Galderma Epiduo Gel for acne-prone skin
Adapalene
Benzoyl Peroxide
Docusate Sodium
Glycerin
Simulgel 600 Pha
High
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for acne-prone skin; a few serums fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Excellent for your combination, acne-prone skin as adapalene and benzoyl peroxide effectively target acne lesions and blemishes by reducing breakouts and regulating sebum production.
- Glycerin and propylene glycol provide essential hydration, supporting your skin's moisture balance without exacerbating oiliness.
- The formulation is safe for your skin, free from harsh ingredients that could cause irritation.
How to apply
- Use your serum as part of your PM routine and start 3x/week before working up to daily use.
- Apply this treatment after cleansing and toner, and before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- Apply the product on clean, dry skin to help manage your breakouts safely.
- Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★3.7Overall rating based on 1000+ reviewsUsers find this gel effective for stubborn acne, including cystic and hormonal types, with many experiencing significant skin clearing after an initial adjustment. However, the treatment is frequently associated with harsh side effects such as intense burning, dryness, and an initial worsening of acne, necessitating patience and a diligent moisturizing routine.
Highlights
Intense burning Mostly Mentioned
- “face on fire”
- “burns like crazy”
- “stings upon application”
Severe dryness Mostly Mentioned
- “skin flaking off”
- “lizard skin”
- “extremely dry patches”
Clears cystic acne Often Mentioned
- “cystic acne gone”
- “cleared hormonal breakouts”
- “stopped deep cysts”
Prevents breakouts Often Mentioned
- “stops new pimples”
- “keeps face clear”
- “preventative maintenance”
Initial acne purge Often Mentioned
- “got worse first”
- “broke out badly”
- “horrible purge phase”
Redness and irritation Often Mentioned
- “red as tomato”
- “face looks sunburned”
- “raw and irritated”
Fades scars Sometimes Noted
- “scars are fading”
- “hyperpigmentation reduced”
- “marks less visible”
Smooths skin texture Sometimes Noted
- “skin feels smooth”
- “bumps are gone”
- “texture is amazing”
Bleaches fabrics Sometimes Noted
- “bleached my towels”
- “ruined my pillowcases”
- “stained my clothes”
Sources: lovi.care, drugs.com, webmd.com, doctorfox.co.uk, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Epiduo Gel a great fit for acne-prone skin?
Epiduo Gel is a great fit for acne-prone skin because adapalene and benzoyl peroxide effectively target acne lesions and blemishes by reducing breakouts and regulating sebum production. Glycerin and propylene glycol provide essential hydration, supporting your skin's moisture balance without exacerbating oiliness, while the formulation remains free from harsh ingredients that could cause irritation.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2018American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2022
Which ingredients make this gel a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Adapalene and benzoyl peroxide make this gel a great fit because they target acne blemishes and help regulate oil production. Glycerin and propylene glycol also help keep your skin hydrated without making it oily.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2018American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2022
What does Adapalene do for acne-prone skin?
Adapalene helps acne-prone skin by clearing out clogged pores and reducing both inflamed and non-inflamed breakouts when used daily. This ingredient may also prevent acne scars and works well to calm skin, though it requires consistent application to maintain clear results.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2018American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2022
What does Benzoyl Peroxide do for acne-prone skin?
Benzoyl Peroxide helps clear acne by targeting breakouts and reducing pimples, while also lowering the number of acne-causing bacteria. It may sometimes cause dryness or irritation, so pairing it with a gentle cleanser or moisturizer helps keep skin comfortable.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013
Where does this gel go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This gel goes in the evening routine after cleansing and toning, followed by your moisturizer. Putting treatments in the evening provides simplicity and extra safety around sun exposure.
Can I use this gel with retinol, and in what order?
It is best to avoid using this treatment gel at the same time as retinol, because combining these strong ingredients may easily cause excessive irritation, redness, and dryness on your skin. Instead, use retinol on separate nights or keep it out of your routine entirely while using this product to protect your skin barrier.
American Family Physician, 2012Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
How often should I use this gel?
This gel is a great fit for your acne-prone skin and is used in the evening as part of your routine. Daily application helps reduce breakouts and clears blemishes while keeping your skin hydrated.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2018American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2022
Can this gel clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
Yes, this gel may cause an initial acne purge and severe dryness when you start using it, as adapalene and benzoyl peroxide actively clear out blemishes and regulate oil. It is unlikely to clog pores, and glycerin helps support your skin's moisture balance while you treat breakouts.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2018American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2022
Is this gel fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Daily application of adapalene 0.3%/benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel reduced and prevented atrophic acne scar formation, achieving a total scar count change of -15.5% versus +14.4% for vehicle over 24 weeks in 67 subjects with moderate or severe facial acne.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2018Once-daily fixed-dose clindamycin phosphate 1.2%/benzoyl peroxide 3.1%/adapalene 0.15% gel achieved superior treatment success (52.5%) and greater reductions in inflammatory and noninflammatory lesions compared to vehicle (8.1%) and dyad component gels in participants with moderate-to-severe acne over 12 weeks.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2022Tea tree oil nanoemulsion containing adapalene gel demonstrated significantly greater reductions in total, inflammatory, and non-inflammatory acne lesions as well as acne severity index compared to adapalene marketed gel in 100 patients with acne vulgaris over 12 weeks.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2022Topical clindamycin phosphate 1.2%/adapalene 0.15%/benzoyl peroxide 3.1% gel achieved significantly greater treatment success and lesion reductions compared to vehicle in participants with moderate-to-severe acne.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2023Treatment with adapalene 0.3%/benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel for 48 weeks reduced atrophic acne scar counts by 26.9% in subjects with moderate or severe facial acne, while delayed treatment starting at week 24 resulted in a smaller final reduction.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2019Adapalene 0.3 %/benzoyl peroxide 2.5 % gel applied once daily for 12 weeks achieved a superior success rate of 33.7% compared to 11.0% for vehicle in subjects with moderate and severe inflammatory acne.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2016Twice daily application of a multitargeted dermocosmetic cream provided comparable efficacy to benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in reducing inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesions in 150 Caucasian subjects with mild-to-moderate acne over 56 days, while demonstrating superior skin tolerability.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Topical benzoyl peroxide may improve acne more effectively than placebo or no treatment, while showing little to no difference compared with adapalene or clindamycin, but with an increased risk of treatment discontinuation due to adverse effects compared to placebo.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020Clindamycin-BPO 2.5% aqueous gel applied once daily provided statistically significant greater efficacy than individual active ingredients and vehicle in reducing inflammatory and noninflammatory lesions and acne severity in 2813 patients with moderate to severe acne vulgaris.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2008A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001
Ingredients
Adapalene, Benzoyl Peroxide, Docusate Sodium, Disodium Edetate, Glycerin, Poloxamer, Propylene Glycol, Water
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
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Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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