Skinoren 20% is typically prescribed / used for:
• Mild to moderate acne vulgaris
• Rosacea (especially for reducing redness and bumps)
• Hyperpigmentation / melasma / post-inflammatory pigmentation (dark spots after acne or injury) .
Azelaic acid at 20% works through a few different actions:
1. Antibacterial — it reduces growth of bacteria involved in acne (e.g. Propionibacterium acnes) and Staph. epidermidis.
2. Anti-inflammatory — helps calm inflammation/redness.
3. Keratolytic / comedolytic — helps reduce the buildup of dead skin cells (“keratin”) in pores, so it prevents or clears comedones (clogged pores) and helps with skin turnover.
4. Skin brightening / pigment regulation — it can reduce hyperpigmentation & melasma (dark spots) by inhibiting melanin production or the activity of melanocytes