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
May 6, 2007
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Cons:
None for me, other than I have to see a doctor every year to get it. When I started using it 10 years ago, I remember it being a little itchy, but that was it.
I have moderate cystic acne, and this is the only thing that has ever helped it. Occasionally, I have not used it, and the acne always comes back. I always try OTC meds before I give up and go back to it.
April 28, 2007
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
Lightens redness(VERY fast),reduces
inflamation
Cons:
A little itchy at first
I think it's just totally awesome. All
around my hairline I started breaking out,
really bumpy, but with Evoclin and Finacea
It's pretty much gone. But if you have
seasonal wheat or grass allergies(like me),
it can be really itchy at first, 'cause
azelaic acid is found in wheat and barley.
April 21, 2007
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
relieved redness, Cleared breakout, Lightened red scars
Cons:
Cant think of any
This stuff works. I was on accutane a few years ago which worked very well but i now break out again(not as bad though) Skinoren really helped without the dryness and irritation that other topicals gave me. Iv been told from my derm not to use it for longer than 6 months though which is a downer!!
March 1, 2007
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
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!
January 21, 2007
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
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.
October 12, 2006
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
I've used this on my face for over 7 years; it's the only thing that works consistently over time. Yes, it takes a while to get used to the stinging, but after a couple of weeks, it was fine for me.
Cons:
You need to keep on top of it and use the product every day. I have lapsed and the acne comes back. Depending on whether you have insurance coverage or not, $ 100 USD every few months might be quite a bit of money to spend than some folks have.
I've used Accutane and while that worked to stave off cystic acne for many years, it was so difficult to go thru the harsh initial breakout and dryness symptoms that I cannot imagine using Accutane over Azelaic ever. I have also used skin systems like Obaji that included Retin-A, if eliminating deep pigmentation isn't an issue, I'd stay with Azelex and a topical antibiotic.
November 8, 2017
Product used: Skinoren (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Worth a Go!
This is the 4th week I've been on the cream. At first I didn't see a lot of improvement but now it is beginning to show slowly. It leaves skin feeling really soft and with no irritation for me anyway. Inflamed pimples under the skin are well down after 2 applications. It has slightly faded some hyperpigmentation..however it is said around 6 months are needed to benefit from it. Here's to hoping! 4 stars as I'm awaiting more results as it states.
March 3, 2018
March 28, 2018
Hey I had too many small white heads and black heads on my face specially my forehead.. I was prescribed skinoren.. After 1 week of use small ones r diminished but unfortunately there r some big cystic acne coming on my cheeks which r new So I'm confused whether I shud continue or not.. Can someone pls advice.. Is this the normal response
January 29, 2017
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Perfect for sensitive skin, cystic acne legions are GONE
This was a GODSEND for me. I'm 20 years old and experienced my WORST BREAKOUT EVER about 5 months ago. Cystic, legion-like, hard bumps along my jawline and PAINFUL to simply wash. It would leave me in tears whenever I saw my face without makeup. My naturopath concocted a remedy of sorts, which included a variety of vitamins (some in large doses tbh), a diet change (started about 8 months ago), start of spironolactone (50mg daily) and birth control. I NEEDED something that would cure me at least topically, and I am so blessed that she prescribed this cream. For the first week, you will experience some irritation and stinging, but you will also see a noticeable change - within the first week!!! Here's the best part: no. flaky. skin. It will take time, but within three months your bumps will be gone. ALL SKIN IS DIFFERENT, but this was so amazing for me :) I no longer use this cream because my naturopath told me I could only use for three months, I've been off of it for just over three weeks. Chin area experiences minor breakouts, but I will survive. Forehead is clear, sides of face and jawline just have red scarring which will go away. :) :) :) :) :) :) Best of luck to all of you.
March 20, 2017
I'm surprised your naturopath was able to recommend this to you when trying to go natural route. Do you think it was a combo of both? Also good for under the skin bumps?
April 5, 2016
Product used: Finacea (Azelaic Acid (15%) Gel)
Terrible initial breakout
I'm really not a fan of this stuff. I'm typically impatient, but ever since I've been using this I've had persistent spots that simply wont go away, and new painful cysts sprout up all over my cheeks. I think if you have sensitive skin do not use this stuff. Its only been a week but I'm not keen on continuing because i have a life to live!
December 30, 2015
Product used: Finacea (Azelaic Acid (15%) Gel)
Good!
I have had mild acne since I was 11 years old (I'm now 17 years old), and that has ruined so much for me, even though it isn't "that bad" - small bumps and pimples on my forehead and blackheads on my nose and chin. Until August 2014 I lived on the countryside where the air was fresh and not as polluted as it is in a city, and when I moved to a city, my skin reacted immediately. Before the move my skin type was normal to dry, which was way easier to cope with than the oily skin that I now have. I think it has something to do with the polluted air, because when I go back to the countryside it always gets better. Anyway, I got Finacea prescribed for me four months ago and I can definitely say that it has made a difference. Almost all the pimples and bumps on my forehead are gone! Still not completely smooth and clear, somehow, but I'm very pleased with the results. The blackheads are still there on my nose and chin, though. The doctor who prescribed it for me suggested that I should use it until September this year, so maybe the skin on my forehead will look even clearer then.
It took me a while to figure out how to use it, though - for the first two months I just washed my face with water before I put the gel on (I thought washing it with a cleanser would be too harsh for my skin), and that didn't do much, but then I started washing it with a cleanser instead and I think that is what made the difference. It is a little harsh, but it's okay.
However, it makes my skin very dry and sometimes even a little itchy, if I use it in the morning and before I go to bed every day for more than one week. I have tried to put on more moisturizer and I have tried taking short breaks from it, but the moisturizer that I'm currently using doesn't seem to make a difference and in that short time of the break I will get bumps and pimples, and that worries me a bit, thinking about when I will stop using the gel entirely, but I will talk to my doctor about that next time I have an appointment.
I will change the cleanser and see what happens.
Pros:
It works on my acne, makes my skin look much better in general.