Azelex : Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream

I have been using Azelex acid, Retin A Micro, Tetracycline, and BenzaClin for severe acne and scaring. First I started just using the Retin A Micro and it helped but not enough so my docter put me on Benzaclin and I was on this skin regimine for 3 months. However I was still unhappy so my docter put me on Tetracycline and my skin texture changed to "baby soft" and acne cleared up on my face, back and chest. I felt like a new person. Then I noticed I was left with no acne but ugly scars and red icky dots all over my face so I was put on Azelex acid and I have been on this for about a month. My skin looks ten times better. Scaring and redness is improving and with time and lots of time it will be all better.

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.

My doc gave it to me mainly because of red marks(which later turned out to be Post Inflammatory Erythema)..Didn't really use it on spots since I was on Topical clindamycin HCL.Helps PIH a great deal.However,recently,I found it to be doing well on cystic and pustular lesions.

No cystic pimples! That is great! That means no more scars for me. I am getting those little whiteheads though instead. But I'd much rather have those than cystic. REally burns and itches. I'm almost thinking about stopping it because of that, way too bothering.

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.

I was using 2.5% bp and had been for years. I recently stopped bcp and started getting big cysts and pimples on my jawline and chin. The derm gave me an rx for finacea, to try something new. I then stopped the bp completely to use the finacea instead. The first few days were amazing! My face hadn't had such a fair, lovely glow to it since before I was a teen. I couldn't believe what a miracle gel it was. It burned only slightly for the first 5 mins, but nothing intolerable. However, day after day I began breaking out more and more and telling myself it was a "purging" stage. But it continually got worse and the finacea was doing nothing to stop the acne! Finally I realized that I should never have stopped the BP so suddenly. I don't know know how much the finacea contributed to or just didn't stop the breakout, but I had to stop it. I do, though, def recommend this to try. It could be a wonderful topical for some, just not for me! On a separate note: DONT stop bp cold turkey!!!

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..

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!

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!

For me, this cleared up my skin very fast and prevented new breakouts. But after a few months my face got used to it and it was like I had never even used it.