My Epiduo Experience: Day 7
Here is Day 1 of my Epiduo experience, with notes on how to use it properly
Before I started using Epiduo, my skin was struggling with persistent cystic acne. These were large, inflamed, and painful bumps that had to be covered with a thick layer of concealer every time I left the house. Nothing I tried to stop them worked! Thankfully, the oral medication prescribed by my dermatologist Dr. Erin Tababa-Santos (aka The Nerdy Derma) had already begun to lessen the severity of these outbreaks, reducing the inflammation dramatically.
I mention this because I want to be clear that while Epiduo has done a lot for my skin in just a week, the medication I am taking is the primary reason that no new acne is coming out. It’s not a miracle product. It’s really good though. Here’s what I observed over the course of a week!
My skincare routine: Skin Poem Facial Wash, Ole Henrikssen Glow Toner, Shiseido Ultimune Serum, Drunk Elephant Protini moisturizer
My First Week of Epiduo: A Significant Change
Efficacy in Speeding Up Acne Healing: One of the most notable effects of Epiduo was its ability to accelerate the healing process of my cystic acne. It seemed to aid in bringing the acne to the surface and clearing it out more quickly than usual.
Clearing Clogged Pores: The product also played a significant role in clearing up clogged pores. I noticed a reduction in blackheads and whiteheads, which was a welcome change.
Drying Effect on Pimples: Within a week, Epiduo managed to dry out existing pimples effectively. This rapid change was quite impressive, and for the first time in over half a year (!), I experienced a face free of active pimples as of today.
Increased Skin Dryness: However, this effectiveness did come with a downside. My skin became noticeably drier than usual, a common side effect of such treatments. This required me to adjust my moisturizing routine to compensate.
Mild Stinging Sensation: Applying skincare products at night introduced a slight stinging sensation, likely due to the increased sensitivity from Epiduo. While this was manageable, other skin that are not as used to strong products like mine might show more sensitivity.
So, Did The Dreaded Purging Happen?
Yes, it did. The first four days on Epiduo caused all of my clogged pores to give up the ghost. You know how sometimes you feel bumps inside the pores, but they’re not quite a blackhead or a whitehead yet? Yup, they all came out. I think I got like 8 or 10 new pimples within just a few days! It made me feel bad, for sure, but what’s interesting is that their lifecycle was very short. Whereas it would take two weeks for these to come out, dry, and heal, it all happened within a week. Again, I’m also taking oral medication for my acne, so that definitely assisted with shortening the purge. But Epiduo is a strong exfoliant, and it definitely triggered the process.
In this before and after, you might think that the Day 7 photo looks worse than the Day 0. Yes it does, because I developed new blemishes - these were all the pimples that were inside my skin that came out. Notice also the massive cystic pimple that was on the top part of my cheek. That erupted last week only and now it’s healing well. If you look closer, my pores are clearer and the old blemishes are smaller, lighter on the edges. If this continues, my skin will be almost clear in a month or two.
Some Reflection And Always, Advice
I’m glad I finally went to see a dermatologist. I’ve been anxious and stressed about my acne for the better part of the past year, and I was starting to lose hope. I was prideful to think that I can solve the problem on my own. If I just went sooner, it wouldn’t have gotten to this point, you know? So I’m just really happy and grateful for Doc Erin’s guidance.
For those considering a similar treatment, it’s crucial to understand that results can vary. What has worked for me might not have the same effect for you. Always consult with a dermatologist before starting new treatments and pay close attention to how your skin reacts. Balancing the benefits and side effects is key to any skincare journey.
Here's to finding the right balance in our skincare routines and to better skin days ahead! I’ll update you again on Day 21 since I’m out of the country next week.
