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 28, 2009
Product used: Skinoren (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Cons:
Stings when you apply it around the mouth and eyes
I've been uisng Skinoren for the past 6 months in conjuction with Docycyl (anti-biotic). The first 4 months my skin cleared up a bit but then the past two months the red inflammed acne came back.
My derm started gave me Minerva 35 and i started medication 2 days ago still in conjuction with Skinoren applied twice a day.
I will keep you posted regarding my progress, maybe this time I hope to see some improvement.
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!!!
June 18, 2009
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
Skins less oily
Cons:
didnt really notice much improvement and i have quite sensitive skin and found this too harsh
didnt really help
June 12, 2009
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
This stuff definitely seems to dissolve the clogs in the pores on my forehead and I haven't had any big pustules or cysts since starting it.
Cons:
Dries my face out horrendously after application, followed by an oil slick that Exxon would be proud of a few hours later. Burns and itches like mad, especially after I've shaved. Does absolutely nothing to prevent small zits on my chin and nose.
As far as getting rid of my acne, this stuff is on the borderline of not working and making it worse. It also seems to exacerbate my oily skin problem and redness (caused by the acne that it doesn't kill).
May 12, 2009
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
I have used the product for only a couple of weeks. Have not experienced any stinging or burning. I am using it for brown spots and reddening on the cheeks.
Cons:
None
Will continue to use it for a couple of months to see if it lightens the discoloraton. So far, the product is easy to use and there appear to be no side affects.
May 6, 2009
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
Gets rid of oily skin
Cons:
Doesn't stop whiteheads, turns your face very red, and causes itching so bad you would pay to take a wire brush to your face.
I was only on this for 7 days so I'm not the best judge. I was on Clyndamycin and switched to this and I had to spend the next week locked up in my apartment. I never quit medication no matter what but I just couldn't stay on this one. You say to yourself that the itching is no big deal but when you combine incredible itching with steps in the wrong direction it was an easy decision. I can't imagine that this wouldn't turn anyone's skin into a crust filled wasteland but then again everyone is different. Definitely use at your own risk!!
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..
March 26, 2009
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
Lightens hyperpigmentation
Cons:
itch's for about 5 min but not too bad, $50.00 with my insurance b/c I haven't met my deductible yet but I saw that some were only paying $10.00 but I WOULD pay the $50 again
It really helps to lighten the dark spots and red marks but didn't help with my little "rice" like underskin pimples
March 10, 2009
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
It helped clear moderate rosacea and probably helps with my acne as well.
Cons:
Drying/stinging at the beginning. Need a prescription in North America or must order online from Australia.
I used this cream because in addition to acne I was getting rosacea like red bumps (no pus inside) on my face that wouldn't clear with the acne meds I'm already on (Clindamycin lotion, Retin A 0.025 and Diane 35). The bumps would get worse when my face got hot, especially from sleeping with face touching my pillow. I tried oral antibiotics but didn't tolerate them very well so I tried Finacea. It has been a few weeks and I'm 90% clear, definite decrease. Also I've noticed I don't break out around my period which used to happen all the time. It stings at first- be very careful not to over apply (hard when you're all bumpy!) or else you will burn your skin. I use it morning and night, wait 5 mins, apply Complex 15 oil-free moisturizer. 2-3 nights a week I switch it up for Retin-A for maintenance of acne. So far so good - oral antibiotics were easier and 100% effective, less skin irritation, but ultimately they made me sick. Finacea is safe, just don't over apply!
March 3, 2009
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
wow calmed my skin down.
Worked quickly!
Easy to apply!
Cons:
Slight irritation at site of application but I've experienced MUCH worse with other topical meds. More like a feeling of getting lemon juice on your face or somethi than an actual burning, intense itching feeling than say a strong glycolic acid peel
I used this for the redness and burning feelings on my face and it works great so far like nothing else! I often at night get feelings of unusual warmth, irritation, sensations of feverishness due to ski being hot only on my cheeks, ears, and elsewhere where my skin is thin. Ibuprofen, religious moisturizer application (helped a little), benzaclin, high-potency corticosteroids such as triamcinolone, and tazorac failed to help nor did discontinuing all my topical meds. Azelex cooled down my skin, naturally! Its amazing. My skin feels much more calm, less hot, and is visibly less red after one application, even if the azelex itself itches a tad. Can't wait to keep using it!
Pros:
Its cheap
Stings when you apply it around the mouth and eyes