Azelaic acid topical and Itching: What Users Say

• 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!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 28, 2014

Azelaic acid topical for Rosacea "This recently became over the counter here, so I thought I'd give it a go. I have suffered from rosacea badly for near on 10 years, as did my mother from her late 20s into her mid 50s. Nothing I have tried before has worked. This is day 4, and already my bumps are gone, my redness has reduced, and my skin feels smooth, not dry and flaky. The only negative so far is it makes me itch and my skin feel tight for about half an hour after application. My usual unscented baby sorbolene seems to help with that, though. So far, so good, hoping to see big results."

• Tif...
• December 5, 2013

Azelaic acid topical for Acne "I have struggled with acne in my adult life for about a year now. It wasn't that bad, then significantly got worse over the past 6 months. I had huge cyst-like pimples and some small ones around my chin mostly, and my cheeks started getting bad as well. I tried every single product out there. I finally went to the dermatologist. Since I got pregnant a few months ago, my acne got even worse. The dermatologist told me all she could give me was Finacea. It's azelaic acid. Literally after 2 days, my pimples started to go down and the number of them started decreasing. It stings a bit and itches, but it's a small price to pay. This is a godsend, and I'm so happy I found it!"

• Whe...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 16, 2015

Azelaic acid topical for Rosacea "I have been using Finacea gel for over a year, with very noticeable results. I apply in the morning and evening, after washing my face, and before applying moisturizer. I occasionally have some stinging and itching after application, and I have noticed this happens when my skin is starting to heal. It isn't bothersome, and I think the benefits outweigh the occasional slight discomfort."

• 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!"

• Eve...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 10, 2019

For Rosacea "Anyone who comes to HK by chance should get Azelaic cream here as it is just HKD 120, which is about US 15. I tried it for a few nights so far, and the result is unsure yet. I am not sure if it happens to most of us, but I feel quite itchy after applying it and always want to put something else to make myself feel better... will see and keep updated."

• 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 :)"

• Bha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 30, 2018

For Acne "I have been using Finacea for one week so far. I have been struggling with cystic acne after getting off birth control. My breakouts are mainly on the bottom half of my face, and I am getting reoccurring cystic acne on my chin (ouch!). My doc prescribed this because it is safe to take when pregnant. I have been using Finacea morning and evening, and my acne has calmed down and has gotten less red. (I was also icing my cystic bumps in the evening for an hour when they were really inflamed and painful, and that really helped!) I am still getting new whiteheads but haven't gotten a new cyst. Hopefully, as I keep using Finacea, both will continue to lessen. It does itch after you put it on. I try to wait a bit after washing my face before applying and use a moisturizer or serum with it, and that helps. Even with insurance, I had to pay $65, but when my skin is breaking out really bad, I will pay good money for something that works. If your doctor prescribes this, I would give it a try!"

• Gre...
• March 18, 2015

For Rosacea "After cleansing and thoroughly drying, apply a thick coat and dab it in. It's incredible once you get past the 'itching' phase that seems to occur for most users when initially starting this. I can use it under my sunscreen, but I have to pat on my sunscreen, or the cream peels."

• 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!"

• 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."