Duac Once Daily Gel

What Is Duac Gel?

Duac is a combination gel that contains benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin. It fights bacteria which are commonly associated with acne. It's licensed to treat mild to moderate acne in adults and adolescents aged 12 and over, and is applied as a thin film to the affected area once daily.

What makes Duac effective is that it combines two active ingredients that work in different but complementary ways. Clindamycin is an antibiotic that stops acne bacteria from multiplying, while benzoyl peroxide kills bacteria and helps unclog pores. Pairing them means Duac tackles acne from more than one angle, while the benzoyl peroxide also helps reduce the risk of bacteria becoming resistant to the clindamycin, which can be a downside of using antibiotics on their own.

Duac 3% and Duac 5%: What's the Difference?

• Duac 3%: Contains 1% clindamycin and 3% benzoyl peroxide.
• Duac 5%: Contains 1% clindamycin and 5% benzoyl peroxide.

Benzoyl peroxide can cause dryness and irritation, which tend to be dose-dependent; higher concentrations are more likely to cause skin irritation. Because of this, a clinician will often start someone with more sensitive skin, or those new to benzoyl peroxide, on the lower-strength 3% gel to let the skin build tolerance. 

The 5% strength may be prescribed where stronger action is needed or where the skin tolerates benzoyl peroxide well. Both strengths are effective – your prescriber will recommend the one best suited to your skin and the severity of your acne.

How Does Duac Gel Work?

Acne develops when dead skin cells and excess oil (sebum) block hair follicles. Bacteria called Cutibacterium acnes feed on this trapped oil and multiply, leading to the redness, swelling, and spots that characterise acne.

Duac works by combining its two active ingredients:

• Clindamycin is an antibiotic that inhibits the reproduction of acne-causing bacteria, helping calm the inflammation behind red, sore spots.
• Benzoyl peroxide kills acne bacteria directly by releasing oxygen into the pore, and also has a keratolytic effect. This means it helps shed dead skin cells and clear the blackheads and whiteheads that block pores.

Together, these two ingredients fight the bacteria that cause acne, treat existing blackheads, whiteheads, and spots, and reduce the number of red, inflamed lesions. The benzoyl peroxide component also helps prevent the bacteria from developing resistance to the antibiotic, an important advantage of using a combination product rather than an antibiotic alone.

How Long Does Duac Take to Clear Acne?

Duac doesn't work overnight. It may take 2 to 5 weeks before you start to see an effect, so it's important to keep using it as prescribed. Some people see results sooner, others take a little longer.

Importantly, Duac gel shouldn't be used for more than 12 weeks at a time. Your prescriber will tell you how long your treatment should last and will review your progress along the way. Don't stop using it without advice, even if your skin clears, as stopping too soon can allow your acne to return.

Duac Once Daily Gel Results

Duac's combination of clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide is one of the most studied topical acne treatments, with strong clinical evidence behind it.

A randomised trial comparing Duac with adapalene (Differin) found that the combination of benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin improved both acne severity and quality of life in patients with mild to moderate acne over 12 weeks. Another placebo-controlled study showed that clindamycin 1%/benzoyl peroxide 5% gel significantly reduced inflammatory acne lesions over 11 weeks compared with placebo.

Finally, a review of benzoyl peroxide in acne found that combining it with a topical antibiotic produces greater lesion reduction than the antibiotic alone, while reducing the risk of antibiotic resistance.

Everyone's skin responds differently, but the evidence consistently shows that combining benzoyl peroxide with clindamycin is more effective than either ingredient alone. Duac works best with consistent, once-daily use over the full course your prescriber recommends.

How to Use Duac Gel

Duac gel is a topical treatment applied directly to the skin once daily, usually in the evening. Applying it correctly helps you get the best results while keeping irritation to a minimum:

• Remove makeup first: Completely remove any makeup before applying.
• Wash and dry: Wash the affected area well, rinse with warm water, and gently pat dry.
• Apply a thin film: Using your fingertips, apply a thin film of gel across the entire affected area – not just on individual spots. If the gel doesn't rub in easily, you're using too much.
• How much to use: For the face only, use a "fingertip" amount – the length of gel from your fingertip to the first crease. For the face and back, use a total of two and a half fingertips.
• Wash your hands: Wash your hands after applying.
• Makeup after: Once the gel has dried, you can apply non-greasy makeup.

If you experience dryness or skin peeling, you can use Duac Once Daily Gel less often to allow your skin to heal and adjust to the treatment. You can also use a gentle moisturiser to treat peeling or dry skin. When choosing a moisturiser, look for hypoallergenic creams that are free of oils and fragrances.

Avoid getting the gel in your eyes, mouth, lips, or nose. If you do, rinse with plenty of water. Try to minimise sun exposure and avoid sunbeds, as Duac can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight; use sunscreen and protective clothing when outdoors. Duac can also bleach hair and coloured fabrics, including clothing, towels, and bed linen, so take care to avoid contact.

What Happens When You Stop Using Duac?

Duac treats active acne but doesn't permanently cure the underlying tendency to break out. If you stop using it, your acne may gradually return. It's important to continue using Duac for as long as your prescriber recommends, and not to stop early just because your skin has improved. 

If your acne does come back after a course, speak to your prescriber about the next steps. They may suggest restarting treatment or a maintenance option.

What if I Forget to Use Duac Gel?

If you forget to use Duac Once Daily Gel, apply the next dose at the usual time. Do not use any more to make up for missed doses. Duac works best when applied consistently every day, so try to get back into your routine as soon as you remember.

What if You Apply Too Much Duac Gel

It’s important to note that applying too much Duac gel will not clear your acne any faster and may cause side effects, such as skin irritation. If you do use more than you should, use the treatment less often, or stop for a few days and then start again. 

If You Accidentally Swallow Duac Gel

In the rare event that you accidentally swallow Duac gel, seek medical advice. Because it contains an antibiotic, swallowing it may cause stomach and bowel effects similar to taking antibiotics by mouth, such as nausea, stomach cramps, or diarrhoea.

Duac Side Effects and Cautions

Like all medicines, Duac can cause side effects, though not everyone gets them. Most are mild skin reactions that appear during the first few weeks and settle as your skin adjusts. This section covers possible side effects, signs of a more serious reaction, and key precautions to take.

Duac Gel Side Effects

Most people get some skin reactions when using Duac, especially in the first few weeks. These are usually mild and tend to settle as your skin gets used to the treatment. The table below lists the most commonly reported side effects.
 

More detailed information about potential Duac gel side effects can be found within the Patient Information Leaflet. If you experience any adverse reactions to the treatment, you can report them to the MHRA’s Yellow Card Scheme. 

Cautions When Using Duac Gel

Duac Once Daily Gel may cause serious side effects. If you experience any of the following, stop using the treatment and speak to your doctor immediately, as you may need urgent medical treatment:

• Signs of an allergic reaction
• Severe or prolonged diarrhoea or abdominal cramps
• Severe burning, peeling, or itching

The signs of an allergic reaction to Duac gel include:

• Swelling of your face, eyes, lips, or tongue
• Nettle rash
• Difficulty breathing
• Collapsing

Duac Warnings and Interactions

Although Duac combination gel is an effective acne treatment, it is not suitable for everyone. For example, you should not use it if you are allergic to clindamycin, lincomycin, benzoyl peroxide or any of the other ingredients. If you are unsure about any of the above, speak to your clinician beforehand. 

Before You Use Duac Gel

Tell your prescriber before using Duac if any of the following apply to you:

• You have ever had a gut condition such as regional enteritis (Crohn's disease), ulcerative colitis, or antibiotic-associated colitis.
• You have recently used other clindamycin or erythromycin-containing medicines – this can make Duac less effective.
• You have sensitive or easily irritated skin, or a tendency towards dryness.

Don't apply Duac to broken, cut, grazed, sunburned, or irritated skin, and keep it away from the eyes, lips, mouth, and nose. Avoid sunbeds and minimise sun exposure while using it, as Duac increases sensitivity to sunlight.

Duac Once Daily Gel and Other Medicines

Tell your prescriber about all medicines you're using, including those applied to the skin. The following are particularly relevant:

• Other topical acne treatments, medicated or abrasive soaps, and strongly drying or alcohol-based products: Using these alongside Duac can irritate your skin over time.
• Topical retinoids (tretinoin, isotretinoin, or tazarotene): These can be made less effective if applied at the same time as Duac. Your prescriber may suggest using one in the morning and the other in the evening.
• Erythromycin-containing medicines: Duac shouldn't be used with these.
• Dapsone or sulfacetamide: Applying these alongside Duac can cause a temporary yellow or orange colour change to skin or facial hair.
• General anaesthetics: One of the ingredients in Duac can affect how certain anaesthetic medicines work, so tell your doctor if you're due to have surgery.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Always tell your prescriber if you're pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are planning a pregnancy before using Duac.

There's only limited data on using clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide during pregnancy. The amount of each ingredient absorbed through the skin is low, and animal studies haven't shown harmful effects, but the safety of Duac during human pregnancy hasn't been established. Your prescriber will only recommend it during pregnancy if they judge the benefit to you outweighs any potential risk to your baby.

If you're breastfeeding, check with your prescriber before using Duac. It hasn't been studied in breastfeeding. While the amount absorbed through the skin is low, it isn't known whether clindamycin or benzoyl peroxide passes into breast milk. Clindamycin is known to appear in breast milk when taken by mouth or injection. 

If you do use Duac, don't apply it to your chest, to avoid your baby accidentally swallowing any of the product.

There are no data on the effect of Duac on fertility in humans.

Where Can I Buy Duac Acne Gel?

Because Duac is a prescription-only medicine, you can't simply pick it up off the shelf – you'll need a prescription first. There are a couple of ways to get hold of it in the UK, whether through your GP or an online prescribing service like Prescription Doctor.

Can You Buy Duac Gel Over the Counter?

No. Duac is a prescription-only medicine in the UK, so you can't buy it over the counter. You'll need a prescription from a qualified healthcare professional, such as your GP or an online prescriber.

Can You Buy Duac Gel Online?

Yes, you can request a private prescription for Duac from Prescription Doctor following a short online consultation. One of our prescribers will review your information, and if Duac is suitable, your order will be dispatched from our UK-registered pharmacy. Orders approved before 3pm on a weekday are eligible for discreet next-day delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions About Duac Gel