Tazorac 0.05% gel and Azelex 20% cream?

Both are good products, but both can cause some irritation, especially at the beginning while your skin is getting used to the product. My preference would be to use azelaic acid in the morning, and tazorac at night.

I commonly have patients use Azelex twice daily. Azelex and Tazorac together may be a little drying to the skin but is otherwise a safe combination and they can be used together

Both Tazorac and Azelex are peeling agents. As such, the combination can be very drying even though Azalex is supposed to be an emollient which should be moisturizing. Exactly what to use is dependent on the type of acne you have. For inflammatory acne(red pimples and pustules), antibiotics are usually prescribed, while peeling agent are usually best for comedonal acne(blackheads and whiteheads). You should bring up the use of the duo with your Dermatologist and get an explanation for why he/she chose them and the frequency of application. If his/her explanation does not make sense to you, you should probably get a second opinion.                 jlr