Azelaic Acid vs. Benzoyl Peroxide for Acne: How to Choose the Right One for Your Skin

Azelaic Acid vs Benzoyl Peroxide for Acne: Similarities, Differences & How To Choose Between The Two

Azelaic acid and benzoyl peroxide are two ingredients typically recommended for acne-prone skin, but how different are they? And is one more effective than the other?

Explore similarities and differences between these two substances and how to determine which one is right for you.

What Is Azelaic Acid?

Azelaic acid is a dicarboxylic acid found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. It has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties which makes it a common choice for acne, hyperpigmentation, rosacea, and minor skin irritations. Azelaic acid also has potent antioxidant effects, which helps to neutralize the free radicals that lead to environmental damage in all types of skin, including sensitive skin. With its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, the naturally-occuring acid helps to eliminate acne-causing bacteria on the skin while disrupting the link between increased levels of testosterone and other hormonal changes to minimize hormonal breakouts.

Azelaic Acid benefits

Azelaic acid benefits include:

Clinically proven to reduce acne1

Clinically proven to reduce rosacea lesions2

Eases irritation and redness

Kills bacteria on skin to minimize and heal acne breakouts

Brightens skin

Unclogs pores and removes dead skin cells

Improves skin texture

Minimizes fine lines and wrinkles

Lightens acne scars and hyperpigmentation

Minimizes hormonal breakouts

Gentle enough for sensitive skin

What Is Benzoyl Peroxide?

Benzoyl peroxide is a topical antiseptic that treats acne by releasing free radicals into the skin to kill acne-causing bacteria. It has mild sebostatic and keratolytic properties, which means it inhibits excess oil production and dissolves skin flakes and lesions.3 These effects help to clear up acne breakouts, but may cause the skin to dry and peel. Like azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide is also a powerful anti-inflammatory, making it useful in decreasing redness and irritation and easing other skin conditions like rosacea.

Benzoyl Peroxide benefits

Benzoyl peroxide benefits include:

Clinically proven to reduce acne4

Clinically proven to reduce rosacea lesions5

Soothes inflamed skin

Controls oil production

Unclogs pores

Clears away dead skin cells

Azelaic Acid Vs Benzoyl Peroxide

In clinical studies, topical azelaic acid was proven to be as effective as benzoyl peroxide, as well as other popular acne treatments like topical tretinoin, erythromycin, and oral tetracycline for reducing acne.6 However, azelaic acid is known to be much gentler and less abrasive on the skin than the other products and will not cause peeling or irritation, nor will it make the skin more sensitive to sunlight.

Explore more similarities and differences between azelaic acid and benzoyl peroxide below.

Azelaic Acid 14% Cream

• Reduces acne & rosacea

• Brightens skin, fades brown spots

• Unclogs pores, improves texture

Regular price$45

Add to cart

Similarities

Both azelaic and benzoyl peroxide:

Are clinically proven to reduce acne and rosacea

Have antimicrobial effects, which kills bacteria on the skin

Exfoliate skin to unclog pores and remove dead skin cells

Ease inflammation to reduce redness and swelling

Differences

They seem to work the same, but what is the difference between azelaic acid and benzoyl peroxide? It turns out, there are quite a few. Despite their similarities and proven efficacy in treating acne, azelaic acid is considered gentler, making it a suitable choice for those with sensitive skin. Benzoyl peroxide is known to cause peeling, irritation, and may dry out skin in its attempts to inhibit excess oil. The ingredient also has a bleaching effect, which may affect hair and clothing if used incorrectly. And you are more vulnerable to sun damage when using benzoyl peroxide, so it is imperative you wear sunscreen and protective clothing or stay out of the sun.

Another key difference between azelaic acid and benzoyl peroxide is that azelaic acid promotes the skin’s cell turnover process, triggering collagen production to heal and repair damaged skin. Azelaic acid is also an antioxidant, which means it reduces free radicals in the skin. These reasons make azelaic acid useful in minimizing fine lines and wrinkles. Benzoyl peroxide, on the other hand, actually promotes free radicals in the skin and if used repeatedly, may create skin changes similar to sun damage.7

Can You Use Azelaic Acid & Benzoyl Peroxide Together?

It is possible to benefit from using azelaic acid and benzoyl peroxide together. Some research suggests that the combination of azelaic acid and benzoyl peroxide is actually more effective than using benzoyl peroxide alone.8

Using azelaic acid may also counter or neutralize the potential damage of free radicals released by benzoyl peroxide because of its antioxidant properties.

When & How To Use Azelaic Acid vs Benzoyl Peroxide

Both azelaic acid and benzoyl peroxide can be used once or twice daily depending on your skin type and condition. If you’re using the two ingredients together, it is recommended to cleanse skin first, moisturize, apply benzoyl peroxide first, and then apply azelaic acid last in your routine. Whether you use azelaic acid or benzoyl peroxide, or both, be sure to follow up with a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher. Though azelaic acid has more of a protective effect and will not make you more sensitive to sunlight, it is still always recommended to wear sunscreen to protect your skin and your health.

Foundation Skincare Azelaic Acid 14% Cream is dermatologist and chemist engineered with the highest non-prescription percentage of azelaic acid available. Formulated with a hydrating cream base, the product layers well with other ingredients without causing irritation or pilling. It can be especially useful when used alongside a drying ingredient like benzoyl peroxide because it can help moisturize skin.

Other products you may want to add to your acne-fighting routine include FS Niacinamide Lotion 10%, which calms skin and contributes to DNA repair, FS Hyaluronic Acid Lotion to lock moisture in, and Night Renewal Cream with 2% Granactive™ Retinoid to improve overall skin texture.

Key Takeaways

In summary, azelaic acid is good for acne, but so is benzoyl peroxide. Both kill acne-causing bacteria on the skin, both reduce inflammation, and both unclog pores while clearing away dead skin cells. However, when it comes to the differences between azelaic acid and benzoyl, there are a few key ones to consider: azelaic acid is a powerful antioxidant while benzoyl peroxide promotes free radicals in the skin. While azelaic acid is gentle enough to be used on the most sensitive skin, benzoyl peroxide is likely to cause peeling and redness while potentially drying out skin.

If you’re still not sure which product to use, we recommend starting with azelaic acid as the gentler option. Then, if you need more help, feel free to add benzoyl peroxide for spot treatment alongside other acne-fighting ingredients in the Foundation Skincare collection.

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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