Azelaic Acid (Azelex) Reviews
Reviews home, or write a review for this item.
Prescription summary (241 votes) |
How well it works

     3.8/5 |
 |
Agreeability

     3.8/5 |
 |
Affordability

     3.8/5 |
|
|
Common brand names:
Azelex |
Read reviews
23 pages
Anonymous., Australia Apr 17th, 2009 |
 |
How well it works
     |
 |
Agreeability
     |
 |
Affordability
     |
|
|
| Pros: | No irritation, unlike with Benzoyl Peroxide. |
| Cons: | Felt as though it hasn't really improved my acne. |
| Bottom Line: | Switched to azelaic acid as I can't use Benzoyl Peroxide cause my skin gets a really bad reaction to it, and I end up with a horrible red rash down my neck. I found that the azelaic acid isn't really working, although I have only been using it for about 2 weeks. Going to start in Differin and use the azelaic acid in the morning instead. Hope it helps.
I would recommend it because it didn't leave me with a bad reaction. May work for some people, for others it may not. Worth a try anyway.. |
| Recommended: | Yes |
| Usage: | Anonymous. has used this item for a few weeks. |
| Acne severity: | moderate |
|
Anonymous, Newport Beach, CA Apr 6th, 2009 |
 |
How well it works
     |
 |
Agreeability
     |
 |
Affordability
     |
|
|
| Pros: | Very effective! Smoothed complexion, overall lightening of the skin, cleared acne! |
| Cons: | Burning and itchy for first 30 mins or so after application for at least 3 weeks from the date first started using. |
| Bottom Line: | Azelaic is great! I've used antibiotics, retin-a, benzoyl peroxide, and more to try to calm down breakouts. Nothing has worked as effectively as this product. I'm very pleased with the overall smoothness and the brightness of my skin color. I would highly recommend this product to anyone that has been struggling with breakouts and/or minor skin discoloration. |
| Recommended: | Yes |
| Usage: | Reviewer has used this item for a few weeks. |
| Price Paid: | 50.00 |
| Acne severity: | light |
|
2 of 2 visitors found the following comment helpful.
T-Lynn, Henrico, VIRGINIA Apr 3rd, 2009 |
 |
How well it works
     |
 |
Agreeability
     |
 |
Affordability
     |
|
|
| Pros: | It WORKS!! Clears up acne on face, chest, back (I know, gross!) etc. It also helps even out any skin discoloration. It has even reduced fine lines....serious!! |
| Cons: | Has a slight burning/stinging sensation when first applied which is worse if you're putting it on at bedtime (lying on it!). Not cheap...my co-pay is $30. |
| Bottom Line: | Definitely recommend...especially if you are one of the rare people like myself who are allergic to benzoyl peroxide (in most over the counter acne meds). I was very self-conscious when going to the pool/beach, as I had acne the worst on my back, chest and neck. It got to the point where I was self conscious around my husband of 12 years! I finally got fed up and went to the dermatologist. I'm amazed at the outcome!! The burning/stinging sensation went away after 2-3 months. The Azelex did start drying my face after a couple months too, but I use Aveeno face lotion with my morning application and Differin (another topical acne treatment prescribed by my dermatologist) with my nightly application. Both help keep my face from getting dry. I also take an antibiotic twice a day and wash with Dove soap twice a day. |
| Recommended: | Yes |
| Usage: | T-Lynn has used this item for a few months. |
| Price Paid: | 30.00 |
| Acne severity: | moderately severe |
|
Trayce, Texas Mar 25th, 2009 |
 |
How well it works
     |
 |
Agreeability
     |
 |
Affordability
     |
|
|
| Pros: | Lightens hyperpigmentation |
| Cons: | itch's for about 5 min but not too bad, $50.00 with my insurance b/c I haven't met my deductible yet but I saw that some were only paying $10.00 but I WOULD pay the $50 again |
| Bottom Line: | It really helps to lighten the dark spots and red marks but didn't help with my little "rice" like underskin pimples |
| Recommended: | Yes |
| Usage: | Trayce has used this item for a few months. |
| Price Paid: | 50.00 |
| Acne severity: | moderate |
|
Nancy, Southfield, MI Mar 18th, 2009 |
 |
How well it works
     |
 |
Agreeability
     |
 |
Affordability
     |
|
|
| Pros: | Azelex absorbed quickly into my skin. It worked great for me. No side effects, not even the stinging everyone else seems ot experience. I loved it. |
| Cons: | The cost, if you don't have insurance is the #1 con for me. I've been out of work for two years, no health insurance, and my skin looks terrible. I'm extremley self conscious. Without health care coverage 20%, 50 grams, $85. I can't manage it. |
| Bottom Line: | For me Azelex works. There's nothing worse than walking around with a red face and acne, nothing. |
| Recommended: | Yes |
| Price Paid: | 35.00 |
| Acne severity: | moderate |
|
~H, Portland OR Mar 17th, 2009 |
 |
How well it works
     |
 |
Agreeability
     |
 |
Affordability
     |
|
|
| Pros: | Drys out skin |
| Cons: | Drys out skin- causes breakouts |
| Bottom Line: | I have been using this cream for about two weeks. I have mild acne which looks a lot worse on my fair skin. I tried this cream hoping it would burn off my acne bumps- it did just that literally. I use CeraVe Cleanser and lotion (they work great BTW) and I would put this on after I washed my face and before I put on moisturizer. This stuff really dried out my skin- actually made it flaky and by the 2nd week, my skin was worse. I think if you dry out your skin too much it can alos cause more acne- you need some moisture. I am now on Spironolactone (Oral medicine) as I have tried every anitbiotic out there and all topicals- I am hoping this works as I heard great reviews |
| Recommended: | No |
| Usage: | ~H has used this item for a few weeks. |
| Price Paid: | 10.00 |
| Acne severity: | light |
|
1 of 1 visitors found the following comment helpful.
Michelle, Maryland, USA Mar 14th, 2009 |
 |
How well it works
     |
 |
Agreeability
     |
 |
Affordability
     |
|
|
| Pros: | Keeps moderate adult acne under control. |
| Cons: | Stings for a little when I first apply it. |
| Bottom Line: | I have been using Azelex for approx. 5 years now and I LOVE it. My other acne meds have been "tinkered with" over the years by my dermatologist, but Azelex has always performed well. |
| Recommended: | Yes |
| Price Paid: | 35.00 |
| Acne severity: | moderate |
|
1 of 1 visitors found the following comment helpful.
Tracy, Louisiana Mar 12th, 2009 |
 |
How well it works
     |
 |
Agreeability
     |
 |
Affordability
     |
|
|
| Pros: | affordable, works great, and doesn't leave skin oily like most creams |
| Cons: | itches for a short while, has to be prescribed |
| Bottom Line: | Anyone experiencing acne should give it a try!! Works Great!! |
| Recommended: | Yes |
| Usage: | Tracy has used this item for a few weeks. |
| Price Paid: | 25.00 |
| Acne severity: | moderate |
|
1 of 1 visitors found the following comment helpful.
B, Ontario, Canada Mar 10th, 2009 |
 |
How well it works
     |
 |
Agreeability
     |
 |
Affordability
     |
|
|
| Pros: | It helped clear moderate rosacea and probably helps with my acne as well. |
| Cons: | Drying/stinging at the beginning. Need a prescription in North America or must order online from Australia. |
| Bottom Line: | I used this cream because in addition to acne I was getting rosacea like red bumps (no pus inside) on my face that wouldn't clear with the acne meds I'm already on (Clindamycin lotion, Retin A 0.025 and Diane 35). The bumps would get worse when my face got hot, especially from sleeping with face touching my pillow. I tried oral antibiotics but didn't tolerate them very well so I tried Finacea. It has been a few weeks and I'm 90% clear, definite decrease. Also I've noticed I don't break out around my period which used to happen all the time.
It stings at first- be very careful not to over apply (hard when you're all bumpy!) or else you will burn your skin. I use it morning and night, wait 5 mins, apply Complex 15 oil-free moisturizer. 2-3 nights a week I switch it up for Retin-A for maintenance of acne. So far so good - oral antibiotics were easier and 100% effective, less skin irritation, but ultimately they made me sick. Finacea is safe, just don't over apply! |
| Recommended: | Yes |
| Usage: | B has used this item for about a month. |
| Price Paid: | 28.00 |
| Acne severity: | moderate |
|
Teddy, Oregon Mar 3rd, 2009 |
 |
How well it works
     |
 |
Agreeability
     |
 |
Affordability
     |
|
|
| Pros: | wow calmed my skin down.
Worked quickly!
Easy to apply! |
| Cons: | Slight irritation at site of application but I've experienced MUCH worse with other topical meds. More like a feeling of getting lemon juice on your face or somethi than an actual burning, intense itching feeling than say a strong glycolic acid peel |
| Bottom Line: | I used this for the redness and burning feelings on my face and it works great so far like nothing else! I often at night get feelings of unusual warmth, irritation, sensations of feverishness due to ski being hot only on my cheeks, ears, and elsewhere where my skin is thin. Ibuprofen, religious moisturizer application (helped a little), benzaclin, high-potency corticosteroids such as triamcinolone, and tazorac failed to help nor did discontinuing all my topical meds. Azelex cooled down my skin, naturally! Its amazing. My skin feels much more calm, less hot, and is visibly less red after one application, even if the azelex itself itches a tad. Can't wait to keep using it! |
| Recommended: | Yes |
| Usage: | Teddy has used this item for a day or two. |
| Price Paid: | 50.00 |
| Acne severity: | light |
|
23 pages
Write a review
If you have a question about "Azelaic Acid (Azelex)", please visit our message boards. If you have tried "Azelaic Acid (Azelex)" and wish to review it, please do so below.
Rate from 1 (worst) to 5 (best) in the colored boxes below. Hover your mouse over each box for details. You may also optionally fill in your name, location, and additional fields below. Please check for accuracy before submitting your rating.
We welcome your
feedback for the reviews page.