Skinoren
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Skinoren 20% Cream is a prescription acne treatment applied directly to the skin. It contains azelaic acid, an active ingredient used for common acne, also known as acne vulgaris.
Skinoren may be suitable for acne involving spots, blocked pores, blackheads, whiteheads, inflammation and acne-prone skin where clinically appropriate. It can be used on acne-affected areas such as the face, and the amount may be adjusted if acne also affects areas such as the chest or back.
Acne can involve blocked hair follicles, excess oil, inflammation and acne-related bacteria. Skinoren helps target acne in more than one way, but improvement is gradual and regular use is important.
How to use
Use Skinoren exactly as directed by your pharmacist, prescriber or the patient information leaflet supplied with your medicine.
Skinoren is for external skin use only. Before applying it, clean the skin with plain water or a mild cleanser, then dry the area fully.
Apply a thin layer of cream to the affected skin and rub in gently. For the whole face, around 2.5cm of cream, approximately 0.5g, is usually enough.
Skinoren is usually applied twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening, where suitable. If you have sensitive skin, your clinician may advise using it once daily in the evening for the first week before increasing to twice daily if tolerated.
Wash your hands after each application.
Avoid contact with the eyes, mouth, lips and other mucous membranes. If accidental contact occurs, rinse thoroughly with plenty of water. If eye irritation continues, seek medical advice.
Do not apply Skinoren to broken, irritated, sunburnt or damaged skin unless advised by a clinician.
If irritation becomes difficult to tolerate, your clinician may advise reducing the amount applied, using it once daily, pausing treatment for a few days or stopping treatment.
Do not use more than directed. Applying more cream or using it more often will not clear acne faster and may increase irritation.
If acne does not improve, worsens, causes scarring, becomes painful or cystic, or significantly affects mood or confidence, seek clinical review.
Main Ingredients
Skinoren 20% Cream contains azelaic acid as the active ingredient.
Each 1g of cream contains 200mg azelaic acid, equivalent to 20% w/w.
Other ingredients include benzoic acid, cetearyl octanoate and isopropyl myristate, glycerol 85%, propylene glycol, purified water, stearoyl macrogolglycerides, glycerol monostearate and cetostearyl alcohol.
Skinoren contains benzoic acid, which may cause local irritation.
Skinoren contains propylene glycol, which may cause skin irritation in some people.
Skinoren contains cetostearyl alcohol, which may cause local skin reactions such as contact dermatitis.
Always read the patient information leaflet supplied with your specific medicine before use.
Side Effects & Cautions
Some people experience side effects while using Skinoren. Very common side effects can include burning, itching and redness at the application site.
Common side effects can include skin peeling, pain, dryness, discolouration and irritation at the application site.
Uncommon side effects can include tingling, dermatitis, skin discomfort, swelling at the application site, greasy skin, acne flare-up or skin depigmentation.
Rare side effects can include lip inflammation, application-site blisters, eczema, warmth, ulceration, hypersensitivity reactions and worsening of asthma.
Other reported side effects include hives, rash, contact dermatitis, eye swelling and facial swelling.
Mild irritation can happen when treatment is first started and may settle as the skin adjusts. Persistent, severe or worsening irritation should be reviewed.
Stop using Skinoren and seek urgent medical advice if you develop swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, severe rash, hives, fainting, collapse or signs of a serious allergic reaction.
Skinoren is not suitable for everyone. Do not use it if you are allergic to azelaic acid or any ingredient in the cream.
Extra clinical review may be needed if you have very sensitive skin, eczema, rosacea, broken skin, severe acne, cystic acne, acne scarring, previous reactions to acne creams, asthma, pregnancy or breastfeeding considerations, or if you are using other prescription or over-the-counter acne treatments.
If you are breastfeeding, infants must not come into contact with treated skin. Do not apply Skinoren to the breast area during breastfeeding unless specifically advised by a clinician.
Tell your clinician about all medicines and skincare products you use. This includes topical retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, antibiotic acne treatments, exfoliating acids, medicated cleansers, abrasive scrubs, steroid creams and cosmetic skin treatments.
Suitability depends on acne type, acne severity, affected areas, skin sensitivity, previous treatments, medical history, current medicines, pregnancy or breastfeeding status, allergy history and clinical assessment. Prescription medicine is supplied only where clinically appropriate.
Read the official patient information leaflet before using any medicine. The leaflet provides important information on use, cautions, side effects and storage.
Open leaflet on eMC