Editor’s Note
**Editor’s Note:** Rohto Pharmaceutical has announced the July 21, 2026 launch of DRX AZA Clear Serum, an azelaic acid serum under its medical institution-exclusive DRX brand, designed to meet clinical quality and texture standards.
Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka, President: Hidetoshi Segi) announced the launch of “DRX AZA Clear Serum,” an azelaic acid*1-containing serum under its medical institution-exclusive skincare brand “DRX,” on July 21, 2026 (Tuesday). DRX is a skincare brand exclusively for medical institutions, dedicated to meeting the quality and texture demands of clinical settings. The company has long recognized the potential of azelaic acid, accumulating over 15 years of expertise and formulation technology since launching the azelaic acid-containing cream “DRX AZA Clear®” in 2011. Based on this knowledge, the company has now developed a serum formulation that is easy to apply over the entire face, offering a new option for incorporating azelaic acid into daily skincare routines.
*1: Skin-conditioning ingredient
DRX, launched by Rohto in 2005, is a skincare brand exclusively for medical institutions. Through interactions with doctors and healthcare professionals who address patients’ skin concerns in clinical settings, the brand has pursued quality, texture, and ease of continued use, applying these insights to product development and information provision. Starting from clinical expertise, the company translates this knowledge into products through R&D and formulation technology, expanding the value of skincare beyond medical institution-exclusive items. This cycle is a key strength unique to Rohto Pharmaceutical.
As part of DRX’s efforts, the company recognized azelaic acid’s potential early on, launching the medical institution-exclusive azelaic acid cream “DRX AZA Clear” in 2011. Since then, it has accumulated expertise and formulation technology related to azelaic acid through clinical recommendations.
Azelaic acid is a poorly soluble ingredient that dissolves with difficulty in both water and oil, requiring advanced formulation techniques. Additionally, the unique texture of azelaic acid has been a significant challenge. In response, the company developed a serum formulation that is easy to apply over the entire face, using formulation design focused on azelaic acid’s unique texture and proprietary formulation technology. The DRX AZA Clear Serum embodies the craftsmanship cultivated through DRX, bringing azelaic acid expertise from clinical settings into daily skincare.
① Contains “azelaic acid” itself as a skin-conditioning ingredient
While there are various types of azelaic acid derivatives, “DRX AZA Clear Serum” is a serum that contains azelaic acid itself.
② Achieves an easy-to-use serum formulation for the entire face through proprietary formulation technology
The poorly soluble azelaic acid, which dissolves with difficulty in both water and oil, is incorporated using proprietary formulation technology that prioritizes texture. The serum formulation is designed to be easily spread over the entire face, offering a comfortable feel for daily skincare routines.
■ List of handling hospitals and clinics: https://rohto-md.com/access/
■ Brand site: https://rohto-md.com/drx/
■ Rohto Pharmaceutical Medical Skincare Official Instagram @rohto_for.clinic_official: https://www.instagram.com/rohto_for.clinic_official/
● “DRX” is a registered trademark of Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
● “AZA Clear” is a registered trademark of Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
