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
August 31, 2011
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Cons:
broke me out in small bumps after the fourth week, some of them have started to head.
left me with more red marks than before I used the cream.
I wish I didnt try azelex. My skin was looking pretty good before I went on it but I really wanted to get rid of those red mark..
I don't think what I had was an initial breakout since I got little bumps at the end of the 3rd week of use.
April 11, 2011
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
Smooth skin the morning - after.
Cons:
Stinging after application is absolutely unbearable - especially with a sensitive skin
Burning, burning, itching, itching, please help me fire brigade!
I have a very sensitive skin, I have no clue what development team thought they should think of a 20% acidic cream but well, hey, if it seems to work in vitro?
Anyway, no one's skin should have to deal with such a harsh acidic product.
Made me want to scratch my skin off, tried it three nights in a row but could bear it the third night anymore. Going to hand it back in to the phamacy tomorrow.
August 27, 2010
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
2 weeks in so far...
No pros that I can think of. Hasn't had an effect on my acne whatsoever.
Cons:
Leaves my skin feeling very greasy.
Constantly trying to wash the grease off my face, which makes my acne feel worse.
Using it twice a day (as per doctor's recommendation), at night is ok but during the day it's difficult to wear makeup over the top. Makes my skin very sticky and has increased my morning routine by about 45 minutes (while waiting for it to 'dry' as much as possible).
First few days it stung a little when applying, now every time I apply it makes my ski
Hasn't changed my acne whatsoever, is leaving my skin very greasy and difficult to wear under makeup. Will persevere for another couple of weeks to see if it makes any difference, but so far nothing. Not as bad as some side effects I've had, but of everything I've tried (10 or so different pills and/or solutions) it's been the least effective.
September 1, 2009
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
Didn't experience any of the painful itching or stinging other people have.
Cons:
Painful cystic breakouts, worse than before I started!
I've only been using this product for 2 - 3 weeks. I keep hoping that things'll settle down as my skin gets used to it, but so far... no sign of improvement. The acne on my chin and jawline is worse than ever! So far... definitely not recommended. I'm going to try it for one more week; then it's back to Proactiv for me. If I really do have rosacea, per the dermatologist that prescribed this stuff, I'll try a new pair of creams from Prescriptives.
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.
March 17, 2009
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
Drys out skin
Cons:
Drys out skin- causes breakouts
I have been using this cream for about two weeks. I have mild acne which looks a lot worse on my fair skin. I tried this cream hoping it would burn off my acne bumps- it did just that literally. I use CeraVe Cleanser and lotion (they work great BTW) and I would put this on after I washed my face and before I put on moisturizer. This stuff really dried out my skin- actually made it flaky and by the 2nd week, my skin was worse. I think if you dry out your skin too much it can alos cause more acne- you need some moisture. I am now on Spironolactone (Oral medicine) as I have tried every anitbiotic out there and all topicals- I am hoping this works as I heard great reviews
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.
September 13, 2008
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
The only good thing is that it works great under makeup because it gives skin a matte appearance.
Cons:
Made me break out all across my forehead! There is a burning sensation in the beginning, but it's not that bad.
After reading the great reviews on this site, I was really excited to use it. Within the first few weeks, there was no reduction in pimples, i actually had more! I searched reviews to find out if purging was a side effect but couldn't find anything. I knew there was a problem when i broke out all across the top of my forehead with painful pimples. I went back to my derm after two months of using azelex and he told me to only use azelex in the morning and gave me samples of retin a micro for every other night. In the morning i would wake up and my pimples were dried out and i believe that was 100% because of the retin a micro. I was still getting new pimples though, almost daily. So last week i decided to stop the azelex and continue with the retin a micro and it was an excellent decision...so far. I haven't had any new pimples and my acne scars are fading!
August 27, 2008
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
i am using it from one week i dont see much miracles neither any harshness its good
Cons:
burning sensation
try it
July 18, 2008
Product used: Skinoren (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
Nothing
Cons:
Itches a lot, makes skin red and irritated.
There are much more soothing acne medications available out there. This has never worked for me, ever.
Pros:
fades red marks slightly (new ones)