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
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.
February 10, 2017
Product used: Finacea (Azelaic Acid (15%) Gel)
A miracle drug!!
I have never had acne all my life and I am in my 50's, until now, I have Hormonal or Adult acne. I started to break out a couple of months ago and nothing that I bought cured it, so I went to a Derm, he gave me Spiro and a cream which didn't work. I then went to another Derm and she prescribed me Finacea 15% Foam. I had heard lots of people say that this burns when you apply it, but mine didn't. This is a miracle foam, I saw results in 3 days, my acne had subsided and my acne scars were clearing up so fast. Finacea Foam will dry your skin out a lot so you have to use a good moisturizer, so I use Cetaphil or CeraVa which are both very good. Finacea is a very expensive drug it runs about $225 per tube but if you have very good insurance you can afford it, with mine I had a co-pay of $20, so I'll be using this forever, try it please.
May 9, 2015
Product used: Skinoren (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Good results
Hello fellow acne sufferers... I like this cream and it would work perfectly if I was more strict with my bed time regime as I cleanse but I don't always use this at night but it definitely makes a difference over night if you use it! I am 40 but younger in spirit, so I think that is why my acne is hanging around and it also started late. I also believe emotional distress, anxiety etc causes a lot of acne. If you saw my spotty face clear up after a massive cry, you would see the proof.
June 1, 2015
Hi Flipper :) I'm also 40 and have moderate/severe bacne. Man, I thought it would have cleared by now! Also just starting Skinoren. Fingers crossed. Good to know there are others out there. :)
March 27, 2017
Hey Flipper, could you give us an update? I am 45 and also full of pimples (pre menopause). Hoping this cream will help with the dark marks that are left when the spot has gone ...
October 28, 2014
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
try my routine instead for cycstic acne
I am 28 year old female and still used to get weekly ance. I do get deep cystic acne every once in a while. I started a new regiment 4 weeks (Listed Below) ago and by the looks of it I finally have clear skin with no signs of new pimples or cysts emerging: Took me years to find the right products for me - I have very sensitive skin My Skin Regiment:
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser (AM/PM)
Citrus Clear Sensitive Moisturizer
Citrus Clear Grapefruit Spot Treatment
Fish Oil - pills (AM only) Other Things to Consider when trying to achieve great skin - Probably the most important too
64 - 128 oz of Water Daily
6 - 8 Hrs of Sleep a Night
1 Hr of Exercise per day (5 per/week)
August 19, 2015
Hello! Drop Cetaphil and go with something like Circadia Lipid Replacing Cleansing Gel. Cetaphil blocks pores. The rest of your plan is pretty cool. Good for you!
November 22, 2012
Product used: Skinoren (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
Quick results! Really works!
Cons:
Makes skin itch and tingle when applied
I've suffered with acne most of my adult life. When I was 29 my acne was so severe I was prescribed roaccuntane for six months which gave amazing results! My skin remained clear for about 5 years afterwards, bar the occasional spot. Since then my skin has got worse, but not to the extent it was when I was 29, but enough for me to go see my doctor. Im 38 now and Over the past 4 yesrs I've tried pretty much most all the over the counter acne treatments and prescription creams and antibiotics from my doctor, but none worked. Until last week when i returned to the docs again, she prescribed skinoren cream along with doxycycline tabs and the results are really noticeable! My skin looks clearer, feels smoother, and it reduced the couple of cystic spots after two days! It has also improved the look of my old red acne scarring! I recommend this cream to anyone with moderate acne.its fab!
June 20, 2010
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
I've been using azelaic acid on my chest for a week now and my chest is already less red. So far I'm positive! No irritation, itchiness, redness or whatever. I'm curious what happens when you stop using it. Will the acne come back worse than before using azelaic acid?
April 13, 2016
Product used: Finacea (Azelaic Acid (15%) Gel)
Causing redness and breakouts?
Azelaic Acid Gel- Finacea- Been using for about 2 weeks and redness has become worst and now I have a few good-sized isolated red inflamed pimples on my forehead and a cluster of red pimples as well, where I don't usually get acne. Started to break out on my cheek. The acne on my jaw went down a bit though which may have been hormonal? However, the cystic acne was on its way out though before finecea. It also itches like CRAZY after putting on so obviously avoid anywhere near eyes. I can't really speak to this improving my skin. I went from mild to moderate acne to now diffuse pimples and have to wear make-up to counteract the redness and discoloration. I don't know if this is the purging phase, as I really want it to work. Does anyone know how long this will last?
June 24, 2015
Product used: Skinoren (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Skinoren, purging
I've been applying skinoren for 4 weeks now, once every night.
My face to begin with was clear everywhere except for my forehead which is oily and i would breakout once a month, a few whiteheads here and there, with a few closed comedones.
Since I've been using skinoren I've been breaking out non stop. I'm hoping that my skin is simply purging. I will give this another few weeks. Hopefully It won't cause damage to my skin.
October 20, 2016
This is really helpful and I feel the same after 3 weeks of use. could you please advise if you found any improvements after persevering ?
March 3, 2018
July 21, 2013
Product used: Finacea (Azelaic Acid (15%) Gel)
Working well so far
Pros:
lightens post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
calms redness
could be contributing to less rosacea flushing
Cons:
slight itching around pimples
made big pimples surface
I have only used this cream for about 4 days (just at night), but already I can see it working!
I was really worried that it would exacerbate my redness from rosacea, but it really didn't. I didn't experience any burning, just some itching around where I have pimples.
I now have a few big pimples on my cheeks, but from what I've read, these should go away as my skin adjusts to the Finacea. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but I kind of feel like they're the last few that the Finacea is purging my skin of.
I have extremely fair skin, and any pimples that I have (whether I pop them or not) leave bright red or pink marks. Subsequently, my face looks red all the time, which isn't helped by my rosacea. In fact, the hyperpigmentation makes the rosacea look a lot worse. As I said, I've only been using this cream for about 4 nights, but already I can see the marks fading!
It also seems to be helping to limit my flushing from rosacea - although I have just cut back from two 50mg minocycline tablets a day to one (and some people find this medication to cause flushing, so it could be this that's helping rather than the Finacea).
At night, after I wash with Cetaphil, I leave my skin for about 5 minutes. Then I dab little dots of the Finacea all over my face and gently rub it in. Then I leave it for another 5 minutes before putting Cetaphil moisturising lotion over the top. This system seems to be working well.
I would definitely recommend giving this product a try - I am so sick of these pimples and red marks!
January 3, 2013
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
Worked very fast, did not cause big cystic pimples.
Very impressed! I was kinda of concerned with the other reviews, thinking my breakouts would get much worse, they did not. Not kidding,By the first use I saw an improvement,not something I can say about any other product. Try it, you will be impressed, do not over use.
Pros:
Its cheap
Stings when you apply it around the mouth and eyes