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Duac Gel (3% & 5%) is one of the most popular acne treatments in the UK. The gel has a unique dual-action formula that’s designed to reduce spots and fight the bacteria causing your acne.
There are two strengths of Duac Gel, 3% and 5%. This percentage refers to the amount of benzoyl peroxide that’s contained in the product. Benzoyl peroxide attacks the acne-causing bacteria that live on your skin, promotes the shedding of dead skin cells and helps prevent blocked pores. Both Duac 3% and 5% contain 1% of clindamycin, the other main active ingredient in the gel.
If you’re prescribed Duac Gel to treat acne, you’ll need to apply the product to your skin once per day. Most patients see results in around two to five weeks, though this could vary depending on how severe your acne is.
Duac Gel is an effective acne treatment that could help to clear your skin and boost your confidence. As it’s only available on prescription, you’ll need to book an online consultation with a member of our team to get started on your journey to clearer skin.
Duac Gel is an effective topical treatment for mild to moderate acne. There are two strengths of Duac Gel, 3% and 5%. Duac Gel 3% contains 3% benzoyl peroxide, a medication that fights bacteria and helps to prevent pores becoming blocked. Duac Gel 5% contains 5% benzoyl peroxide. Both types of Duac Gel contain 1% clindamycin, an antibiotic that fights acne-causing bacteria.
Duac Gel is a dual-action acne treatment. This means that it’s able to reduce the appearance of spots and kill the bacteria that cause spots in the first place. Both active ingredients in the gel, benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin, fight acne-causing bacteria.
Benzoyl peroxide also breaks down and encourages the shedding of dead skin cells. This helps to prevent your pores becoming blocked and reduces the number of spots that develop.
The dual approach of Duac Gel is designed to fight acne and prevent antibiotic resistance.
Duac Gel is a topical treatment that’s applied once per day. Ideally, you should use the gel in the evening. Apply a thin film to clean, dry skin and cover the entire affected area.
Wash your hands before and after applying the gel and be careful to avoid contact with your eyes, mouth, lips, nose or areas of broken skin. If you do get Duac Gel in these sensitive areas, rinse with plenty of water. If your skin becomes irritated after applying Duac Gel, stop using the product and speak to a member of our clinical team.
The main active ingredients in Duac Gel are clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide. These ingredients are there to fight bacteria and promote the shedding of dead skin cells.
Other ingredients contained in the gel include carbomer, dimeticone, disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate, disodium edetate, glycerol, silica (colloidal hydrated), poloxamer 182, purified water and sodium hydroxide.
Duac Gel is generally well-tolerated. This means that most people don’t experience side effects. However, the gel can cause symptoms in some people, and it’s important to know what to watch out for.
The most common side effects of Duac Gel are redness, dryness and skin peeling. You may also experience a burning sensation in the affected area and find that skin exposed to Duac Gel is more sensitive to the sun.
In most cases, these symptoms will ease as your skin adapts to the medication. If your side effects don’t improve, or you’re concerned about any of the symptoms you’re experiencing, speak to one of our clinical team.
When applying Duac Gel to your face, it’s important to avoid contact with your eyes, mouth, nose and other sensitive areas as this could cause irritation. Duac Gel could bleach your hair and may affect the colour of any fabrics it comes into contact with (such as bed sheets and clothes).
Duac Gel may make your skin more sensitive to UV light, so it’s important to take extra precautions when going out in the sun and use a high-factor SPF.
If you have a history of gastrointestinal conditions, such as colitis, it’s important to tell your clinician during your consultation as Duac Gel could aggravate your symptoms.
If you experience severe irritation or diarrhoea during treatment with Duac Gel, stop using the product and speak to a doctor or pharmacist about alternative options.
Please ensure you have read the Patient Information Leaflet thoroughly before use.
Around 50% of women experience acne while pregnant, especially during the first trimester. This is caused by the change of hormones during pregnancy that can trigger sebum production and result in clogged pores when the skin becomes oily. It can appear on the face, chest, or even as back acne.
While Duac Gel is an effective treatment option, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it’s best to consult with your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using this medicine as there may be other acne treatments that are more suitable.
Duac Gel will get to work as soon as it’s applied to your skin. However, it can take a while to see visible results from the treatment.
Most people begin to notice improvements in the appearance of their acne within two to five weeks. Though for some, results could be visible in as little as 48 hours.
As everyone responds differently to the treatment, it’s impossible to say how long it will take for you to see results. You can maximise your chances of significant improvement by using Duac Gel consistently and using the product exactly as directed by your doctor.
If you haven’t seen any improvements after eight weeks of consistent use, Duac Gel may not work for you. Speak to a member of our clinician team about other acne treatments you can try.
The main difference between Duac 3% and Duac 5% is the concentration of benzoyl peroxide the product contains. Duac 3% contains 3% benzoyl peroxide, while Duac 5% contains 5% of the medication. Both types of Duac Gel contain 1% of clindamycin, the other active ingredient in the treatment.
Your doctor will decide which strength is best for you based on the severity of your symptoms, your health history and the sensitivity of your skin.
Currently, there is limited information available on the safety of Duac Gel during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Clindamycin, one of the main active ingredients in Duac Gel, can pass into breast milk when taken orally. The treatment is therefore not generally recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Always consult with a licensed clinician before using Duac Gel.
You can use a moisturiser when treating your skin with Duac Gel. However, it’s important to choose a product that’s oil-free, fragrance-free and non-comedogenic (doesn’t cause blocked pores). It’s also essential that you wait to apply the moisturiser until Duac has fully dried.
If you find Duac Gel is making your skin feel dry, you can temporarily reduce the frequency with which you apply the gel. This may give your skin a chance to adapt to the treatment and ease the side effects.
You’ll typically be prescribed a 12-week course of Duac Gel. If your acne returns, your doctor may prescribe a repeat course to help clear your skin once more.
If you haven’t seen any improvements at all after six to eight weeks, Duac Gel may not work for you. Speak to your prescribing clinician about alternatives.
If you want to wear makeup when using Duac Gel, choose products that are non-comedogenic and make sure you properly remove your makeup before applying Duac Gel. If you use Duac in the mornings, ensure the gel is fully dry before applying makeup.
One of the main differences between Duac Gel and other acne treatments is that Duac has a dual-action formulation, allowing it to fight bacteria and clear dead skin cells at the same time. It also has a faster onset than many other retinoid acne treatments such as Differin.
If Duac Gel doesn’t work for you, you could consider alternative options such as Tetralysal, Skinoren, Oxytetracycline, Zineryt, Differin and Treclin.
Duac Gel is a treatment for active acne, it’s not designed to reduce the appearance of acne scars. However, as Duac Gel may prevent new spots appearing, it could minimise scarring in the future. The treatment could also ease mild discolouration and help your skin appear calmer.
When you start treatment with Duac Gel, you may experience a temporary increase in breakouts known as ‘purging’. Typically, purging lasts around four to six weeks.
Purging usually appears in areas where your skin is prone to breakouts. If other areas of your skin become red or irritated, it could be a sign of an adverse reaction and you may need to speak to a doctor or pharmacist.
Duac Gel is formulated to treat mild to moderate acne vulgaris. It may not be sufficient to treat more severe types of nodular or cystic acne. It’s also not specifically designed for hormonal acne or conditions like rosacea.
Duac Gel (3% & 5%) is a prescription-only treatment. This means that you’ll need to book a discreet online consultation with a member of our team before you can access the medication.
During your consultation, you’ll have the chance to discuss your symptoms, health and lifestyle. A member of our team will then recommend the most suitable acne treatment for your needs.
Book your consultation today and take your first step on the path to clearer skin.
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Visit our Acne page for treatments, advice and FAQs.
