Acne.org Products
Topical Antibacterial
Acne.org’s Real World Take
At prescription strengths (15 - 20%) studies show it should help reduce mild-to-moderate acne by a significant and noticeable amount after 3 months or so of treatment, so that’s not too shabby. However, it is unlikely to completely clear the skin on its own.
Topical Antibacterial
How to Get It
Azelaic acid is available in 15% - 20% by prescription. Have a dermatologist? Make an appointment to get this medication. Don't have a dermatologist? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find one. Azelaic acid is also available over-the-counter in strengths 10% and lower. Here are some places you can find it online.
Used Azelaic Acid? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
October 11, 2008
Product used: Skinoren (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Cons:
For aggressive acne you may need something stronger in addition to skinoren.
I've been using this for two years now and it still works as good as ever. I will keep using it for as long as it takes.
January 3, 2007
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
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.
August 27, 2014
Product used: Skinoren (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Didn't really do anything
My acne kept on slowly getting worse, which made me hopeful that this was helping in some way, but I think it was just my skin itself that got worse regardless of what was on it. Skinoren didn't really do anything for me at all. Maybe it helped diminish the pimples a little bit after about a month or so, but it worked very very slowly. I used it for two and a half months, didn't renew my prescription. maybe it works if you use it longer, but I feel like a topical treatment should give quicker results. It is gentle, though, so maybe it could be worth a shot for someone with sensitive skin.
November 26, 2013
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
2 week review
Pros:
Easy to use
Deep penetration of getting into pores
Reduces inflammation
Cons:
Burn/sting
Expensive retail 300.00 insurance made it 100.00
Takes time to see results
So far it's only been 2 weeks of using this product I have moderate acne with past scars from cystic acne. My dermatologist prescribed this cream to me with benzoyl as my face wash. I apply twice a day after washing my face it does burn and sting for a little while and then goes away, so far I'd say its working as far as minimizing the cystic acne I have broke out a little more from using this product but not too much, and the inflammation has gone done but il give it some more time and see what better results il have
November 8, 2013
Product used: Skinoren (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
works for first months, not in long run
Skinoren cream. Used it for months and cleared a lot of my skin, after some month treatment (for weeks). After using it few months more it just stopped working and acne came back, and the skin was really terrible, did not stopped using it, but nothing did work anymore. I started taking accutane(took it 6 months) got clear for months but after stopped using it, acne came back almost the next day,, and I was still alive and did not had any side effects, "thanks god!":D. Doctor described again new medicine, that did not work at all.(don't go to the doctor). "Products that irritate your skin and cause more acne". My skin was sometimes really clear, did not know why, but now I realized that i was using a product with BP and should not have stopped using it(it was a exposed skincare kit, the daily serum(it's too expensive)). Now my skin is clear thanks to BP only, and I will use it daily, works now almost a year, I have pretty good skin. !!!!About the BP miracle (I had acne over 10 years, now my skin has scars) -- I have noticed more better results than BP clean solutions, I recommend Dr. Wolf , Acne fug (it's was the only thing with BP in my country, and now I can not stop using it!!!), Acne fug is 5% BP and has alcohol and some other clearing skin agents(it's stored something like 2-7 decrees) (the paper recommends it for hormonal acne (hormons cause acne etc), the acne that other products can't fight), I use it once a day and works much better than any BP solution so far (It can't get any better, so I stay at this product. If I will not use acnefug for several days(without showering etc) the acne comes back, some pimple or pimples appear, but if using this product they disappear after 2-3 days completely), no flakiness or anything(BP makes skin look a bit lifeless). Only once a day!!!!(I shower once a day!)(it's quite effective so please not use that often) I also use moisturizer with lipids and after that my skin is not try and feels good.
March 4, 2018
November 7, 2011
Product used: Finacea (Azelaic Acid (15%) Gel)
Pros:
Reduces redness caused by acne, rosacea, and PIH. Reduces acne breakouts significantly (severity and frequency). Leaves a nice matte finish.
Cons:
Can be slightly stingy if you put it on without letting your face dry completely first. Slightly drying but nothing a light moisturizer can't take care of. Very pricey if you don't have insurance (glad I have it). Need a prescription.
I'm very impressed with this product. It got rid of my mild rosacea pretty much the first time I used it. I don't even get flushed after I drink alcohol or eat peppers (my two biggest triggers) anymore! I've been using it for 2 weeks now (2X a day) and I've only gotten two tiny new pimples in that time and they have cleared up within a day or two. Also, I am really surprised at how quickly this product cleared my PIH... Marks I had on my face for months literally vanished within the first week of using it. This stuff is amazing, I just wish I had tried it sooner!
December 12, 2010
Product used: Skinoren (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
Works really quickly
Using more doesn't irritate the skin
Cons:
Mild itching when I first tried it
Was gone with the next application
Dries my skin out quite a bit
I've been using Differin for 4 weeks now, and my IB was so bad that I decided to add Skinoren in. It worked wonders so far, all the bigger zits on my forehead are gone, redness is starting to fade too. Been using it for a week only, scrapped Differin fully (although people keep saying not to, but the breakouts just wouldn't cease!). In any case, Skinoren has stopped new breakouts too, which is great. Only concern I have is that my already dry skin is looking really thin and shiny, so I can't use it later on - on a daily basis. Maybe when it clears up most of the my forehead I'll consider using it every second day.
Also, it didn't help me at all with the little pores on my nose - made it more red, and skin thinner. I think it's a medication to be used on moderate acne, to be honest.
I'd reccommend it though, it's a moderately quick fix - I'm sure I saw resutls after just one day of use :)
Good luck!
July 29, 2009
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
it didnt dry out my face like most other topicals do and it also is invisible when you put it on.
Cons:
it didnt work what-so-ever. it made my face more oily, especially at night. i'd wake up the next day with such oily skin. it doesnt get rid of blackheads which was what i told me dermatologist i wanted to do in the first place and i still broke out.
i dont recommend this to anyone who has a more oily skin with blackheads. it just doesnt get to the root of the problem like its designed to do. it just makes you break out more due to the stress of its inability to do the job.
May 28, 2009
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
This stuff works much better than all the other topicals products I have tried
Cons:
mild itching and flaking- can be lessened by cutting back a bit and then resuming
I have tried retinoids, salicylic acid, bp, duac, and various home rememdies like tea tree and apple cider vinegar. This is the only product that I can really recommend as something that works fast, effectively, and is well tolerated i really recommend trying this
February 16, 2009
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
Gets rid of acne. Skin completely clear. Anti inflammatory and anti bacterial effect. Doesnt bleach clothes like benzoyl peroxide.
Cons:
Stings a lot when applied. However when put with an oil free moisturiser its the perfect combination. Needs to be prescribed.
I have used every product on the market and having stumbed across this one I am amazed at how effective it is, yet how little people know about it. My acne is gone, period. It gives my skin a nice glow as well. I will use this permanently. It has all the necessary effects that a topical application should have, but without the negative side effects such as bleaching or photosensitivity. Use it with a good moisturiser and say goodbye to spots.
Pros:
This is the best long term solution if you have mild to moderate acne. It kills the bacteria and helps the skin shed. It does not cause REDDENING of the skin unlike other creams i've used. It helps to fade red marks after a length of time.