Azelaic Acid vs Benzoyl Peroxide

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Azelaic Acid vs Benzoyl Peroxide

September 12, 2025

Azelaic Acid vs Benzoyl Peroxide: Which is Better for Your Skin?

sample-of-azclear-medicated-lotion

Acne is a common skin condition, affecting millions of Australians – and if you’ve ever reached for a pimple treatment, chances are you’ve come across benzoyl peroxide. It’s long been a popular treatment choice for acne. But let’s be real – it's more liekly to come with its share of downfalls. Enter Azelaic Acid, the quieter achiever making waves in skincare. So, how do these two acne-fighting MVPs stack up?

What is Azelaic Acid?

Azelaic Acid is a dicarboxylic acid that can be found in grains like barley and rye. Backed by decades of research, it's celebrated for its versatile, multitasking benefits. At its core, Azelaic Acid is a gentle, effective ingredient that works on several fronts – killing acne-causing bacteria, unclogging pores, and calming inflammation.1,2,3,4

How does Azelaic Acid Work?

Azelaic Acid inhibits the growth of Cutibacterium acnes (formerly P. acnes) by disrupting the bacteria’s protein function1. It also helps keep dead skin cells from building up inside pores, loosens congestion by breaking down keratin, and reduces redness and swelling. It’s especially handy for both acne and papulopustular rosacea4. Azclear Action Medicated Lotion contains 20% Azelaic Acid – the highest concentration available without a prescription in Australia.5

What Is Benzoyl Peroxide?

Benzoyl peroxide is another topical treatment used for mild to moderate acne and rosacea. It works by releasing free radicals that kill bacteria on the skin’s surface.6,7

Comparing Benzoyl Peroxide and Azelaic Acid

Benzoyl Peroxide and Azelaic Acid are two clinically proven treatments to treat acne and help with papulopustular rosacea. Both are effective in reducing breakouts, unclogging pores, and improving skin clarity - but they work differently. Understanding these differences is key to choosing the right option for your skin.

The Similarities

  • Both Benzoyl Peroxide and Azelaic Acid have antibacterial and exfoliating properties, which help reduce acne-causing bacteria and prevent pores from becoming blocked. 

  • Each ingredient has demonstrated success in reducing breakouts and improving overall skin texture, particularly in cases of mild to moderate acne. 

  • They can also both play a role in managing papulopustular rosacea, targeting redness and bumps associated with the condition.

Key Differences

Benzoyl Peroxide is more aggressive in action – and often in side effects. While it helps reduce oil and exfoliates the skin, its main role isn’t to calm inflammation. Any anti-inflammatory effect is secondary, which makes it less effective against red, swollen pimples.

And it can be seriously drying. It can compromise the skin barrier by oxidising lipids(the good stuff!) and stripping moisture, leading to peeling, flaking, and increased sensitivity. 

It can also make skin more vulnerable to sun damage by disrupting the skin’s natural protective layer and bleach your clothes or pillow6, 7, 8.

In contrast, Azelaic Acid is considered barrier-friendly. It treats acne while soothing inflammation and preserving the skin’s integrity, making it ideal for sensitive and rosacea-prone skin. 

Azelaic Acid is far less likely to cause dryness, irritation, or peeling  – making it a more gentle option, but equally effective alternative2,4.

Comparing Azelaic Acid to Benzoyl Peroxide

benzoyl-peroxide-vs-azelaic-acid

The Azelaic Advantage: Azelaic Acid Wins for Skin Sensitivity

Azelaic Acid delivers all the skin-clearing benefits – antibacterial, exfoliating, anti-inflammatory – without the harsh trade-offs like dryness, irritation, or bleaching. It’s effective, well-tolerated, and kind to sensitive or rosacea-prone skin, making it a smart, skin-first alternative to more aggressive acne treatments. For those wanting real results, Azelaic Acid (try the Azclear Medicated Lotion!) is the low-key skincare legend your face will thank you for. 

Azclear Action Medicated Lotion: Always read the label and follow the directions for use.

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References

1. Althwanay A, AlEdani EM, Kaur H, Kasapoglu M, Yadavalli R, Nawaz S, Nath TS. Efficacy of topical treatments in the management of mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris: A systematic review. Cureus. 2024;16(4):e57909.

2.Iraji F, Sadeghinia A, Shahmoradi Z, Siadat A, Jooya A. Efficacy of topical azelaic acid gel in the treatment of mild-moderate acne vulgaris. Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology. 2007;73(2):94. 

3. Măgerușan ȘE, Hancu G, Rusu A. A comprehensive bibliographic review concerning the efficacy of organic acids for chemical peels treating acne vulgaris. Molecules. 2023;28(20):7219. 4 Graupe K, Cunliffe W, Gollnick HP, Zaumseil R. Efficacy and safety of topical azelaic acid (20% cream): An overview of results from European clinical trials and experimental reports. Cutis. 1996;57(1S):20–35. 

5. Ego Pharmaceuticals. Azclear Action Medicated Lotion [Internet]. Available from https://www.azclearskin.com/au/en/products/azclear-action-medicated-lotion.html. (Accessed: 01 June 2025). 

6. Yang Z, Zhang Y, Lazic Mosler E, Hu J, Li H, Zhang Y, Liu J, Zhang Q. Topical benzoyl peroxide for acne. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;3(3):CD011154. 

7. Matin T, Patel P, Goodman MB. Benzoyl Peroxide [Internet]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537220/. (Accessed: 01 June 2025). 

8. Akhavan A, Bershad S. Topical acne drugs: Review of clinical properties, systemic exposure, and safety. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2003;4(7):473–492.