Can hydroquinone and azelaic acid be used together?
If you’ve been around skincare for a while, you probably have a clearer idea of what azelaic acid and hydroquinone are and how they benefit your skin. If you’re a little confused right now, don’t worry because I’m going to explain how each powerful function works on your skin.
However, the question that arises is whether it’s okay to use hydroquinone and azelaic acid together. Let’s explore this further and learn more about how these ingredients work together, or if they even work together.
What is Azelaic Acid?
Azelaic acid is a natural acid that is typically derived from grains like wheat, rye, and barley. It has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, making it a highly effective ingredient for fighting oily and acne-prone skin. It penetrates deep into the skin to fight the buildup of bacteria, excess sebum, dirt, debris, and impurities, all of which can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. Azelaic acid can effectively reduce blemishes and breakouts while providing clear skin. This probably explains why azelaic acid is a top choice among dermatologists when prescribing products to treat acne and problem skin.
You’ll also find that azelaic acid is also able to treat rosacea and other conditions that cause inflammation and redness in the skin due to its anti-inflammatory properties. This gives azelaic acid unique properties as it can treat both acne and rosacea, two skin problems that often affect completely different skin types.
If you want to learn more about azelaic acid and its effects on the skin, read our dedicated blog post.
What is hydroquinone?
A well-known skin lightener with a long history, there was some debate about its safety for the skin. Fortunately for all of us, these issues were resolved in the early 80s, making it a popular ingredient for treating hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and sunburn.
Hydroquinone works by bleaching the skin by reducing the number of melanocytes, which are responsible for the formation of melanin. By preventing the formation of melanocytes on the skin, pigmentation is prevented from getting worse. By controlling the amount of melanin that reaches the surface, the skin tone appears brighter and more even. Hydroquinone is known to be very effective and can improve skin tone by reducing acne scars, age spots, melasma, freckles, and inflammatory spots.
Due to the variety of ingredients available, it is important (as with all skincare ingredients) to seek the advice of a doctor or dermatologist to determine if the ingredient can be safely incorporated into your daily skincare routine.
Can hydroquinone and azelaic acid be used together?
Yes, you certainly can. As confusing as it may seem, these two giants work well together. In fact, you’ll find that they complement each other and enhance their effects on the skin.
Before you apply them to your face, learn how to harness the benefits of each of them to improve the health and appearance of your complexion. If you have difficulty with product formulas, it’s best to consult a dermatologist or trained physician to find the best regimen for you and your skin.
What shouldn’t be mixed with hydroquinone?
When using hydroquinone, there are several factors to consider. As mentioned earlier, it is a highly effective ingredient that must be applied to the skin correctly to avoid unnecessary skin irritation.
Due to the exfoliating effects of hydroquinone, it is recommended not to mix it with chemical peels, such as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), such as the popular glycolic acid, lactic acid, and the most commonly used beta hydroxy acid, salicylic acid. Using too much of these acids can increase the risk of skin irritation, redness, flare-ups, and severe dryness.
Is Azelaic Acid as Effective as Hydroquinone?
This can be difficult to determine, especially since there are still several studies examining both ingredients.
Since hydroquinone is often used in high-percentage formulas, it is recommended that it be applied to specific areas of the face where it will be most effective. This is different from azelaic acid, which is found in a range of skin care products such as face cleansers, toners, and serums and moisturizers. All of these products can be applied to the skin with confidence, and they will work effectively on the surface of the skin without causing dryness, irritation, or other issues.
Deciding which one is better is ultimately up to you and your personal preferences. Whatever ingredient you add to your routine, just make sure to do a patch test 24 hours before applying the product to your skin.
What Can Be Mixed with Hydroquinone?
Ingredients such as azelaic acid, retinol, and tretinoin can all be used safely and effectively with hydroquinone. This may seem confusing due to the effectiveness of these ingredients I mentioned, but you’ll find that retinol, for example, can be combined with hydroquinone, allowing it to penetrate deeper into the skin. This is the same relationship between azelaic acid and hydroquinone, they enhance each other in their efficacy and ability to produce results on the skin.
In what order should I use hydroquinone?
Ideally, you should use hydroquinone at night and only once or twice a week initially, as this will help build up your skin’s tolerance for the active ingredients. If you use it at night, you’ll find that it can work on your face undisturbed without being exposed to free radicals, such as UV rays and pollution, all of which can cause oxidative stress and lead to long-term damage to the skin.
In the morning, follow up with a moisturizing formula enriched with hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and other nourishing ingredients. Then, apply a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher to ensure your skin is fully protected from sun damage.
Here’s more information on using azelaic acid and hydroquinone together. Don’t forget to visit us on Instagram.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.