Aziderm 20% Cream

Aziderm 20% Cream contains azelaic acid 20%, a prescription-strength treatment dermatologists use for mild to moderate acne, post-acne marks, melasma and rosacea. Azelaic acid acts against acne bacteria, gently unclogs pores, reduces excess pigment and calms redness.

What it does

• Helps clear mild to moderate acne
• Helps fade post-acne marks, dark spots and melasma
• Calms redness and inflammation, including in rosacea
• Usually well tolerated; mild tingling at first is common

Key ingredients

• Azelaic acid 20% – antibacterial, pore-clearing and pigment-reducing

Who it's for

Adults and teens with acne, pigmentation or rosacea, when prescribed by a dermatologist. Azelaic acid is often considered an option during pregnancy, but always check with your doctor first.

Where it fits in your routine

Apply a thin layer to clean, dry skin on the affected areas, once a day at night or as directed. Wash your hands afterwards. Don't apply to broken, irritated or sunburnt skin, and wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day.

Good to know

• Prescription medicine. Dispensed only against a valid prescription from a registered medical practitioner. Use exactly as your doctor directs.
• 15 g
• Made in India by Micro Labs Ltd., Bengaluru
• Shelf life: 24 months from manufacture
• For external use only. Avoid the eyes, mouth and mucous membranes.

• Azelaic Acid 20% – Antibacterial, keratolytic & depigmenting agent
• Cream Base – Ensures even application & skin tolerance

FAQs

Q1. How does Azelaic Acid 20% in Aziderm Cream treat both acne and rosacea?
A1. Azelaic acid operates through multiple pathways simultaneously. For acne: it inhibits protein synthesis in Cutibacterium acnes, has mild keratolytic action on comedones, and reduces sebaceous gland hyperactivity — without promoting antibiotic resistance. For rosacea: it inhibits kallikrein-5, the enzyme that activates the inflammatory peptide LL-37 (cathelicidin) responsible for rosacea flushing, erythema, and papulopustular lesions. This dual mechanism makes Aziderm 20% Cream one of very few prescription topicals effective across both conditions.

Q2. How does the 20% concentration in Aziderm compare to lower-strength azelaic acid products?
A2. Studies comparing 15% vs 20% Azelaic Acid show substantially greater reduction in inflamed lesion counts and faster depigmentation at the 20% concentration. The higher level provides stronger competitive tyrosinase inhibition — blocking the enzyme's dicarboxylic acid binding site to reduce melanin overproduction — and more effective antibacterial activity. Aziderm 20% is the prescription-strength choice for moderate-to-severe acne with PIH and melasma, where lower percentages have produced insufficient response.

Q3. Is Aziderm 20% Cream safe for long-term use on melasma in South Asian skin tones?
A3. Yes. Azelaic acid is one of the few depigmenting agents proven safe for long-term use in Fitzpatrick III–VI skin types — unlike hydroquinone at high concentrations or kojic acid, which carry risks of paradoxical ochronosis (bluish-black discolouration) with extended application. Aziderm 20% Cream preferentially inhibits hyperactive melanocytes, sparing normal skin pigmentation, and can be used for extended maintenance cycles when combined with daily broad-spectrum SPF.

Q4. Should Aziderm 20% Cream be applied to the whole face or only to pigmented spots?
A4. Apply as directed by your dermatologist — typically a thin layer across the entire affected treatment area, not only on individual spots. Whole-area treatment produces more consistent depigmentation, prevents new spots forming in adjacent skin, and provides an overall anti-inflammatory effect across the acne-prone or rosacea-prone zone. Spot-only application leads to uneven results and leaves untreated skin vulnerable to new lesion formation.

Q5. Can Aziderm 20% Cream be combined with retinol or niacinamide?
A5. Azelaic acid and niacinamide pair well — both reduce PIH through distinct mechanisms and are generally well tolerated together (AM niacinamide + PM azelaic acid is a common regimen). Aziderm 20% and retinol can be used but on alternating nights initially, as both are active ingredients that increase cell turnover; using both on the same night in the early weeks can increase peeling and irritation risk. Always build up slowly and consult your dermatologist before combining prescription actives.

Country of Origin: India
Mfg/Marketer details: Micro Labs Limited, F-169/170, Plot No. 37, (Ca), 147-151, 279-281, K.I.A.D.B., Jigani Bommasandra Link Road, Bengaluru-562 106, India
Shelf Life: 24 months from manufacturing date
Storage: Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight
Safety Information: For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes & mucous membranes. If severe irritation occurs, discontinue and consult a dermatologist. Keep out of reach of children.