Peer-reviewed research on Azelaic Acid, summarised in plain language. Every study links to its record on PubMed so you can read it yourself.
Topical azelaic acid, salicylic acid, nicotinamide, sulphur, zinc and fruit acid (alpha-hydroxy acid) for acne.
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews2020Meta-analysis3,880 participantsMixed
In a large review of 3880 people with acne, azelaic acid worked about as well as tretinoin but cleared acne less well than benzoyl peroxide.
Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology2024Systematic reviewPositive
Expert guidelines recommend azelaic acid for acne, but this abstract does not say how much it helped.
A systematic review to evaluate the efficacy of azelaic acid in the management of acne, rosacea, melasma and skin aging.
Journal of cosmetic dermatology2023Systematic review20%Positive
A large review found that azelaic acid helped clear acne better than a placebo, and 20% azelaic acid outperformed erythromycin gel in some studies.
Evidence-based topical treatments (azelaic acid, salicylic acid, nicotinamide, sulfur, zinc, and fruit acid) for acne: an abridged version of a Cochrane systematic review.
Journal of evidence-based medicine2020Systematic review3,880 participantsMixed
In a review of 3880 people with acne, azelaic acid worked less well than benzoyl peroxide but about the same as tretinoin.
Acne vulgaris.
BMJ clinical evidence2011Systematic reviewNeutral
This large review looked at acne treatments, including azelaic acid, but the abstract does not report a clear result for azelaic acid itself.
Acne vulgaris.
BMJ clinical evidence2008Systematic reviewNeutral
This large review included azelaic acid for acne, but the abstract does not report how well it cleared acne on its own.
A randomized controlled double-blinded split-face prospective clinical trial to assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of a novel 3-step routine compared to benzoyl peroxide for the treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris.
Archives of dermatological research2024RCT21 participantsPositive
In a 12-week study of 21 adults with acne, an azelaic acid routine cleared pimples about as well as benzoyl peroxide and people preferred it more.
The usefulness of a dermocosmetic containing Myrtus communis extract and azelaic acid for maintenance phase of adult female acne: Results from a randomized exploratory investigator-blinded comparative study.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV2023RCT53 participantsPositive
In a 16-week trial of 53 women with acne, a skin care product with azelaic acid was linked to fewer relapses than a light moisturizing cream.
A comparison of the effectiveness of azelaic and pyruvic acid peels in the treatment of female adult acne: a randomized controlled trial.
Scientific reports2020RCT120 participantsPositive
In a study of 120 young women with acne, azelaic acid peels improved acne severity after 6 peeling sessions.
Clinical and dermoscopic evaluation of combined (salicylic acid 20% and azelaic acid 20%) versus trichloroacetic acid 25% chemical peel in acne: an RCT.
The Journal of dermatological treatment2019RCT34 participants20%Positive
In a trial of 34 people with acne, azelaic acid used with salicylic acid improved acne and worked about as well overall as trichloroacetic acid.
A multicentre, randomized, single-blind, parallel-group study comparing the efficacy and tolerability of benzoyl peroxide 3%/clindamycin 1% with azelaic acid 20% in the topical treatment of mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV2016RCT215 participants20%Positive
In a 12-week trial of 215 people with mild-to-moderate acne, azelaic acid improved acne, but it cleared less than benzoyl peroxide plus clindamycin.
A randomized comparative trial of a combined oral contraceptive and azelaic acid to assess their effect on sleep quality in adult female acne patients.
Archives of dermatological research2015RCT32 participantsPositive
In a 6-month trial of 32 women with acne, azelaic acid helped clear acne and also improved sleep quality.
A randomized investigator-blind parallel-group study to assess efficacy and safety of azelaic acid 15% gel vs. adapalene 0.1% gel in the treatment and maintenance treatment of female adult acne.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV2015RCT55 participants15%Positive
In a 9-month study of 55 women with adult acne, azelaic acid gel cleared acne and worked about as well as adapalene, with less dryness and scaling.
Combination of azelaic acid 5% and clindamycin 2% for the treatment of acne vulgaris.
Cutaneous and ocular toxicology2011RCT150 participants5%Positive
In a 12-week study of 150 people with acne, azelaic acid improved acne on its own, and the azelaic acid plus clindamycin gel worked better.
Combination of azelaic acid 5% and erythromycin 2% in the treatment of acne vulgaris.
The Journal of dermatological treatment2010RCT147 participants5% in combination with erythromycin 2%, compared with 20% alonePositive
In a 12-week study of 147 people with acne, azelaic acid used with erythromycin cleared pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads better than azelaic acid alone.
A study of the efficacy of cleansers for acne vulgaris.
The Journal of dermatological treatment2010RCT13 participantsMixed
In an 8-week trial of 13 people with acne, a cleanser with azelaic acid plus other actives reduced red, sore spots more than a similar cleanser without it.
Efficacy of topical azelaic acid gel in the treatment of mild-moderate acne vulgaris.
Indian journal of dermatology, venereology and leprology2007RCT60 participants20%Positive
In a 45-day trial of 60 people with mild to moderate acne, azelaic acid gel cleared acne better than a placebo.
Relationship between sebostatic activity, tolerability and efficacy of three topical drugs to treat mild to moderate acne.
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV2007RCT65 participantsPositive
In a study of 65 people with mild to moderate facial acne, azelaic acid improved acne over the study period with moderate side effects.
[Azelaic acid 15% gel in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Combined results of two double-blind clinical comparative studies].
Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft = Journal of the German Society of Dermatology : JDDG2004RCT580 participants15%Positive
In 580 people with mild-to-moderate acne, azelaic acid 15% gel cleared pimples about as well as benzoyl peroxide or clindamycin over 4 months.
Comparison of combined azelaic acid cream plus oral minocycline with oral isotretinoin in severe acne.
European journal of dermatology : EJD2001RCT85 participants20%Positive
In an 85-person study lasting 6 months, azelaic acid used with minocycline cleared severe acne, though it worked a bit less well than isotretinoin.
Efficacy and safety of azelaic acid and glycolic acid combination therapy compared with tretinoin therapy for acne.
Clinical therapeutics1998RCT20%Positive
In a 12-week clinical trial in people with mild-to-moderate facial acne, azelaic acid used with glycolic acid cleared red, sore spots at least as well as tretinoin.
The Efficacy and Safety of Azelaic Acid 15% Foam in the Treatment of Truncal Acne Vulgaris.
Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD2017Clinical trial18 participants15%Positive
In an 18-person clinical trial, azelaic acid 15% foam improved truncal acne and reduced pimples, blackheads and whiteheads.
Azelaic acid 20 % cream: effects on quality of life and disease severity in adult female acne patients.
Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft = Journal of the German Society of Dermatology : JDDG2016Clinical trial251 participants20%Positive
In a 12-week study of 251 adult women with acne, azelaic acid cream improved acne and quality of life.
Inflammatory acne management with a novel prescription dietary supplement.
Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD2012Clinical trial235 participantsPositive
In an 8-week study of 235 people with inflammatory acne, a supplement containing azelaic acid used with current treatment improved acne and appearance.
Efficacy and safety of azelaic acid (AzA) gel 15% in the treatment of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and acne: a 16-week, baseline-controlled study.
Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD2011Clinical trial15%Positive
In a 16-week baseline-controlled study, azelaic acid 15% put on the skin reduced acne in people who also had post-acne dark marks.
Effects of azelaic acid on sebaceous gland, sebum excretion rate and keratinization pattern in human skin. An in vivo and in vitro study.
Acta dermato-venereologica. Supplementum1989Clinical trial47 participants20%Positive
In a study of 20 people with acne, 20% azelaic acid cream improved acne and changed how skin cells matured.
Clinical studies of 20% azelaic acid cream in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Comparison with vehicle and topical tretinoin.
Acta dermato-venereologica. Supplementum1989Clinical trial289 participants20%Positive
In studies lasting 3 to 6 months, 20% azelaic acid cream cleared acne better than a placebo and worked as well as tretinoin with fewer side effects.
Long-term treatment of acne with 20% azelaic acid cream.
Acta dermato-venereologica. Supplementum1989Clinical trial130 participants20%Positive
In studies of 130 people with acne, 20% azelaic acid cream improved acne and seemed to work especially well for red, pus-filled spots.
Clinical and laboratory studies on treatment with 20% azelaic acid cream for acne.
Acta dermato-venereologica. Supplementum1989Clinical trial20%Positive
In people with acne, 20% azelaic acid cream cleared red, sore spots after 1 month and blackheads and whiteheads after 2 months better than a placebo.
[Azelaic acid in the treatment of acne].
Giornale italiano di dermatologia e venereologia : organo ufficiale, Societa italiana di dermatologia e sifilografia1989Clinical trial20%Positive
This review says azelaic acid 20% cream helped treat acne and worked about as well as tretinoin, benzoyl peroxide, or oral tetracycline.
[National and international experiences with azelaic acid cream in the treatment of papulo-pustular acne].
Giornale italiano di dermatologia e venereologia : organo ufficiale, Societa italiana di dermatologia e sifilografia1989Clinical trial20%Positive
In people with papulo-pustular acne, 20% azelaic acid cream reduced red, sore spots and compared well with benzoyl peroxide and oral tetracycline.
[National and international clinical experiences with azelaic acid cream in the treatment of comedo acne].
Giornale italiano di dermatologia e venereologia : organo ufficiale, Societa italiana di dermatologia e sifilografia1989Clinical trial92 participants20%Positive
In a 3-month study of 92 people with acne, azelaic acid cream cleared pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads better than a placebo and worked as well as tretinoin.
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not any one product.
Products we have confirmed contain Azelaic Acid, from their ingredient lists.
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