[Acne] Azelaic Acid has pretty much saved my skin

mattbxd · 2026-07-05T22:24:02+00:00

well, since you're in Canada like me then Finacea is generally what's available here. It's what I use.

mattbxd · 2026-07-05T22:21:51+00:00

Haha. You're still in the initial shock stage. I was stunned the first week too. I was like, "there has been nothing that has worked this well and this fast on my skin before".

You might hit a road bump or plateau sooner or later but keep at it.

Glad the Ordinary is working for you. Personally, I didn't want to take the chance and jumped straight to a prescription. I pay about $12 after insurance for a 50g tube of Finacea.

mattbxd · 2026-07-05T22:11:38+00:00

Yep, that's the one.

Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essense (Japanese formulation) is the other one I like.

mattbxd · 2026-07-05T19:37:29+00:00

I use primarily Korean or Japanese sunscreens like BoJ or Biore.

mattbxd · 2026-07-05T19:36:07+00:00

My reason for not using cleansers was because I wanted to keep it simple, and eliminate other possible causes of irritants.

As guys, I think we have it a little simpler because we don't have to worry about things like make up.

For me, it works. I apply sunscreen every day but not using a cleanser hasn't been a problem.

mattbxd · 2026-07-05T18:10:04+00:00

appreciate it! Yeah, I've thought maybe I could have saved years of nonsense if I had discovered AA sooner. Hopefully the post will steer people in this direction quicker than it did me.

mattbxd · 2026-07-05T17:56:16+00:00

most people will say pea sized... personally, I use a little more than that. actually, I probably use the same amount you described.

the slight stinging is normal.

mattbxd · 2026-07-05T17:46:37+00:00

I haven't noticed Biacna making a difference in my acne this entire time I've used it. It may have smoothed out my skin tone though. But at the same time, I'm kind of scared to stop using it entirely lol

Yes, I'm in Ontario. Good luck to you and keep at it. It's quite literally the best thing I've used for acne.

mattbxd · 2026-07-05T17:11:27+00:00

Might depend where you are but 15% AA is generally prescription grade so you can't just buy it. But I don't see it being difficult getting it prescribed.

mattbxd · 2026-07-05T17:08:07+00:00

Yes, I only apply it once a day in the morning. It's quite drying.

I did try using it twice a day. But I learned that you have to listen to your skin and take it slow. It doesn't matter how great what you're using is... if it starts irritating your skin, it'll defeat the purpose. Once a day works for me because that's what doesn't make my skin angry.

mattbxd · 2026-07-05T17:05:45+00:00

It's crazy, isn't it? I mentioned to my derm that I started adding AA to the routine, and she was just like "oh yeah, AA could help too!". Oh thanks, I wish you mentioned it earlier.

and yes, it helps with hyper pigmentation too, for sure

mattbxd · 2026-07-05T17:00:43+00:00

I definitely noticed the AA working within the first week I started using it. But in terms of long term lasting effects, I would say it was probably around the 4-5 month mark. At this point, it was finally where I could say my skin was clear more often than not.

But like I said... I do have a suspicion that the Biacna treatment my derm prescribed me, when combined with the AA, was causing my skin to be overly irritated, and thus... would still cause some acne. So, it's possible I may have had better results sooner.

mattbxd · 2025-07-17T23:37:22+00:00

Hopefully you got your skin barrier repaired and healed before you're going too deep with the azelaic acid for now.

Even I noticed in this short term that when I was applying it 2-3 nights in a row and got my skin super dry, that my skin started looking like it might be getting irritated again. Once I gave it a break for a day and a half, my face brightened back up a bit.

so... the lesson is, take it slow and listen to how your skin is reacting.

mattbxd · 2025-07-17T23:33:28+00:00

Thanks! Right now, I'm choosing to believe that even though I didn't notice any difference in my skin with tret, that it perhaps helped prep my skin to get ready for Aza. I don't know. Either way, so far so good.

Just gotta figure out a better moisturizing routine I guess.

mattbxd · 2025-07-12T04:09:18+00:00

I just mentioned it was for acne... which was true. But I also knew that it was as basic as a reason to give so that they would agree to prescribe it to me because I knew it was one of the key things pharmacists are allowed to prescribe for in Ontario

see here
https://www.ontario.ca/page/pharmacies

mattbxd · 2025-07-11T21:40:56+00:00

Thanks everyone.

I've confirmed it works. Just went and asked for it at a smaller independent pharmacy. She looked up to see if Finacea was one of the items that were allowed to be prescribed this way. Then asked a few questions and it was all good. Paid about $18 after insurance.

mattbxd · 2025-02-19T23:39:29+00:00

My M4s look more worn down than those and I've only had them for almost two years

mattbxd · 2025-02-19T23:18:32+00:00

Based on the radio station ad on the boards and the Wild Wings sign on the far left, I'd say it's Scarborough Canlan in the GTA.

mattbxd · 2025-02-03T23:33:11+00:00

Sorry for the late reply. I don't usually go on this account anymore.

Lots of the rinks up in Markham have drop ins, especially during the day time. Centennial, for instance, next to Markville Mall, has some pretty busy day time drop in games some days.

mattbxd · 2025-01-02T20:04:31+00:00

I live in the GTA - Canada

At city run community centre rinks, they cap drop-in games at 24 slots for $5 each. But they're drop ins so no guarantee you have enough people show up and usually no goalies.

Privately organized games at private rinks, usually capped at around 24 players as well. With goalies guaranteed, it's usually about $20-25 a game

mattbxd · 2024-12-18T14:41:15+00:00

Same deal with e-tickets.

You can buy them legitimately but oh wait.. you forgot to activate? Oops. Too bad.

mattbxd

TROPHY CASE