Azclear Action Medicated Lotion 25g

Azclear Action Medicated Lotion is an azelaic acid 20% treatment for pimples, blackheads and rosacea, made in Australia by Ego Pharmaceuticals at Braeside in Victoria. It is oil-free and dries invisible, so it can be worn through the day rather than only overnight. This is the 25g tube, registered on the ARTG as AUST R 71006 and supplied as a Schedule 2 pharmacy medicine, so no prescription is needed.

Why choose Azclear Action?

Azelaic acid does three things at once, which is unusual for a single active. It is antibacterial against the organisms involved in acne, it helps normalise the keratinisation that blocks pores in the first place, and it reduces the redness that makes both acne and rosacea conspicuous. That combination is why the same tube is indicated for mild to moderate acne, inflamed or not, and for papulopustular rosacea.

It suits people who cannot tolerate the usual alternatives. Unlike benzoyl peroxide it does not bleach fabric, and unlike many acne actives it is oil-free and invisible on the skin, so it works under makeup and during the day.

Set your expectations correctly, because this is where most people go wrong: improvement may not be visible until after 4 weeks, and the label directs you to consult a doctor or pharmacist if the condition has not improved within 8 weeks. Some mild irritation at the start is normal and settles. Stopping at week two because it does not seem to be working is the single most common reason a course fails.

Azelaic acid in Australia: what you can buy without a prescription

This is worth understanding before you compare products. In Australia, azelaic acid at this strength is a Schedule 2 pharmacy medicine, which means you can buy it over the counter without seeing a doctor. Higher-strength and combination azelaic acid preparations, and the ones commonly prescribed for more severe rosacea, sit behind a prescription instead. So a 20% over-the-counter lotion like this one is the strongest form most people can simply go and buy here.

Because it is an ARTG-registered medicine rather than a cosmetic, the indications, the strength and the warnings on the pack have been assessed by the TGA. That is the practical difference between this and an unregistered azelaic acid serum bought online, which may not state a verified concentration at all.

Key features

• Azelaic acid 200mg/g (20%) - antibacterial and anti-redness
• For blackheads, pimples, mild to moderate acne and rosacea
• Also indicated for papulopustular rosacea
• Oil free and dries invisible - wearable under makeup
• Does not bleach fabric, unlike benzoyl peroxide
• Apply morning and night to cleansed skin
• AUST R 71006, Schedule 2 pharmacy medicine, no prescription needed
• Made in Australia by Ego Pharmaceuticals

Specifications

Using Azclear as part of a routine

Teenage and adult acne is the main use, particularly for people who have found benzoyl peroxide too harsh or too destructive to towels and pillowcases. The rosacea indication brings a second group entirely: adults with persistent facial redness and papules, for whom the anti-redness action matters as much as the antibacterial one. It works best as part of a routine rather than alone - the Azclear Action Foaming Wash for cleansing, this lotion as the treatment, the Soothing Gel when skin is irritated, and a daytime SPF, since acne treatments increase sun sensitivity. Browse the wider Ego Pharmaceuticals range.

Always read the label and follow the directions for use. For external use only - avoid contact with the eyes and keep out of reach of children. Mild irritation may occur initially; discontinue use if severe irritation develops. Improvement may not be visible for 4 weeks - consult your doctor or pharmacist if your condition has not improved within 8 weeks. For poisoning advice in Australia, call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26.