Can Retinoic Acid and Azelaic Acid be mixed?
Both Retinoic Acid and Azelaic Acid are considered highly effective ingredients in fighting acne and other skin blemishes. Both exfoliate the outer surface of the skin and remove the accumulation of dead skin cells. Both improve skin texture and clarity and target areas of hyperpigmentation and dark spots.
Any acid can penetrate the pores to remove dirt, bacteria, and excess sebum. All this dirt makes its way to the surface and forms various skin blemishes such as whiteheads, blackheads, and other spots.
The question that comes to my mind is: Can Retinoic Acid be mixed with Azelaic Acid? Or would this be a potential recipe for skin disaster? This is exactly what we are going to focus on today, and if you are still wondering what Retinoic Acid and Azelaic Acid are and how they work on the skin, then the next section is for you.
If you already know the benefits of these powerful ingredients, you can skip to the next section and dive straight into more information.
What is Azelaic Acid?
Azelaic acid is often mistakenly considered a member of the AHA and BHA chemical peel family. In fact, it is a proprietary acid that occurs naturally in the skin and is extracted from grains for use in skincare products.
Azelaic acid has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that fight swelling and redness while killing any bacteria. You’ll get an all-over even skin tone and improved complexion, with visibly reduced fine lines and wrinkles.
For more information on azelaic acid, check out our dedicated blog post on its skincare benefits.
What is Retinoic Acid?
We all know or have at least heard of retinol, and tretinoin is the prescription form of retinoid. Don’t let the name change fool you, retinol and retinoids belong to the same vitamin A family, but they work differently. Due to their powerful properties, retinoids and tretinoin are favored by many to fight common breakouts and acne, as well as reduce signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity. It also speeds up skin cell turnover, leaving your complexion looking brighter, firmer, and more revitalized.
As tretinoin is only available by prescription, it is extremely potent and must be applied to the skin as directed. I strongly recommend that you do not use tretinoin without a doctor’s advice or guidance. If you want to learn more about Retinoic Acid, you can read our blog post on Vitamin A and its effects on the skin.
How do I mix Retinoic Acid with Azelaic Acid?
The way Retinoic Acid mixes with Azelaic Acid depends on the formula they are incorporated into. Consistency plays an important role in the order in which you use your skincare products. Start with the dilutest concentration and work your way up to the thickest to ensure that all active ingredients are working.
If you are not already using both ingredients in your daily routine, you should start slowly to avoid unwanted side effects. Azelaic Acid is formulated into a variety of products. Start with a face wash or cleanser to build up your skin’s tolerance. Both product formulas typically contain a lower percentage of the acid and are the gentlest on the skin when rinsed off. After about 3 weeks, you can move on to serums, facial oils, and moisturizers with higher percentages.
Retinoic Acid is very potent, so any product that contains this ingredient should be used properly. Use the product according to your doctor’s instructions and the directions on the packaging. Remember to only use Retinoic Acid in your routine at night to avoid UV rays, as this can completely inactivate this powerful energy. To combat this, be sure to apply an SPF of 30 or higher every day to ensure complete protection from the sun and permanent damage.
Can I use azelaic acid and retinol together?
Yes, you can, but only if used correctly to prevent skin irritation. If you are layering these ingredients, I recommend waiting 15 minutes between each application as this will allow the pH of the skin to rebalance.
If this is still an issue and may cause redness or itchiness, try using azelaic acid and retinol in various skin care routines. Use azelaic acid and SPF in your morning routine and retinol in the evening.
Finally, if you want to be absolutely sure that you are not causing skin irritation, you can use the ingredient on a different day. This will allow enough time between applications to prevent symptoms and skin damage from returning.
Is azelaic acid better than tretinoin?
If you compare the potency and effectiveness of each ingredient, you will find that 20% azelaic acid is equivalent to 0.05% tretinoin. This will give you a better idea of how each ingredient works on the skin and how quickly it produces results. However, azelaic acid is considered a more suitable ingredient overall due to its skin compatibility.
What should not be used with azelaic acid?
It is recommended to avoid ingredients such as salicylic acid and other beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) as they can quickly dry out and irritate the skin. Not only does this feel uncomfortable, but it also strips the skin of essential oils that are needed to keep the skin’s protective barrier strong and resistant to free radical damage.
As for alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) such as glycolic, mandelic, and lactic acids, azelaic acid is gentler than these popular acids, but avoid stacking these active ingredients together to avoid drying out the skin.
How long do the effects of azelaic acid cleansing last?
It usually takes a month to five weeks for the detox to wear off. The detox process usually occurs in the early stages of introducing a new ingredient into your skincare routine. When skin ingredients such as azelaic acid promote cell turnover, the rash will last longer. However, if you don’t see improvement after 6-8 weeks, stop using azelaic acid products and seek the advice of a doctor or dermatologist.
Here’s more information about mixing tretinoin and azelaic acid. I hope I answered your questions about these ingredients. However, if you have any other questions, 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.
