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
July 19, 2017
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Made my skin oily
Didn't work well at all for me. I started this topical treatment at the same time as I started an oral antibiotic (erythromycin) treatment. The cream made my face (and back and chest) really itchy when I first put it on - even after weeks of taking it, this happened. Regardless, I left it on, tried not to scratch it. I would put it on twice a day, when I woke up and when I went to bed. I noticed that whenever I woke up in the morning or when I went to put my makeup on in the morning, my skin would be really oily. I don't know if the cream just irritated my skin, making it overproduce the oils, but of course this didn't help my acne at all. I came off of the topical treatment of my own accord and felt my acne was better managed without it.
December 11, 2017
Azelex is makes your skin dry which causes it to become itchy. When your skin is dry your body will produce more oils to counter act being dry. My best advice is after you apply the Azelex, you should use a non grease moisturizer over it.
April 5, 2017
Product used: Azclear (Azelaic Acid (20%) Lotion)
My HOLIEST GRAIL!
This guy here is my new BP. Except better and less irritating. I've been experiencing the worst post pill acne since November last year and my chin and inner cheeks have copped most of the brunt. I can't even use BP anymore due to my skin fauna changing and this was what was keeping me clear for the past 6 years.
I currently use this along with Dr Dennis Gross Peels and my skin has cleared up in 4 days.
January 20, 2018
Hi Millaaa, I was just wondering how your post-BC acne has going since you posted this?
June 18, 2016
Product used: Azclear (Azelaic Acid (20%) Lotion)
I love it!
Cleared up my back acne. Reduces pimple size fast! I've had two annoying blackheads on my forehead since I can remember. I squeezed them out for the hundredth time and put Azclear over the then open pore. I never got a blackhead in that spot again and it's been about 4 months since! My back has cleared up about 90% and I put Azclear on, every other day, after showering and washing with gamophen medicated soap. Honestly so happy I found this product! Ps : I'm doing caveman on my face and I only use it as a spot treatment on my face as it can be trying to my extremely sensitive skin, but I use it as a lotion on my back
October 21, 2015
Product used: Finacea (Azelaic Acid (15%) Gel)
My Last Hope
So I started using Finacea last night after I stopped using Clingadel, which I was using for the past couple months but didn't really see any results. Now started using finacea gel, I hope my clears my acne up because I have been struggling with acne since I was 16, now am 22. I been through so many topical, antibiotics, and even two round of accutane, and nothing seems to keep my acne at bay. I just hope this will be the one that clears my acne once and for all!!!
December 13, 2012
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Cons:
Everything... :(
Do not use any product which contains this acid, it's very painful. It made my skin dry and irritate it. My acne got worst, like a 60% worst. Right now I'm in a lot of pain and I just used it for 7 days! :( I'm not sure if my acne could still be called light acne, it looks more like moderate right now. 7 days of that acid meant dead to my face :(
June 9, 2011
Product used: Skinoren (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
worked for 2 days. seems to work initially for first few hours when put on skin.
Cons:
after 2 hrs skin became extremely greasy. I was really suffering from whiteheads and blackheads (small zits), after using this cream for 1 week i now have 5 huge papules on my face with even more blackheads and whiteheads and make up just seems to slide off.
Stopped use after one week as skin is in much worse condition than when i started.
June 25, 2009
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
AMAZING at reducing redness and has a nice, matte texture unlike most topical medications
Cons:
Made my extremely oily skin much oilier, however as the oil would usually turn my fair skin hot and red as the day went on, this gel kept it incredibly light. Didnt seem to stop acne whatsoever.
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!!!
May 14, 2009
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
Cleared up skin immediately. Dries fast, reduces oil, makes skin look normal!
Cons:
Slight dryness at first.
I've been using Finacea for approx. one week and have had ZERO new pimples since the first day I started using it. My skin reacted to it a bit at first with some dryness and flaking but now, just one week later, it looks unbelievable. I haven't had clear skin for 7 consecutive days for as long as I can remember. I have used EVERY SINGLE product there is - Retin-A, Clindamycin, Benzoyl Peroxide, Antibiotics etc, and nothing has ever given me results like this. Right now I'm on 10% BP wash in the morning and at night, Finacea morning and night, and Retin-A mixed w/my heavy night moisturizer at night, along w/oral antibiotics 2x a day. My skin hasn't looked this clear in years.
April 17, 2009
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
No irritation, unlike with Benzoyl Peroxide.
Cons:
Felt as though it hasn't really improved my acne.
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..
April 6, 2009
Product used: Skinoren (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
It left my skin feeling smooth. Made my expoliator more effective when removing my scars. Dried out my open comedones.
Cons:
Burns. For a good amount of times. I would keep away from your mucosal areas (near your eyes and creases near your nose)
Good product. I find it was very helpful when teamed with twice daily treatments of topical erythromycin.
Pros:
Nothing. (in my case)