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.
