Duac

Duac Once Daily gel is a popular topical acne treatment that is applied just once a day and is effective against blackheads, whiteheads and pimples across the face and body.

It contains two active ingredients, which causes a combined effect of targeting the acne bacteria and affecting the skin cells. It takes around 2-5 weeks of treatment to work and it permanently improves your overall skin tone and texture.

It is a prescription-only treatment that can only be bought online with approval of one of our online doctors.

Duac uses the active ingredients clindamycin phosphate and benzoyl peroxide, which work together to treat acne vulgaris. They both work to target the acne bacteria and reduce skin inflammation.

Clindamycin phosphate is an antibiotic, and is used to treat several different bacterial infections. In the case of acne, it targets the strain of bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes. This bacteria turns sebum, the oily substance that protects and moisturises your skin, into fatty acids that activate inflammation in nearby skin cells. Clindamycin reduces this bacteria, thereby reducing the appearance of blemishes.

Benzoyl peroxide is a common ingredient in many acne treatments, and it also has an antibiotic effect. However, it also affects the skin structure. When applied, it helps to break down the top layer of skin cells which helps to unblock the sebaceous glands (that produce sebum) as well as reduce comedones (blackheads and whiteheads).

These ingredients help to reduce the appearance of acne as well as prevent future acne breakouts.

There are several benefits of using Duac gel for acne.

• effective treatment for mild to moderate types of acne
• easy to apply and fast-working
• only needs to be applied once a day
• prevents future breakouts
• reduces oily skin

Duac gel is generally safe for most people with mild to moderate acne. However, if you have acne cysts or nodules, you may benefit from more specialist guidance from your doctor or dermatologist.

You should also consult your doctor before using Duac gel if you:

• have ever had stomach conditions including regional enteritis, ulcerative colitis or antibiotic-associated colitis
• have another skin condition such as eczema or psoriasis
• use another medicine containing clindamycin, erythromycin, tretinoin, isotretinoin or tazarotene
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

If you’re not sure whether it’s suitable for you to use, you should always read the patient information leaflet and consult your doctor.

Duac gel should be applied to the affected area once a day in the evening. It may take 2 - 5 weeks before you see the effects, but you cannot take it for longer than 12 weeks at a time.

A brief set of instructions on how to apply Duac gel is as follows:

1. Remove any makeup if you’re wearing any.
2. Wash your face with warm water, a gentle soap or cleanser.
3. Apply a thin layer of gel to the entirety of the affected area - not just on individual spots.
4. Use a gentle moisturiser afterwards if you have particularly dry skin.
5. Wash your hands after applying the gel.

If you’re unsure of how to apply it, ask your doctor or a healthcare professional.

How much gel should I apply?

How much you need to apply will depend on your symptoms. The amount of gel is measured in ‘finger tips’, the space between the tip of your finger and the first crease (your finger joint).

If you’re applying the gel to your face only, you only need one ‘finger tip’ amount. If you’re applying it onto your face and your back, you will need 2 and half ‘finger tips’.

You should not apply more than you need to. This will not speed up the treatment process and can make your skin more irritated. If your skin becomes too irritated, stop treatment for a few days and resume once your skin has calmed down.

You should apply Duac with care, and avoid using it on your eyes, lips, mouth or inside your nose as well as any areas of damaged or broken skin. If you accidentally get the gel into any of these areas, rinse well with plenty of water.

Duac gel can also make you sensitive to sunlight. Ensure you wear a strong SPF throughout the day and avoid prolonged sun exposure. If you get peeling or redness from sunburn, avoid applying Duac to these areas until they have healed.

Like all prescription medicines, Duac gel can cause some side effects. Though not everyone experiences them, most common side effects are mild and tend to go away on their own once your body has adjusted to treatment.

The most common side effects of Duac include:

• redness, peeling and dryness
• headache
• burning sensation or pain
• sensitivity to sunlight

If you experience any signs of an allergic reaction, such as an itchy rash (hives) or any swelling, or any changes in your bowel habits (e.g. abdominal pain or diarrhoea), consult your doctor as soon as possible.

For a full list of potential side effects, please refer to the patient information leaflet.

Does Duac cause purging?

Purging is a term for topical treatments such as Differin (Adapalene) that increase the rate of skin cell turnover. This causes the skin to appear temporarily worse before it gets better. Duac does not cause purging, although it may cause minor skin irritation.

You can buy Duac gel online from euroClinix for the treatment of acne. All you need to do is complete our free medical questionnaire about your medical history. Once approved by one of our UK-registered doctors, your medication will be dispensed and dispatched with free next-day delivery straight to your door.