Aczone vs Epiduo

Aczone vs Epiduo – Comparison of Uses & Side Effects:

Acne is an inflammatory skin condition that causes pimples and spots, particularly on the face, back, shoulders, chest, neck, and upper arms. The most common type of acne is acne vulgaris.

It is the most common skin condition in the US, with over 50 million Americans being affected every year by this ailment in varying degrees.

Symptoms

Acne symptoms vary depending on the severity of your condition:

  • cystic lesions – painful, pus-filled lumps beneath the surface of the skin;
  • closed plugged pores – whiteheads;
  • nodules – solid lumps beneath the surface of the skin;
  • papules – small red, tender bumps;
  • pimples – papules with pus at their tips;
  • open plugged pores – blackheads.

Causes

Acne occurs when sebaceous glands attached to the hair follicles are stimulated due to hormonal changes, such as pregnancy or puberty. Other factors which may play a role in acne include:

Cosmetics

Some cosmetics and skincare products are pore-clogging.

Tip – when shopping for makeup, avoid products whose formulas contain:

  • silicones – they contribute to dry skin and clogged pores;
  • parabens – they can interfere with your endocrine system and trigger a hormonal flare-up;
  • acrylics – they work in a similar way as putting plastic on your skin;
  • alcohols – it is a drying compound that can lead to irritation and dehydration;
  • dyes and fragrances – they contain chemicals that can be irritating to the acne-prone skin.

Occupations

Exposure to industrial products may produce acne.

Drugs

Medications that contain bromides, iodides, or oral or injected steroids may cause acne.

Pressure

Pressure from chin straps, helmets, suspenders, and collars, can aggravate acne.

Stress

According to studies, cells that produce sebum have receptors for stress hormones. Stress also increases the amount of oil your skin produces, which can clog pores. In addition, acne heals much slower when an individual is under stress.

Food

Studies have established that a diet that contains milk and dairy products (especially cheese), milk chocolate, junk and fried food (hamburgers, cheeseburgers, cheese pizza, French fries, burritos, onion rings, doughnuts, cakes, cookies, fried chicken, or fried fish) increases the chance of acne.

Treatment

For mild acne, which can consist of blackheads, whiteheads, and small pustules, it is recommended to follow these guidelines:

  • avoid dairy products and junk foods;
  • pat your skin dry with a clean towel;
  • wash off sweat and oil as soon as possible;
  • don’t squeeze, pop, or pick at pimples;
  • shampoo your hair at least two times per week;
  • use non-comedogenic cosmetics;
  • use a fresh washcloth every day;
  • avoid vigorous washing with harsh soap.

If the above treatments don’t work, you can try a prescription topical acne medication. Here is a comparison between two medications:

Aczone

It is the brand name for dapsone, an acne-fighting medication. It was launched in February 2016.

Some of its ingredients are:

  • Purified water;
  • Carbomer homopolymer type C;
  • Sodium hydroxide;
  • Methylparaben (an anti-fungal agent);
  • Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether.

Epiduo

It is the brand name of a combination of benzoyl peroxide 2.5% and adapalene 0.1%.

Benzoyl peroxide is a medication that has an antibacterial effect and is part of a group of drugs called nitrogen-binding agents. Adapalene is a retinoid medicine that increases the turnover of skin cells.

The medication is manufactured by Galderma and was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2008.

Uses

Aczone is used to treat acne vulgaris for people 12 years and older. It claims that it is possible for users to get rid of their acne in 3 months.

Epiduo gel is used to treat acne vulgaris in individuals who are at least 9 years old.

Mechanism of Action

Aczone works by helping to eliminate microbes as well as having an anti-inflammatory effect on acne.

Epiduo works by killing bacteria that cause acne, by breaking down excess keratin and stopping the abnormal buildup of a skin protein in pores.

Side Effects

Possible side effects of Aczone include:

  • stinging/burning of the skin;
  • dry skin;
  • itching;
  • scaling of the skin;
  • pain;
  • erythema (redness of the skin).

Possible side effects of Epiduo include:

  • skin redness;
  • swelling of treated skin;
  • mild burning or stinging of the treated area of skin;
  • severe redness of treated skin;
  • dry or scaly skin;
  • severe dryness or other skin irritation;
  • severe burning.

Dosage

To use Aczone, apply a pea-sized amount of medicine over the affected areas of your skin.

Apply Epiduo gel thinly to the whole area where you get acne once per day before going to bed. Also, wash your hands before and after using this acne medicine.

Warnings & Precautions

Aczone

Do not use this medication if:

  • the expiry date on the tube has passed;
  • you have an allergy to any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet;
  • the pump/packaging shows signs of tampering;
  • you have been diagnosed with idiopathic or congenital methemoglobinemia (a condition caused by elevated levels of methemoglobin in the blood).

It should not be used by anyone under the age of 12. Also, wait half an hour until your skin completely absorbs the medication before using anything else on top.

Epiduo

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to benzoyl peroxide or adapalene. Don’t apply it to the skin area affected by eczema, or to sunburnt, broken, or sensitive areas of skin.

Moreover, it can bleach colored fabrics and hair.

Drug Interactions

There are no known drug interactions with these acne medications.

Alcohol

There are no known interactions between alcohol intake and these acne medications.

Is It Safe During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding?

The use of acne medications is not recommended by pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Bottom Line – Aczone vs Epiduo

In conclusion, both Aczone and Epiduo are effective in treating acne, particularly good at preventing spots from turning into cystic pimples.

Also, some people are wondering whether you can use Aczone and Epiduo together. The answer is yes, you can use Aczone in the morning and Epiduo gel at night for faster clearing of acne.

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References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3366450/
http://www.jabfm.org/content/29/2/254.full
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/06/170601124019.htm

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