Azelaic acid beat placebo for rosacea, acne, and melasma—reducing redness, inflammatory bumps, and dark patches. It performed as well as or better than common treatments like metronidazole, erythromycin, and hydroquinone, with similar side effect rates. No research exists yet on whether it actually slows skin aging.

Researchers reviewed 43 clinical trials (at least 6 weeks long) from major medical databases through December 2022, analyzing results from 20 rosacea studies, 16 acne studies, and 7 melasma studies.

Funding not disclosed in abstract