Acne & Rosacea Gel

What is Acne & Rosacea Gel?

Acne & Rosacea Gel is a prescription-only gel used to treat mild to moderate facial acne and rosacea. It contains the active ingredient azelaic acid, which helps to kill off the bacteria responsible for causing skin conditions such as rosacea. In doing so, it refines the surface of the skin, reduces the appearance of blemishes, and reveals a more even skin tone.

Acne & Rosacea Gel is suitable for adults over the age of 18 years that have tried other topical treatments that have not been effective. It should be applied directly to the affected skin on the face twice each day. In general, the benefits of this medication are felt after a month of use. More details can be found on our about Acne & Rosacea Gel page.

What is Acne & Rosacea Gel used for?

Acne & Rosacea Gel is typically used to treat rosacea, a common skin condition that causes redness, flushing, swelling and a bumpy rash to appear on the sufferer’s face. Although rosacea affects 1 in 10 people, its exact cause is unknown and there is currently no cure. It is thought to occur when peptides in the skin become inflamed.

People with rosacea will go through periods of flare-up and remission. Flare-ups can occur due to triggers such as stress, caffeine, alcohol, physical exertion, and certain types of light and weather. If a flare-up is particularly bad, a treatment such as Acne & Rosacea Gel may be prescribed. The azelaic acid in Acne & Rosacea Gel helps to unblock pores and sebaceous glands in the skin, preventing rosacea flare-ups and reducing redness and inflammation.

Acne & Rosacea Gel's effectiveness extends to treating mild to moderate acne, a condition that may affect up to one-third of UK adults in their lifetimes. By killing the bacteria responsible for causing acne breakouts, Acne & Rosacea Gel treats existing acne and prevents the appearance of spots, pustules, and papules on the face, resulting in a clearer complexion with fewer flare-ups.

How does Acne & Rosacea Gel work?

Acne & Rosacea Gel works by blocking the body's natural production and growth of keratin surface skin cells, which are responsible for clogging up pores. By tackling the production and growth of these surface skin cells, the azelaic acid in Acne & Rosacea Gel gets to the root cause of acne and rosacea, helping to unblock pores and sebaceous glands.

As a result of using this azelaic acid gel, papules, pustules, and spots are much less likely to develop on the face. This also means that the skin swelling and redness normally associated with rosacea decreases too.

The azelaic acid in Acne & Rosacea Gel also works by killing off the skin bacteria that are associated with acne and rosacea. This bacteria — propionibacterium — feeds off your body's sebum and produces fatty acids and waste products. These lead to irritation of the sebaceous glands, which inflames them (causing redness and swelling) and creates spots and bumpy rashes on the face.

What is azelaic acid?

Azelaic acid is a saturated dicarboxylic acid that's found naturally in barley, wheat, and rye. Malassezia furfur (Pityrosporum ovale), a type of fungus found on human skin, also produces azelaic acid naturally.

Azelaic acid possesses anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, making it an effective treatment for common skin conditions such as acne and rosacea. Azelaic acid can help address skin issues in the following ways:

• Encouraging cell turnover to promote faster skin healing and scarring reduction.
• Clearing the bacteria that causes rosacea and acne from skin pores.
• Diminishing the visibility of rosacea and acne by reducing inflammation.

Despite its potency, azelaic acid is safe for all skin types, so it’s suitable whether you have normal skin or sensitive skin. It’s generally effective at helping those dealing with acne, rosacea, or patches of dull or impure skin.

How long does it take for Acne & Rosacea Gel to work?

If used correctly, Acne & Rosacea Gel can reduce the visible effects of rosacea over a few months. You can usually see improvements in rosacea or acne within the first month of using the gel. If you don't see improvements to your skin after four weeks or your skin worsens, you should get advice from a doctor or pharmacist.

However, it's essential to mention that you need to be consistent with your use of Acne & Rosacea Gel: improvements will only occur if you're regularly applying the gel twice a day to the area. Any breaks in your use of Acne & Rosacea Gel will impede the success rate of the gel. This is because the azelaic acid in the gel will no longer unclog the pores and glands on your face or kill the bacteria on your skin.

Does Acne & Rosacea Gel work for everyone?

Acne & Rosacea Gel has a relatively high success rate when it comes to treating rosacea and acne, and many users report an improvement in their condition thanks to Acne & Rosacea Gel. However, Acne & Rosacea Gel doesn’t work for everyone. Some people may find that Acne & Rosacea Gel makes no difference to their rosacea or acne and will need a stronger medication. Alternative treatments can be found over on our rosacea advice page.

Alternative rosacea treatments

At The Independent Pharmacy, we stock a number of other rosacea treatments, including oral antibiotics such as Efracea and Erythromycin and topical over-the-counter creams such as Dermalex, a clinically-proven rosacea treatment that helps to restore the skin's natural protective barrier.

Alternative ways to treat acne

Though it is primarily prescribed to treat rosacea, Acne & Rosacea Gel is also proven to be effective at treating acne. However, it is just one of many available acne treatments: at The Independent Pharmacy, we stock a range of medications for acne, from an oral antibiotic treatment to a mild cleanser like CeraVe Blemish Control Cleanser.

You could also try non-medicinal alternatives to treat acne, such as tea tree oil or mild soap. If you need help establishing which acne treatment is right for you, let us know. One of our experts will be happy to discuss your condition with you and determine the best course of action.