Duac and Peeling: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• December 20, 2014

For Acne "I was prescribed this cream by my doctor, and it's brilliant! I've seen a lot of comments saying that it burns and it made people's faces itchy, but not everyone has the same skin. Our skin will react in different ways. But I have to say, after the 1st time of using it, the blackheads on my nose got smaller. I would highly recommend this cream. However, it does leave my skin a bit dry and flaky, but on the instruction sheet, it says you can use a perfume-free moisturizer or stop using it for a couple of days."

• zoz...
• December 2, 2015

For Acne "Honestly, this cream is a MIRACLE! About 3 years ago, my skin was full of spots and acne, and I had blackheads all in my T-zone, and they never went away. I went to my doctor as I couldn't stand looking in the mirror anymore. He gave me this, and yes, it gave me very bad, painful, red skin and peeling skin, but after a few weeks, it went away, and you could see a difference in my spots in a few days as my family was commenting on it. I did it for 12 weeks, and my face was COMPLETELY clear. I was so happy. Then, after about a month, it all came back, so I went back to the doctors. He said I should try the cream again but for as long as I needed it. I'm still using it now, and that was nearly a year ago. My face is clear, and it's because of this cream."

• mma...
• September 26, 2019

For Acne "For those of us talking about dry skin (particularly sillylilly), I had this issue too. It was so bad that my skin was flaking and peeling, and it hurt to even touch it! After a lot of research, I found that you need to avoid any areas where the skin is especially thin, so around and under the eyes, nose, and mouth. You can use something like Vaseline, Pawpaw, or Aquaphor and apply it to those areas as a barrier."

• mma...
• September 26, 2019

For Acne "For those of us talking about dry skin (particularly sillylilly), I had this issue too. It was so bad that my skin was flaking and peeling, and it hurt to even touch it! After a lot of research, I found that you need to avoid any areas where the skin is especially thin, so around and under the eyes, nose, and mouth. You can use something like Vaseline, Pawpaw, or Aquaphor and apply it to those areas as a barrier."

• Acn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 15, 2014

For Acne "Great product, but the side effects are awful! I've been using Duac for a week now, and literally all of my blackheads have disappeared. It's amazing! My spots have also shrunk in size a lot and have almost healed, and my scars are fading too. The only trouble I have had with Duac is that when I first put it on, it dried my skin out a lot and made it extremely flaky. Then, when I continued to use it, applying it on most of the area of my face, I woke up the next morning and both of my cheeks were burning, bright red, and really itchy. I stopped using it for a couple of days until the redness had gone and then applied a smaller amount, but still, the burning and itchy sensation has returned."

• Mel...
• February 9, 2014

For Acne "What an amazing product. I have struggled with acne for about 10 years (now 22). My entire T-zone has always had blackheads, which (although not good for the skin) I have been extracting almost every second day. It has made me extremely frustrated that no matter how much money I spend on keeping my skin healthy, it was always a temporary fix. I wanted an alternative to the pill as I was terrified of the side effects it came with. The doctor gave me Duac. I have been using this product every night (after I moisturize), and I am now on my fifth day - ALL OF MY BLACKHEADS ARE GONE. Don't ask me how! I have not had any peeling, dryness, redness, or burning. There is only a small tingling sensation when applied. This is a lifesaver of a product."

• Jon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 28, 2015

For Acne "I got prescribed this a few months ago, and I saw a difference within a week or so UNTIL I noticed how dry and flaky my skin was getting. I couldn't bear it any longer as I was itching, itching, and itching. HOWEVER, I was back to my doctors and got prescribed the same stuff, only this time I am going to give it time and hope for the best results."

• Hhh...
• October 15, 2013

For Acne "My doctor prescribed me this gel for my mild to many spots on my face and back. The first day I applied it, the next morning my face was almost clear of blackheads, and I had noticed an improvement, however, I decided to do what may have been a really foolish thing. I applied it on all of my cheeks and basically most of my face, the parts which rarely had spots on. I woke up the next day to a stinging, bright red face. My skin was so, so dry. It was patchy orange and red, it was half peeling, and it looked like I was wearing patchy foundation."

• Car...
• April 4, 2018

For Acne "Post no. 2. Patience is key, my loves. And now, after more than a year of using it every day, my skin is completely clear. I have tiny scars that are almost gone, but from a standing distance, they are barely visible. I’m gonna start using it 2/3 times a week now because it does make my skin peel (not noticeably; I only realized when I use fake tan because it comes off quickly in the places I use Duac), and it’s making me pale as anything. SOOO, in conclusion, stay lit and happy and just be patient. Stress is your no. 1 enemy; just stay calm. P.S. I hardly ever wear face makeup anymore; I only wear concealer under my eyes and a bit of brows, and that's definitely helped. Wearing full coverage foundation every day was one of the worst things for my skin. Also, I don’t know if this actually helped or not, but around the time my skin started improving for real, I only drank water and green tea, very rarely anything else. Sorry this post is long, but I know you wanna, as I've been in your shoes."

• Chl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 5, 2015

For Acne "At first, I hated this cream. I suffered from really bad redness (people thought I was sunburned). Then came the peeling face and irritation, burning feeling, it was awful. However, after using it frequently now for a few months, the effects have all disappeared, and now applying this cream is just a part of my bedtime routine. However, I would recommend starting the treatment when you have free time off work or school, whatever, because the first few days you can have irritated skin, redness, and it's not exactly pretty. Overall, I have grown to love this cream, as I've already noticed my acne clearing, which has given me the confidence to go without makeup because I think that just makes my acne worse. I highly recommend a good moisturizer."

• meg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2019

For Acne "I am a teen who has had severe acne for two years with red, angry spots and whiteheads. I was prescribed Duac, which I have been on for a week now. It hasn't taken away all my spots but has shrunk them considerably. It doesn't sting but can cause redness and can make your face feel very tight. If you use makeup, wash it off in the morning because it will come up really weird under foundation and flaky, and I would recommend using moisturizer before using and in the morning. I'm not getting any new spots coming either :)"

• Ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 1, 2018

For Acne "Before trying Duac, I had tried loads of expensive serums, creams, gels, rollers, and diets to no avail. I finally saw my GP three weeks ago, and she prescribed me a combined treatment of Duac gel and doxycycline. Initially, the Duac caused a burning effect, this lasted for about a week. It literally felt and looked like it was burning the top layer of my skin off. I pushed on, having read that this was common and not a reaction. Heading into week two, I started to get excited! Patches of my skin were already starting to clear up, and the burning and flaking weren’t as bad. Week three, and my skin looks amazing! I have a couple of teeny spots, but they are not pus-filled, and my skin is so smooth, even, non-greasy, and glowing!! I swear it looks like it did when I was 20!! I am blown away! My chest is almost clear, my back is getting there. I’m just so happy with the results so far. My advice to people starting out is to push through that initial horrible part because it’s sooooo worth it. Good luck, everyone."

• jek...
• April 12, 2016

For Acne "I've only been using Duac for 5 days, but my skin is already so much clearer. I'm experiencing the dryness and peeling, but I can count the number of new spots I've had since using it on one hand. Usually, when I get up in the morning, I can expect to see at least 3 new spots on various parts of my face, so it's a huge improvement for me. I was put on it because I obsessively pick at my skin (which is linked with my anxiety), and so the more blemishes I have, the more I damage my face. So far, Duac is really helping me to leave my face alone, and I hope it will continue this way. If anyone has a similar problem, I would recommend at least giving it a try."

• May...
• July 3, 2018

For Acne "I started to get spots for 2 months. I tried everything to get rid of it, but nothing helped, and it got worse (I only had it on my forehead). The doctor gave me Duac, and at first, it didn't work, and then it went red and started to sting. It's now my 6th, and my acne has gone flat but is brown and peeling. I peeled some, and it's gone. I am so amazed by it, and I can't wait for my skin to get better, inshallah."

• Mic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 24, 2020

For Acne "I've had acne since I was 10. It got worse (not severe but more than mild) through high school, so by the time I hit 18 (and it wasn't showing any signs of disappearing), I was proper fed up. I got an infected pimple on my cheek last year, and it swelled up to my eye. I finally went to a GP to sort out the big'un and get something for the rest while he was at it. He gave me some oral antibiotics for the infection and prescribed Duac for the rest of it. Generally, my skin is fairly oily and not sensitive at all, so Duac didn't make my skin red or peel. I know it's worse for a lot of people, but for me, it's like a harmless magic cream. My horrible skin is at once-a-week small pimple level now, after 3 months."

• msn...
• May 24, 2009

For Acne "I've been using this for almost 2 months now, and it helped clear my face. It also regulates the skin's sebum production, hence reducing oiliness. Side effects are peeling, redness, increased sun sensitivity, burning, and itching. I recommend to first-time users to put a very small amount on parts affected. Patience is the key. For a week or two, your face will really adjust to it, but it works. My face even has a pinkish glow to it now, and I feel more confident."

• Tar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2017

For Acne "Have been using the cream for about a week on my jawline/cheek where, after several months of failed creams and face washes, I was recommended this cream by my GP. Admittedly, it has left my skin very dry and is getting flaky, but is also getting rid of the acne. Be careful that you do wash your hands afterward and do not touch the affected area after applying cream, as I have unwittingly, the first 2 to 3 nights, caused the cream to spread to areas where I have no acne, causing the skin to dry out. I am interested to see, as others have commented before, whether or not the dryness eases up after my skin acclimatizes to the cream. Would definitely recommend intense moisturizing on the affected area."

• Chr...
• July 1, 2021

For Acne "After a few months of struggling with never-ending spots, having used Duac for less than a week, my skin is pretty much cleared. It has left my skin pretty flaky, however, it has done such a fab job of clearing my skin that it does not bother me."

• spa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 22, 2015

For Acne "I'm 15 years old, and I've been on this treatment for about a year. Straight away, when I started using it, my skin totally cleared up within weeks. I stopped using the treatment for about 2-3 weeks, and I immediately noticed within a week of not using it, my spots had come back. I couldn't get hold of the Duac because there was a manufacturing problem, but when I could get it again and started using it, my spots wouldn't go away. It took around 2 months to get clear skin the first time around, but the second time, it took around 8 months. Another problem I've had with Duac is about 2-4 times I've used it, it's burned my face, so I've had to rub it off, and it tends to give me really flaky, dry, tight skin. Overall, I think it's really good."

• Ell...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 19, 2016

For Acne "I'm a 13-year-old girl going through puberty, and of course, puberty brings a bunch of annoying problems, including acne. My acne is mild, but a few have pus in them, and I'd rather not have that. I've had spots for about 3 years now (the first year only using drugs over the counter), and my spots wouldn't disappear after that first year. I went to see the doctor as I had started to get bacne (back acne). He prescribed Duac, once-daily gel. I honestly think Duac is the best thing I've ever used on my skin. I personally didn't experience any dryness or peeling, and I think that's because I put a thin layer over my face and washed my face every morning and night with a good acne-banishing facial wash (such as Vichy). A few days, no spots!!"

• Sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 20, 2016

For Acne "I was prescribed this by the doctor. She never mentioned that it could make my skin raw, dry, flaky, etc., so when I read reviews, I was a bit afraid to use it. I didn't slather it on but put it on the spots directly (though it says it's not for that). I figured if they dried out, it wouldn't be too bad. I tried this, and I thought it was really gentle. I had no red, dry skin, the spots looked smaller...this made me think that maybe mine was out of date or hadn't been kept in the fridge before use, like it says to do. Maybe I just have really resilient skin (as I have had acid peels). So for me, this was good. My skin isn't perfect, but the big spots I used to get are a thing of the past, and any new ones shrink quickly."

• Fre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 25, 2015

For Acne "I'm 17 now and had been suffering from acne during high school years. During summer, I used Duac. At first, I had side effects of my skin peeling and extremely dry skin, but it eventually got better and cleared my skin up so well! Only got blemishes to deal with now. Cleared up within 6 weeks, all clear for college. I felt much more confident."

• Jes...
• January 21, 2014

For Acne "I've only been using this for 4 days so far. I put it all over my face because it says to use on the 'area' that is spot-prone, and all of my face gets spotty, though not at the same time. I have pretty sensitive skin anyway, but this stuff burns! And my face is red raw for the next 3 or 4 hours. I put it on in the evening, and by morning, I'm no longer red and stinging. It has also made me extremely dry and flaky and tight-skinned, which is to be expected, but I can't bear it, so I put on moisturizer almost immediately afterwards, which may be slowing down the process. It hasn't helped my acne yet, but I'm hoping with a little patience and pain tolerance it will do the job!"

• Whi...
• July 16, 2019

For Acne "I was prescribed this by my doctor for some minor cystic acne around my chin (I'm in my mid-20s). I used it as instructed, knowing that due to the benzoyl peroxide, it would irritate and dry the skin initially, but after five days, I just had to stop. My skin became raw, red, flaky, excoriated, discolored, and painfully dry. It made my skin WORSE, instead of a few ugly spots, I now had angry, red, peeling patches on my face, and for nearly a week, I had to slather on liberal amounts of moisturizer and bio-oil just to keep the itchiness, irritation, and pain of my dry cracked skin down to tolerable levels. Five days of using Duac, and it took my skin over a week to get to the point where I don't have to layer on moisturizer to get through the day (still not even back to where it was pre-Duac), and the worst part was, it didn't even help with the spots! They're still there. Completely useless, made my skin so much worse. 100% would not recommend."

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 9, 2018

For Acne "I was starting to get really bad breakouts all over my face, and I started to get really down about it. Every day I would wake up with a new spot, and this ranged from blackheads, whiteheads to painful under-the-skin spots. I went to my doctor to ask for help clearing my skin up, and he gave me Duac gel. In one word - AMAZING! I realize this may not work for everyone, but it certainly has for me. I cut out using all of the other products I was using and applied Duac to any problem areas. It took a week or so to really see the results, but my skin is the clearest it has been in a long time, and I have my confidence back! It can cause slight dryness/peeling, but if you put E45 cream on these areas before bed, it keeps skin smooth and fixes this! I hope it works for everyone the way it worked for me :)"