Azelex : Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream

Brand:
Reviews
3.7
312 Reviews

Active Ingredient: Azelaic Acid (20%). Inactive Ingredients: Cetearyl octanoate; glycerin; glyceryl stearate and cetearyl alcohol and cetyl palmitate and cocoglycerides; PEG-5 glyceryl stearate; propylene glycol; and purified water. Benzoic acid is present as a preservative.

Items marked with red have tested a 3 or above (out of 5) in comedogenic (pore-clogging) testing.

The list of ingredients above is provided for informational purposes only. Always check the actual product label in your possession for the most accurate ingredient information due to product changes or upgrades that may not yet be reflected on our web site.

5
29.8%
4
34.9%
3
18.9%
2
10.3%
1
6.1%

Used Azelex : Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
December 29, 2007

Pros:

Easy to apply, no bad smell, works well under moisturizer and makeup! Was made for women, with a women's regime in mind. Non photo-sensitizing (won't make you sensitive to the sun). Doesn't cause dryness, peeling or redness.

Cons:

A little itching and slight burning/tingling for the first few weeks, but I got used to it - doesn't bother me now.

Not a miracle cream for me, but it has worked well enough that I'm glad I tried it and I would recommend to anyone with mild/moderate acne. I still have breakouts, but not nearly so much as I used to. I also use Verilux's ClearWave red/blue light therapy - and I think that really made the difference!!! I'm also on Yaz BCP.
December 11, 2007

Pros:

Goes on smooth, no pain, and works througout the day do prevent new bumps.

Cons:

I think it makes my facial hair grow faster, but I don't really consider that a con. Other than that can't really think of any.

Really works to prevent acne, remove redness, and even out skin tone. Im using this in conjunction with clenia face wash and its the best my skin has been in years. It's almost like a godsend since I still have a couple months left in college to enjoy good skin. The first time i applied my skin seemed a little itchy, but every time since then i don't even notice its on. Benzoyl peroxide seems to be treating the symptoms of acne, but azaleic acid seems to treat the cause. I use the product finacea cream. Also does not cause photosensitivity like so many other products.
March 13, 2007

Pros:

It did fade my red marks a little bit.

Cons:

Made my face itch really badly for the first few minutes after application. Like you want to scratch off my whole face. No burning. Itching decreases after a few weeks of daily use.

I used this for 2x a day for 3 months and had zero change in my acne. If anything I think it got a little worse.
March 2, 2007

Pros:

it seems to work, but ive only been on it for a week.. it also makes my face feel smoother

Cons:

it does itch at first... but thats about it

ive only used finacea for about a week, so far everything is going pertty good and my skin is gradually clearing. I was a little concerned about using it and almost decided to stop because of all the things about it giving people worse skin, but i figure my skin wouldve broken out already if it was gonna do that. A lot of people used this and liked it a lot, so im hoping i get good results. I used it before and i didnt like it, but that was because i was using it like a spot treatment, just dabbing a little glob on one pimple at a time.... DO NOT DO THIS... it makes your skin really dry and red for about a week in those areas. make sure to rub it in like a lotion on your problem areas... then it will probably work.
January 5, 2007

Pros:

NONE

Cons:

severe itching and burning, my face peeled miserably when I washed it off. then i started to break out even worse when I went back on BP. It has been 4 months since I used it and I am still living in the aftermath.

Do not use this if you have even slightly sensitive skin, try Klaron or Clindamycin instead. They prescrtibe this for sensitive skin, but it is not for sensitive people at all. If you have the slightest sensitivity to BP (redness, dryness, itching) do not try this it will make your skin so much worse. Also, the skin can hold on to an allergic reaction for months, so you can't go back to whatever you used to use until it clears completely.
August 8, 2009

Pros:

Acts fast on pustule cysts and whiteheads.

Cons:

Expensive but insurance reimbursed me. It burns and stings like hell for about 10 minutes. Started to itch and dry up resulting in dryness on one side of my jawline.

I just started using it because I started breaking out like crazy. I was using hormone pills, progesterine, for pregnancy. After 3 months, I had to stop the pills because my face broke out. I haven't been out in public for about 2 weeks. It's so embarrassing. I only had like 5 big pustule cysts and other marks so In desperation, I went to Rite Aide to purchase benzoyl peroxide and salicic acid which I used the first day. Then I made an appointment with my Dermatologist the next day for a chemical peel which I used to get every month at no cost to me due to insurance covering. The second day I received my chemical peel at 12pm at seemed worse but within a few hours I noticed inflammation decreased. I used Azelex the third day and saw some change. I noticed my scars decreasing in color and size. However, I noticed that I was starting to dry up on one side of my face. I started using Aloe Vera gel and seems like its working. Today I am in my 4th day and am seeing a major improvement. AMEN
May 6, 2009

Pros:

Gets rid of oily skin

Cons:

Doesn't stop whiteheads, turns your face very red, and causes itching so bad you would pay to take a wire brush to your face.

I was only on this for 7 days so I'm not the best judge. I was on Clyndamycin and switched to this and I had to spend the next week locked up in my apartment. I never quit medication no matter what but I just couldn't stay on this one. You say to yourself that the itching is no big deal but when you combine incredible itching with steps in the wrong direction it was an easy decision. I can't imagine that this wouldn't turn anyone's skin into a crust filled wasteland but then again everyone is different. Definitely use at your own risk!!
November 24, 2007

Pros:

great thing for the price, pretty effective on blackheads, not hard to apply, does not cause long- lasting redness or anything, a bit smoothers the skin

Cons:

itching is excruciating, a bit burning; applying consumes a lot of time, you can only see any results after a month or so

This thing is pretty good if you have problems like blackheads but it won't work on your breakouts, at least, it didn't heal mine. Applying is easy but needs some time, after that your skin is all itching and a bit burning for a while, totally unbearable but after a week or so using it these side effects will certainly diminish. I've used this thing for countless months, it didn't heal my breakouts; definitely- a lot of my clogged pores were gone but otherwise I could hardly see any improvement. This thing is great though if you have really really mild acne, check this out before trying anything stronger, it won't make your skin look bad and will smoother your skin.
November 2, 2007

Pros:

Works better than anything else i've ever used in the 10 years i've been struggling with acne. Clears up breakouts while i sleep so i wake up to clear skin.

Cons:

its kind of costly if you don't have insurance

I've used everything for my face, and i mean EVERYTHING over the counter to prescription and this is by far the best cream i have ever used. it doesn't make my face red, itchy, or flakey. i have had big red cystic pimples and small "normal" ones and my advice (well for girls i guess) i went on the pill, used minocycline, and used azelex, has worked better than any other combination ever! it finally made me feel normal again instead of the girl with acne. SO bottom line is! AMAZING and i would recommend it to anyone
July 29, 2007

Pros:

worked for the first week

Cons:

after the first week i continued to break out

i was put on finacea and the first week it made my acne subside. After the first week i continued breaking out in a lot of pimples all over my face. i've used other products such as oral antibotics, retin-a-micro, and others. so far nothing has worked. i've been using finacea and it hasnt helped my acne at all. i dont know what else to use because my face looks so disasturous i dont want to leave the house.