Buy Duac gel online

You can buy Duac online from Chemist Click after completing a short acne consultation. It is a prescription-only medicine in the UK, so one of our prescribers will review your answers before treatment is approved.

If treatment is suitable, your medicine will be dispensed by our UK registered pharmacy and delivered discreetly.

Duac Gel Prices

Name & Dosage x1
Duac 3% Gel Tube
(30g)
£23.89
Duac 3% Gel Tube
(60g)
£39.99
Duac 5% Gel Tube
(30g)
£24.89
Duac 5% Gel Tube
(60g)
£42.89

Summary for Duac Gel

Active ingredients Clindamycin 1% + benzoyl peroxide 3% or 5%
Medicine type Topical antibiotic combination
Used for Mild to moderate acne
Form Gel
How to use Thin layer to clean, dry acne-affected skin
When to use Once daily in the evening
Maximum continuous treatment 12 weeks
Pregnancy Requires prescriber assessment
Breastfeeding Requires prescriber assessment; do not apply to breast

Duac is a combination acne treatment containing an antibiotic and benzoyl peroxide. The questions below explain what it contains, how it works and why treatment duration is limited.

What is Duac used for?

Duac is used to treat mild to moderate acne, particularly acne with red and inflamed spots.

How does Duac work?

Clindamycin is an antibiotic that helps reduce bacteria linked to acne. Benzoyl peroxide also reduces bacteria and helps unblock pores by removing dead skin cells.

What is the difference between Duac 3% and Duac 5%, and what do the percentages refer to?

Both strengths contain clindamycin 1%. The 3% and 5% descriptions refer to the benzoyl peroxide strength.

Duac 3% Duac 5%
Clindamycin 1% 1%
Benzoyl peroxide 3% 5%
How often used Once daily Once daily
Maximum continuous treatment 12 weeks 12 weeks

How long does Duac take to work, and why should continuous treatment stop after 12 weeks?

Some improvement may be noticeable after the first few weeks, but treatment is assessed over a longer period. Continuous treatment should not exceed 12 weeks because Duac contains an antibiotic.

Duac Dosage and How to Use

How to use Duac

Use Duac exactly as prescribed. Applying more gel will not make it work faster and can increase irritation.

When applying Duac:

  • Wash the affected skin gently and allow it to dry.
  • Apply a thin layer to the whole affected area once daily in the evening.
  • Avoid the eyes, mouth, inside of the nose, broken skin and very irritated skin.
  • Wash your hands after use.
  • Be aware that benzoyl peroxide can bleach hair, clothing, towels and bedding.

Can I use a moisturiser while using Duac if my skin becomes dry or sore?

Yes. A gentle moisturiser suitable for acne-prone skin can help if needed.

“Use a thin layer once daily and give the treatment time to work. If your skin becomes dry or sore, use a gentle moisturiser that is suitable for acne-prone skin and avoid harsh scrubs or strongly drying products.”

— Abbas Kanani, MRPharmS

Duac Side Effects

Like all medicines, Duac can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Most side effects affect the skin where the gel is applied.

Common skin effects can include:

  • Dry skin
  • Redness
  • Peeling
  • Burning or stinging
  • Itching

Other reported effects can include:

  • Skin discomfort or pain
  • Rash or dermatitis
  • Sensitivity to sunlight
  • Worsening acne
  • Headache

Stop treatment and seek medical advice

Stop using Duac and contact a clinician if you develop severe or prolonged diarrhoea, abdominal cramps or blood or mucus in your stools.

Duac Warnings

Duac is not suitable for everyone. We review your medical history, recent antibiotic treatment and other skincare as part of the consultation.

Important precautions include:

  • Do not apply to broken, very irritated or sunburnt skin.
  • Avoid the eyes, lips, mouth and inside of the nose.
  • Tell us if you have had inflammatory bowel disease or antibiotic-associated colitis.
  • Avoid excessive sun and UV exposure.
  • Benzoyl peroxide can bleach hair and coloured fabrics.

Can I use Duac during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?

Tell us if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Duac should only be prescribed after the prescriber has assessed whether the expected benefit outweighs the potential risk.

If you are breastfeeding, Duac should only be used after assessment and should not be applied to the breast area.

Duac Interactions

Duac can interact with other medicines and skin treatments because it contains both clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide.

Tell us if you use:

  • Erythromycin-containing skin treatments, which should not be used together with Duac.
  • Other topical antibiotics or recent clindamycin treatment.
  • Tretinoin, isotretinoin or tazarotene applied to the skin.
  • Medicated or abrasive cleansers, strongly drying skincare, astringents or products containing high levels of alcohol.
  • Neuromuscular blocking medicines.

If another topical treatment is needed, it may sometimes be used at a different time of day. Your prescriber should decide how treatments are combined.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Duac is not a steroid and it is a gel, not a steroid cream. It contains clindamycin, an antibiotic, and benzoyl peroxide.

Yes. Duac contains clindamycin, which is why continuous treatment is limited and recent antibiotic use matters.

Duac is a prescription-only medicine in the UK. You need a clinical assessment before it can be supplied.

Duac is normally applied once daily in the evening. Applying it more often does not make it work faster and can increase irritation.

Duac should not be used continuously for longer than 12 weeks. If you still need treatment, a clinician can reassess your acne and recommend an appropriate next step.

Written and clinically reviewed by our pharmacists

Abbas Kanani, MRPharmS
Written by

Abbas Kanani,
MRPharmS

View profile →
✓ Founder & Superintendent Pharmacist
✓ GPhC no. 2082291
✓ 13+ years experience
Clinically reviewed by

Hadi Habboushi,
MPharm

View profile →
✓ Independent Prescriber
✓ GPhC no. 2229049
✓ 5+ years experience
How we ensure accuracy →
First created 22nd April 2025
Last clinically reviewed 8th October 2026
Next review 8th October 2027

Duac Gel Reviews

Product rated 4.8/5

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"Proscovia's Review"

Helping with my acne

By Proscovia ritah namugugu (via Reviews.io)
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"Customer's Review"

this cream works quickly and you don't need to put much on

By Customer (via Reviews.io)
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"Customer's Review"

this cream works quickly and you don't need to put much on

By customer
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"Matthew's Review"

seems to help

By Matthew Haughey

Customer reviews reflect individual experiences and are not medical advice.

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