LEO Skinoren (Azelaic acid 20%) Cream

Skinoren cream should be applied to the affected areas of skin twice a day (morning and evening) after washing and drying the skin. As a guide, approximately 2.5cm of cream should be enough to treat the entire face. Rub the cream in gently. People with sensitive skin should apply the cream just once a day in the evening for the first week of treatment, and then increase to twice daily applications. Wash your hands after applying the cream. ▪️ Take care to avoid getting the cream in the eyes, mouth and inside of the nose. If the cream accidentally comes into contact with these areas, rinse immediately with large amounts of water. ▪️ If your skin becomes very irritated after using the cream you should either use less, or reduce use to once a day until the irritation has resolved. If necessary, treatment can be temporarily interrupted until the irritation has resolved. If any irritation persists, consult your doctor. ▪️ Regular use of Skinoren is important. In general, an improvement in the acne becomes apparent after about four weeks of using the cream. The manufacturer states that to obtain the best results, Skinoren cream should be applied over a period of several months, but not for more than 12 months at a time.

• Azelaic acid in Skinoren cream reduces the growth of the keratin surface skin cells that can block pores.
• This helps to unblock the pores and sebaceous glands (glands which secrete sebum) and as a result the sebum can escape. This reduces the formation of blackheads and spots.
• Azelaic acid also kills the bacteria associated with acne, Propionibacterium acnes.
• This is a common type of bacteria that feeds on sebum produced by the sebaceous glands in the skin. It produces waste products and fatty acids that irritate the sebaceous glands, making them inflamed and causing spots.
• Azelaic acid reduces the numbers of these bacteria by reducing their food source (sebum) and by inhibiting their growth.
• By controlling bacterial numbers, the inflammation of the sebaceous glands is brought under control, and the skin is allowed to heal.