Azelaic Acid (Azelex)

Overall rating: 3.72 / 5
(based on 297 votes)

Recommended by 85% of visitors

Average price: $38.43


         
  
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So, I started using the QV range (a brand based in Australia) and although my skin was looking lovely, I still broke out occasionally.

So I e-mailed the company my thoughts and the lady recommended me their product Azclear Action Lotion -- I think their other product is AcneDerm.

Anyway, so I started using it and at first nothing happened, then I broke out (it was looking pretty horrible and I was feeling somewhat depressed as my initial skin was clearer than my then-current skin.

But I stuck to it and eventually I found myself with a blemish-free forehead. My cheeks are; however, slowly recovering (and the marks are fading!). I want to try putting on my nose but I really don't want to live with a pimply nose for a few months. I'd rather deal with the occasional pimple (and attack it with benzoyl peroxide).

I am worried, however, of the long term side effects as I find myself begin to break out if I stop using this. Maybe I'll try to wean myself off it...

BUT, it is definitely worth it in comparison to benzoyl peroxide as it does not bleach clothes nor does it make your skin dry - (just apply a moisturiser after use).

Pros

  • actually clears your acne
  • smooth skin
  • cheap

Cons

  • it took a few months to see results
  • cheek acne hasn't completely faded (yet)
  • need to put it on consistently even after your acne has gone.
  • light
  • for a few months
  • $ 10
  • I recommend using this treatment.


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I had this a loooong time ago, and it worked WONDERS on my moderate acne.It cleared up in almost a month. EVERYTHING. But around the "time of the month" if you're a girl, you still get breakouts, but they're not as bad. And ever since I used this, I've learned one lesson -DO NOT put it ANYWHERE AROUND your nose. I mean, you can put it ON your nose, but in the crevices, it will burn like heck. A few weeks ago, I had to stop using it because I lost the container, and after a week, it showed BAD results. Acne had struck me hard after stopping use of Azelex. But, luckily, I got it back, and everything's under control. I definitely reccomend this, it works! :) And for the price, MY insurance covered it. Without insurance, it costs about 150 or so. It's worth it, trust me(;.

Pros

  • Gets rid of whiteheads & ones that you picked at.
  • Stops cysts in their tracks.
  • Calms redness.
  • Clears a lot in about a week, but takes full effect after about 4 weeks - a month.
  • Very good amount in package.
  • Lasts a long time.
  • Didn't dry skin out.
  • My insurance covered it.
  • :)

Cons

  • STINGS FOR A WHILEE!
  • Don't put it in the crevices of your nose.. it will burn!
  • Made skin oily, thats why I use it at night and not before school.
  • Has a slight smell, and if I had to choose, it's not too pleasant.
  • If you discontinue use for a while or for good, you'll get negative results.
  • VERY creamy&liquidy.
  • Doesn't work as good on severe acne.
  • moderate
  • for a few months
  • $ 130
  • I recommend using this treatment.


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Currently using Finacea gel 15%. If you are one of the unlucky ones, you may experience unbearable stinging and itching which lasts for a half hour after application. But after 3 weeks, the itching and stinging subsides to about one tenth of the pain, to a slight tingling. Other than that, I was determined to stick with it, and it has improved my skin to some degree, like speeding up healing time. It doesn't seem to do much for my cystic acne, though. I'll stick with it for another 2 months and report back if it miraculously clears my acne. It has also helped with redness and red marks and my skin overall looks a lot less dull.

Pros

  • peels skin so acne heals faster
  • evened out skin tone
  • wasn't drying like BP so no extra moisturizer needed
  • skin is smooth

Cons

  • like someone mentioned earlier, this stuff burns like fire ants on your face, and that is no exaggeration
  • the smell isn't strong but I'm not too fond of it
  • expensive but insurance covered it for me
  • moderately severe
  • for a few weeks
  • $ 64
  • I recommend using this treatment.


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Ok , I'm just like many others, i been suffering from acne for more then 12 years , i'm 32 now. I try any thing from 1000$>treatments , peels, etc., creams , all antibiotics you ever heard , doxy , mono, etc. benz, i mean every think , even ALDERA , nothing works. I got AZELEX one week ago and OMG my skin never recover that fast , i use with combination of TRETINOIN and also before applying any of them i use DERMA ROLER 0.5mm, it works MAGICAL. I pay 20$ for derma roler . BOTTOM LINE if you just like me lost hope to cure acne , DON"T you must try this cream , even every one is different , you have nothing to lose

Pros

  • IT WORKS !!!!!!!!!!

Cons

  • may dry skin , but not bad at all , moisturizer will take care of it
  • moderately severe
  • for about a week
  • $ 3
  • I recommend using this treatment.


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Just adding to my review from a few months ago....

I would reccomend this to anyone with acne. Especially anyone who has body acne because BP is often just too much of a restriction on your life. With BP you cant sleep on friends sheets cause you will bleach them, can't wear the sexy black dress or top cause if you sweat you will bleach it... etc etc

I think its shocking this is not prescribed more often. Its amazing and more people should know about it. I use the Finacea 15% gel.

Pros

  • Pretty much cleared my skin up:
  • Significantly reduced acne to almost nothing. Improves redness, number of acne lesions and severety of these lesions.
  • my back arms, chest, neck and face are 98% clear
  • Does not bleach anything like BP does
  • I now have no inflamed acne at all
  • no foetal problems,
  • No sun sensitivity,
  • not an antibiotic so no resistance

Cons

  • Jawline still has occasional little spots (which are occasional, usually on my jawline, usually around my period and go within one day)
  • Tingling sensation early on in treatment (this goes away)
  • very slight powder on skin when it dries
  • end up using alot (I use 180g in one month)
  • moderately severe
  • for a few months
  • $ 7.2
  • I recommend using this treatment.


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so my chest and my back are ridiculously allergic to benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid does absolutely nothing, so I just kind of always have had gross back and chest acne since 7th grade (I'm now in my third year of grad school, a good 12 years later). I went to the dermatologist, looking for a cure for my recently emerging (at 24, neat!) facial acne problem, and he suggested this product. i did not see any improvement in two months in my facial acne, but now my back and chest are clear! if I do get an errant back or chest pimple, however, azelex does nothing to make it go away, but it does an awesome job of keeping it under control. I think it's worth a try, and seriously, the tingling is nothing. so in short, works freaking miracles on the chest and back area (after 2 months mind you) but it didn't do anything for my newly developed adult acne.

Pros

  • it's simple (just a freaking cream) and it is the ONLY thing that has cleared my chest and back acne in over 12 years

Cons

  • without insurance it's INSANELY expensive (I just paid $200, but if I don't use it, as I have stopped in the past because it is just so expensive, my acne came back with a bloody vengeance), doesn't work on my face acne
  • moderate
  • for a few months
  • $ 200
  • I recommend using this treatment.


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I used this products for 3 months and did not see any improvements in my acne, which was nodular and inflamed. This may work for some, especially those with non-inflammatory acne. For this with cystic or nodular acne, I do not think this topical helps at all. This product did burn my skin when I over-exfoliated, but I attribute this to my skin simply being a bit raw.

Pros

[not submitted]

Cons

  • No notable changes or improvements
  • moderate
  • for a few months
  • $ 10
  • I do not recommend using this treatment.


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When I first used this all my lumpy gross pimples were FLAT but my skin was pink, this didn't dry out my skin. It may be a little expensive if your insurance doesn't cover it. It lightened my skin a little bit but nothing major. I will continue using this:)

Pros

  • Cleared my HUGE pimples with only using this twice
  • Not as much irratation as BP
  • Not too drying at all

Cons

  • After the couple uses of this my skin was pink but didn't last for long
  • Itchy at first
  • Might be expensive
  • Lightened skin
  • moderate
  • for about a week
  • $ 10
  • I recommend using this treatment.


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Hasn't changed my acne whatsoever, is leaving my skin very greasy and difficult to wear under makeup.

Will persevere for another couple of weeks to see if it makes any difference, but so far nothing.

Not as bad as some side effects I've had, but of everything I've tried (10 or so different pills and/or solutions) it's been the least effective.

Pros

  • 2 weeks in so far...
  • No pros that I can think of. Hasn't had an effect on my acne whatsoever.

Cons

  • Leaves my skin feeling very greasy.
  • Constantly trying to wash the grease off my face, which makes my acne feel worse.
  • Using it twice a day (as per doctor's recommendation), at night is ok but during the day it's difficult to wear makeup over the top. Makes my skin very sticky and has increased my morning routine by about 45 minutes (while waiting for it to 'dry' as much as possible).
  • First few days it stung a little when applying, now every time I apply it makes my ski
  • moderately severe
  • for a few weeks
  • $ 7.2
  • I do not recommend using this treatment.


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I would reccomend this to anyone who has body acne as BP is often just too much of a restriction on your life. Cant sleep on friends sheets cause you will bleach them with BP, can't wear the sexy black dress or top cause if you sweat you will bleach it... etc etc

its great stuff and since using it my skin has really improved, i dont like to review "too soon" but I prefer this so much I wanted to share the word as so few ppl know about this treatment. BTW I have been using once a day.

I will do another review after 6 weeks xx

Pros

  • Over 2 weeks in so far:
  • Seems as effective as BP at present
  • Calms down acne in terms of:
  • amount,
  • severety and
  • redness,
  • light white powder makes skin look nice and does not bleach anything (like BP does)
  • Does not cause foetal malformations like retin A (always speak to doctor about this anyway)
  • Does not cause as much irritation as BP
  • does not cause antibiotic resistance as it is not an antibiotic.
  • Does not cause sun sensitivity

Cons

  • itchy for a while after applying
  • Light white powder can get onto dark clothes,
  • you end up using alot of it so make sure you get 180g for 4 weeks for one application a day and double that for 2 applications a day.
  • can lighten skin (I like this but I know its a con for some ppl, still doesnt bleach anything else)
  • may be expensive to buy if you aren't on the NHS or if you don't have insurance as you will need alot ofit for body acne.
  • moderate
  • for a few weeks
  • $ 7.2
  • I recommend using this treatment.


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