adapalene vs azelaic acid
Side-by-side comparison of adapalene and azelaic acid Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Differin
Finacea, Azelex
Adapalene and benzoyl peroxide gel is a medicine used on the skin to treat acne. It contains two medicines: adapalene (a retinoid) and benzoyl peroxide.
Azelaic acid gel is a topical medicine that helps treat rosacea. It reduces redness and bumps on your face.
This medicine treats acne, a skin condition with pimples and bumps. You can use this medicine if you are 9 years or older. Apply the gel to the affected areas of your face and/or trunk.
This medicine treats mild to moderate rosacea. Rosacea causes redness and small, pus-filled bumps on the face. Azelaic acid gel helps to reduce these symptoms. However, it may not be effective for treating redness without bumps.
Adapalene is a retinoid that helps to unclog pores and reduce inflammation. Benzoyl peroxide is an antibacterial medicine that kills acne-causing bacteria. Together, they help to clear up acne.
Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring acid. It works by reducing inflammation. It also slows the growth of skin cells that can block pores.
- • Dry skin
- • Contact dermatitis (skin rash)
- • Burning feeling on the skin where you put the medicine
- • Skin irritation
- • Burning, stinging, or tingling
- • Itching
- • Dry or scaling skin
- • Redness or irritation
- The medicine did not work 51,276
- Dry skin 44,990
- Burning feeling on the skin 41,633
- Acne 39,264
- Redness 38,379
- The medicine did not work 140
- Pain 109
- Using the medicine for a condition it is not approved for 101
- Throwing up 91
- Upper stomach pain 84
When using this medicine, avoid sunlight and sunlamps. If you can't avoid the sun, wear sunscreen. This medicine may cause skin irritation, redness, scaling, dryness, stinging, or burning. If this happens, use a moisturizer or apply the medicine less often. If irritation is severe, stop using the medicine.
If you have a known allergy to any ingredient in this gel, do not use it. Stop using this medicine and get medical help if you have a severe allergic reaction. This medicine can cause skin irritation, eye irritation, and may worsen asthma. Watch for changes in skin color, especially if you have dark skin.
If you are pregnant, only use this medicine if the benefit outweighs the risk to the baby. It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk, so talk to your doctor before using it if you are breastfeeding.
Azelaic acid is not likely to harm your unborn baby. It is also not expected to pass into breast milk in amounts that could harm a nursing baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Also Compare — Nearby Drugs
Compare adapalene with
How to Read This adapalene vs azelaic acid Comparison
adapalene is classified in the Retinoid (Topical) drug class, while azelaic acid sits within the Topical Dicarboxylic Acid class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are split between OTC and prescription status, which affects access and supervision.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, adapalene has 215,542 submissions while azelaic acid has 525. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between adapalene and azelaic acid — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.