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
April 26, 2009
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Cons:
stings quite abit
hasnt really worked all that well, when i first started with it it kind of worked but im stil getting break outs. maybe within time it will start working but i dought it. it stings quite abit when i put it on, stings for about 10 minutes. price wasnt a problem because its on the nhs which is lucky because i think i would be quite annoyed if i had to pay for another product that doesnt work.
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.
March 19, 2009
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
Azelex absorbed quickly into my skin. It worked great for me. No side effects, not even the stinging everyone else seems ot experience. I loved it.
Cons:
The cost, if you don't have insurance is the #1 con for me. I've been out of work for two years, no health insurance, and my skin looks terrible. I'm extremley self conscious. Without health care coverage 20%, 50 grams, $85. I can't manage it.
For me Azelex works. There's nothing worse than walking around with a red face and acne, nothing.
February 13, 2009
Product used: Skinoren (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
Got rid of my moderate acne , at least a 90% improvement.
Skin already started to feel smoother and healthier after one week.
No irritation like BP ..
Cons:
Burns for about 5 Minutes after application
I use the 15 % Skinoren Gel , it absorbs better into the skin than the cream and leaves your face with a nice smooth and matt feel due to its skin-shedding properties.
Surprisingly it helps to prevent deeper , cyst like spots which i used to get.
February 2, 2009
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
good product. Rids of acne and hiperpigmentation.
Cons:
itching,stinging for 20-30 minutes in the first month or two.
Acne can came out but they are smaller, lesser and go away faster. I've been using it for 4 months now and it's a good product. It will dry your skin in the beggining but not as much as Retia A does.The red marks almost faded( i don't know if that is because i didn't had a brake out for 2 months or because it hepls them heal) and the skin looks good.
January 28, 2009
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
affordable, doesn't require a prescription (I use Melazepam, which is 20% azelaic acid cream and $12 per 2oz tube), doesn't stain or bleach clothes or sheets, more effective than other topicals, no side effects
Cons:
occasional mild tingling feeling for a few minutes after application, not sure it's really helped my persistent dark spots from former zits
The best topical out there. However, for my moderate acne I've found I must apply it 2x a day and it doesn't clear my face, just keeps it more manageable. Melazepam is available over the counter for those of us without dermatologists or health insurance.
January 21, 2009
Product used: Skinoren (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
Works! I mean seriously works. Great value for money.
I started having trouble with my skin when I turned 21... i was trying everything including expensive visits to the beautician every two weeks for a glycolic peals and topical tretinoin (which was soooo honorable). Anyways, I started to realize that my acne problem was associated with me having sensitive skin / rosacea. I'm now 28 and have found that skinoren is the best treatment for me... unfortunately if i stop using it I suffer breakouts again.... which only further illustrates how good this treatment is.
January 3, 2009
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
It works well. It is affordable and clears up pimples while leaving your skin soft.
Cons:
It takes a long time to work. Dedication is key.
I've tried many topical and oral medication but only to find that it is ineffective after I've continued use for several months. I also wanted to find a cheaper alternative to what I was previously using (Benzaclin with spirinolactone) It worked well but it was seriously hurting the bank considering that each bottle of Benzaclin could only be used for 3 months once it is mixed and cost $150. My dermatologist prescribed me Azelex in the morning and Retin-A at night. I used it for two months with absolutely no results. If anything my skin got progressively worse. I had huge cystic acne and little bumps all over my face. But by the third month my face was getting clearer. My old acne scars were fading and my skin was so soft. My skin is now clear (minus the occasional hormonal breakouts). I find that Azelex burns on the face, but after few weeks of use it disappeared. I hope this works for you as it did for me.
January 1, 2009
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
smoother skin, less cystic acne, is not irritating or drying, fades red marks faster than they would fade on their own
Cons:
seems to lighten entire face and make it a lighter/white color, doesnt totally prevent acne
this is an effective topical that has a lot less negative side effects than most other topicals. be careful though!! I used azelex for about two months when i stopped using it almost entirely- massive breakouts followed. In the description of side effects it does say "if you stop using azelex too soon, your acne may return the same or worse than before." So true! If you get clear skin with this, don't stop completely- my advice would be to continue using it but just less frequently.
December 29, 2008
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
Works wonders for my inflamed acne, cysts and comedones. Makes skin smooth and matte, bleaches scars and red marks.
Cons:
Stings and itches the first weeks.
Wash face with rich amounts of water ONLY, pat dry, then apply A LOT of the azelaic acid cream. (You might want to start with less, then ramp up the dose). My skin is now smooth and even, no pimples/cysts. Have tried: Differin, topical tretinoin, benzoyl peroxide, oral antibiotics, topical antibiotics. Azelaic acid beats them all in my experience.
Pros:
havnt noticed a great deal of difference but have only been on it 2 weeks