Reddit mentions of Azelaic Acid 10% Serum 1oz with Niacinamide - Rosacea Skin Care Product + Reduce Cystic Acne Scar + Redness Relief Face + Pimple Pigmentation Blackhead + Vitamin B3 + B5, Gluten Free, 1oz (30ml)

Azelaic acid and tretinoin are the things that worked for me, with 0.1% A-Ret tretinoin gel being what cleared my skin entirely. Azelaic acid was freaking amazing, but I dropped it when I moved up tretinoin strength and... haven't needed it since.

Tretinoin is a big commitment to make for newbies though, so it's not for everyone. Azelaic acid is much more accessible and new user friendly. And on that note, I really, really love and recommend Cos De BAHA 10% azelaic acid serum, available on Amazon for less than $13 with free shipping and free returns in the US. I was one of the first people to ever find it and try it and it experienced a big surge in popularity, for good reason. 10% azelaic acid, no acne trigger ingredients, with a pleasant serum texture and first ingredient skin soothing aloe extract. Highlyyy recommend. It's amazing for skin redness and it's even more amazing for breakouts. I swear, azelaic acid is one of the few legitimate miracle ingredients out there as far as very rapid, visible results.

Going to mention an AB product as per sub rules and say that Cosrx's AHA 7% glycolic acid didn't do much for me. In general, AHAs aren't really that helpful for breakouts in my experience. BHAs are even less effectual. Tretinoin number one for me, but azelaic acid a close second that I think everyone should try if they haven't yet!

This serum has azelaic acid and niacinamide: https://www.amazon.com/Azelaic-Acid-10-Serum-Niacinamide/dp/B07QM5KGDK/ref=sr_1_5

You can also try azelaic acid because it's a keratolytic and helps to disolve keratin, plus it's gentle. I tried TO azelaic acid suspension and found out my skin doesn't agree with silicones. Paula's choice has an azelaic acid product that a lot of people really like, but I haven't tried it. I found this azelaic acid serum and I love it, it's called Cos de Baha Azelaic Acid 10% Serum 1oz with Niacinamide - Rosacea Skin Care Product + Reduce Cystic Acne Scar + Redness Relief Face + Pimple Pigmentation Blackhead + Vitamin B3 + B5, Gluten Free, 1oz (30ml) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QM5KGDK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_z4qPDbXSFVPEB

Hi! I don't have a lot of specific knowledge about Japan, but here's some things that will hopefully be helpful:

1. The definition and regulation of cosmetics, functional cosmetics, and medications are different in every country, and I'm honestly not sure where BP or SA fall in Japan or how they're regulated.
   
2. I would look for an essence, serum, lotion, or cream with a known concentration of Niacinamide (usually 4-10%); there should be some good recs if you search the sub. [A quick search yielded a serum from 2Sol, and this MASSIVE list from u/GinsengBear and a Niacinamide wiki on r/SkincareAddiction.] Niacinamide is good for both anti-acne and anti-aging, and it helps support a healthy skin barrier. Making sure your skin is nice and hydrated helps your skin barrier also. You could try a Japanese lotion like Hada Labo Gokujyun Lotion Moist, which is loaded with humectants and has the consistency of a lightweight essence. Once you're confident you have a healthy skin barrier, you could add AHAs, BHAs, Vitamin C, and/or retinoids. I personally like Azelaic Acid for acne. Cos de Baha has a serum that a lot of people like on this sub (this might be Korean; I'm not aware of any specifically Japanese Azelaic Acid serums). Note: Before adding any ingredients that increase cell turnover (like acids or retinoids), you need to have your daily sunscreen sorted out; these types of ingredients increase photosensitivity and make you more prone to sun damage if used without sunscreen.
   
3. Are you asking about face or body products? I would say if you're acne-prone, then I would avoid applying pure coconut oil on any areas of your face or body that are acne-prone, as it is highly comedogenic (it rates a 4 for comedogenicity on a scale of 0-5, 5 being the worst), so it can worsen your acne. I believe Nivea is a Japanese brand, and they have an in-shower lotion that I like a lot because I'm lazy about moisturizing my body, and it seems to work really well. There's a few versions that are all basically the same, but I prefer the Cocoa Butter one because the scent is the least offensive to me. Vaseline is a solid product; it's not comedogenic, but it's an occlusive, so you'd want to put something under it that would hydrate and/or moisturize your skin first (like the Hada Labo referenced above) and then put the Vaseline on top to lock it in. Otherwise your skin will still be dry, it'll just have a layer of Vaseline on top.
   
4. Nivea also has a lip balm that's marketed for men. It's supposedly not shiny/glossy, has no fragrance, has SPF 15, and doesn't taste like butt. If it was available to me in a way that wasn't $8/stick on eBay, I would keep it in my purse at all times, because this is exactly what I want in a lip balm. To help keep my lips from drying out over night, I put a little water + Hada Labo on them, let that soak in a bit, and then seal it in with Vaseline or an overnight lip mask on top.
   
   Good luck!

Off Amazon! It was recommended to me as the best way to buy it. Just make sure it's the official seller. link here

Not the person you replied to, but I also use their azelaic acid. Not sure where you're located, but I'm in the US and bought it on Amazon (sold by Cos De BAHA).