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Hydroquinone vs. Finacea

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

hydroquinone cream

 

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Azelaic acid

(Finacea)

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Summary for Hydroquinone

Prescription only

Hydroquinone cream is used to bleach dark spots or patches on your skin (hyperpigmentation, or skin discoloration) from certain skin conditions, such as freckles, melasma, and aging. Hydroquinone cream is applied to the skin, typically twice daily. It's important to protect yourself from the sun while you use this skin-lightening medication because it makes your skin more sensitive to the sun. The most common side effects of hydroquinone cream include redness and stinging on the skin. Currently, hydroquinone cream is available by prescription only. The FDA no longer approves the sale of over-the-counter (OTC) hydroquinone cream.

Indications for Hydroquinone

Pros and Cons for Hydroquinone

Pros

  • Available as a lower-cost generic medication
  • Applied to the skin
  • Can be stored at room temperature

Cons

  • Can cause skin dryness, redness, and stinging
  • Can cause blue-black skin discoloration, especially in black people
  • Must use sunscreen because exposure to sunlight can reverse effects of the medication

Common Side Effects for Hydroquinone

  • Skin dryness
  • Skin redness
  • Cracking of the skin
  • Stinging

Warnings for Hydroquinone

  • Allergic reaction
  • Blue-black skin discoloration
  • Skin darkening

Summary for Finacea

Prescription only

Azelaic acid (Finacea) is a dicarboxylic acid. It's a topical medication used to treat mild-to-moderate rosacea in adults. It works by easing skin redness and inflammation. Azelaic acid (Finacea) is applied to the skin twice daily, in the morning and evening. This medication comes as a gel and foam. Some side effects of azelaic acid (Finacea) include mild burning, tingling, and itching. It's available as brand name and generic medications.

Indications for Finacea

  • Treatment of papules and pustules in adults with mild-to-moderate rosacea

Pros and Cons for Finacea

Pros

  • Available as a gel and foam
  • Applied to the skin; convenient for people who don't like pills
  • Can wear cosmetics after it dries

Cons

  • Might take months to see improvement
  • Can cause skin irritation, such as burning or dryness
  • Can cause skin color to lighten

Common Side Effects for Finacea

Finacea foam

  • Pain (6%)
  • Itching (3%)

Finacea gel

  • Burning, stinging, tingling (4-16%)
  • Itching (1-6%)
  • Scaly or dry skin (1-5%)

Warnings for Finacea

  • Loss of skin color
  • Eye and mouth irritation
  • Worsening asthma (gel only)
  • Flammable (foam only)

Prices with our coupons for Hydroquinone vs. Finacea

Price Card Drug Icon
Hydroquinone1 tube / 28.35g of 4%
$22.74$47.38
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Price Card Drug Icon
Azelaic Acid1 tube / 50g of 15%
$36.60$372.49
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