Can I mix AHAs with Azelaic Acid?
I wouldn’t be surprised if you don’t know exactly what azelaic acid is and what it does for your skin. The beauty industry is full of powerful, effective ingredients, so the idea of adding something else shouldn’t cause too much concern. After all, azelaic acid is a well-kept secret among skincare enthusiasts, which is why it’s usually only found in professional treatments or niche skincare brands.
If you’re wondering what the benefits of azelaic acid are, you can read our dedicated blog post about it and its effects on your skin. Today’s post, however, is about taking a closer look at whether or not you can mix AHAs with azelaic acid.
Can I take azelaic acid with AHAs?
Yes, you can, as it’s known to work well in combination with other skin ingredients, including stronger ones like popular AHAs like glycolic acid and lactic acid. Don’t let the name fool you, it’s not as hard as you think.
In fact, azelaic acid is safe and effective for nearly all skin types, including those prone to rosacea. Due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, azelaic acid is also very effective for treating acne-prone skin without stripping the skin of sebum, which often leads to excessive sebum production, which in turn causes persistent breakouts and a never-ending acne cycle.
However, using azelaic acid as a single ingredient is not considered the best way to treat acne and must be combined with other moisturizing and nourishing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to counteract the drying effects commonly associated with azelaic acid.
What shouldn’t AHAs be mixed with?
To avoid unnecessary skin irritation, do not mix AHAs with the following skincare ingredients: BHAs, salicylic acid, etc. This is because applying any one acid to the skin can be too harsh. BHAs such as salicylic acid are oil-soluble and can penetrate deeper into the skin than AHAs such as glycolic acid.
AHAs work on the outer surface of the skin to dissolve accumulated dead skin cells, debris, bacteria, and other impurities. Still, there’s nothing wrong with using these ingredients in your daily routine. Simply switch up the ingredients at different stages of your skincare routine.
Retinol: Retinol has been shown to speed up the renewal cycle of skin cells, which can often make the skin feel dry and irritated. To prevent your skin from becoming more flaky, it’s best to use glycolic acid in the morning and an AHA-rich product like retinol in the evening.
Vitamin C: Since vitamin C has an exfoliating effect on the skin, combining it with products rich in alpha hydroxy acids and containing vitamin C can lead to excessive peeling and irritation.
If you want to learn more about what not to mix with AHAs, you can read a blog post that explains in more detail how to easily and effectively use these ingredients in your daily skincare routine.
Can I mix niacinamide with azelaic acid?
Absolutely! Azelaic acid and niacinamide are known to work well together. The moisturizing properties of niacinamide ensure that facial moisture is absorbed into the skin and remains there. You’ll also notice that niacinamide ensures that pores are refined and the protective skin barrier is strengthened and continues to function properly.
For best results, it’s best to use azelaic acid-rich product first and then follow up with a niacinamide-rich serum to reduce the risk of dryness and irritation caused by azelaic acid. Can I use Azelaic Acid with Glycolic Acid? Yes, you can
use Azelaic Acid and Glycolic Acid together. Many people find the combination of the two to be a great alternative to extremely powerful skin-active retinoids.
The combination of Azelaic Acid and Glycolic Acid can provide you with the same skin benefits as Retinoids, but in a gentler way. Using Azelaic Acid and Glycolic Acid together will make your skin younger, smoother, plumper,
more revitalized feeling and improve your overall skin appearance. If you want to learn more about combining these powerful ingredients, read the blog post Can Azelaic Acid and Glycolic Acid be used together?
Where is Azelaic Acid Commonly Used?
Azelaic Acid is commonly found in a variety of skincare products. The basic rule of skincare is to use products in the order of thinnest to thickest application. Products containing Azelaic Acid are typically serums and moisturizers that should be applied to the skin later in your daily skincare routine.
For best results, it is best to use Azelaic Acid after cleansers and exfoliating toners to remove all bacteria, residue, and dirt. This way, you will find that any formula you apply afterwards will be absorbed quickly and penetrate into the lower layers of the skin. Can Azelaic Acid be used daily? Even if you have a sensitive skin type and are prone to certain conditions like rosacea, you can use Azelaic Acid twice daily. Unlike some other acids, building skin tolerance is easily achieved and does not take too much time. Don’t take too long.
You can also choose how many days per week you can apply the acid to your skin.
Does Azelaic Acid Cause Rash? Yes, Azelaic Acid can cause acne because skin cells are rapidly turning over and the skin is cleansed.
Often confused with acne, decongestion is a clear sign that the skin is being thoroughly cleansed by pushing sebum, excess sebum, and dirt from the pores to the surface. Continue using your products and you will find that after 4 weeks, your skin will be clear and have a healthy glow.
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.
