Can Azelaic Acid Be Used with BHAs?

When it comes to skin care, the world is a little strange. There are a few popular ingredients that are the undisputed leaders and have earned a permanent place in our daily skin care routines. The most popular or well-known of these is salicylic acid, which is a member of the BHA family. While these powerful ingredients are incredibly effective, little attention is paid to the lesser-known ones, including azelaic acid.

What is Azelaic Acid?

Azelaic acid is a gentle exfoliant that is derived from wheat, barley, and rye. However, when used in skin care formulas, a lab-made form of the ingredient is preferred to ensure it is completely stable and effective.

Compared to other alpha hydroxy acids (also known as AHAs), azelaic acid is gentler on the skin and exfoliates the skin without causing too much irritation. You’ll notice that your skin tone becomes smoother and more even, and signs of dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and acne scars are significantly reduced.

Unlike other exfoliating acids, azelaic acid does not cause the same increase in UV sensitivity. But that doesn’t mean you can avoid using an SPF of 30 or higher every day. For added sun protection, it’s important to use sunscreen every day to keep your skin healthy and happy.

Now that you have some idea of what this clever ingredient does, let’s move on to how you can incorporate it into your daily routine. With that in mind, let’s now take a closer look at whether you can use azelaic acid with your BHA.

If you’re still wondering what azelaic acid is and how it works on the skin, you can read a dedicated blog post about it on The Beauty Insiders. If you’re not sure how to use salicylic acid in your skincare routine, check out our Skin School for a more detailed explanation of how it works.

Can you use azelaic acid after your BHA?

Yes, you can, but I would advise against it. That’s simply because while azelaic acid works for the skin, you’ll find it to be a difficult ingredient to use due to a lack of complete understanding of the full potential of this powerful ingredient. Additionally, it’s difficult to work with, and you’ll often find formulas that rarely contain more than 10% of the active ingredient, as this can cause the azelaic acid to become grainy, which can cause skin irritation.

With that in mind, perhaps this explains my hesitation to use azelaic acid with my BHA. That’s because BHAs, such as salicylic acid, are so effective at getting deep into the pores and removing dead skin cells. Stacking the two ingredients together can cause unwanted skin irritation and dryness. It’s best to avoid using them at the same time, but you can also alternate between them. We’ll discuss this in more detail in the next section of the blog post.

Can salicylic acid and azelaic acid be used together?

Yes and no, I mean, you can use both of these products together in your daily skincare routine, but you should avoid stacking them together as it can be too much for the skin. For best results, it’s best to alternate between formulas containing these impressive skin ingredients.

Since each of these ingredients exfoliates the top layer of your skin, it’s best to use them in your nighttime routine. Not only can they work on your skin undisturbed while you sleep, but you can also avoid overexposure to UV rays and other free radicals, such as those caused by environmental effects such as pollution, harsh climates, etc. Apply an SPF of 30 or higher in the morning to protect your skin barrier, ensure it’s fully functioning, and keep you looking and feeling your best.

What’s unique about azelaic acid compared to other chemical peels is that it’s a tyrosinase inhibitor. This essentially means that it prevents the development of hyperpigmentation, as the anti-inflammatory and anti-pigmentation properties of the ingredient prevent the overproduction of melanin on the surface of the skin. You will also find that other issues such as spots, clogged hair follicles, and areas of uneven skin tone are treated as well. As I mentioned, azelaic acid does not increase the skin’s sensitivity to the sun, but daily use of sunscreen can increase the skin’s sensitivity to the sun.

Can BHA Niacinamide and Azelaic Acid be used together?

Yes, you can, but it is best not to use them at the same time. You will often find Niacinamide mixed into formulas that contain BHA and Azelaic Acid. This is due to Niacinamide’s moisturizing properties, ensuring that moisture is absorbed into the skin and locked in, leaving the complexion hydrated, radiant, and plump.

To really reap the benefits of these three powerful ingredients, you can combine Niacinamide with an ingredient you use that night to address dryness or irritation. I still recommend alternating between Azelaic Acid and BHA to avoid overloading the skin with a variety of different pH levels, which often leads to undesirable side effects such as rashes, redness, itchy skin, and dryness. If you want to learn more about using azelaic acid and niacinamide together, read our dedicated blog post.

Here you can review the unsung skin hero, azelaic acid, and how to use it with BHAs like salicylic acid. Bonus tip: If you have a sensitive, dry, and easily irritated skin type, a 24-hour patch test is a must before applying any new product to your skin. Of course, don’t forget that you should also consult your doctor or dermatologist before trying anything new on your skin. If you have any skincare questions, you can follow us on Instagram for daily skincare tips, exclusive giveaways, and other new product launches.

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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