“Every Epiduo prescription is reviewed personally. We check suitability, interactions, and whether it is the right clinical choice.”
Adapalene 0.1% + Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5% gel
A once-daily fixed-combination topical (adapalene 0.1% + benzoyl peroxide 2.5%) used as part of a UK pharmacist-led acne programme, prescribed after clinical review for mixed comedonal and inflammatory acne.
Starter dose Pea-sized amount to affected areas, once daily at night · Consultation included · Discreet, tracked delivery
Free consultation · You’re only charged if treatment is approved
Peer-reviewed evidence for Epiduo, cited and attributed — not reframed as a personal promise.
Randomised controlled trial
Gollnick HP et al., British Journal of Dermatology, 2009;161(5):1180–1189
In patients with mild-to-severe acne, the fixed combination produced greater reductions in total, inflammatory, and non-inflammatory lesion counts than either monotherapy and vehicle over 12 weeks. Trial results do not predict individual outcomes.
Randomised controlled trial
Thiboutot DM et al., Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2007;57(5):791–799
Supporting trial evidence that adapalene–BPO fixed combination outperformed vehicle and each monotherapy on mixed acne lesions with a tolerability profile consistent with topical retinoid therapy.
Trial results do not predict individual outcomes. Your pharmacist will discuss realistic expectations during consultation.
Doses escalate gradually under pharmacist supervision to support tolerability. Your exact plan is set during your consultation.
| Week | Dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Daily | Pea-sized amount to affected areas, once at night | Pea-sized amount to affected areas, once at night Apply to cleansed, dry skin. Avoid eyes, lips, and nasal folds. Daily broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen is essential. Benzoyl peroxide can bleach fabric and hair — take care with pillowcases and towels. |
| Weeks 1–4 | Continue nightly | Continue nightly Skin may feel dry or tight in the first 2–4 weeks. A bland, non-comedogenic moisturiser helps. A transient flare ('purge') in weeks 2–4 is expected with the retinoid component. |
| Weeks 8–12 | Continue nightly | Continue nightly Response is typically assessed at 8–12 weeks. Pharmacist review confirms whether to continue, step down to adapalene alone, or adjust therapy. |
Grouped by frequency. Your pharmacist will review these with you in detail before you start.
Not a complete list. Read the Patient Information Leaflet supplied with your medication. Report any suspected side effects to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.
Unlike other online services, we don’t outsource your care. Every prescription is reviewed, dispensed, and packed by our UK-based clinical team. You’re not just a number - you’re a patient we’re committed to supporting.
“Each consultation is reviewed by a qualified prescriber within their clinical scope before any prescription treatment is supplied.”
— Younes Mekhalfia, Independent Prescribing Pharmacist
Every order
Clinical Review
In-house
UK Dispensing
Individual
Clinical Support
Real humans
Support
Find answers about treatment, safety and the service journey.
The two agents act on different parts of the acne pathway. Adapalene normalises how skin cells shed inside the follicle (reducing microcomedones), and benzoyl peroxide kills Cutibacterium acnes and reduces inflammation. Pivotal trial evidence (Gollnick et al., Br J Dermatol 2009) found the fixed combination produced greater lesion count reductions than either monotherapy.
Clinical response is typically assessed at 8–12 weeks. In weeks 2–4 you may see a temporary flare as retinoid-driven 'purging' clears microcomedones — this is expected and usually resolves with continued use.
Duac combines a topical antibiotic (clindamycin) with benzoyl peroxide, while Epiduo combines a retinoid (adapalene) with benzoyl peroxide. Your pharmacist decides which is more appropriate — Epiduo is often preferred for mixed comedonal/inflammatory acne, while Duac is more antibiotic-driven.
A pea-sized amount spread thinly across the affected areas of the face, once a night. More is not better — over-application increases irritation without improving efficacy.
Most pharmacists advise against layering additional retinoids, exfoliating acids, or topical antibiotics on top of Epiduo without clinical review — the risk of irritant dermatitis rises substantially. A gentle moisturiser and SPF are encouraged.
Acne can recur when any topical treatment is stopped. UK guidance recommends continuing for several months after clearance and then stepping down under pharmacist review — commonly to adapalene monotherapy as maintenance.
Benzoyl peroxide kills Cutibacterium acnes directly without driving antibiotic resistance. Combined with adapalene's comedolytic effect, this addresses both the bacterial-inflammatory and comedonal components of acne in a single topical.
Dryness, peeling, redness, and mild stinging in the first 4 weeks are common. A brief flare in weeks 2–4 is expected. Benzoyl peroxide can bleach fabric, pillowcases, towels, and hair — take care when applying.
No. Topical retinoids are avoided in pregnancy and when actively trying to conceive. If you become pregnant during treatment, stop and inform your pharmacist or GP. Systemic absorption from topical use is low, but the precaution is standard.
Yes — daily broad-spectrum SPF 30+ is essential. Both the retinoid and the BPO component can increase UV sensitivity.
Benzoyl peroxide is an oxidising agent and can permanently bleach fabrics it contacts. Apply well before bed, allow to dry fully, and consider using older white pillowcases and towels during treatment.
Reduce frequency to every other night for 1–2 weeks and use a bland moisturiser. If irritation persists or worsens, stop and message the pharmacist team. Some people do better on a lower-strength regimen or a non-retinoid combination.
Yes, though uncommon. Stop treatment and seek urgent medical advice for hives, facial swelling, difficulty breathing, or severe persistent blistering.
In discreet, unbranded packaging with a generic sender name, sent by DPD tracked delivery.
A 45g tube typically lasts around 6–8 weeks with once-daily facial application at pea-sized dose. We ship on a monthly cadence and can adjust if your response is slower.
No — store at room temperature, away from direct sunlight.
Any time. Pause, skip, or cancel from your Caremacy account with no notice period or fees.
A qualified prescriber reviews every request. Epiduo is prescription-only and suitability is verified before prescribing; treatment is declined where it is not clinically appropriate.
Yes, via secure messaging in your Caremacy dashboard. For severe irritation, stop treatment and contact us — for any suspected severe allergic reaction, seek urgent medical advice.
If there is no meaningful improvement at 12 weeks — or if acne is clearly worsening — the pharmacist may recommend switching regimens, adding oral therapy via your GP, or referral for specialist dermatology review.
Only with your explicit consent. We recommend telling your GP you are on prescription skincare, especially if you are also on hormonal contraception or other acne treatments.
Still have questions? Our pharmacist team is here to help.
Contact us