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
September 21, 2023
Product used: Finacea (Azelaic Acid (15%) Gel)
Made my skin dry, red, irritated.
I used this stuff once or twice a day (about 2 pea-sized worth) - at first, I thought it was working well. Then I noticed my skin was becoming increasingly irritated / red. Then I did a patch test on my neck, and broke out in a cluster of tiny small white heads. I never break out on my neck. I stopped using the product after about 2 months. I know it works so well for some others, but not for me.
February 22, 2018
Product used: Skinoren (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Not for long term BP users / Sensitive skin
Longtime BP user here, 10+ years. I wanted to try something different so I got a Skinoren prescription from Boots ( UK) online. Used it for about 4-5 weeks. I probably went little balls deep on it ( used too much from the off) but it made my skin so incredibly itchy. I also got a bit of a chemical burn on my cheek near to my nose. It would take about 30-60 minutes before my skin would feel normal. I also couldn't find any info about using a moisturizer in combination with it.... lots of conflicting info everywhere. Didn't really help with acne just irritated my skin. I may give it another go ( using less of it next time) but it's not suitable for long-term use so any benefits will be < 9 months as its recommended to stop use after a year. I've also used differin which gave me a similar experience.
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 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
May 14, 2015
Product used: Skinoren (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Normal?
I've been using Skinoren for over a week and I'm getting acne still...how long does it take? I smear Skinoren all over my face because I have acne in random places all over face. I also have it on my chest, so I've been putting Skinoren there as well. I haven't really notice anything at all as of yet. I'm also taking birth control...I've started both things on May 5th (2015)...fingers crossed for some actual results? I'm 26 and have adult acne....
May 25, 2015
Not sure about birth control, but oral drugs such as antibiotics and accutane tend to break ppl out before face start to clear up. As for the skinoren, make sure you put moisturizer on after cause azelaic acids peels the skin
August 27, 2014
Product used: Skinoren (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Didn't really do anything
My acne kept on slowly getting worse, which made me hopeful that this was helping in some way, but I think it was just my skin itself that got worse regardless of what was on it. Skinoren didn't really do anything for me at all. Maybe it helped diminish the pimples a little bit after about a month or so, but it worked very very slowly. I used it for two and a half months, didn't renew my prescription. maybe it works if you use it longer, but I feel like a topical treatment should give quicker results. It is gentle, though, so maybe it could be worth a shot for someone with sensitive skin.
November 26, 2013
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
2 week review
Cons:
Burn/sting
Expensive retail 300.00 insurance made it 100.00
Takes time to see results
So far it's only been 2 weeks of using this product I have moderate acne with past scars from cystic acne. My dermatologist prescribed this cream to me with benzoyl as my face wash. I apply twice a day after washing my face it does burn and sting for a little while and then goes away, so far I'd say its working as far as minimizing the cystic acne I have broke out a little more from using this product but not too much, and the inflammation has gone done but il give it some more time and see what better results il have
July 8, 2012
Product used: Azelex (Azelaic Acid (20%) Cream)
Pros:
Goes on smooth and clear
Makes skin feel soft
Kinda moisturizing
Cons:
Didn't help at all
Kinda made skin a little more oily
I used this for a month and it didn't help at all. It didn't make things worse but it didn't help them either. But that doesn't mean it won't work for you what I learned is everyone is different and will respond differently so you just gotta keep trying and see what works for you.
April 4, 2012
Product used: Finacea (Azelaic Acid (15%) Gel)
Pros:
May help pimples and redness
Cons:
My skin got so oily, I had to discontinue use
Burning and itching when applied
Expensive
I wish this worked as well for me as it seems to have worked for most people. If I had read these reviews, I would have said "Whoo-hoo! Sign me up!" But I have found that azelaic acid makes my skin unbearably oily. I don't have naturally oily skin to begin with, so this was a new feeling. I had to blot throughout the day, and my makeup was sliding right off. Any benefits weren't outweighed by how oily my skin became.
Pros:
Easy to use
Deep penetration of getting into pores
Reduces inflammation