Azelaic acid topical and Burning: What Users Say

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2019

For Acne "I've tried 15-20 different acne tablets and creams, none of them I've found to be effective enough on my skin. Some would only work once my acne had appeared, and some wouldn't work at all. Some burned and bleached my skin and made it dry as anything. I've not been allowed on Roaccutane, but I can 100% say Skinoren (azelaic acid) is better. I started using this on the 15th of December, and when I started, I had 20+ spots, some small and some big and cystic. By Christmas Day, I had 2. The last ones are taking a little longer to heal as they were the big cystic ones. The good thing with this product is that it is prescribed for rosacea as well. So any redness and scarring are drastically reduced too. I know I shouldn't, but I can't stop touching my forehead, it's not been spot-free for over 6 years. This doesn't burn my skin, and it doesn't make it dry. I'm absolutely amazed and fully recommend."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2020

Azelaic acid topical for Rosacea "Finacea is the worst cream I have ever used. My face burned so much that I couldn't sleep or work or anything. It has been days since I last used it, but it still burns like lava. I'm afraid permanent damage has been done. :( Rosacea is tough as it is, this cream made it five times worse."

• Anonymous
• October 31, 2011

Azelaic acid topical for Rosacea "I stopped by the chemist and had a chat. He suggested I try Finacea. This condition has been with me for more than five years - I am 37. I couldn't wait, so I put it on as soon as I got in the car - my face started to burn and itch! Oddly though, in the mirror, it was not as if my face was breaking out?! Ten minutes later, the burning and itching stopped. It's been a week of morning and night routine, and I could not be happier. It's as if the condition has been completely cured, plus I don't get the burning and itching anymore when I put it on. I don't have red breakouts, I even had a few drinks out the other night and had no symptoms the next day!"

• Spr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 5, 2015

Azelaic acid topical for Rosacea "I have been using this for about 3 weeks now. It not only makes my redness worse, but it burns (I can deal with tingling, but not severe burning) severely and causes me to break out in hives! I really need to find something else because the allergic reactions/side effects I'm having are worse than the redness was to start with."

• Gra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 27, 2015

Azelaic acid topical for Rosacea "I've had terrible bumps and sores on my face for years and was just diagnosed with rosacea. I was given Finacea and minocycline. I was told to use it 2x a day, and after the 2nd day, I saw some improvement, but by the 6th day, my face was starting to look burned. By the 10th day, the bumps were horrible, and my face and neck seemed severely burned. My skin was dry and cracked, swollen in spots, and very wrinkly looking. The doctor said to stop it, let it completely heal, then start again using it once every 3 days and build back up. It's been two weeks off the cream. My face peeled like it was burned but is getting better. The neck is still bad. Saying all this, I'll still try again. Just be very careful if you know you have sensitive skin."

• Sbt...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 3, 2017

Azelaic acid topical for Rosacea "When I found out that my Finacea Foam Rx was going to cost $275, I turned it down. Then I decided to buy a tube and see if it really worked. I was immediately impressed with the product. It not only clears up the burning and redness, but it also makes my skin smoother and softer. On a Dec 2016 trip to France, I asked a pharmacist if there was an equivalent in France. In fact, they had the exact same product in cream form instead of foam. And the price was only 30 Euro, I brought 4 tubes home to last me until my next trip to France. I swear by Finacea!"

• Swe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 3, 2018

Azelaic acid topical for Rosacea "I just started using the gel today, so I cannot comment on its effectiveness yet for clearing up my mild rosacea. It does burn my face quite a bit, but I’m sure if I push through that for a week or so, it won’t be as bad. I am writing this comment, however, because I see a lot of comments from people that are unhappy about the price of this medication and issues with prescriptions. I agree that the prices are outrageous here in the US. I never went to a doctor for a prescription to get the gel, I simply googled 'buy Finacea' and very easily purchased it from an Australian website called Pharmacy Online, and it was only $33 total with shipping. I hope this helps anyone who cannot afford it or had trouble getting it through their doctor! Will update later on how it has affected my rosacea."

• uns...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 3, 2019

Azelaic acid topical for Acne "After struggling with acne, my dermatologist prescribed me Azelex 20% and advised that I apply it twice a day and mix it with moisturizer because it tends to dry out skin. After 3 days, it completely ruined my skin. Even after using so much moisturizer, it would burn my face and itch. After 2 days, I figured I should keep giving it a chance. However, on the 3rd day, my face was just completely ruined. I woke up and my face was unbelievably dry. My face formed wrinkles, and I looked like an elder. Not to mention, my skin was peeling everywhere. It left dark patches of hyperpigmentation around my mouth, nose, and forehead. I was left with my face in a worse condition than when I started using Azelex. I don't know what to do now, I think it left me with a chemical burn or something of the sort. Now I'm left using homemade remedies to try to salvage all that I can."

• Ste...
• November 13, 2017

Azelaic acid topical for Rosacea "My Finacea gel has been a lifesaver. Before I started it, I was on antibiotics for my rosacea. Those helped, but not nearly as much as Finacea. It has made my face go from extremely red and filled with dots and bumps to smooth and almost regular skin tone. I can finally go outside without makeup and not feel like an alien. The only side effect is that it makes my skin itch and burn a little after applying it. I solve this problem by using a moisturizer 5 minutes later. Oh, and one tube lasts forever!"

• Phx...
• October 6, 2017

Azelaic acid topical for Rosacea "I’m using Finacea for mild rosacea. The first week, it was mildly burning. By the 7th day, I could tell an enormous difference. My skin went from feeling rough to being very smooth. I have had friends make comments about my skin looking nice. I can tell a HUGE difference. I am very happy with the results. I’m hoping my skin will improve even more with longer use. Most of the postpustules are gone, and the red spots are a lighter pink now. My skin is smooth."

• Mad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 11, 2014

Azelaic acid topical for Acne "I retried Azelex because my first time, which I used for two weeks, I got no results. The second time, I've tried this product for over three weeks and have noticed an extreme difference, with many people complimenting me on my skin. It burns and tingles for 5-10 mins, but then subsides. I have sensitive skin, and this did not dry my skin out at all, which is great. I would definitely recommend."

• Swe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 14, 2019

Azelaic acid topical for Rosacea "I am writing this as an update from my original post a few months ago when I first started using Finacea after buying it online from an Australian pharmacy. Unfortunately, I discovered Finacea was not for me, it actually made my skin so much worse. I’d have to mentally prepare myself every time I put it on because it burned so bad I couldn’t even stand it, and my face was horribly red, dry, flaky, and tight all the time. If anything, it made my rosacea worse. I finally broke down and went to my dermatologist, and he prescribed me antibiotics, Soolantra, and Rhofade (which I know a lot of people hate), but for me, I have had much better results with this regimen. Redness is still there, but the Rhofade doesn’t burn and definitely reduces the redness and feels very soft and soothing on my skin, no more dryness and flakiness. Finacea just didn’t work for me."

• Drg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 12, 2023

Azelaic acid topical for Rosacea "I took Finacea for nine weeks, and it has made my rosacea worse. I have inflammation and pustules, along with burning and stinging sensations, which have increased considerably. It appears to work well for a lot of people, but like every other rosacea treatment, it’s not for everyone."

• ERD...
• April 23, 2022

For Acne "Best cream I have used for acne by far. Less irritation than most and fastest results. I’m 4 months in and still seeing improvement. My skin does get irritated sometimes, and when I started, it did burn, tingle, and itch, but when this happens, I either switch to once a day for a while, as advised by my Dr., or put aloe vera on my face ten minutes prior to Skinoren application and then wait until it’s dried and use aloe or a moisturizer. Overall, after 4 months, I’m still happy with the improvements - my skin has gone from quite a few pimples, blemishes, and marks to much fewer blemishes that heal much more quickly. I will give another update at 6 months :)"

• Gin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 25, 2019

For Rosacea "I started taking azelaic acid a little over a month ago for my mild rosacea because my new insurance won't cover Soolantra. I was worried when I saw other people's experiences with the side effects, but I didn't experience the burning or itching. I must say I'm disappointed, though. I haven't seen any improvement in my skin. Glad it didn't cost anything!"

• Cou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2023

For Rosacea "Azelaic acid 15% gel was prescribed for my mild rosacea. Within 5 minutes of applying it, my face was beet red and swollen. It was burning, and my breathing felt labored. I obviously am allergic to this product, which sucks because my skin is sensitive to everything."

• Tom...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 23, 2014

Azelaic acid topical for Acne "Works well, and I've tried almost everything. It burns, itches, and tingles like crazy when you first start using it, but that eventually stops. I apply it mixed with a moisturizer."

• 2mu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 18, 2022

For Rosacea "Skin is extremely sensitive to products and burns easily. This product is well tolerated by me, working very quickly to correct outbreaks of rosacea bumps. Thank you, Chemist. Love the product."