Duac Gel

Duac Once Daily Gel is a prescription-only topical treatment used to manage mild to moderate acne. It combines two active ingredients clindamycin (an antibiotic) and benzoyl peroxide to target spot-causing bacteria and unblock clogged pores. It is applied once daily in the evening and helps clear inflamed spots, whiteheads, and blackheads on the face, chest, or back.

At a glance

• Dual-action formula: Combines an antibiotic (clindamycin) and benzoyl peroxide in a single gel.

• Once-daily application: Fits easily into an evening skincare routine.

• Multi-area treatment: Suitable for acne spots on the face, chest, and back.

• Unblocks pores and targets bacteria: Helps reduce inflammation and clears dead skin cells.

Duac Once Daily Gel Product Summary

How To Buy Duac Gel Online In The UK

Duac Once Daily Gel is available to request online from Quick Meds following a brief digital consultation and clinical review.

1. Start your online consultation: Fill out our confidential medical questionnaire regarding your acne symptoms, general health, and current medications.

2. A photograph will be requested : Provide a photo of the affected skin area so our clinical team can accurately assess your condition.

3. Select your treatment and checkout: Choose your preferred delivery method and complete your secure order.

4. Prescriber review: A UK-registered clinician reviews your consultation to confirm that Duac gel is safe and appropriate for you.

5. Discreet dispatch: Once approved, your prescription is dispensed by our GPhC-registered pharmacy and shipped directly to your door in plain packaging.

Strengths, Packaging And What You Receive

Duac Once Daily Gel is available in two active strengths: 1% clindamycin with 3% benzoyl peroxide and 1% clindamycin with 5% benzoyl peroxide. The percentage refers directly to the concentration of active ingredients in the formula.

Your order arrives in a 30g or 60g tube inside a protective box containing an official Patient Information Leaflet (PIL). A healthcare professional will determine which strength is appropriate for your skin condition during your consultation.

Delivery Information

At QuickMeds, we understand the need for rapid treatment. Orders approved by 3:00PM Monday to Friday are dispatched on the same working day. We offer Royal Mail Tracked 48, Tracked 24 and Special Next Day Guaranteed delivery options to suit your treatment needs.

Duac Once Daily Gel Pricing

Prices are correct as of October 2026 and include your online medical consultation, prescription review and approval, with delivery charges calculated at checkout.

What Is Duac Once Daily Gel And How Does It Work?

Duac Once Daily Gel is a dual-action prescription treatment formulated to reduce acne breakouts and ease skin inflammation. It targets the primary causes of acne by combining two distinct active ingredients into a single topical gel.

• Clindamycin (1%): A topical antibiotic that inhibits the proliferation of Cutibacterium acnes, the bacteria responsible for acne flare-ups. It also helps soothe associated redness and swelling.

• Benzoyl Peroxide (3% or 5%): A keratolytic and antimicrobial agent that loosens dead skin cells, helps keep pores clear, and prevents bacterial resistance from developing.

Duac Gel 3% vs Duac Gel 5%

The primary difference between the two formulations lies in the concentration of benzoyl peroxide (3% versus 5%). While both options contain the same 1% antibiotic concentration, a prescriber may select the 3% strength for patients with sensitive skin or lower tolerance, reserving the 5% gel for more persistent inflammatory acne.

How To Use Duac Gel: Application And Administration

Apply Duac Gel once daily in the evening as a thin layer across the entire area affected by acne, rather than dabbing it onto individual spots.

• Cleanse and dry: Gently wash the affected skin with warm water and a non-medicated cleanser, then pat dry completely.

• Apply correctly: Use your fingertips to smooth a thin layer over the skin. One fingertip unit (from tip to first crease) covers the face; two and a half units cover the face and back.

• Leave on: Allow the gel to absorb fully; do not wash it off.

• Hygiene: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after application.

If you miss an application, apply your normal amount the following evening. Do not double up on gel to make up for a missed dose, as this increases skin irritation. Always follow the guidance on your prescription label and read the enclosed Patient Information Leaflet.

Using Duac Gel With Other Acne Treatments

Duac Gel can occasionally be prescribed alongside oral acne antibiotics (such as lymecycline or doxycycline) for moderate cases. However, you should avoid combining Duac with other topical acne treatments, abrasive scrubs, exfoliants, or alcohol-based lotions unless explicitly instructed by your prescriber, as this significantly increases the risk of severe skin dryness and peeling.

Storage Recommendations

• Store Duac Gel below 25°C.

• Keep the cap tightly closed when not in use.

• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

• Discard any unused gel 2 months after opening, or as directed by your pharmacist.

• Do not use after the expiry date which is stated on the tube and carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month.

Stopping Treatment

You should continue using Duac Gel for the full duration recommended by your clinician (typically up to 12 weeks). Do not stop prematurely just because your skin begins to clear, unless you experience severe side effects.

Does Acne Come Back After Stopping Duac?

Because acne is an ongoing skin condition, breakouts can eventually return after stopping treatment. Duac controls active acne effectively but does not permanently alter your skin's tendency to produce blocked pores.

How Effective Is Duac Gel For Acne?

Duac Gel is clinically proven to help reduce inflammatory acne lesions and clear blocked pores. In five clinical trials involving over 1,300 patients, Duac Gel demonstrated superior performance compared to single-ingredient alternatives, achieving up to a 65% reduction in inflammatory spots (papules and pustules) over 11 weeks of treatment.

Physician assessments across these studies showed that overall acne clearance was significantly greater with Duac Gel than with either clindamycin or benzoyl peroxide used alone. While early signs of improvement appear as early as 2 weeks, optimal results build gradually with daily evening use over 8 to 12 weeks.

What Acne Types Does Duac Gel Help With?

Duac is effective for mild to moderate acne vulgaris featuring a mix of papules, pustules, blackheads, and whiteheads. It is not indicated for severe nodulocystic acne, which generally requires specialist care from a dermatologist.

Does Duac Gel Help With Acne Scars?

Duac Gel treats active breakouts and reduces the inflammation that can lead to scarring. However, it does not repair or remove established, deep acne scars.

How Long Does Duac Gel Take To Work?

Most patients notice an initial improvement in inflammatory spots within 2 to 5 weeks, with optimal results usually appearing after 8 to 12 weeks of continuous use.

During the first 1 to 2 weeks, your skin may temporarily appear worse or suffer mild redness, flaking, and irritation. This response is common as the active ingredients unblock pores and accelerate skin cell turnover. Using an oil-free, fragrance-free moisturiser alongside your treatment can help manage these early symptoms.

Who Is Duac Once Daily Gel Suitable For?

Duac Gel is licensed for adults and adolescents aged 12 years and over who suffer from mild to moderate acne vulgaris. Even if you meet these criteria, this does not guarantee suitability and a prescriber will assess whether treatment is safe and appropriate for you.

Treatment can be requested from Quick Meds for individuals who are aged 18 and over.

Conditions requiring extra caution:

• History of sensitive skin or eczema.

• Recent use of other topical or systemic antibiotic therapies.

• Concurrent use of potentially irritating cosmetic products.

Who Should Not Use Duac Once Daily Gel?

Do not use Duac Gel if any of the following apply to you:

• Allergies: Known hypersensitivity to clindamycin, lincomycin, benzoyl peroxide, or any excipients in the formulation of the gel.

• Skin condition: Application to broken, sunburnt, or eczema-affected skin.

• Age: Children under 12 years of age.

• Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Unless explicitly recommended and monitored by a doctor.

Side Effects Of Duac Once Daily Gel

Like all medicines, Duac Once Daily Gel can cause side effects, though not everyone experiences them.

• Common side effects: Mild skin dryness, peeling, redness, burning sensations, pain or sensitivity to sunlight.

• Less common / serious side effects: Diarrhoea or bloody diarrhoea, stomach pain and inflammation of the intestine (associated with antibiotics).

If you experience severe swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, or sudden difficulty breathing, stop using the gel immediately and call 999 or go to the nearest emergency department. For a full list of potential adverse effects, refer to the Duac Patient Information Leaflet.

Interactions And Things To Avoid

To prevent reduced effectiveness or skin damage, disclose all prescription, over-the-counter, and cosmetic products you currently use during your consultation.

Medicines And Products That Interact With Duac Once Daily Gel

• Avoid using other topical acne treatments (such as retinoids or salicylic acid) concurrently unless instructed by a doctor.

• Avoid combination with erythromycin-containing products

• Avoid medicated or abrasive soaps, harsh cleansers, and products with high alcohol concentrations.

• Bleaching warning: Benzoyl peroxide can bleach hair, towels, clothing, and bedding. Wash hands thoroughly after application and avoid contact with coloured fabrics.

Other Products To Mention In Your Consultation

Inform your prescriber if you regularly use heavy cosmetics or oil-based lotions, as these can clog pores and counteract treatment benefits.

Sun Exposure, Sunbeds And UV

Benzoyl peroxide increases skin sensitivity to ultraviolet light. Avoid sunbeds and minimise direct sun exposure. Always wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen and protective clothing when outdoors, and do not apply Duac to sunburnt skin.

What Are The Alternatives To Duac Once Daily Gel?

If Duac Gel is not suitable for you, you may discuss alternative treatments with a prescriber such as:

• Epiduo Gel: Combines benzoyl peroxide with adapalene (a topical retinoid) to treat non-inflammatory and inflammatory acne.

• Differin Gel: Contains adapalene alone, ideal for targeting unblocked pores and comedones.

• Treclin Gel: Combines clindamycin with tretinoin for a dual antibiotic and retinoid treatment.

• Skinoren cream: Contains azelaic acid, ideal for normalising skin cell growth and unclogging pores.

• Lymecycline or doxycycline Capsules: An oral antibiotic commonly prescribed alongside non-antibiotic topicals for moderate acne.

Why Choose QuickMeds To Buy Duac Once Daily Gel?

QuickMeds is a UK online pharmacy registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and regulated by the MHRA. All prescriptions are reviewed by qualified clinicians and we pride ourselves on being the most attentive pharmacy in the UK.

Our dedicated team of clinicians are always there to answer any questions about your treatment, and we offer ongoing support and advice on alternative medications if your acne doesn't improve.

All orders are dispensed directly from our UK facility. We offer fast, plain-packaged delivery and dedicated patient aftercare for your peace of mind.

References
https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/acne-vulgaris/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11324192/
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.3238.pdf
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/6/smpc#gref

https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/benzoyl-peroxide-with-clindamycin/