Azelaic Acid
THE MULTITASKER
A prescription active that works on two fronts at once: calms the redness of rosacea-prone skin and clears the acne-like papules that come with it. The rare ingredient that treats both problems in one.Rosacea · Gentle Start
The Redness & Acne Formula Rx
Azelaic Acid · Glycolic Acid · Niacinamide
A gentle daily prescription for rosacea-prone skin that reacts to almost everything.
$36.00/month
Starting with a 2-month supply
- Free shipping
- Skip or delay refills
- HSA/FSA eligible
- Ongoing support
Rosacea · Gentle Start
The Redness & Acne Formula Rx
Azelaic Acid · Glycolic Acid · Niacinamide
A gentle daily prescription for rosacea-prone skin that reacts to almost everything.
$36.00/month
Starting with a 2-month supply
Azelaic acid calms the redness of rosacea-prone skin and clears the acne-like papules that come with it. Glycolic acid resurfaces congested skin at a concentration kept low enough for reactive skin, and niacinamide reduces visible redness and strengthens the barrier with daily use. It's the gentle starting point of the rosacea line, and one of the rare prescriptions that can often be continued through pregnancy, confirmed during your assessment.
Treats the following concerns:
- Free shipping
- Skip or delay refills
- HSA/FSA eligible
- Ongoing support
Formulations
The Redness & Acne Formulaᴿˣ is a single standard formulation. Azelaic acid 20% is the prescription active that calms the redness of rosacea-prone skin and clears the acne-like papules that come with it. Glycolic acid 3% resurfaces congested skin, at a concentration kept low for reactive skin. Niacinamide 2% reduces visible redness and supports the skin barrier. Centella asiatica and ceramides are included to keep the formula comfortable for daily use on sensitive skin.
Active ingredients:
- Azelaic acid 20%
- Glycolic acid 3%
- Niacinamide 2%
Supporting ingredients:
- Centella asiatica
- Ceramides
Compounded medications are not FDA-approved.
How & Why It Works
- Azelaic acid calms the redness of rosacea-prone skin, clears the acne-like papules that come with it, and fades the dark marks they leave behind
- Glycolic acid resurfaces congested skin and smooths uneven texture, kept at 3% so it refines without triggering reactivity
- Niacinamide reduces visible redness and strengthens the skin barrier with daily use
- Centella asiatica helps keep skin comfortable during daily use
- Ceramides support the skin barrier and help it hold moisture
- A leave-on formula, so the actives keep working between washes instead of rinsing off
- Compounded by a licensed pharmacy for each prescription
How to Use
Apply a thin layer to clean, dry skin once daily in the evening for the first 1 to 2 weeks, then increase to twice daily as your skin tolerates it, if your prescription calls for it.
A pea-sized amount covers the whole face. More does not work faster, it just stings.
Avoid the eyes, lips, the corners of the nose, and any broken or irritated skin.
In the evening, apply it after cleansing and follow with a fragrance-free moisturizer.
Mild tingling in the first two weeks is common with azelaic acid and typically settles as your skin adjusts.
Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen, minimum SPF 30, every morning.
- One bottle is approximately a 2-month supply
Pairs Well With
The Redness Control Formula
Oxymetazoline visibly reduces redness and flushing within hours of application. The Redness & Acne Formula works on the drivers over weeks; this one controls how red your skin looks in the meantime.
The Clarifying Rosacea Formula
A daily prescription wash for rosacea-prone skin that gets oily. This one treats in your cleansing step while The Redness & Acne Formula stays on your skin in between.
100% Compounded Online PharmacyPrescription-Only TreatmentsNo Long-Term Commitments
What's The Redness & Acne Formula?
Azelaic acid calms the redness of rosacea-prone skin and clears the acne-like papules that come with it. Glycolic acid resurfaces congested skin at a concentration kept low enough for reactive skin, and niacinamide reduces visible redness and strengthens the barrier with daily use. It's the gentle starting point of the rosacea line, and one of the rare prescriptions that can often be continued through pregnancy, confirmed during your assessment.
Treats the following concerns:
- Free shipping
- Skip or delay refills
- HSA/FSA eligible
- Ongoing support
Formulations
The Redness & Acne Formulaᴿˣ is a single standard formulation. Azelaic acid 20% is the prescription active that calms the redness of rosacea-prone skin and clears the acne-like papules that come with it. Glycolic acid 3% resurfaces congested skin, at a concentration kept low for reactive skin. Niacinamide 2% reduces visible redness and supports the skin barrier. Centella asiatica and ceramides are included to keep the formula comfortable for daily use on sensitive skin.
Active ingredients:
- Azelaic acid 20%
- Glycolic acid 3%
- Niacinamide 2%
Supporting ingredients:
- Centella asiatica
- Ceramides
Compounded medications are not FDA-approved.
How & Why It Works
- Azelaic acid calms the redness of rosacea-prone skin, clears the acne-like papules that come with it, and fades the dark marks they leave behind
- Glycolic acid resurfaces congested skin and smooths uneven texture, kept at 3% so it refines without triggering reactivity
- Niacinamide reduces visible redness and strengthens the skin barrier with daily use
- Centella asiatica helps keep skin comfortable during daily use
- Ceramides support the skin barrier and help it hold moisture
- A leave-on formula, so the actives keep working between washes instead of rinsing off
- Compounded by a licensed pharmacy for each prescription
How to Use
Apply a thin layer to clean, dry skin once daily in the evening for the first 1 to 2 weeks, then increase to twice daily as your skin tolerates it, if your prescription calls for it.
A pea-sized amount covers the whole face. More does not work faster, it just stings.
Avoid the eyes, lips, the corners of the nose, and any broken or irritated skin.
In the evening, apply it after cleansing and follow with a fragrance-free moisturizer.
Mild tingling in the first two weeks is common with azelaic acid and typically settles as your skin adjusts.
Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen, minimum SPF 30, every morning.
- One bottle is approximately a 2-month supply
Pairs Well With
The Redness Control Formula
Oxymetazoline visibly reduces redness and flushing within hours of application. The Redness & Acne Formula works on the drivers over weeks; this one controls how red your skin looks in the meantime.
The Clarifying Rosacea Formula
A daily prescription wash for rosacea-prone skin that gets oily. This one treats in your cleansing step while The Redness & Acne Formula stays on your skin in between.
The clinical team
The medicine behind your prescription is built by the doctors you already follow.
The Redness & Acne Formula Rx wasn't formulated by an algorithm or pulled from a generic template. Its protocol was designed by Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky, Dr. Mamina Turegano, and Dr. Jenny Liu, three board-certified dermatologists with decades of combined experience treating real people.
Your prescription is then written by a board-certified dermatologist on our clinical team, working from the protocol they built. Dermatologist-built medicine, delivered to your door.
Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky MDDr. Mamina Turegano, MDDr. Jenny Liu, MD
What's in the bottle
Real actives. Named, not hidden.
The Redness & Acne Formula Rx pairs prescription actives with supporting ingredients designed to calm redness and clear breakouts while keeping sensitive skin comfortable through daily treatment.
Active Ingredients
Glycolic Acid
THE GENTLE RESURFACER
A low-concentration alpha-hydroxy acid that resurfaces congested skin and smooths texture, kept at 3% so it refines your skin without triggering rosacea reactivity.
Niacinamide
THE BUFFER
A form of vitamin B3 that reduces visible redness, strengthens your skin barrier, and makes prescription actives more tolerable. The reason your sensitive skin stays comfortable while the formula works.Supporting Ingredients
Centella Asiatica
THE CALMER
A botanical used in dermatology for decades to help keep skin comfortable during treatment. The quiet ingredient that lets the strong ones do their work.
Ceramides
THE BARRIER REPAIR
Lipids that support the skin barrier and help it hold moisture. For reactive skin, barrier comfort is what makes daily treatment sustainable.Concentrations are listed under Formulations above. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved.
What to expect
A daily reset for skin that runs red and reactive.
The Redness & Acne Formula Rx works gradually, the way rosacea treatment is supposed to. Azelaic acid supports clearer-looking skin and calms the acne-like papules that can come with rosacea. Glycolic acid resurfaces congested skin without the harshness of stronger acids. Niacinamide reduces visible redness and supports the barrier, and Centella asiatica and ceramides keep the formula comfortable so your skin can tolerate treatment day after day.
- Azelaic acid calms persistent rosacea redness and clears acne-like papules and pustules
- Azelaic acid and glycolic acid fade the dark marks breakouts leave behind
- Niacinamide reduces visible flushing and strengthens the skin barrier over time
- Can often be continued through pregnancy, confirmed during your assessment
Built for the woman whose acne treatments make her redness worse.
The Redness & Acne Formula Rx is a gentle prescription for the rosacea-acne overlap: skin that's red, sensitive, and breaking out at the same time. Azelaic acid does both jobs at once, and it's gentle enough for skin that reacts to almost everything else. It's also one of the rare prescriptions that can often be continued through pregnancy and nursing, confirmed by a board-certified dermatologist on our clinical team during your assessment.
Ideal for you if you're
Experiencing ongoing facial redness, flushing, or sensitivity
Dealing with acne-like papules or pustules alongside the redness
Finding that most acne treatments (benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, retinoids) flare your skin
Pregnant, nursing, or trying to conceive and looking for a prescription you may be able to continue, confirmed during your assessment
Ready to start a daily prescription rosacea treatment, as confirmed during your assessment
Consider a different fit if you're:
Experiencing severe or persistent rosacea flare-ups: The Advanced Redness Solutionᴿˣ is built for that
Looking for fast same-day relief from visible redness: The Redness Control Formulaᴿˣ is built for daytime flushing support
Oily through the T-zone with rosacea bumps: The Clarifying Rosacea Formulaᴿˣ treats in your wash step
Dealing primarily with acne and no rosacea component: The Acne Solutionᴿˣ may be the cleaner fit
Already on prescription rosacea treatment that's working: talk to a board-certified dermatologist on our clinical team before stacking
On other topical or oral antibiotics: your assessment will determine whether the combination is appropriate
What our customers are saying.
BeforeAfter
No makeup, no touchups
★★★★★
“Finally something that treats both problems.”
“Every acne product I tried seemed to make my redness worse, while the rosacea products I used never really helped the bumps. I started noticing fewer inflamed spots after about a month, and by around 10–12 weeks my cheeks looked dramatically calmer. I still get a little pink sometimes, but the constant redness and little breakouts are so much more manageable now.”
Brooke M.
BeforeAfter
No makeup, no touchups
★★★★★
“My skin is so much less reactive.”
“My skin reacts to almost everything, so I was honestly nervous to start another active treatment. I had a little tingling during the first week, but after that my skin adjusted really well. The small bumps around my cheeks and nose have mostly cleared, and I'm not waking up with that flushed, irritated look every morning anymore.”
Olivia K.
BeforeAfter
No makeup, no touchups
★★★★★
“I thought I just had adult acne.”
“For years I treated my skin like regular acne, but stronger products always left my cheeks red and burning. I finally realized the redness was part of the problem too. After about three months on this formula, I'm getting far fewer bumps and my face doesn't look constantly inflamed. It finally feels like I'm treating the right condition.”
Valeria R.
BeforeAfter
No makeup, no touchups
★★★★★
“The bumps and redness improved together.”
“My lower cheeks and chin were always irritated, with little red bumps that would disappear and then come right back. I noticed the breakouts becoming less frequent first, and then the redness gradually started calming down too. After almost three months, my skin looks much more even and feels a lot less sensitive.”
Claire S.
BeforeAfter
No makeup, no touchups
★★★★★
“I can finally use a treatment without setting my face on fire.”
“I had almost given up on prescription skincare because everything I tried made my rosacea flare. This has been much easier for my skin to tolerate. The redness across my cheeks has softened a lot, the small inflamed bumps are mostly gone, and my skin just feels more stable overall.”
Brielle P.
BeforeAfter
No makeup, no touchups
★★★★★
“My skin looks calmer instead of constantly irritated.”
“My main issue was never just breakouts. My cheeks were always red, sensitive, and uneven, and then I'd get little inflamed bumps on top of that. With consistent use, the bumps became less frequent and the redness slowly faded. Around the 12-week mark was when I really noticed how different my skin looked.”
Nisha N.
Realistic timeline
What you may see in 6–12 weeks.
Rosacea treatment is patient work. The redness didn't show up overnight, and it won't go away overnight. Here's what most people experience with consistent daily use.
Results vary. Timelines depend on your starting skin, your formula strength, and how consistently you apply your treatment.
Weeks 1–2
Adjustment
Your skin gets used to the prescription. You may notice mild tingling or temporary sensitivity, especially with the azelaic acid. This is expected and typically settles within the first two weeks.Weeks 3–6
Calming
The acne-like papules start to clear. Redness softens. Your skin begins to feel less reactive overall. This is the point most people feel the shift.Weeks 7–12
Visible improvement
Persistent redness looks meaningfully reduced. Breakouts are less frequent and less inflamed. Your skin starts to look like a calmer, more even version of itself.Beyond 12 weeks
Maintenance and adjustment
Your DermClick care team checks in. If your flares need more support or your skin has changed, your formula is adjusted. Rosacea is chronic, and this is where ongoing care matters.Results vary. Timelines depend on your starting skin, your formula strength, and how consistently you apply your treatment.
How DermClick works
Three steps. No appointments. Reviewed by a board-certified dermatologist within one business day.
Tell us about your skin.
Take our skin assessment. Share your concerns, your skin's history, what you've tried before, and a few photos. The more we know, the better the formula.
One business day review
Your case is reviewed within one business day, and your prescription is written by a board-certified dermatologist on our clinical team.
Azelaic Acid
Glycolic Acid
NiacinamideYour prescription arrives
Your formula is compounded by a licensed pharmacy and shipped to your door, usually within a week. A board-certified dermatologist on our clinical team stays with you, adjusting your formula as your skin responds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this for rosacea or acne?
Both, specifically the overlap. Azelaic acid is one of the few prescription actives commonly used for redness-prone skin with acne-like papules at the same time. If your skin is mostly red and flushing without breakouts, The Redness Control Formulaᴿˣ may be a better fit. If it's mostly acne without a rosacea component, The Acne Solutionᴿˣ may be cleaner. Take the assessment and a board-certified dermatologist on your care team will route you to the right one.
Is this really pregnancy-safe?
Azelaic acid is one of the few prescription rosacea and acne actives considered safe during pregnancy and nursing. It's commonly prescribed during pregnancy when retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, and most other prescription treatments are off the table. That said, every pregnancy is different, and a board-certified dermatologist on your care team will confirm appropriateness based on your specific situation during the assessment.
Will this work if I have severe rosacea?
If your rosacea is mild to moderate, meaning ongoing redness, flushing, and acne-like papules but not frequent severe flare-ups, this is built for you. If your rosacea is persistent, severe, or hasn't responded to standard treatment, a board-certified dermatologist on your care team may route you to The Advanced Redness Solutionᴿˣ, which uses ivermectin, metronidazole, and azelaic acid together for stronger control. Your assessment determines which tier fits.
Can I use this with my current skincare routine?
Most of your routine can stay. Gentle cleansers, fragrance-free moisturizers, and broad-spectrum SPF all pair well with The Redness & Acne Formulaᴿˣ. What you should pause: topical retinoids, additional acids at high concentrations, benzoyl peroxide, and any product that's been flaring your skin. A board-certified dermatologist on your care team will review your current products during your assessment and tell you exactly what to keep, drop, and add.
When will I see results?
Most people start noticing a real shift between weeks 4 and 8 with consistent daily use. Weeks 1–2 are the adjustment period. Weeks 3–6, the acne-like papules slow down and the redness softens. Weeks 6–12, persistent redness looks meaningfully reduced and flares are less frequent. Rosacea treatment is steady, not dramatic, and consistency is what holds the results.
What triggers should I avoid?
Rosacea triggers vary by person, but the common ones are: sun exposure, heat (hot showers, hot drinks, saunas), spicy food, alcohol (especially red wine), stress, and certain skincare ingredients (fragrance, alcohol-based toners, harsh exfoliants). A board-certified dermatologist on your care team can help you identify your specific triggers and build a routine around them. The medication does the medical work. Trigger avoidance amplifies it.
Can I use it with The Redness Control Formula or The Clarifying Rosacea Formula?
Yes, they're built to layer. The Redness & Acne Formulaᴿˣ is the leave-on treatment. The Redness Control Formulaᴿˣ goes on in the morning to keep redness visibly down during the day, and The Clarifying Rosacea Formulaᴿˣ replaces your cleanser if your skin runs oily. A board-certified dermatologist on our clinical team confirms any combination during your assessment.
What are the side effects and safety information for The Redness & Acne Formulaᴿˣ?
The most common effects are mild tingling or stinging and some temporary dryness in the first two weeks, most often from the azelaic acid, and they typically settle as your skin adjusts. It should not be used if you're allergic to any of its ingredients, have an active skin infection or open wounds in the treatment area, or have taken oral isotretinoin in the past 6 months. The full list of warnings, contraindications, and what to do if you have a reaction is in the Important Safety Information for this formula. A board-certified dermatologist on our clinical team reviews your medical history during your assessment before it is prescribed.
Read the full Important Safety Information →The Redness & Acne Formula Rx is built for the overlap: ongoing redness with acne-like breakouts, treated gently enough for sensitive skin. If your rosacea skews more severe, or the symptom you most want to address is visible daytime flushing, there's a formula built for that too.
