How to Use Azelaic Acid with Retinoic Acid

The ingredients in this blog post are well known in the beauty industry. However, their names and skin benefits may still be unknown to the average person, but don’t worry, that will be clarified by the end of this blog post.

You’ll find a wide variety of skincare products that contain these two powerful ingredients, but the question is how to use azelaic acid with tretinoin together. That’s exactly what we’re going to demystify in today’s blog post, and with any luck, you’ll have a better understanding of how to combine these lesser-known skincare ingredients together and what results you’ll see on your skin.

Can you use tretinoin and azelaic acid together?

Before I tell you the best ways to use tretinoin and azelaic acid together, let’s first take a closer look at the benefits you can expect from using it.

What is tretinoin?

Retinoic acid is a medication, also known as retinoic acid, that is often found in many skincare products to treat acne and sun damage, such as dark spots and hyperpigmentation. You’ll also find that it can fight deeper wrinkles and improve overall skin texture and skin tone. While Retinoic acid is effective in combating these skin concerns, you need to remember that you need to introduce it slowly into your daily skin care routine.

A common side effect of using any form of retinoic acid (also known as vitamin A) is an increase in flaky, dry patches of skin. For most skin types, this is completely normal and is a result of the skin’s tolerance to the power of Retinoic acid and its skin-boosting benefits. If you want to learn more about Retinoic acid, you can read our dedicated blog post.

What is Azelaic Acid?

Often mistakenly considered a member of the larger family of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), Azelaic acid is a chemical exfoliant extracted from grains such as barley, wheat and rye. It removes layers of dead skin cells and impurities that often cause the complexion to appear dull, lackluster and often show signs of breakouts.

It is suitable for almost all skin types, especially when combined with moisturizing and nourishing ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide. Both have impressive hydrating properties, namely that they draw moisture into the skin and lock it in, keeping the skin’s protective barrier hydrated and plump all day long. This helps combat any potential dryness caused by using azelaic acid in your skin care routine.

When combining azelaic acid and tretinoin, it’s important to use the right combination and the optimal percentages of each formula. For example, many scientific studies have shown that the most effective combination of 20% azelaic acid and 0.05% tretinoin cream can effectively treat melasma and hyperpigmentation. Retinoic acid helps combat pigmentation that causes uneven skin tone, and azelaic acid helps remove dead skin cells from the skin that often make dark spots appear darker. A word of advice: Use this powerful cocktail in your evening skin care routine, as both ingredients increase your skin’s sensitivity to light. Leave the tretinoin and azelaic acid in overnight while you get your beauty sleep, and don’t forget to apply a high SPF sunscreen afterward to protect your skin from UV rays.

How to Use Retinoic Acid and Azelaic Acid Together?

I’ve mentioned this many times on the Beauty Insider blog, but the product formula and each ingredient plays a big role in how to use azelaic acid and tretinoin together. The general skin rule is to apply products from thinnest to thickest consistency. This allows each product to be absorbed into the skin without having to compete with the physical barrier created by the thicker consistency. You may find that azelaic acid and tretinoin are formulated in similar products, most likely serums or other thicker products. Therefore, if you wait about 15 minutes between applications, you will have plenty of time for the products to fully absorb into the skin.

Which comes first, azelaic acid or retinol?

Let’s say you use azelaic acid in conjunction with the type of retinol you use on a daily basis. This primes the skin for azelaic acid and prepares it for the azelaic acid. This allows each product to penetrate to the underlying layers and remove the buildup of dead skin cells, dirt, bacteria, and other impurities that often clog pores and cause blackheads and other acne.

When should you use azelaic acid on a regular basis?

To incorporate the benefits of azelaic acid into your skin care routine, it’s best to apply it to thoroughly cleansed skin after using toner and gentle exfoliation. This allows the azelaic acid to effectively penetrate new layers of skin and fight all possible skin concerns.

However, as with all skin types, introducing skin care ingredients takes some time and dedication. Talk to your doctor or dermatologist first to make sure you can safely incorporate this ingredient into your daily routine.

What Not to Mix with Azelaic Acid?

When using azelaic acid, it is recommended to avoid using it with strong acids, such as the popular BHA salicylic acid. This is because the increased skin sensitivity and irritation can not only cause a lot of discomfort, but also prevent the azelaic acid and all other skincare ingredients from working optimally.

Can I apply a moisturizer after using azelaic acid?

In fact, it is considered a good idea overall as this will help to soothe and calm the skin after an azelaic acid chemical peel. Choosing a moisturizer that is rich in hydrating and nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide will keep the skin’s water and oil levels balanced and its protective barrier fully functioning, allowing it to fight any signs of free radical damage.

I hope that today’s post has answered some of your questions about using azelaic acid and tretinoin. If you have any questions, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram.

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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