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 27, 2007
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Cons:
doesn't completely clear my skin, but makes a noticeable improvement ; first few days of using it it burns a bit, but that eventually stops
definitely recommend! every other topical I've tried dries my skin out to the point that it's so painful i can't touch my face to wash it, and no oral antibiotics have worked.
December 18, 2016
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Love!
I had never heard of this drug until I went to the dermatologist in June 2016 because of a recurring cyst on my chin. I wanted a cortisone shot. I told him I refused to use retin a micro due to the initial breakout I had about 4 years ago. My skin is super sensitive and i needed something gentle yet effective, so he prescribed azelex! I have been using this for six months and have not had one since! It has greatly reduced my hormonal breakouts and smoothed my skin overall. I am very very pleased with this product! I even wrote him a thank you email for his suggestion! Highly recommended for mild to moderate acne!
July 17, 2016
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
The best thing I've ever used!
I've struggled with acne since I was about 21 when I was diagnosed with rosacea and have tried SO many different products/methods to try and shift it. I had great success with BP originally, but my skin became intolerant to it, the same thing happened with Differin after initial good results. Skip forward a couple of years and my acne is back to where it was before I started any kind of treatment, I am now approaching 31 years of age and figured I'd exhausted all of my options with regards to clearing my skin. Then I discovered azelaic acid (skinoren brand), completely by chance and thought I may as well give it a go. After only 4 weeks I started to notice the difference, I usually have approximately 5 cysts around my jaw at any one time of the month (at their worst before my period), and many smaller pimples covering the rest of my face, after approximately week 4 I noticed they weren't as angry as usual, and that as they were clearing there didn't seem to be any new ones forming to take their place. Once they had healed, and since around week 5 of treatment ... absolutely nothing! All that is left is 1 very tiny pimple which is almost healed, and my skin has never looked so smooth. It's also worth mentioning that I experienced absolutely no side effects with this product, no itching, no dryness, no flaking, no purging, nothing. I'm not sure how it works in other countries but in the UK this is available to purchase online without a doctors visit (just an online 'consultation'), for £15, which is only about £7 more than an normal prescription from a GP, but saves the inconvenience of taking time off work, trying to book/go to an appointment etc. Personally I cannot recommend azelaic acid highly enough :)
September 4, 2014
Product used: Finacea (Azelaic Acid (15%) Gel)
make my skin worse
My derm told me to use it all over the face, even on the area that has no acne. Days later, my whole face broke out even worse than before. And I'm getting pimple on the areas I didn't have pimples before. It also stings and itches really bad. I felt like I wanted to rip my face off and scratch it. I don't think the right thing for my skin.
September 15, 2013
Product used: Finacea (Azelaic Acid (15%) Gel)
Very good product!
Pros:
Cleared skin.
Renewed skin. Did not cause wrinkles.
Lasted a long while.
Cons:
RX prescription only.
Picky conditions.
Expensive
This product was amazing. I used it for quite a long time (mid-2008 to summer of 2010) and while it was for rosacea, it combatted my acne better than any other product. Unfortunately, it is a bit expensive as well as a prescription, and preserving the medication takes a bit of effort because it is sensitive to temperatures and needs to be kept chilled. This was not practical for my life longterm, but I have yet to find a product that works better.
March 14, 2013
Product used: Finacea (Azelaic Acid (15%) Gel)
Pros:
Reduces red marks from scars/post acne marks.
Has a matte finish.
See slight results after every use.
Is clearing up my skin after a few weeks of use.
Cons:
Burns/itches... stick with it though and moisturize! Your skin will get used to it!
Makes your skin a little rough if you put it on before makeup (liquid).
These cons are nothing compared to most of the stuff I have tried. I really love Finacea.
I love this stuff! After trying many, many things for my red dark pitted acne scars and cysts this has made all the difference! I did see results overnight but it doesn't "clear" your face overnight if you have acne like mine. I am pale and this stuff looks very good on my skin. It has a matte finish and it reduces the redness. I have been using this product for a month now and have seen great results! I still have a ways to go but this cream has worked great! This cream does burn. It really burned when I first tried it. I had to keep using it though because I loved it so much. My skin got used to it after a few weeks and I am so glad I kept with it. I recommend 10-15 minutes after application putting on a moisturizer to ensure your face doesn't burn. I believe I dried my face out which caused the burning. I highly recommend everyone try this! Give it at least a month and I believe you'll like the results. Can't wait for this stuff to clear my face!
October 1, 2012
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
WORKS! And quickly.
Cons:
Leaves skin a little sticky
Stings a bit
I love this stuff. My doctor prescribed it to me to use in the morning with my Benzoyl Peroxide and since that time I've noticed a difference in my skin. My skin went from having several new pimples a day to one or two a week. It stings a little and leaves the skin a but sticky to the touch BUT putting the benzoyl peroxide on after really helps. I also use Retin-A at night alone. I started at the same time at the Azelaic Acid so I think it's all three together.
May 29, 2011
Product used: Skinoren (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
Evens out skin tone. My slightly pinkish skin tone is less pink. It's an effective spot treatment too. Quickly eliminates red spots left behind by acne.
I apply Skinoren once a day before bedtime. The first week I used this product, I experienced an initial breakout. I used it in conjunction with Eryacne. I didn't experience the stinging that so many other members have reported, though I do apply Skinoren over a light moisturizer which might help inhibit stinging. I've experienced no irritation or excessive drying. My skin seems to like Skinoren. Combining Eryacne and Skinoren is keeping my skin clear.
June 15, 2009
Product used: Skinoren (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
Easy to apply
Relatively cheap
Cons:
stings a bit.
Has made my neck very red (like a rash)
Takes a while to properly work
I have only been using Skinoren for four days. My doctor prescribed it along with a course of oral Clarithromycin.
Since coming off the pill in December my skin has really broken out - I get a lot of whiteheads in particular. Tried using topical Clindamycin and that is OK but not amazing. Was contemplating Retin-A but am going to give this a go first.
As other posters say, it does itch and sting when you first put it on. Makes me want to rub my face a lot and is hard to stop myself! I have already noticed fewer spots but I am still getting some whiteheads so I still have a way to go. I have been using it on my neck and chest too and my neck it quite red, like i have mild sunburn, hope that goes away. My chest area seems to be more stubborn as the spots are still there and show no sign of going. I really hope it works over the next few weeks
February 1, 2009
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
* Based on the research I did, azelaic acid is not only safe, but good for your skin.
Cons:
* Almost unbearable itching sensation for the first 30 minutes after application (this went away after 3-4 weeks)
* More expensive than BP.
* Dry skin.
I started using Finacea because I was looking for a safer alternative to BP and had read fantastic reviews here. Unfortunately after 12 weeks of twice daily use I have seen no improvement in my acne. Studies show that it can often be effective though, so I would encourage others to try it and wish you better luck than I had.
Pros:
cheap, has worked better than anything else!