Azelex : Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream

Brand:
Reviews
3.8
270 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
30.4%
4
35.2%
3
18.9%
2
10.4%
1
5.2%

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

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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.
March 1, 2007

Pros:

It seemed to clear my skin a little at first

Cons:

Stinging on application, tight stinging itchy dry skin, acne as bad as ever but now with the addition of the dry red areas around my mouth and nose

Horrible stinging when you first apply it, having been using for nearly 7 months (by the way I read in the instructions that its not advised for use for more than 6mths-is this true?). I went back to my GP a month ago and he told me I wasn't using enough- so that night I applied the amount he suggested... by next morning the entire lower half of my face was covered with a red rash. I have stopped using it on the lower half of my face because of this, but even so 2 months later I am still experiencing really unslightly and sore dry peeling skin around my mouth and nose. My forehead, where my acne is worst has never been so oily, I have to keep blotting it during the day. At certain times of the month I don't really have any pimples as such but the texture of my forehead is really lumpy and oily, its almost like there are pimples without any redness or a head. At other times of the month, I get pimples in addition to this uneven texture and dry skin. I'm going to go back on the pill!
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January 24, 2007

Pros:

red marks are fading, reduced break outs

Cons:

mild stinging and itching after application

My derm prescribed the Azelex cream applied in the morning with 100 mgs Doxycicline twice a day, stilling waiting for the insurance to approve the retin A for evening usage. My back is cleared up (hooray) my face looks so much better, I did notice a two new BIG blackheads which I generally don't have but I prefer that to the huge cysts!
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January 22, 2007

Pros:

works well, on acne and scarring. way less painful/unpleasant/drying than other acne treatments. it's also not nearly as intensive a treatment as a retinoid (no liver effects, no photosensitivity).

Cons:

a little itching and burning when you first apply the product. it goes away after a couple of weeks, and you can minimize the effects by only applying the cream to completely dry skin.

this is a great product for me. i have very sensitive skin and have tried lots of treatments. many people on this forum seem to dislike the product based on reports of discomfort, but really any medication for acne will have some side effects, and this one is far less disruptive than others. i think the cream is probably better for dry skin than oily. also, as some mentioned, it does leave a white-ish film if you put a lot on, so maybe more suited to pale complexions if you're putting it on in the morning. i use mine at night.
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January 21, 2007

Pros:

It is the only thing that works for my acne.

Cons:

It is quite expensive and difficult to find in Canada (where I'm living now). In Europe it can be found in any pharmacy and some pharmaciens sell it without prescriptions.

I've been using Skinoren (another name under which azelaic acid can be found in Europe) since 1994 . The best thing about azelaic acid is that keeps the skin young. I have a friend who is also using Skinoren and we look both much younger. Not longtime ago, we came to the conclusion that Skron is responsible for that.
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January 16, 2007

Pros:

Fading of red acne scars, some decrease in number of acne lesions

Cons:

Tingling/itching upon application, dry and peeling skin at first, may worsen or cause increase in cold sores, and some lightening of skin color

IF YOU HAVE NOT USED THIS PRODUCT FOR AT LEAST 12 WEEKS, PLEASE DO NOT POST ANY COMMENTS!!!! This product takes a full 12 weeks in order to achieve optimal results. If you are not willing to suffer through at least a month of moderate skin discomfort, this is not the drug for you. I have been on 6 prescription acne medications and countless OTC products before trying azelex. I am currently using azelex cream in the morning and tazorac at night. Although my acne has only decreased by about 50%, this medication seems to fade existing red marks from previous lesions (however, at a cost of looking pale for at least 12 weeks). For the first 30 days, your skin will be irritated and will peel off, but the irritation will eventually go away. I found that applying aveeno face lotion with chamomile after the azelex seemed to help with the irritation.
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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.
January 3, 2007

Pros:

Works well, definitely reduces breakouts and how long a pimple lasts. Doesn't make my sensitive skin red or irritated.

Cons:

My skin does itch and/or sting sometimes, but usually only for half an hour or so after i apply it. I only use it at night, so this isn't really a problem. My insurance won't pay for it.

My skin is very sensitive, and did not tolerate most other prescription topical acne medications (aside from Differen). Everything else irritated my skin...made it all red and peely, but Azelex, though it can cause itching/stinging, has not made my skin red or caused peeling. It's cleared up acne pretty well.
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December 30, 2006

Pros:

Cleared up blackheads and heavy breakout areas such as forehead in about 2 weeks.

Cons:

My face feels dry. I was prescribed Chylindamycin (SP?) during the day for it and now my face just feels oily which makes me think I am producing more breakouts! Must use as prescribed

I just started getting acne at 23 so this is my first prescription. I helped clear up my forehead but did nothing for my rash looking acne around my nose which is where I am most self conscious. Also I get random pimples on my cheeks...Hopefully it will continue to improve my skin but I may seek other options.
December 27, 2006

Pros:

Helped clear alot when I first started using it.

Cons:

Burns like a SOB and is super itchy, for me atleast, also the result have kinda been declining.It seems like it wont let the pimple form but there is still puss or w/e under the skin that i can feel, and a red spot that is visible.

I dont believe there in one miracle cream that will work for everyone, but if this works for you great! It was working for me but mabey my skin has become imune.IDK.lol.
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