The Solaraze gel from Almirall S.A. - a topical veteran with a clear actinic keratosis label

Reviewed: ad hoc news Bestseller & Flagship desk. Edited and checked on 2026-06-29, 05:14. Details in the imprint.

The Solaraze gel sits cool on the skin, a clear film that patients spread over rough, sun-damaged patches on the face or scalp and feel tighten as it dries. Solaraze from Almirall S.A. is not flashy, but a quiet workhorse in actinic keratosis therapy.

What Solaraze is made for

Solaraze is a topical gel containing 3% diclofenac in a hyaluronic acid base, approved to treat actinic keratosis on sun-exposed skin in adults. The formulation lets diclofenac penetrate the upper skin layers while the gel texture keeps the area moist and easy to cover.

Patients typically apply Solaraze twice daily for 60 to 90 days, or up to 3 months, across the affected area rather than point by point. In many markets it is prescription-only, positioned as an option for superficial actinic keratosis that does not yet require more aggressive procedures.

How a dermatologist uses it

Dermatologist Dr. Miguel Alfaro from Barcelona explains Solaraze to new patients as a "slow but steady" approach: you commit to the routine of morning and evening applications, accept some redness and flaking, and watch the coarse patches soften over weeks. The gel is clear, faintly medicinal in smell, and slightly tacky until it dries.

Many patients appreciate that they can treat a broader field of sun damage without surgery or freezing. They look in the mirror, see the treated area glistening for a moment, then feel a mild burning or itching that often settles as the skin adapts.

What the data say

Solaraze has been on the market for years, with clinical trials showing clearance or marked improvement of many treated actinic keratosis lesions after the full treatment course. In one study, around half of patients achieved complete or near-complete lesion clearance on the treated field.

The gel relies on an anti-inflammatory mechanism rather than direct tissue destruction, which partly explains the longer treatment window. According to Almirall, local reactions such as erythema, scaling, and irritation are common, but usually manageable when patients follow the recommended regimen.

Competition on the shelf

Solaraze competes with other field therapies like 5-fluorouracil creams and imiquimod, plus procedural options such as cryotherapy or photodynamic therapy, which dermatologists often reserve for more advanced or thicker lesions. Each approach has its own profile of speed, discomfort, and cosmetic outcome.

Where Solaraze tries to carve out its role is in patients with multiple superficial lesions who prefer a topical course and can adhere to a steady application routine. For some, the ability to treat a broad sun-damaged area without visible cream residue during the day is a practical benefit.

Everyday use and feel

When a patient like Ana, a 62-year-old retired teacher, squeezes Solaraze onto her fingertip, the gel feels cool and smooth, spreading easily over a palm-sized area on her forehead. She notices a quiet tightening sensation as it dries, like a thin film pulling slightly on the skin.

The clear appearance means that after a few minutes she can walk outside without the conspicuous white layer some other treatments leave. That makes it simpler to stick with the twice-daily routine through busy weeks, even if minor redness and peeling remain a sobering reminder of accumulated sun exposure.

Role in Almirall's portfolio

Solaraze sits alongside newer Almirall launches focused on psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, but remains part of the company's dermatology backbone. CEO Carlos Galdeano has repeatedly highlighted dermatology as the core strategic focus, with legacy brands funding investment into newer biologics and topical innovations.

Overall, Almirall S.A. shares (ISIN ES0157097017) trade on the Spanish stock exchange Bolsa de Madrid, where investors watch how mature products like Solaraze support the transition toward higher-margin specialty skin treatments.

This article was AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. Product information without guarantee; prices and availability may change at short notice. No investment advice, no buy or sell recommendation. Stock-market transactions involve risks up to total loss.