Can I use azelaic acid for longer than six months?
When it comes to using ingredients in skincare, it’s well known that you have to use them for quite a while to reap the benefits. This is a common belief, but some people are unsure, which is understandable since certain ingredients can have a strong effect on the skin, especially if we’re talking about exfoliating acids. For example, azelaic acid is often mistakenly thought to have similar effects to other acids such as AHAs, glycolic acid, and BHAs (e.g. salicylic acid).
If you’re unsure about how azelaic acid works on the skin, the next section is for you. If you’re already familiar with all things skincare, you can skip to the next section to learn more about using azelaic acid for longer than six months.
What is azelaic acid? And what are its benefits for the skin?
Azelaic acid is an acid that exfoliates the skin. You’ll find it produced naturally in the body by yeast. When added to skincare, the ingredient is derived from cereals and grains, ensuring that it can remove dead skin cells, dirt, and bacteria that settle on the surface of the skin. This can lead to breakouts, visible signs of aging such as flaky patches on the skin, fine lines and wrinkles, and a dull complexion. Here are more details on the benefits this clever acid can bring to your skin.
Azelaic acid can improve your complexion, whether it’s sun damage, acne scars, or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Azelaic acid fights acne with its antibacterial properties, all of which target Propionibacterium acnes, the bacteria that lives on the surface of the skin and causes acne breakouts like spots and blackheads.
Azelaic acid is gentle enough to treat rosacea. It’s considered one of the least irritating acids for the skin, as it’s able to open up pores and reduce inflammation without being too harsh.
Azelaic acid is considered a safe ingredient to use during pregnancy. However, you should definitely consult your doctor or midwife before adding anything to your routine.
If you want to learn more about azelaic acid and its benefits for your skin, you can read a dedicated blog post.
How long can azelaic acid be used?
How long you can use azelaic acid depends on the formula, the condition of your skin, and why you’re using the ingredient.
Once you start incorporating azelaic acid into your routine, you’ll typically notice that your skin condition gets worse after two weeks. This is a completely normal reaction called detoxification, which can last up to 3 to 4 weeks. The acid penetrates the lower layers of the skin and clears out dirt, sebum, and bacterial buildup in the pores. All of this “dirt” is then pushed to the surface, causing spots, blackheads, pimples, and other breakouts. After four weeks, your skin will be back in balance and will look noticeably better. Continue using this acid in your daily routine, and after twelve weeks you will see that this acid has brought the best results for your complexion.
When using azelaic acid, you should make sure your skin can tolerate it. While the acid is mild, everyone’s skin is different, and to be safe, you should do a 24-hour patch test before using this ingredient on your face.
Can I use azelaic acid for years?
Yes, people have been known to benefit from azelaic acid in their daily routine for years. There are many products enriched with azelaic acid, from serums to exfoliating toners to topical skin care. They all contain active and effective amounts of the acid and are generally available without a prescription. If you are looking for something more powerful, specialized skin care is available. Professional facials and chemical peels use high levels of azelaic acid and should not be used every day. Instead, you should perform these treatments 3 to 4 times a year, depending on the health of your skin.
You’ll find that once your skin has developed a tolerance to azelaic acid, you can continue to use it for years to maintain your skin’s clarity, achieve an even skin tone, and a youthful complexion.
Is it OK to use azelaic acid every day?
Yes, it is completely safe to use azelaic acid every day as long as your skin does not show signs of irritation or reaction. If you have dry or sensitive skin that reacts to certain ingredients, you may want to try adding azelaic acid more slowly to your routine. Many people choose to alternate between them to build up skin tolerance without causing an adverse reaction. You can also use azelaic acid products at night if you want to be extra cautious. Unlike most acids, azelaic acid does not increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun. However, freshly exfoliated skin is more susceptible to damage to skin cells. This is why it’s important to wear a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher every day. You will also find that when applied to the skin during your evening skincare routine, this acid is immune to free radicals (such as pollution, central heating, UV rays and other environmental aggressors), allowing you to sleep soundly and wake up to a beautiful, radiant skin.
How often can azelaic acid be used?
If your skin remains healthy and intact, you can use azelaic acid twice a day. If your skin experiences even minor irritation, dryness, redness or discomfort, you must stop using the product and consult a doctor or dermatologist.
If you want to know more about azelaic acid and learn about its benefits, read our dedicated blog post.
There you have it, a little about azelaic acid and its applications. If you have any further questions, don’t forget to follow 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.