Finacea Azelaic Acid Gel 15%: a Guru Score of 75%

What the experts use it for.

The concerns the experts tie this product to, in their own words. Paid and founder takes don't count.

Breakouts and acne2 experts

“I am breakout prone and azelaic acid has really decreased my breakouts.”

Sincerely Miss Ash, watch at 14:02

Redness2 experts

“It really does help to reduce redness.”

Sincerely Miss Ash, watch at 4:05

Rosacea2 experts

“If you have rosacea you really want to be at 10% or above, but above that is prescription and prescription is 15% which is the sweet spot.”

Dr. Shereene Idriss, watch at 10:51

Dark spots and post-acne marks1 expert

“So it really does a good job to fade dark spots, prevent breakouts, but also it does help to reduce the look of facial redness as well.”

Sincerely Miss Ash, watch at 2:52

Melasma1 expert

“It's been shown in clinical trials to be as effective as hydroquinone for melasma, [...] and it's also good for treating [...] acne and rosacea.”

Dr Dray, watch at 11:15

What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored

Mad About Skin

734k subs

✓Mixed

"Most people reach for Finacea, which is a prescription strength 15% azelaic acid, but there's a global shortage of it so it's really hard to get. It's the same active and concentration as the Geek and Gorgeous All Clear."

Sincerely Miss Ash

196k subs

✓Yay

"This is the Finacea Azelaic Acid Gel at a 15% concentration, prescribed by my dermatologist. [...] This helps to prevent breakouts, there is a mild exfoliation with azelaic acid but not enough to rely on for exfoliation, and it also helps to calm and soothe the skin and the redness. I really like this with my tretinoin, it helps to prevent breakouts and [...] achieve a more even skin tone."

All 7 takes from Sincerely Miss Ash

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"I apply a pea-sized amount of this I put it all over then I go in with azelaic acid now I like to use the Finacea brand. This is a prescription strength at a 15 if you can't get your hands on 15 or higher then of course there are other options."

AMPLIFIED RESULTS! 9 PRO VITAMIN C PAIRINGS TO LIMIT SIGNS OF AGING- ACHIEVING RADIANT/GLOWING SKIN

"I've just recently started using my AIC acid with my vitamin C and I love this pair so much"

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"I usually take a break from azelaic acid in the winter and then I start back up come the spring and it's gamechanging to prevent breakouts which then of course will prevent post acne marks and that uneven skin tone. So it really does a good job to fade dark spots, prevent breakouts, but also it does help to reduce the look of facial redness as well. [...] This is [...] a prescription at a 15% concentration. Anything over 10% here in Canada is considered a medication."

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"Since being consistent with azelaic acid, honestly I have seen the biggest difference with my skin. [...] I am somebody that has a little bit of redness to my skin naturally, and azelaic acid has really reduced a lot of that rosiness that I was experiencing on my cheeks and my chin. I am breakout prone and azelaic acid has really decreased my breakouts. Since introducing azelaic acid in my routine, [...] my skin has improved dramatically."

AZELAIC ACID IS UNDERRATED! THIS SKINCARE INGREDIENT HAS REALLY IMPROVED MY REDNESS & ACNE!

"I love the 15% concentration. I really do feel like it gives you that extra kick that really helps to even out your skin tone a little bit quicker. It really does help to reduce redness. [...] I do like to pair this up with my prescription tretinoin in my nighttime routine, so typically what I would do is I would apply my Finacea first and then my tretinoin and cream on top."

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"I personally like using a prescription strength azelaic acid so this is the Finacea brand at a 15% concentration. So anything that is above 10%, especially here in Canada, is considered a medication where you need to get a prescription. [...] This one is lovely, it's that creamy formulation. I would personally put your toner on first and then this afterwards, if you want to do it the other way around of course you can do that."

8 POWERFUL SKINCARE PAIRINGS THAT CAN ACTUALLY IMPROVE SIGNS OF AGING FASTER!

"This is the Finacea Azelaic Acid Gel at a 15% concentration, prescribed by my dermatologist. [...] This helps to prevent breakouts, there is a mild exfoliation with azelaic acid but not enough to rely on for exfoliation, and it also helps to calm and soothe the skin and the redness. I really like this with my tretinoin, it helps to prevent breakouts and [...] achieve a more even skin tone."

Doctorly

3.59M subs

✓Nay

"Azelaic acid has historically been suspended rather than dissolved, so it's gritty on the skin, and because it's at a low pH it actually burns when you apply it. It's uncomfortable, it stings, especially if you have sensitive skin. [...] Even Finacea, the drug, is formulated that way."

Dr. Aleksandra Brown

153k subs

✓Yay

"This percentage of azelaic acid is backed by multiple randomized control trials for rosacea. In these randomized control trials, which are like the big studies, it demonstrated significant improvement in things like redness and inflammatory lesions within 12 weeks. Now, make a note 12 weeks is not very fast, so works pretty slow, but it works well. The key ingredients in both the gel and the foam are azelaic acid 15% which is the clinically proven anti-inflammatory and pigment reducing compound."

Dr. Somji Skin

361k subs

✓Yay

"I find myself prescribing a lot [...] at two different concentrations, one at 15% which is known commercially as Finacea, that's a prescription I have to write. [...] These are prescriptions that are available for most pharmacies once I write out the prescription for the patient that they can use at home, and I find that you get great results using these prescribed skincare compared to high street stuff."

All 2 takes from Dr. Somji Skin

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"I find myself prescribing a lot [...] at two different concentrations, one at 15% which is known commercially as Finacea, that's a prescription I have to write. [...] These are prescriptions that are available for most pharmacies once I write out the prescription for the patient that they can use at home, and I find that you get great results using these prescribed skincare compared to high street stuff."

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"I felt like it was a little bit too strong when I was putting it on, it was stinging my skin, and I actually preferred the prescribed version, the Finacea 15% gel."

Dr. Shereene Idriss

1.73M subs

✓Yay

"If you have rosacea you really want to be at 10% or above, but above that is prescription and prescription is 15% which is the sweet spot. I don't know how the prescription is formulated but it's so elegant. Finacea is so elegant."

Top Pick: azelaic acid gel

Dr Sam Bunting

240k subs

✓Yay

"My go to is azelaic acid, this powerful anti-inflammatory multitasking ingredient really is the mainstay of my clinical practice when it comes to treating people in the clinic with perioral dermatitis. [...] My preference is using Finacea, which is 15% azelaic acid gel, on prescription."

Cassandra Bankson

2.46M subs

✓Yay

"But another option is phenicia gel phenicia gel is literally prescription [azelaic] acid it usually comes at higher percents"

Dr Dray

2.69M subs

✓Yay

"It's been shown in clinical trials to be as effective as hydroquinone for melasma, [...] and it's also good for treating [...] acne and rosacea. Finacea at the prescription strength is an equally if not more compelling ingredient than even Differin for being available over the counter."

Lab Muffin Beauty Science

865k subs

✓Nay

"I tried Finacea, which is the 15% drug version, which has a pretty nice texture, but then it burnt the crap out of my skin. It's in an aluminium tube, and so every time I squeezed it, a bit too much came out, and I didn't want to waste it, so I would just put all of it on my face. Not the smartest because the prickling sensation would just keep me up. And then the peeling I got was actually worse than with tretinoin."

What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Azelaic acid

Azelaic acid has clinical evidence for both acne and rosacea, and it is one of the gentler options for calming redness while also working on marks left behind.

Source: DermNet

Frequently asked.

What is Finacea Azelaic Acid Gel 15%?

A 15% azelaic acid gel in the serum category, designed to target redness, breakouts and uneven skin tone.

Is Finacea Azelaic Acid Gel 15% worth it?

Mostly yes. 7 of the 10 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 75%.

What is Finacea Azelaic Acid Gel 15%'s Guru Score?

Finacea Azelaic Acid Gel 15% holds a Guru Score of 75%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 10 expert reviewers we have collected. At least one expert has named it a Top Pick in its category.

Who is Finacea Azelaic Acid Gel 15% best for?

Finacea Azelaic Acid Gel 15% is generally suited to acne-prone skin.

What is Finacea Azelaic Acid Gel 15% good for, according to the experts?

In their reviews, experts say Finacea Azelaic Acid Gel 15% is good for breakouts and acne (2 experts), redness (2 experts), rosacea (2 experts), dark spots and post-acne marks (1 expert) and melasma (1 expert).

Is Finacea Azelaic Acid Gel 15% good for breakouts and acne?

2 experts who reviewed Finacea Azelaic Acid Gel 15% say it is. Sincerely Miss Ash put it this way: “I am breakout prone and azelaic acid has really decreased my breakouts.”