Can Azelaic Acid Help Rosacea? How to Use It for Maximum Effectiveness

How to use Azelaic Acid for Rosacea?

When you have a concern for the skin such as rosacea it’s only natural for you to wary of using any old ingredient in your daily skincare routine. The beauty of azelaic acid is the fact it contains anti-inflammatory properties meaning it can reduce redness and soothe the skin. With the ability to reach the lower layers and preventing any future flare-ups of redness and other levels of rosacea severity. With this in mind lets investigate how to use azelaic acid for rosacea.

How long does azelaic acid take to work on rosacea?

Before we get stuck into how long it takes for azelaic acid to work on rosacea, let me first describe what azelaic acid is and how it benefits the skin.

Azelaic Acid

The chemical name for azelaic acid is dicarboxylic acid and is a natural extract from barley, wheat, and rye. With modern day technology obtaining an effective and stabile level of this powerful, but gentle acid has become the norm, and you can expect to find more and more of this clever ingredient make its way into the various skincare formulas.

Most mistaken as a member of the Alpha Hydroxy Acid, azelaic acid provides the same exfoliating and clarifying benefits of its fellow acids yet remains gentle on the skin whilst acting like a potent antioxidant. Often found in concentrates between 15% and 20% with even lower percentages known for having impressive results on the skin. Having said that if you find you suffer from skin conditions such as rosacea finding the right formulation is vital to ensure there are no signs of irritation or sensitivity caused.

Main Benefits of Azelaic Acid

Combats breakouts, including spots, blackheads, and frequent acne flare-ups

Reduces the appearance and severity of rosacea

Exfoliants the build-up of dead skin cells revealing a brightened complexion

Diminishes the sign of dark spots and hyperpigmentation

Can azelaic acid make rosacea worse?

Rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties azelaic acid has gained a reputation at reducing signs of redness and irritation by working its way deeply into the lower layers of the skin and aiding longer lasting results. Much like all acids, specifically chemical exfoliants, you must first find the right formula due to the fact concentrates of azelaic acid of 10% or less tend to be difficult to find, leading to many products containing higher percentages can have an effective on the consistency of the formula with it becoming very grainy. This can cause a problem for those with rosacea as the physical disruption on the skin can lead to more severe flare-ups of redness and flaky areas on the face.

When should azelaic acid be used in routine?

There are many products that contain azelaic acid all of which provide the same impressive results. You can find products such as serums and moisturisers whichever formula you decide to try it is important to know how it’ll work for you and your skin type.

Whether it is an over the counter or prescription it is best to apply a thin layer on the surface if the skin, especially if it is a new ingredient you are adding to your routine. Once your skin has built a tolerance to azelaic acid you can use it morning and evening with peace of mind you won’t have long lasting reactions. Having said that, it is always best to consult with a doctor or dermatologist before trying a new skincare product to avoid any unwanted reactions. Once you have established azelaic acid will work perfectly into your routine you can optimise the results by applying your serum or cream-based products after using an exfoliating toner containing an AHA or BHA, such as glycolic acid or salicylic acid. By doing this you are removing the barrier caused by the layer of dead skin cells allowing the azelaic acid to reach further down into the skin. Don’t forget to follow this with a hydrating moisturiser, something enriched in hyaluronic acid and SPF of 30 and above.

What should you not mix with azelaic acid?

Since azelaic acid is one of the gentler facial acids, there are more ingredients you can team with it. This is, however, doesn’t mean you are safe to use it with anything, below is a list of ingredients you should take caution when teaming them together with azelaic acid.

Azelaic Acid and Salicylic Acid (BHA)

When teaming these ingredients together without a worry of causing irritation to the skin, you should apply products that complement each other. For example, if you are wanting to use a serum enriched in azelaic acid, then opt for a toner containing the BHA, salicylic acid. This will not only help azelaic acid penetrate the skin, but due you will also leave enough time in between to avoid any sensitivity caused. Bearing in mind of course, that if you have a dry or sensitive skin type prone to rosacea and similar flare-ups, its best to avoid using salicylic acid in your daily routine all together.

Azelaic Acid and Vitamin C

With both ingredients having an outdated reputation of becoming unstable in formulations. You may naturally think that both are not suitable to work together, but when introduced to your routine the right way, you’ll truly reap the rewards to these skincare powerhouses. If I was to suggest, it would be to first apply your vitamin C serum in the morning, followed by azelaic acid moisturiser in the evening.

Azelaic Acid and Hyaluronic Acid

Lucky for us hyaluronic acid can be teamed with every skincare ingredient with no concern of irritation. This duo would in fact, be the most beneficial if you experience frequent flare-ups in rosacea. The hydration given to the skin by hyaluronic acid will help soothe the outer surface and enable azelaic acid to work its magic with the peace of mind there will be limited if any side effects, but instead a healthy, balanced, and luminous finish to the skin.

Can you use azelaic acid every day?

You can indeed! In fact, you can use it twice a day in your daily routine in the morning and evening. If you are wanting to know in a little more detail about azelaic acid and how it benefits the skin, check out our dedicated blog post about this clever ingredient and how it works for your complexion, especially if you suffer with rosacea.

There you have a little more information about how to use azelaic acid for rosacea. As I have already mentioned it is vital for, you’re the health of your skin to ensure you consult with a doctor or dermatologist. Once you have a better understanding of how this ingredient benefits the skin, you’ll be amazed with how your complexion improves.

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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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