Azelaic acid is a compound that occurs naturally in grains, such as barley, wheat, and rye. This compound is part of the dicarboxylic acid which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, making it effective for treating acne and rosacea.
Azelaic acid works by reducing inflammation and redness caused by acne and rosacea. It can also kill acne-causing bacteria and clean pores, so acne doesn’t reappear easily.
This medication is available in gel and cream form, and only adults and children aged 12 years and over should use it.
Benefits of Azelaic acid
For people who have rosacea, pigmentation problems, or acne, azelaic acid is useful in helping to relieve symptoms and improve the appearance of the skin.
Here is a review of the benefits:
1. Helps treat rosacea
With its anti-inflammatory properties, azaleic acid can help treat the redness and bumps that arise from rosacea. It can also kill the bacteria associated with the skin condition.
2. Helps reduce discoloration
It is not without reason that azelaic acid is often an ingredient in facial lightening products for melasma, post-acne discoloration or pigmentation.
That’s because the compound works as a tyrosinase inhibitor. That means it works to reduce the synthesis of melanin, the pigment in your skin.
3. Treat acne
One of the main benefits of azelaic acid is to treat acne. This drug is able to overcome this skin problem by activating skin cell turnover (to keep pores clean) and killing the C. acnes bacteria that cause acne.
Azelaic acid Trademark
Azelaic acid medication is available in gel and cream form. Here are some recommended medications containing azelaic acid:
- Aza 20 Cream 10 g. Is a medicine to treat mild to moderate acne vulgaris. The azelaic acid content in this medicine can also be used to treat reddish acne or rosacea by killing bacteria in the pores of the face.
- Zelface 20% Cream 10 g. Is an anti-acne cream containing azelaic acid. This medicine is used to treat acne and hyperpigmentation problems effectively and is well tolerated by the body.
- Zeliri 20% Cream 10 g. With azelaic acid as its active ingredient, this medicine is useful for reducing the number of acne-causing bacteria on the skin. How to use this medicine is quite easy, namely applying it to the infected area twice a day.
For those of you who want to use medication containing azelaic acid to treat acne, don’t hesitate to consult a doctor!
The medicines given are formulated according to your skin needs by a dermatologist with more than 12 years of experience. Haloskin is an acne treatment that is proven to be suitable for 94% of its users (based on research on 103 Haloskin users).
Azelaic acid dosage
The dosage of this medication may vary depending on the skin problem being treated. Be sure to follow your doctor’s advice or the directions on the label.
The following are common doses of azelaic acid :
- To treat acne
Drug form: 20 percent cream or 15 percent gel.
Adults and children 12 years and older: Apply a thin layer to the affected area twice daily, in the morning and evening after washing the face.
- To treat mild to moderate rosacea
Drug form: 15 percent gel.
Adults and children 12 years and older: apply a thin layer to the affected area twice daily, morning and evening.
How to Use Azelaic Acid
Here’s how to use azelaic acid in cream or gel form:
- Wash your hands first with soap and water before using the medicine and also afterward.
- Before using the medicine, clean your face with water and a mild facial cleanser. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry.
- Apply a small amount of the medication to the affected area, rub it in, and allow it to dry completely.
- Once the medicine has dried, you can apply cosmetics as usual. There is no need to cover or bandage your skin unless your doctor tells you to.
Cautions in using Azelaic acid
Please note the following points before using this acne medication:
- It is important to use this medication exactly as directed by your doctor or the label on the package. Do not use more, more often, or for longer than your doctor recommends. This may irritate your skin.
- This medication is for use on the skin only. Avoid contact with eyes, nose, mouth, or genital areas. If it comes into contact with these areas, rinse with water and see a doctor right away, especially if your eyes are red and sore.
- To help your acne or rosacea best, it’s important to keep taking this medication for the full time your doctor has recommended. Try not to miss a dose.
- Avoid using alcoholic cleansers, tinctures and astringents, or abrasive agents, and exfoliate with foams or gels to prevent extra skin irritation.
- Avoid eating spicy foods, hot foods and drinks (e.g. hot coffee, tea), and alcoholic beverages while you are taking this medication.
- See a doctor if your acne doesn’t improve within 4 weeks or gets worse. Also, see a doctor if your rosacea doesn’t improve within 12 weeks.
- This medication may cause an allergic reaction, including angioedema, which is an emergency. Check with your doctor right away if you develop itchy skin, difficulty breathing, or large, hive-like swelling of your face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs after using this medication.
Azelaic Acid Side Effects
This medication is actually safe and suitable even for sensitive skin. However, the potential for irritation is still there.
While azalea is suitable for sensitive skin types and can be used to treat rosacea, it is an exfoliant and can be drying and irritating to the skin.
However, you can reduce the risk of irritation by increasing use slowly, using only a pea-sized amount of medication on the skin, and not using it while using other active ingredients such as retinoids at the same time.
Here are some common side effects:
- Burning, stinging, or tingling sensation on the skin.
- Dryness, itching, peeling, or redness of the skin.
While less common side effects:
- The skin blisters, burns, crusts, dries, or peels.
- Scaling, severe redness, pain, or swelling of the skin.
Also, if you have eczema, azelaic acid may worsen your symptoms, so it’s best to avoid it. There’s limited evidence that it can worsen psoriasis symptoms, too.
Azelaic Acid Interactions
Drug interactions may occur if you use azelaic acid together with certain medications, such as:
- Isotretinoin, which can increase the risk of skin irritation. Get to Know Isotretinoin: A Special Medication for Treating Severe Acne.
- Leather cleaners with strong chemicals (fragrances or dyes) or containing alcohol, astringents, or lime.
Azelaic Acid Contraindications
Contraindications for this drug are hypersensitivity or people who have allergies to azaleic acid and the components contained in it, such as propylene glycol.