Azelaic Acid 12% Serum — Reddit Reviews

• Acne

  Strong evidence

  Azelaic Acid: 22 studies tested it on its own. See all 31 studies→

  On Reddit: Pimples shrink without lingering scar pigmentation, according to one user; others report burning or breakouts. 5 mentions

  What the studies found

  • Most studies found it helped clear acne
  • It cleared acne better than a placebo in several studies
  • It often worked about as well as tretinoin and some other common acne treatments
  • Some studies found it worked less well than benzoyl peroxide or benzoyl peroxide with clindamycin
  • Side effects were usually local and moderate, with fewer local side effects than tretinoin in one study

  Studied at 5–20% · this product: 12%

• Rosacea

  Strong evidence

  Azelaic Acid: 15 studies tested it on its own. See all 17 studies→

  What the studies found

  • Most studies found azelaic acid helped rosacea more than a placebo
  • It often reduced bumps and redness from rosacea
  • It worked about as well as metronidazole in some studies, and better in others
  • It did not seem to help visible blood vessels
  • Side effects were mainly mild to moderate, including stinging

  Studied at 15–20% · this product: 12%

• Hyperpigmentation

  Some evidence

  Azelaic Acid: 9 studies tested it on its own. See all 12 studies→

  What the studies found

  • Most studies found it helped fade dark patches, especially melasma
  • It faded melasma better than a placebo in one clinical trial
  • It often worked about as well as hydroquinone, and some studies found it worked better
  • It may help dark marks left after acne, but one study found no clear benefit for sun spots
  • The most common side effects were irritation, burning and stinging

  Studied at 15–20% · this product: 12%

Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.