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Also posted this in rosacea forum, but it may get overlooked there:
After digging a little deeper concerning using finacea(azelaic acid) and whether I still need a retinoid, I found this info in Paula's Beauty Bible, P.244:

Azelaic Acid:

The introduction of new and reformulated prescriptions exfoliants in more emollient or nonalcohol bases reflects the demand for medications that meet the needs of older women looking for ways to deal with pre-and postmenopausal acne. Differen, the new tretinoins, and azelaic acid all affect the way skin cells are formed and shed in the skin layers and inside the pore lining. The difference with azelaic acid is that in addition to exfoliating the skin, it also performs an antimicrobial action on the skin.
Technically, azelaic acid is saturated decaboxylic acid found naturally in wheat,rye and barley that behaves like a 5% topical benzoyl peroxide gel, a 0.05% tretinoin cream, or a 2% erthromycin cream meaning it can exfoliate and disinfect the skin at the same time. Unlike tretinoins, azelaic acid is not likely to cause sun sensitivity.

If I read this correctly, this means you could use the finacea interchangeably with a 0.05% tretinoin, right? And since I was using OTC retinol, which isnt even as strong as rx tretinoin, I should be find just using the finacea, in fact I think I'd be over-exfoliating my skin if I continue to use the retinol product. Any thoughts?