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Epiduo

Acne|Active ingredient(s): Benzoyl peroxide & Adapalene|Manufacturer: MEDANA PHARMA S.A

Young woman holding tube of gel by her face.

Dual-action formula that fights and prevents breakouts

  • Kills the acne bacteria and speeds up the rate of skin cell turnover.
  • Once-daily convenient application.
  • See results in as little as 4 weeks.
  • Lightweight gel that does not clog pores.

How to take

A woman cleansing her skin.

Cleanse and dry skin

Make sure your skin is clean and dry before applying Epiduo.

A close-up of a woman applying gel to her face

Apply once daily

Apply a thin layer of Epiduo gel to the affected area once a day.

A close-up of a woman with a pimple

Avoid sensitive skin

Do not apply the gel near the eyes, lips or nostrils. Also, avoid any broken skin.

What others say about Epiduo

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Price is all-inclusive.
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UK: Free next-day delivery.
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Epiduo

What is Epiduo?

Epiduo gel is a topical treatment for mild to moderate acne manufactured by Galderma. Since its approval in the EU in 2009, it has helped many to treat acne pimples, pustules and oily skin.

How does Epiduo work?

Epiduo contains two active ingredients to deliver a dual effect: benzoyl peroxide and adapalene.

Adapalene is a retinoid. It speeds up the rate skin cells are replaced, which unclogs your pores and helps to treat and prevent acne breakouts. It also helps to even out skin tone and improve skin texture.

Benzoyl peroxide is an antimicrobial agent; it helps to kill the acne-causing bacteria. It also helps to soften the top layer of skin to help the skin cell turnover process.

How effective is it?

Studies show that Epiduo is an effective and safe treatment for acne. One study investigated the effectiveness of Epiduo gel in 73 people with acne. After 12 weeks of treatment, they found:

  • 75% of participants experienced at least a 50% improvement in their non-inflammatory acne (whiteheads and blackheads), a 70% improvement in inflammatory acne (papules, pimples, pustules, Nodules, and cysts), and an overall 78% reduction in acne.
  • 71% of participants were classed as having an excellent response to treatment, and 87.6% had a satisfactory to good response.

Mild side effects such as irritation were reported in the first week of treatment, but they reduced by the second week.

How long does it take for Epiduo to work?

Epiduo usually starts to work within 4 weeks. However, it can take up to 2 to 4 months of consistent use for the treatment to have its full effect.

Who can use Epiduo?

Epiduo is safe to use for most people with acne. However, do not use it without asking your doctor if you are:

  • pregnant
  • allergic to adapalene, benzoyl peroxide or any of the other ingredients

Women who are breastfeeding can use Epiduo gel, but they should not apply it to their chest to limit the risk of exposure to an infant.

How do I use Epiduo?

You apply a thin layer of Epiduo gel once daily in the evening to the affected areas. Avoid applying it to the eyes, lips and nostrils. Do not apply to irritated, sunburnt or broken skin.

If you feel the effects of Epiduo are too weak or too strong, you should tell your doctor.

Do not apply Epiduo more than directed. This will not improve your acne quicker and may cause additional irritation.

How long should I use Epiduo?

You should use Epiduo for as long as your doctor recommends. However, you will typically use it for a minimum of 8 weeks to assess its effectiveness.

Are there any side effects?

Like all prescription medicines, Epiduo may cause side effects. The most common side effects should go away on their own once your body gets used to the medicine.

Common side effects (up to 1 in 10 people):

  • dry skin
  • local skin rash
  • burning sensation
  • skin irritation
  • redness
  • scaling

Speak to your doctor as soon as possible if you experience any persistent or serious side effects.

For a full list of side effects, please refer to the patient information leaflet (PIL).

Is Epiduo safe?

Yes, research suggests Epiduo is a safe and clinically-proven acne treatment. But if you have another medical condition or take other medication, your doctor will need to ensure it’s safe for you. Our doctors will also know whether it’s safe for you based on your medical questionnaire during the ordering process.

Can I get Epiduo without a prescription?

No, Epiduo is not available without a prescription. Our doctors will only prescribe treatment if you meet the criteria in your online consultation.

A prescription from a trusted healthcare provider like 121doc ensures:

  • safety during treatment
  • effective results
  • monitoring of side effects

Does Epiduo help with acne scars?

Epiduo gel may help reduce the appearance of recent or mild acne scars. However, older or deeper scars usually require more specialist treatment.

How do I stop Epiduo from burning​?

If Epiduo is causing burning and irritation, you should reduce how often you apply it until your skin feels better. You can also try using a gentle moisturiser after applying Epiduo to relieve any burning.

Does Epiduo cause purging?

Yes, Epiduo can cause purging. This is where acne worsens before it gets better, caused by an increase in the skin cell turnover. This effect is temporary and usually lasts around 4-6 weeks. If it doesn’t improve, consult your doctor or dermatologist.

What happens when you stop using Epiduo?

If you stop using Epiduo, your acne may come back. It’s important to check with your doctor or dermatologist if you are thinking about stopping Epiduo.

Medical review byDr. Caroline FontanaLast review 23 January 2026
Dr. Caroline Fontana

Note: You must complete a short online consultation so that our doctor can ensure that the treatment is suitable for you. The above pricing should only be used as a reference. The final decision to issue this treatment lies with the prescribing doctor.

Epiduo Overview

Type of medicine Topical retinoid / antimicrobial agent
Used for Acne
Active ingredient Adapalene with benzoyl peroxide
Works by Speeding up the skin cell turnover rate and killing acne bacteria
Effective within 4 weeks
Available as Gel
Available dosage(s) 0.1 % adapalene and 2.5% benzoyl peroxide
Usage instructions Apply a thin layer to affected areas once daily in the evening
Packaging A plastic tube containing pale white gel
Manufacturer Galderma
Generic available No

FAQs

What is included in the online consultation?
Will a doctor review my consultation?
What happens after I submit my order?
What services are included with my order?
Is the price all-inclusive?
What are my delivery options?
Is it safe to buy prescription medication online?
Is this service discreet?
What is included in the online consultation?

Our online consultations are in the format of short medical questionnaires. You will be asked general questions about your health and medical history, as well as specific medical questions relevant to the treatment you have chosen. We will also ask you for your payment and delivery details to complete the order.

Online consultations take no longer than 5 minutes to complete. All questions are necessary when issuing prescription medicines. It means that our doctors can make sure the treatment is safe and right for you.

Will a doctor review my consultation?

Yes, it is a legal requirement that all online consultations are reviewed by a registered doctor. This is to make sure the chosen treatment is safe and right for you to take. All personal information is stored securely and confidentially.

Please note, all orders are subject to doctor approval, and we cannot guarantee that your order will be approved.

What happens after I submit my order?

Your online consultation will be sent directly to our medical team, where it will be reviewed by on of our in-house doctors.

If a doctor approves you for treatment, they will issue a prescription. Your prescription will then be forwarded to our pharmacist, where you medication will be dispensed and dispatched for delivery.

What services are included with my order?

Every order includes:

  • Free consultation - your consultation will be personally reviewed by one of our registered doctors.
  • Free prescription - a doctor will issue you a prescription if approved for treatment.
  • Free delivery - we provide free express delivery across Europe, you should receive your order in 1-2 working days.
Is the price all-inclusive?

Yes, our service is all-inclusive and there are no hidden fees. All 121doc orders include a free online consultation, a free prescription and free express delivery.

What are my delivery options?

We offer several delivery options at no extra charge:

  • Next-day delivery
  • UPS Access Point - convenient parcel drop-off and collection near your home or work address
  • Nominated-day delivery - choose the most convenient day for delivery

All these options can be tracked and require a signature on delivery. If you are not in, a friend or relative can sign in your place.

Is it safe to buy prescription medication online?

It is safe to buy prescription medications online from genuine and reputable healthcare providers, like 121doc.

Our medical staff and facilities are registered with the relevant medical governing bodies. We also ensure your data is protected by adhering to European data privacy laws.

You can learn more about our certifications here.

Is this service discreet?

Our patients’ privacy is of utmost importance. All your medical information is securely stored and only viewed by our doctors. We do not share your details with third-parties. We are also closely adhere to data privacy laws.

All orders will only show on invoices, bank statements, etc. as ‘HHC Ltd’.

How does it work?

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Ordering:

Every order starts with an online consultation. We will ask you medical questions to make sure only treatment that is safe and effective is prescribed. We take into account your lifestyle, health and any other medications you’re currently using.

The consultation is completely free, and takes between 5 and 10 minutes of your time.

All your information is safe with us. We don’t share it with anyone unless you want us to.

Help:

If you need any guidance, you can call, message or email our customer service team via the ‘How can we help you?' section here.

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Review:

As soon as you place the order, one of our doctors will review your consultation. On working days, this usually takes around one hour.

Questions:

If the doctor has any additional questions, you will receive a phone call and an email. We understand you might be at work or busy. Our customer service representatives are always discreet and can call back at a more convenient time if necessary.

Our emails never contain any personal or medical information, only a link to your private account on our website (where you will find your messages).

Pharmacy:

Once our pharmacy receives your prescription, you will get a second email with your package tracking code.

Deliver
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Free next-day delivery

Free:

All orders include next-day delivery. Alternatively, you can select a delivery date that suits you better.

Location:

We also provide a free UPS Access Point service. Pick up your package from one of many collection points across the UK.

With your tracking code, you will know the estimated delivery time. All we need is your signature (or a friend‘s or relative’s).

Discreet:

All parcels are plainly labelled; there is no logo or any indication of its contents. Inside, you will find your treatment as well as a patient leaflet in your chosen language.

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Repeat:

With 121doc’s Subscribe & Save service, you can automatically receive your treatment every few weeks or months.

The order will be generated by us, using the information you provided (including delivery frequency). You don’t have to do anything. Payment is taken two days before shipping.

Subscribe:

There are two ways to subscribe. The first is during the order process. The second is via your profile here.

You can cancel or amend your repeat prescriptions at any time.

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There are no sign-up fees with this service. Plus, you get a 10% discount off all future prescriptions, increasing to 15% after six orders!