Azelaic Acid may be a reasonable option for some people with facial seborrheic dermatitis, but the evidence is much thinner than it is for established seb derm treatments. One small six-week pilot compared a 15% azelaic-acid gel with its non-medicated gel base. The azelaic-acid group improved faster during the first two weeks, but the difference was no longer clear later in the study.

The same study reported application-site irritation more often with the azelaic-acid gel than with the base, so lower concern does not mean irritation-free. A prescription-strength gel is also not interchangeable with every cosmetic serum. If your skin is already sore or cracked, introduce only one new product at a time and stop if burning or redness keeps getting worse.