide or a fixed combination such as Epiduo, depending on individual response and tolerability.

Acne is a chronic, relapsing condition. When Epiduo is stopped without a maintenance plan, acne lesions can return over weeks or months as oil production, follicular shedding and bacterial colonisation gradually return to their previous pattern. Local side effects such as dryness, redness or peeling usually improve after treatment is reduced or stopped, although the time this takes can vary.

If you wish to stop Epiduo, speak to your GP or pharmacist about whether a maintenance topical treatment may be appropriate to help keep your skin clear.

Some patients can notice initial worsening of their acne in the first two to four weeks of using Epiduo, sometimes called skin purging. This can happen as adapalene speeds up the cell turnover within hair follicles, bringing existing microcomedones to the surface earlier than they would have appeared otherwise.

This phase typically settles within four to six weeks of continued use. If the irritation is severe, persistent or worsening beyond this point, stop the gel and consult your GP for advice.

Epiduo is licensed for the treatment of active acne, not specifically for acne scars or dark spots. By helping to control acne, it may reduce the chance of new post-inflammatory marks forming. Some people may also notice gradual improvement in uneven pigmentation over time, but Epiduo should not be relied on as a dedicated treatment for acne scarring or dark spots.

For deeper, textural acne scars (atrophic or hypertrophic scars), Epiduo is unlikely to produce significant change, and other approaches such as chemical peels, microneedling or referral to a dermatologist can be more appropriate. Speak to your GP for advice on which approach is best suited to your skin.

Both Epiduo and Differin contain adapalene 0.1%, but they are not the same product:

• Differin contains adapalene 0.1% on its own, in either a cream or a gel formulation.
• Epiduo combines adapalene 0.1% with benzoyl peroxide 2.5% in a single gel, providing both retinoid and antimicrobial action.

Epiduo is recommended by NICE as a first-line fixed combination treatment for any severity of acne, while adapalene monotherapy (Differin) is generally suitable for milder, predominantly non-inflammatory acne or as a maintenance option once active acne has settled. The choice between the two depends on the type and severity of acne, individual tolerance and clinical advice.

Epiduo Forte contains a higher concentration of adapalene (0.3%) alongside the same 2.5% benzoyl peroxide. It is licensed for adults and adolescents aged 12 and over and is used when standard Epiduo (0.1%/2.5%) has not produced sufficient response, or where a clinician judges that a higher-potency option is appropriate from the outset.

Both strengths are applied in the same way, once daily in the evening to clean, dry skin. However, the higher adapalene concentration in Epiduo Forte can be associated with a greater chance of initial skin irritation, dryness or scaling.

No. Epiduo Gel is a prescription-only medicine (POM) in the UK and cannot be purchased over the counter. It can be obtained on prescription from a GP, dermatologist or registered online pharmacy such as Pharmica following a short online consultation reviewed by a prescriber.

Epiduo Gel must not be used during pregnancy, or by women who are planning to become pregnant. If you become pregnant or suspect you are pregnant while using Epiduo, treatment should be stopped immediately and inform your doctor.

Epiduo can be used during breastfeeding because systemic absorption is negligible. To avoid contact exposure of the infant, the gel should not be applied to the chest while breastfeeding. As with any medicine taken during pregnancy or breastfeeding, consult your GP or pharmacist before starting treatment.

Other topical retinoids (such as adapalene on its own, tretinoin or trifarotene) and other benzoyl peroxide products should not be used at the same time as Epiduo, as this duplicates the active ingredients and increases the risk of skin irritation.

Cosmetics with a desquamative, irritant or drying effect, such as exfoliating acids, scrubs and alcohol-based toners, should also be avoided during treatment as they can cause additive irritation. Non-comedogenic moisturisers and gentle, fragrance-free cleansers are generally well tolerated alongside Epiduo and can help manage dryness.

Yes. Both adapalene and benzoyl peroxide can increase the skin's sensitivity to ultraviolet light. During treatment with Epiduo:

• Avoid prolonged or excessive sun exposure
• Avoid sunbeds and UV lamps
• Apply a non-comedogenic broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 each morning
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat or other protective clothing in strong sun

If sunburn occurs, stop applying Epiduo until the skin has healed.

Yes. The benzoyl peroxide in Epiduo can bleach hair and discolour dyed fabrics, including clothing, towels and bedding on contact. To minimise this:

• Allow the gel to dry fully before bringing skin into contact with fabrics
• Wash your hands thoroughly after each application
• Consider using white pillowcases and towels during treatment
• Avoid the eyebrows and hairline if possible

Do not use Epiduo Gel if you:

• Are allergic to adapalene, benzoyl peroxide or any of the other ingredients listed in the patient information leaflet
• Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant

Speak to your GP or pharmacist before using Epiduo Gel if you:

• Have eczema, sunburn, cuts or grazes on the area you intend to treat
• Are using other topical retinoid or benzoyl peroxide products
• Have very sensitive skin or a history of irritant or allergic contact dermatitis
• Are breastfeeding (Epiduo can be used, but should not be applied to the chest)

Always read the patient information leaflet supplied with the product before starting treatment and inform your GP or pharmacist of any other medicines or skincare products you are using.

Each gram of Epiduo 0.1%/2.5% Gel contains:

• Adapalene: 1mg (0.1%)
• Benzoyl peroxide: 25mg (2.5%)

The other ingredients are docusate sodium, edetate disodium, glycerol, poloxamer 124, propylene glycol (E1520), purified water, simulgel 600 PHA (containing acrylamide/sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate copolymer, isohexadecane, polysorbate 80 and sorbitan oleate) and sodium hydroxide. Each gram contains 40mg of propylene glycol (E1520) and up to 4mg of polysorbate 80 (E433), which may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in susceptible individuals.

For the full list of ingredients, please refer to the patient information leaflet for Epiduo 0.1%/2.5% Gel.