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. It is oil-free and dries invisible, so it can be worn through the day rather than only overnight. This is the 25g tube, and it is a Schedule 2 pharmacy medicine available without a prescription.

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. Apply morning and night to cleansed skin, with clean hands, using only a small amount directly on the affected area.

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 is not working" is the single most common reason a course fails.

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
• Schedule 2 pharmacy medicine, no prescription needed

Specifications

Common uses

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 well 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 the Day Moisturiser SPF30 for daytime, since acne treatments increase sun sensitivity. Browse the wider Ego Pharmaceuticals range.