From this article you will learn
- Skinoren instructions for use,
- gel or cream – which form is better,
- reviews of Skinoren from dermatologists.
Skinoren is a drug based on azelaic acid, which is used to treat acne, mild forms of acne, and also for the treatment of rosacea. The drug is produced well-known (Germany) and has 2 release forms - gel or cream for external use. These drugs are dispensed in pharmacies without a doctor's prescription, and according to the instructions for use, they can be used from 12 years of age.
Reviews from dermatologists about Skinoren are quite positive, however, according to international protocols for the treatment of acne, drugs with azelaic acid are only 2nd choice drugs (inferior in effectiveness to drugs from the group of topical retinoids). The latter include drugs such as Clenzit, Differin or Adaklin. However, drugs with azelaic acid also have their undeniable advantages, which we will discuss below.
Cream and gel Skinoren: photos of packaging
Indications for use –
- acne*,
- papulopustular form of acne (pimples)*,
- treatment of rosacea (gel only),
- treatment of chloasma (cream only).
* Please note that the use of drugs with azelaic acid is justified only for mild forms of acne and pimples. In addition, these drugs can be used to prevent new outbreaks of acne and pimples (after the full course of treatment with topical retinoids has been completed), i.e. used as maintenance therapy.
How much does Skinoren cost in pharmacies:
For Skinoren, the price in pharmacies depends on the size of the tube. Skinoren gel is available in tubes of 15 g, 30 g and 50 g, and their cost will be 700, 1200 and 1450 rubles, respectively. Skinoren cream is available only in 30 g tubes - at a price of 1200 to 1300 rubles. The cost is for 2021.
In fact, it is expensive, considering that preparations with azelaic acid are somewhat inferior in effectiveness to topical retinoids. For example, Klenzit gel costs only about 700 rubles (for a 30 g tube), and Differin gel or cream costs 800 rubles (for a 30 g tube). Although from a logical point of view it should be the other way around.
Compound
Skinoren gel composition: micronized azelaic acid at a concentration of 150 mg/g, polysorbate 80, polyacrylic acid, propylene glycol, lecithin, sodium hydroxide, triglycerides, benzoic acid , disodium edetate, purified water.
Skinoren, produced in the form of an ointment, contains azelaic acid at a concentration of 200 mg/g. The auxiliary components used are: benzoic acid, macrogol glyceryl stearate, a mixture of cetostearyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate, coconut oil and cetyl palmite fatty acid glycerides, cetostearyl ethyl capronate, glycerol 85%, propylene glycol, purified water.
Photos before and after using Skinoren cream
The effectiveness of the cream can best be proven only by the visual results of its use. Photographs will help you verify the quality of the product. Taken before and after using the composition, such a demonstration will leave no doubt about the effectiveness of such acne treatment.
pharmachologic effect
Local treatment of acne. Azelaic acid, which is part of the drug , effectively relieves inflammation and has pronounced antibacterial and keratolytic effects.
It has bacteriostatic properties against Propionibacterium acnes - Gram (+) bacteria that cause acne, as well as against epidermidis .
Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
The effectiveness of Skinoren in the treatment of acne is due to the antibacterial properties of azelaic acid and the ability of the substance to have a direct effect on follicular (hair) hyperkeratosis .
In in vivo and in vitro models, it inhibits the proliferation of keratinocytes (the main cells of the epidermal layer) and normalizes the terminal processes of epidermal cell acne .
With the use of the drug, there is a significant decrease in the density of colonies of propionibacteria acne , as well as a significant decrease in the concentration of free fatty acids in lipids on the surface of the skin (due to this, the oiliness of the skin decreases).
The mechanism of action of azelaic acid on the pathogenic phenomena that occur with rosacea has not been precisely established. Several studies have shown that in in vitro and ex vivo models, the substance is able to stop the inflammatory process by reducing the production of reactive oxygen metabolites (its free-radial forms) and the formation of anti-inflammatory agents.
Azelaic acid has a dose- and time-dependent inhibitory effect on the growth and viability of abnormal melanocytes .
After local application of the drug, azelaic acid penetrates into all layers of the skin, and the substance penetrates into damaged skin an order of magnitude faster than into intact skin. In total, after a single use of 5 grams of 20% Skinoren cream (equivalent to 1 gram of azelaic acid), no more than 3.6% of the dose is absorbed through the skin.
Clinical studies of the use of the product for acne have shown that the rate of absorption of azelaic acid for the cream and gel is the same.
From the body, the substance is partially eliminated with urine in its pure form, the remainder undergoes a cycle of degradation reactions and breaks down into dibasic carboxylic acids with a shorter chain length. Beta-oxidation products of azelaic acid are also found in urine.
Side effects
Skinoren does not provoke the development of systemic side effects. During clinical studies, only local reactions to treatment with the drug were identified. Typically, symptoms associated with the use of a gel or cream are mild or moderate; often their number decreases with continued therapy.
Most often in clinical studies, itching, burning sensation and pain at the site of application of the ointment were recorded.
paresthesia at the site of application of the cream/gel may be observed In patients with rosacea local swelling of the dermis at the site of application cannot be excluded
In patients with acne, in a number of cases (with a frequency from ≥1/1000 to <1/100), phenomena such as contact dermatitis , peeling of the skin, erythema , a feeling of warmth and discoloration of the skin at the site of application of the drug were noted.
With a similar frequency, the following were recorded with rosacea : contact dermatitis , acne , discomfort in the treated area of skin, erythema , urticaria .
Contraindications and side effects
Are there any restrictions on the use of Skinoren drugs? The instructions for use clearly stipulate that the only obstacle may be individual hypersensitivity or the presence of allergic reactions. Indirect evidence of the safety of the products can be the possibility of their use even during pregnancy. Before using the products, it makes sense to find out your skin type from your doctor.
Side effects occur quite rarely, are moderate in nature and decrease with therapy. Main types of manifestations during treatment:
- dryness or slight numbness of the skin;
- the appearance of slight swelling with rosacea;
- itching or burning in the area where the cream or gel is applied;
- skin peeling;
- the appearance of spots;
- feeling of discomfort;
- allergic reactions;
- urticaria in the area where the drug is applied;
- worsening of other diseases.
If at least one of the above manifestations occurs, you should temporarily reduce the dose of the drug and be sure to consult your doctor. The reasons for the manifestation can be very diverse. Skinoren cream is not recommended to be applied after warming procedures - baths, saunas, etc.
Skinoren, instructions for use (Method and dosage)
Skinoren preparations are intended exclusively for application to the skin.
The treatment regimen is selected individually depending on the extent of the lesions, the degree of neglect of the process and the individual characteristics of the patient. Both dosage forms of Skinoren must be applied to dry skin that has been previously cleansed with water or a mild cosmetic.
Following the recommendations in the instructions for use, Skinoren gel or Skinoren ointment is evenly distributed in a thin layer on the skin areas affected by the pathological process and lightly rubbed in. The treatment procedure is carried out twice a day - morning and evening.
It is recommended to use the drug in sufficient quantities, but not in excess. As a rule, in order to treat the entire surface of the face, a strip 2.5 cm long is enough (corresponds to approximately 0.5 grams of gel/cream).
Skinoren is intended for regular use throughout the entire course of treatment, the duration of which is determined by the doctor depending on the clinical situation and the effectiveness of therapy.
For acne and rosacea, improvement in the patient's condition is observed after approximately 4 weeks of continuous treatment. However, to consolidate the achieved result, it is recommended to continue the use of the product for several more months (there is clinical experience of continuous use of the gel/cream for a period of up to a year).
There is no need to use additional protection against exposure to ultraviolet radiation during treatment with the drug.
For melasma, the optimal dosage form is cream. According to the instructions for use of Skinoren cream, the minimum duration of treatment is three months. For more pronounced results, it is recommended to use the ointment regularly.
Throughout the entire course of therapy, it is imperative to use sunscreens that protect the skin from exposure to UVB and UVA rays. This is due to the fact that under the influence of medium and long waves of ultraviolet radiation, the disease can worsen, and already lightened areas of the skin will again begin to change pigmentation.
Contact of the treated areas of skin with clothing should be avoided, and it is also not recommended to cover the application areas with an occlusive dressing.
After each handling procedure, you must wash your hands thoroughly.
In cases where the use of a cream/gel provokes irritation of the skin, the single dose of the product should be reduced or the frequency of its use should be reduced to 1 time per day (until the symptoms of irritation completely disappear). If this is necessary, treatment is stopped for several days.
If there is no improvement a month after the start of treatment, as well as in the case of exacerbation of acne , the drug is discontinued and an alternative treatment is selected. In patients with rosacea, the reason to discontinue the drug is the lack of effect 2 months after the start of the course.
special instructions
Skinoren contains benzoic acid , a substance that causes minor irritation to the skin, mucous membranes and eyes, and propylene glycol , which can also cause skin irritation.
It is not recommended to allow the cream/gel to come into contact with the eyes, mouth or mucous membranes. If this does happen, the eyes, mouth or mucous membranes should be immediately rinsed with plenty of water. If eye irritation cannot be relieved, it is recommended to consult a doctor.
During the treatment of papulopustular rosacea, it is advisable not to use alcohol-containing detergents, as well as astringents, abrasives or exfoliants, and alcohol solutions.
Skinoren's analogs
Level 4 ATC code matches:
Azix-Derm
Azogel
AcneStop
Regetsin
Resorcinol
Azelik
Klenzit S
Curiosin
A structural analogue of Skinoren gel (generic) is Azelik . Generic creams are the drugs Skinoklir and Azix-Derm .
The following mechanisms of action are similar to azelaic acid: Klenzit-S , Clindes , Curiosin , Resorcinol .
The price of analogues starts from 157 rubles (about the same amount it will cost to purchase a five-gram tube of Azelik 15%).
Skinoren during pregnancy and breastfeeding
It is not known exactly how safe azelaic acid preparations are for pregnant women. In studies conducted on laboratory animals, no direct or indirect negative effects on the course of pregnancy, embryogenesis, intrauterine development of the fetus, the course of labor and postnatal development were revealed.
Despite the absence of direct contraindications for use in the instructions, the cream and gel should be used with caution during pregnancy.
Newborn children should not come into contact with skin/breast treated with Skinoren. There is no reliable data on whether azelaic acid can penetrate into the milk of a nursing woman.
However, in vitro experiments carried out using the equilibrium dialysis technique showed that this possibility cannot be completely excluded. For this reason, nursing women are advised to use the drug with caution and with the approval of a doctor.
Therapeutic effect of drugs
The mechanism of skin diseases that are treated with azelaic acid preparations has long been revealed and understood. The fatty secretion produced by the sebaceous glands enters the skin surface through the lumen of the hair follicles and protects it. Due to various processes, skin pores become clogged with fat and dead epithelium, which can lead to the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria and the occurrence of pathology.
Skinoren effectively inhibits the growth of bacteria and staphylococci on the skin. Reducing the inflammatory process in turn prevents the formation of new blackheads or acne. Effectively reducing the proliferation of epidermal cells reduces and normalizes the number of keratinized skin scales. In essence, the gel and cream accelerate the resorption of sebaceous plugs in the pores of the skin, melting them.
Blocking with Skinoren drugs the excessive production of melanin pigment, which directly affects skin color, allows you to effectively combat age spots. With regular treatment, areas with darkened skin turn pale and become almost invisible.
Neutralizing the development of acne, rosacea and other skin pathologies using a cream or gel is very effective, which is confirmed by many clinical applications. Despite deep penetration into the skin, azelaic acid practically does not enter the blood, so the use of the drugs is completely harmless.
Reviews about Skinoren
Skinoren cream and gel - and the reviews are proof of this - have proven themselves to be an effective remedy in the fight against acne , and the use of the gel for rosacea allows, in some cases, to influence the links in the pathogenesis of the disease.
Among the main advantages of the drug, consumers note that Skinoren dries out inflammatory elements well, fights closed comedones , kills bacteria that cause acne (acting not only on the surface of the skin, but also in the deeper layers of the skin), eliminates oily sheen , whitens skin, can be used for prevention.
Cosmetologists in reviews of the gel note that the product is really effective, but to see the result, it must be used regularly and for at least three months.
The main secret of the drug is that it has a cumulative effect, so most of the negative reviews related to the fact that Skinoren did not help solve the problem of acne are often due to incorrect and/or irregular use of the product.
Another important property of the drug is that it does not react to exposure to sunlight and does not affect the photosensitivity of the skin, which allows it to be applied independently, as a caring cream under cosmetics.
That is, after analyzing the reviews of experts and users, we can conclude that Skinoren really treats acne, but it does it slowly and gradually.
According to cosmetologists, in order for the effect to be more pronounced and lasting, treatment should be supplemented with proper and regular cleansing of the face, toning using alcohol-free tonics (preferably with herbal extracts or acids), and moisturizing the skin with light non-comedogenic creams.
And in order not to be unfounded, many women and girls supplement their reviews with photos before and after using the drug:
The disadvantages of the product are its high cost, and also the fact that in the first days (and sometimes weeks) its use is accompanied by unpleasant sensations: itching, burning (sometimes quite severe) and tingling of the skin.
Which is better, Skinoren cream or gel?
Like most other drugs for the treatment of acne , Skinoren has more than one dosage form. In this regard, the question naturally arises: “What to choose - cream or gel?”
Having studied the instructions for both products, you can find that the cream and gel have minor differences in composition: for example, the concentration of the active substance in the gel is 15%, and in the cream - 20.
This is due to the fact that the gel has a polymer base, which eliminates the content of fat and alcohol and thanks to which azelaic acid penetrates the skin faster and easier, providing faster relief from acne. Thus, the gel does not require an additional 5% of the active substance.
Approximately 70% of the gel consists of water, the concentration of fats in it is 3%. As for the cream, water makes up 50% of its volume, and fats - 15%.
The ointment (both cream and gel) should be applied to the skin twice a day. At the same time, the gel is the optimal form for people with oily skin, while the cream is recommended for use for dry, normal or sensitive skin.
By comprehensively affecting the negative factors that provoke the appearance of acne and rosacea , the gel/cream does not dry out the skin and is not addictive.
Reviews of Skinoren gel indicate that the product is quickly absorbed, leaving no streaks or greasy shine on the skin. In addition, the acne gel has hydrating and cooling effects, which allows it to be used under makeup.
In reviews of Skinoren acne cream, people who have used the product write that the cream not only treats acne , but also effectively removes post-acne , helps get rid of age spots, and returns beautiful color and health to the skin.
It is impossible to say unequivocally which form of Skinoren is better. Although the difference in the composition of the products is minimal, some people prefer gel, while others prefer cream. Some note that the use of the drug (especially in the initial stages of treatment) is accompanied by unpleasant sensations.
Therefore, when choosing one or another anti-acne product, in order not to harm the skin and not aggravate the course of the disease, you should be guided by the recommendations of an experienced dermatologist.
What is better to choose: Skinoren cream or gel?
A product called Skinoren is widely known for its effect on acne and other skin rashes, and when purchasing, many do not pay attention to the exact form in which they purchase the drug. Many people believe that cream and gel are absolutely the same thing, but these forms have their own differences, and in order to choose the right product for a specific problem, it is better to know what exactly the difference is.
It is worth immediately noting that the properties of both forms are the same, there are differences in the indications for use. Thus, the gel works more actively and quickly in case of severe inflammatory processes compared to the cream, although the second product gives a good result, but in such a situation more slowly. The cream's indications for use include melasma - increased pigmentation, which is caused by acne.
It is important to understand the differences in product consistencies. Thus, the cream is more suitable for dry and sensitive skin, as it has a softer, more gentle effect. For oily skin types, the cream form may be too thick and lead to clogged pores, thereby further aggravating the situation. But the gel will be simply indispensable for oily skin, since in addition to the therapeutic effect it will also give a light mattifying result and a refreshing effect.
Thus, the selection of a specific pharmacological form should be carried out in strict accordance with the nature of the problem and the type of skin.
Skinoren price, where to buy
How much does Skinoren for acne cost in Russian pharmacies?
The average price of Skinoren gel on the Russian pharmaceutical market: for a 15 g tube - from 480 rubles; for a tube of 30 g - from 845 rubles; for a tube of 50 g - from 1170 rubles.
The price of acne cream in St. Petersburg and Moscow varies from 845 to approximately 1,500 rubles.
Cost of Skinoren for acne in Ukrainian pharmacies
The price of Skinoren gel in Ukraine is from 85 UAH. The price of Skinoren cream in pharmacies in large cities (for example, in Kharkov or Kiev) is from 240 UAH.
Price of the drug in Belarus
You can buy gel in Belarus for an average of 65,000 Bel. rubles per tube of 5 grams. The cost of a 30-gram tube is from 160,000 BYN. rubles The average price of ointment (cream) is 170,000 BYN. rubles
- Online pharmacies in RussiaRussia
- Online pharmacies in UkraineUkraine
- Online pharmacies in KazakhstanKazakhstan
ZdravCity
- Skinoren gel 15% 50g Bayer Healthcare Manufacturing S.R.L.
RUB 1,644 order - Skinoren cream 20% 30g Bayer Healthcare Manufacturing S.R.L.
RUB 1,242 order
- Skinoren gel 15% 30g Bayer Healthcare Manufacturing S.R.L.
RUB 1,242 order
Pharmacy Dialogue
- Skinoren gel tube 15% 30gBayer
RUB 1,124 order
- Skinoren gel (tube 15% 50g) Bayer
RUB 1,499 order
- Skinoren cream (tube 20% 30g)Bayer
RUB 1,236 order
- Skinoren gel (tube 15% 15g) Bayer
RUR 658 order
show more
Pharmacy24
- Skinoren 20% 30 g cream Intendis Manufacturing S.p.A., Italy/ Bayer Healthcare Manufacturing S.R.L., Italy
305 UAH.order - Skinoren 15% 30 g gel Bayer Healthcare Manufacturing S.R.L., Italy
306 UAH. order
PaniPharmacy
- Skinoren cream Skinoren cream 20% 30g Italy, Bayer Healthcare Manufacturing
312 UAH. order
- Skinoren gel Skinoren gel 15% 30g Italy, Bayer Healthcare Manufacturing
328 UAH. order
show more
Indications for use
If you carefully read the instructions, you can find all the main indications for using this drug.
- Acne of the second severity.
- Acne of the third severity.
- Acne disease.
- Acne in adolescence.
- Acne on the body.
Skinoren gel 15% is also used to treat another skin disease called rosacea.
Is it used for closed comedones? Yes, this remedy can be considered the best in solving this teenage problem. The drug can also be recommended for open comedones.
