Skinoren Cream

Skinoren Cream Uses: What is Skinoren Cream Used For?

Skinoren is a skin cream used to treat common acne (acne vulgaris). It's not suitable for any other skin condition, meaning it is not a general-purpose skincare product. This is important because people sometimes look for Skinoren cream for pigmentation.

The reason for this is that azelaic acid (Skinoren's active ingredient) blocks tyrosinase, an enzyme involved in producing melanin, and it acts mainly on overactive pigment cells rather than normal ones. As a result, azelaic acid is used in other settings for conditions like melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which is the darkening that can linger after a spot has healed.

It's also worth noting that skin discolouration is a common side effect of Skinoren 20% cream, whereas loss of skin colour is uncommon, so azelaic acid can affect pigmentation in unwanted ways, too. If pigmentation is your main concern, speak to your prescriber or GP about treatments designed to address it.

How Does Skinoren Cream Work?

Acne develops when dead skin cells and excess oil block your hair follicles. Bacteria feed on the trapped oil and multiply, causing the inflammation behind red, sore spots.

Skinoren azelaic acid tackles this from two directions:

• Targets Bacteria: Azelaic acid attacks Cutibacterium acnes (formerly known as Propionibacterium acnes), which plays an essential part in causing acne.
• Helps Unblock Pores: Reduces the growth of the harder outermost skin cells that block your pores and cause blackheads and whiteheads.

One useful characteristic of azelaic acid is that bacteria don't develop resistance to it the way they can with antibiotics, which makes it a sensible option for longer courses of treatment.

How Long Does Skinoren Cream Take to Work?

You should see a distinct improvement after about 4 weeks of regular use. That said, how long you need to use Skinoren varies from person to person and depends on how severe your acne was when you started.

To get the best effect, you'll probably need to use it regularly for several months. The important thing is consistency. Applying it as directed every day is what makes the difference.

If your acne hasn't improved at all after a couple of months, or it gets worse, speak to your prescriber so they can review your treatment.

Skinoren Cream Results

Azelaic acid has been studied extensively as an acne treatment, and it holds up well against the better-known alternatives. For example, a single-blind study comparing 20% azelaic acid cream against 5% benzoyl peroxide gel found azelaic acid to be an effective treatment for papulopustular acne, with very good local tolerance.

Meanwhile, a comprehensive review found that across studies, 15–20% azelaic acid formulations produced clinically meaningful improvements. Reductions in both inflamed and non-inflamed spots were comparable to topical retinoids, and tolerability was better in some situations.

Finally, a combination therapy study showed that azelaic acid works well alongside other topical treatments. Its effect on inflamed spots improved further when combined with benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, or tretinoin.

It's important to remember that everyone's skin responds differently. Skinoren works best applied consistently over several months rather than expecting rapid results.

How to Use Skinoren Cream

To apply Skinoren cream, follow these steps:

• Thoroughly wash the whole area you're treating with plain water. If your skin is greasy, use a mild skin cleanser.
• Dry the affected area thoroughly before applying the cream.
• Apply a thin layer of Skinoren cream to the affected area. As a guide, if your whole face is affected, use about 2.5cm (roughly 0.5g) of cream each time.
• Rub the cream in gently until it is evenly distributed.
• Wash your hands thoroughly to remove any excess cream.

You should apply Skinoren cream once or twice a day, depending on your healthcare provider's instructions. Be sure to use the medication as directed and do not apply more or less than the recommended amount. Do not cover the treated area with a bandage or dressing unless your healthcare provider tells you to.

If you have any questions about how to apply Skinoren cream or experience any side effects while using the medication, contact your healthcare provider for guidance.

Skinoren Cream and Sensitive Skin

If your skin is very sensitive, you don't have to jump straight into twice-daily use. The Patient Information Leaflet suggests applying Skinoren once a day, in the evening, for the first week of treatment, then increasing to twice a day once your skin has adjusted.

Some local skin irritation is common when you first start – usually mild, and it typically settles as treatment continues. Easing in this way gives your skin time to get used to the cream and can make the first few weeks considerably more comfortable.

Can You Use Skinoren Long Term?

Skinoren isn't a treatment you use indefinitely. To get the best effect, you'll probably need to use it regularly for several months, but you shouldn't use it for more than 12 months at any one time.

Your prescriber will advise on the right length of treatment for you and will want to review how your skin is responding along the way. If your acne returns after you stop, speak to them about your options rather than restarting on your own.

Where to Apply Skinoren 20% Cream

Skinoren can be applied to acne on your face, chest, and back. The amount you need depends on the size of the area you're treating. Around 2.5cm (roughly 0.5g) covers the whole face, and you should adjust the amount accordingly if you're also treating your chest and back.

Skinoren is for external use on the skin only. Don't let it come into contact with your eyes, mouth, or other mucous membranes. If it does, wash the area immediately with large amounts of cool water. If eye irritation carries on after rinsing, seek medical advice.

Skinoren Cream Side Effects and Cautions

Like all medicines, Skinoren can cause side effects, though not everybody gets them. Most are local skin reactions where you've applied the cream, and they tend to be mild and settle as your skin gets used to treatment.

Potential Skinoren Side Effects

Here is a table of the possible side effects from using Skinoren:

These effects occur at the site of application. There's also a group of side effects reported since Skinoren came to market where the frequency can't be estimated from the available data, including swelling of the skin, eyes, or face (which may occur with hypersensitivity), rash, urticaria (hives), and worsening of asthma.

For a more detailed look at possible Skinoren cream side effects, read the enclosed Patient Information Leaflet. If you encounter any adverse reactions to the treatment, you can also report them to the Yellow Card Scheme.

Skinoren Irritation

Local skin irritation happens fairly often with Skinoren, usually at the start of treatment. In most cases, it's mild and gets better as you continue using the cream.

If irritation becomes troublesome, you have a few options before giving up on the treatment:

• Reduce the amount of cream you apply each time
• Apply it only once a day instead of twice
• Stop treatment temporarily to let your skin settle

If the irritation is still troublesome after trying these, tell your prescriber.

Allergic Reaction

It's essential to stop using Skinoren cream and see your doctor as soon as possible if you think you are having an allergic reaction to the treatment. Signs of an allergic reaction include:

• Rash or hives (urticaria)
• Swelling of the skin, eyes, or face
• Worsening of asthma symptoms if you have asthma

If you experience swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, or have difficulty breathing, call 999 or go to A&E immediately.

Skinoren Cream Interactions and Warnings

Skinoren 20% cream is not suitable for everyone, so it's important to speak to a clinician or doctor before starting treatment. You should not use the medication if you are allergic to azelaic acid or any of the other ingredients. It has also been rarely reported that using Skinoren can worsen some asthma symptoms.

Skinoren Cream and Other Medications

No interaction studies have been performed for Skinoren, and no specific medicine interactions are listed in the Patient Information Leaflet. Nevertheless, it's still important to tell your prescriber or pharmacist about any medicines or skin treatments you're using, including other acne products, so they can check that everything works together sensibly.

Be particularly cautious about layering Skinoren with other topical acne treatments, as using several products with drying or irritant effects at once can leave your skin sore.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

There's limited experience with using azelaic acid during pregnancy. If you're pregnant, breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or are planning a baby, ask your prescriber or pharmacist for advice before using Skinoren.

If you do use Skinoren cream while breastfeeding, infants must not come into contact with treated skin or the breast. Don't apply the cream to your chest area.

Frequently Asked Questions About Skinoren Cream