Acne and other inflammatory processes on the face are always a nuisance that should be dealt with. For this purpose, a wide variety of products are used, including creams, mash, lotions, etc. However, not every product can help get rid of acne, age spots, and acne. The Skinoren series of drugs has long been used as part of the local treatment of inflammatory skin processes, as a result of which drugs of this type have become one of the most popular tools for treating problem skin.
Composition of Skinoren cream
Skinoren cream, being a complex-action cosmetic product, has a rather modest composition, the main component of which is azelaic acid. This substance belongs to the class of carboxylic acids, due to which it is considered a unique component that provides effective treatment for acne and post-acne. It is thanks to the unique properties of the acid that only one cosmetic product, represented by a cream or gel, can replace a whole arsenal of all kinds of skin care and protecting products.
It is important to note that the proportions of azelaic acid in the cream and gel are different. In addition, Skinoren contains other components, thanks to which the product has the corresponding potential. Among these components it is necessary to highlight:
- benzoic acid;
- glycerols and fatty acids contained in coconut oil;
- cetostearyl alcohol;
- glycerol;
- water;
- propylene glycol, etc.
Differences
Skinoren gel and cream have differences in composition. If you compare the instructions of the drugs, it turns out that the gel helps against common acne and rosacea, and the cream, in addition to its main functions, is used to treat melasma (pigment spots). The product helps with the epidermal type of melasma; dark brown spots with clear edges are clearly visible in mixed light. Dermal type, a light brown spot with blurry edges that does not change in ultraviolet light, cannot be treated with cream.
Action and indications for use
Skinoren is a non-hormonal cream that is used to treat various cosmetic abnormalities that occur on the skin. The main indications for use of the product are problematic skin with impaired subcutaneous sebum production. The main problems that the drug will help solve are: acne, spots and marks left after acne, as well as freckles, skin pigmentation, etc.
The peculiarity of the action of azelaic acid is that this substance normalizes the acid-base balance of the skin, leveling its pH to normal. In addition, with the help of acid you can qualitatively change the enzymatic composition of the secretion secreted by the skin pores. In other words, the substance changes the component composition of sebum, making it more acidic, which is why bacteria that enter the pores die. This is where the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effect of the drug lies.
It is important to note that the product reduces the sensitivity of the skin to light and protects it from ultraviolet radiation from the sun. In this regard, the cream can be used as a day cream, increasing skin immunity and improving its barrier properties, including photosensitization of the dermis.
Instructions for use for acne and age spots
Skinoren cream is a product that promotes qualitative changes in the skin when used for therapeutic purposes. It is important to understand that the drug is not an express treatment product that immediately dries out or eliminates acne - it’s not like that. The cream can be an excellent local cosmetic preparation, the systemic use of which can get rid of the existing problem.
To achieve the desired result, it is important to use the ointment in courses that correspond to the level of complexity of the therapeutic process. For example, the course of treatment for acne lasts from four months, and for age spots and freckles from six months. For this reason, you should not expect instant results, since positive changes can only be felt after time. How to apply the ointment will be discussed further.
The composition should be applied topically, distributing it in a thin layer over the entire face - you will not feel any discomfort, since the cream is well absorbed and does not leave marks on the face. You need to resort to the procedure every day every morning for the first few months. After the changes have begun and the condition of the integument has improved significantly, you can proceed to maintenance therapy, according to which the ointment is applied twice a week in the morning.
Use of the drug Skinoren
Before using Skinoren, the skin should be thoroughly rinsed with clean water, if necessary, apply a mild cosmetic cleanser and dry. Skinoren 2 times a day (morning and evening) is applied to the affected areas of the skin and rubbed in with light movements. Skinoren should be applied in sufficient, but not excessive quantities (about 2.5 cm of cream/gel from the tube is enough for the entire surface of the face). It is important to regularly use Skinoren cream throughout the course of treatment. In case of excessive skin irritation, you should reduce either the amount of Skinoren that is applied or the frequency of use of the drug to 1 time per day until the irritation disappears. If necessary, you can temporarily interrupt treatment for several days. The duration of treatment may vary depending on the individual picture of the disease and is determined by the degree of its severity. In patients with acne, noticeable improvement is usually observed after 4 weeks. However, to achieve optimal results, it is recommended to use Skinoren continuously for several months. When treating melasma, the minimum period of use of Skinoren cream is about 3 months. For best results, Skinoren should be used regularly. In the process of treating melasma, to prevent exacerbations caused by sun exposure and/or repigmentation of areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun, it is imperative to use sunscreens with a broad spectrum of protection (UV-B and UVA).
Use during pregnancy and lactation
Scientists studying the effect of the cream on the human body received data according to which the active substances of the product are not able to penetrate the blood. Azelaic acid penetrates only into the deep layers of the skin, where inflammation and functional changes in the integumentary tissue are treated. In this regard, it can be argued that the ointment does not have a negative effect on either the pregnant girl or the fetus. Thus, it can be successfully used both during pregnancy and during breastfeeding.
Effect of Skinoren cream and gel
Skinoren group skin products in the form of cream and gel have approximately the same effect on problem skin, thanks to the active substance in the form of azelaic acid. Some difference in their action is due to different concentrations of this component. There is less of it in the gel, but the light structure of this form of the drug ensures rapid penetration of the main substance into the deeper layer of the skin, so there is no need for its high concentration.
The effective action of Skinoren in the form of a cream is due to the high content of oils, since 15% of its composition is the presence of fatty acids, in contrast to the gel, where there are only 3%. Therefore, the cream is not able to penetrate deep into the epidermis, but it has an effective therapeutic effect on the surface layer of the skin.
The effect of Skinoren drugs is approximately the same; their use can eliminate the following pathological disorders in the body:
- Destruction of bacterial microflora, as a result of which the risk of developing infectious processes increases.
- Normalizing the function of the sebaceous glands, stopping the excessive secretion of subcutaneous fat.
- Elimination of inflammation that forms at the site of rashes.
- Bringing the general condition of the skin back to normal, smoothing its texture and restoring color.
Thanks to azelaic acid, which is included in the composition of the preparations, the violation of the acid-base level of the skin is eliminated, bringing its components back to normal. Thanks to this main component, Skinoren preparations can influence the composition of the enzyme that skin pores secrete. The anti-inflammatory effect of a gel or cream lies in its ability to change the components included in sebum, thereby creating an acidic environment. As a result of this, harmful bacteria entering the skin pores die.
One of the many benefits of using the products is to reduce skin sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation and protect against its radiation. Therefore, for example, the cream has proven itself well as a day cream that increases the protective properties of the epidermis.
Analogues of the drug
Two types of drug analogues can be distinguished: these are products based on the same active ingredient (azelaic acid) and products with a similar effect on the skin. Thus, the composition closest to Skinoren cream can be called Skinoklir and the cheaper Azelik gel. Klindes, Klenzit-S and Resorcinol creams, based on other active ingredients, have a similar effect.
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.
Results you can expect
The advantage of the drug is its speed of action. A noticeable effect can be noted after a week of use. Moreover, after a month of use, traces of the inflammatory process disappear.
The duration of treatment to consolidate the result is about 2 months. Skinoren does not lead to the development of resistance in bacteria, so it can be used for a long time. After the course of treatment, you can achieve complete smoothing of the skin texture. The drug is applied to clean, dried skin, avoiding contact with mucous membranes.
Skinoren has virtually no side effects. The drug is approved for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. However, at this time it should be applied pointwise - only to inflamed areas.
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.
Reviews
Inna: I’ve been using Skinoren for a long time – it’s my favorite cream.
Dasha: The cosmetologist advised me to use Skinoren acne cream - after a long course of treatment, the condition of the skin improved significantly, the skin even became a little lighter and its color evened out.
Zhenya: Skinoren is a very high-quality cream for acne, oxidized pores, traces left after acne, age spots and other problems. Rest assured that after a few months the condition of your facial skin will improve a million times.
