Application of Skinoren for acne, blackheads, post-acne, comedones and rosacea

Skinoren is one of the most famous and, nevertheless, effective medications often prescribed by dermatologists for the treatment of acne and acne on the face. When used correctly, you can significantly speed up the cleansing of skin rashes, as well as prevent new ones. Due to the azelaic acid contained in the drug, it copes well with inflammatory processes that arise in the epidermis.

Composition and release form

Skinoren is a drug intended for the treatment of acne, available in both gel and cream form. The main active component in it is azelaic acid. This is an antibacterial non-hormonal agent with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and keratolytic effects. Although it is an antibacterial agent, it is not an antibiotic.

Microbes, such as acne pathogens, do not develop resistance to the active substance. Therefore, you can use it for a long time without fear that the skin will get used to it and the effectiveness will drop to zero.

This is what the full composition of the cream looks like (per 1 gram):

azelaic acid – 0.2 g, benzoic acid – 0.002 g; macrogol glyceryl stearate - 0.05 g; a mixture of glyceryl stearate, cetostearyl alcohol, cetyl palmitate and coconut oil fatty acid glycerides - 0.07 g; cetostearyl ethyl capronate - 0.03 g; propylene glycol - 0.125 g; glycerol 85% - 0.015 g; purified water - 0.508 g

And here’s the gel (for 1 gram):

azelaic acid (micronized) – 0.15 g, propylene glycol – 0.12 g; polysorbate 80 - 0.015 g; lecithin - 0.01 g; polyacrylic acid - 0.01 g; triglycerides - 0.01 g; sodium hydroxide - 0.002 g; disodium edetate - 0.001 g; benzoic acid - 0.001 g; purified water - 0.681 g

The manufacturer of the drug is the company L EO Pharma Manufacturing Italy S.r.l. , however, on the shelves of some pharmacies you can still find unsold remnants of Bayer's . Don't be alarmed, the registration certificate was simply transferred or purchased by another company. However, when purchasing a Bayer drug, be sure to look at the expiration date .

Reviews

Excluding cases of skin hypersensitivity, Skinoren gel and cream have excellent patient reviews. Many users note that these drugs helped in many cases when other remedies were powerless. There are complaints about the high cost of drugs, but generally people understand that the effectiveness of treatment is worth the money spent. Reviews mainly concern the treatment of acne and pimples, but good results are also noted by those who have used the products to eliminate problems with skin pigmentation.

More about the ingredients

It's time to get acquainted with the components that have a healing effect on the skin:

Azelaic acid – has bacteriostatic activity against Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis, as well as many other microbes harmful to the skin and body. Bacteriostatic activity means that the acid does not destroy microorganisms, but interferes with their natural growth and reproduction. In this way, the number of microorganisms is reduced naturally. In addition, it creates conditions that are unfavorable for them, but positive for the natural processes of the epidermis.

Namely:

• reduces the fraction of free fatty acids in the surface lipids of the dermis. The same hydrolipid mantle that protects the skin from damage;
• promotes the timely release of sebum from the pores and prevents its stagnation, and therefore the formation of blackheads with their subsequent inflammation;
• prevents coarsening and loosens cells at the openings of skin pores and the openings of hair follicles. This is the same keratolytic effect. It has a positive effect on the release of skin secretions and timely cleansing of pores. Prevents stagnation and the formation of sebaceous plugs, comedones and pimples;
• prevents and reduces inflammation by inhibiting the mechanisms that release free radicals.

Benzoic acid is an antiseptic and has a disinfectant effect. Allows the drug to retain its positive qualities and not deteriorate after opening the tube.

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

The effectiveness of Skinoren in the treatment of acne is due to the antibacterial properties of azelaic acid and the ability of the substance to have a direct effect on follicular (hair) hyperkeratosis .

In in vivo and in vitro models, it inhibits the proliferation of keratinocytes (the main cells of the epidermal layer) and normalizes the terminal processes of epidermal cell acne .

With the use of the drug, there is a significant decrease in the density of colonies of propionibacteria acne , as well as a significant decrease in the concentration of free fatty acids in lipids on the surface of the skin (due to this, the oiliness of the skin decreases).

The mechanism of action of azelaic acid on the pathogenic phenomena that occur with rosacea has not been precisely established. Several studies have shown that in in vitro and ex vivo models, the substance is able to stop the inflammatory process by reducing the production of reactive oxygen metabolites (its free-radial forms) and the formation of anti-inflammatory agents.

Azelaic acid has a dose- and time-dependent inhibitory effect on the growth and viability of abnormal melanocytes .

After local application of the drug, azelaic acid penetrates into all layers of the skin, and the substance penetrates into damaged skin an order of magnitude faster than into intact skin. In total, after a single use of 5 grams of 20% Skinoren cream (equivalent to 1 gram of azelaic acid), no more than 3.6% of the dose is absorbed through the skin.

Clinical studies of the use of the product for acne have shown that the rate of absorption of azelaic acid for the cream and gel is the same.

From the body, the substance is partially eliminated with urine in its pure form, the remainder undergoes a cycle of degradation reactions and breaks down into dibasic carboxylic acids with a shorter chain length. Beta-oxidation products of azelaic acid are also found in urine.

Action of Skinoren

The drug quickly penetrates the epidermis and has a number of beneficial effects:

• moderate anti-inflammatory;
• antioxidant;
• antimicrobial;
• anti-pigment;
• antikeratic (prevents the coarsening of the epidermis and the formation of “goose bumps”);
• sebum-regulating.

Its active ingredient, Azelaic acid, is a natural compound for the skin, formed during the oxidation of fatty acids. Due to this degree of “relatedness”, this substance penetrates well and quickly into the epidermis, but does not directly harm the cells themselves. For this reason, Skinoren is relatively safe, and most importantly, can be used for a long time. On the other hand, a long course is also possible due to the lack of formation of microbial resistance, as, for example, often occurs in bacteria to antibiotics.

There are also artificial analogues of vitamin A - adapalene and azarotenic acid.

How do retinoids work?

Dermatological centers are constantly studying the properties of retinoid preparations, providing an assessment of their effectiveness. It was found that topical retinoids (forms for external use) contribute to the regression of inflammatory papules, reduce the external manifestations of acne, and activate local immunity. Systemic retinoids (oral forms) normalize sebum production, facilitate its secretion, eliminate hyperproliferation, and reduce the population of propionobacteria in acne lesions.

All retinoids have the following effects to one degree or another:

• Anti-inflammatory;
• Healing;
• Immunomodulatory;
• Sebostatic.

The use of retinoids for acne is based on their ability to reduce sebum production and speed up the exfoliation of dead skin cells. As a remedy for wrinkles, vitamin A-based products have proven themselves to be excellent thanks to the proven effects of smoothing the skin's microrelief, increasing its elasticity, stimulating its own collagen and lightening age spots. The production of stem keratinocytes increases, and the required level of moisture is maintained in the deep layers of the dermis, as a result of which the skin is rejuvenated “from the inside.”

Indications for use

According to the instructions for use of Skinoren, there are only 2 official indications, namely:

• mild to moderate acne;
• hyperpigmentation;
• rosacea, including papulopustular form.

However, the spectrum of action of the drug is not limited to this. It can be used to treat acne, purulent and subcutaneous, fungal (as part of combination therapy) and microbial nature, blackheads and hair follicles not only on the face, but also on the back and other parts of the body.

I would also not recommend using medications with azelaic acid during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Because, according to research, it enters the systemic bloodstream. However, I have not found any evidence that the active substance can penetrate the placental barrier, but I am inclined to believe that it can do this more often than not.

Methods of using Skinoren

The choice of method of application is based on the number of rashes and their severity. For a full effect on the skin, it is necessary to use the drug correctly.

For acne

Skinoren, along with the drug Azelik, is quite often prescribed by dermatologists. Since it is not addictive, it is well tolerated and has a high safety profile. Therefore, it can be used both for single pimples, in people who do not suffer from skin diseases, and for massive lesions, for example, in people with acne.

This drug shows good results both in the treatment of subcutaneous acne and inflammation with a protruding purulent head. Because it acts on a very wide range of microorganisms (like many antibiotics combined). But its effect is bacteriostatic (inhibits the growth of bacteria), and therefore is not a panacea.

For acne

Acne is a type of acne that is more severe and is classified as a separate disease. It is also referred to as acne if the causative agent is C. acnes (can also be staphylococcus and others). Skinoren for acne is prescribed if the severity of the disease is not higher than average and, as a rule, as part of complex therapy, so that such treatment is truly effective.

For acne itself, the drug is one of the drugs of choice, in mono- or complex therapy, since its high activity against these particular bacteria has been proven.

For comedones and blackheads

Azelaic acid, which is part of skinoren, lightens blackheads well. However, this only happens until you stop using it. After all, these formations are constantly being formed, therefore the fight against them must be regular. To get the maximum effect, you need to pay attention to proper and regular cleansing of the epidermis and nutrition.

This remedy is also quite effective in the fight against comedones. Moreover, both with inflamed forms (without pus), subcutaneous forms, and ordinary dark sebaceous plugs.

For post-acne and age spots

Skinoren is one of the most effective * drugs for lightening pigmentation, and more specifically for post-acne and age spots of other origin. Including seborrheic nature. This drug evens out skin tone by affecting pigment cells - melanocytes, as it normalizes their work. Also by improving the processes of cell renewal and exfoliation, preventing keratinization.

Along with others containing azelaic acid, as well as benzoyl and adapalene. Long-term use in people with dark skin can cause hypopigmentation - lightening of skin areas!

For rosacea

As for antimicrobial drugs and, in particular, skinoren for the treatment of rosacea, we are talking primarily about the treatment of a complication - the papulopustular form. Because the disease rosacea itself is an immune reaction associated with vascular defects, and it has no cure.

Reviews of Skinoren for acne and acne –

Next, about the most important thing you should know if you decide to cure your acne and pimples on your own.
As we said above, the full course of treatment with Skinoren is 6 months, and you will receive noticeable results only after 3-4 months from the start of treatment. At the same time, the full course of topical retinoids is only 3 months (preparations Klenzit, Differin and others), and comedolytic and other effects are expressed in topical retinoids much more strongly than in preparations with azelaic acid. According to the recommendations of the most famous English-language textbook on dermatology in the world, Fitzpatrick's Dermatology, which publishes international acne treatment protocols, drugs with azelaic acid are only 2nd choice drugs. You need to start treatment with topical retinoids. However, preparations with azelaic acid can also be used as maintenance therapy - after completing a full 3-month course of treatment with topical retinoids.

Important: it is worth considering that if you have oily skin, then it is optimal to prescribe topical retinoids, because the latter significantly reduce the production of fatty secretions by the sebaceous glands. Another important point is to compare the cost-effectiveness of applying products with azelaic acid and products with retinoids. Products with topical retinoids in the form of gels are very economical and easy to apply in a thin layer (in addition, they only need to be applied once a day).

Products with azelaic acid are very different in this regard. We have already said that gels with azelaic acid are more reminiscent of regular cream in texture - they are white in color, absorb very quickly and are very difficult to apply in a thin layer (this results in more consumption). And besides, you will also have to use them 2 times a day, morning and evening, which further increases the consumption of the drug.

1) Skinoren for acne

Everything here is quite simple, because... acne is represented only by non-inflammatory elements - black and whiteheads (open or closed comedones). Therefore, if you still choose Skinoren, then in this case it does not need to be combined with other drugs for the treatment of acne, for example, with antibiotics or benzoyl peroxide. Those. Skinoren in this case is a replacement for topical retinoids, albeit somewhat less effective. But in parallel, you can use cleansers with salicylic acid or alpha hydroxy acids.

Closed and open comedones (types of acne) –

→ Acne treatment protocols

2) Features of using Skinoren for acne

The term “acne” is a colloquial expression, and in dermatology this pathology is called papulopustular acne. This name has taken root because acne can be of 2 types: firstly, in the form of pustules (these are traditional pimples with pus inside), and secondly, in the form of papules, which are inflammatory formations without pus. In this case, papules can either transform into pustules or disappear without a trace.

Pimples in the form of papules and pustules -

According to Fitzpatrick's Dermatology, the drug Skinoren and its analogues can be used to treat papulopustular acne (pimples), but only in the case of a small amount of inflammatory elements. At the same time, drugs with azelaic acid in this case will only be drugs of the 2nd choice, and preference should still be given to topical retinoids. If you are still focused on using Skinoren, then you will still have to combine it with antimicrobial agents, because Skinoren's own bacteriostatic effect is not sufficiently expressed.

• If you have papules (without pus), in this case, in addition to Skinoren, you should use products containing a bactericidal component such as benzoyl peroxide. Such drugs include, for example, the drug Baziron AS. In this case, you will use Skinoren 2 times a day in the morning and evening, and Baziron is enough to use only 1 time a day (it is applied only pointwise to areas of inflammation).

• If you have pustules (with pus inside) - in this case, in addition to using drugs with azelaic acid, you will need even more active antimicrobial therapy.
  Pustules are a strict indication for the prescription of external agents with antibiotics, but in order to prevent P.acnes bacteria from developing resistance to antibiotics, antibiotics are always combined with benzoyl peroxide. In this case, it may be the drug Indoxyl (contains benzoyl peroxide 5% + antibiotic clindamycin 1%). But of course, such a scheme, given the need to use products with azelaic acid twice, is very inconvenient. In this case, it is more convenient to use topical retinoids, for example, the drug Klenzit-S (contains the retinoid adapalene + clindamycin), and it can be used only once a day at night. And in addition to it, use Baziron with benzoyl peroxide once a day in the morning. Of course, this scheme is much more convenient.

Analogs

This medicine has many cheaper analogues.

Among them are:

• analogues in composition or structure;
• according to the effect they have, having other active components - non-structural.

Analogs in composition contain azelaic acid as the main active ingredient. Only funds registered in Russia are listed here.

• cream:
  Azix-derm;
• skinclear.

Replacement of skinoren in the form of release of the drug

Let's compare to find out how different forms of medicinal products will affect the properties. And we will draw a conclusion about which one will be more effective.

In the form of a cream

Among the identical products: Skinoklira and Azix-Derma, there are slight differences in composition.

The first two products are almost 99% identical, but Azix Derm contains silicone oil and appropriate emulsifiers. This means that it is highly likely to clog pores. And overall the efficiency will be less. However, the drying effect on the skin will be less.

As a gel

To compare, as well as draw conclusions about which of them is better, Skinoklir, Skinoren, or Azelik and understand their differences, we will use a summary table for a visual demonstration.

special instructions

Skinoren contains benzoic acid , a substance that causes minor irritation to the skin, mucous membranes and eyes, and propylene glycol , which can also cause skin irritation.

It is not recommended to allow the cream/gel to come into contact with the eyes, mouth or mucous membranes. If this does happen, the eyes, mouth or mucous membranes should be immediately rinsed with plenty of water. If eye irritation cannot be relieved, it is recommended to consult a doctor.

During the treatment of papulopustular rosacea, it is advisable not to use alcohol-containing detergents, as well as astringents, abrasives or exfoliants, and alcohol solutions.