Can vitamin C be combined with azelaic acid?
You probably already know what vitamin C is, but the little-known benefits of azelaic acid are often overlooked. In recent years, this ingenious multifunctional acid has flourished, often appearing in formulations as the main
active ingredient. Chances are, you’ve already benefited from it without even realizing it.
So let’s find out more together and see if you can combine vitamin C with azelaic acid! Don’t forget to follow Procoal on Instagram for skincare concerns. What is Azelaic Acid? It occurs naturally in grains such as barley and
wheat, and was later formulated synthetically to make it stable and easy to incorporate into skin care products.
Azelaic acid is a class of drugs known as dicarboxylic acids, which are often mistaken for members of the AHA and BHA families. Originally formulated in topical skin care products to combat acne and rosacea. It’s packed with
antibacterial properties and chemical exfoliating powers to counteract the formation of dead skin cells, pimples, blackheads, and other blemishes.
It also fights hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and post-acne scars, while remaining gentle enough to calm rosacea and redness with its impressive anti-inflammatory properties. Do you want to know more? For more information, see
our Skin School post on azelaic acid.
What is Vitamin C?
Vitamin C isn’t just found in your morning orange juice, it’s one of the most popular and widely used skincare ingredients. Rich in antioxidants, it fights daily stress from free radicals like UV damage and pollution.
With its powerful damage-neutralizing abilities, you may find that vitamin C fights fine lines and wrinkles, as well as combats dark spots and hyperpigmentation, leaving you with a healthy-looking glow and an even-toned
complexion. There’s an in-depth blog post on the full benefits of vitamin C, so be sure to check it out.
Now that you know the benefits of these two powerful ingredients, let’s take a deeper look at the combination of these two ingredients. Can vitamin C be combined with azelaic acid? The short answer is yes, azelaic acid and
vitamin C are both rich in antioxidant and skin conditioning properties that help even out skin tone and visibly reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. I recommend using these ingredients sparingly, especially if you
have dry or sensitive skin type.
It may take some time for your skin to get used to using these two ingredients on a daily basis. To enhance skin tolerance, I recommend vitamin C in the morning and azelaic acid in the evening. By doing this, you can ensure a
reward while avoiding any adverse reactions, irritation or discomfort. You can find out more on this topic on the Beauty Insider blog. Click here to learn more.
What can azelaic acid be put on?
Fortunately for all of us, azelaic acid is relatively easy to incorporate into our daily lives. You might even find it versatile, combining it with other active ingredients, including acids. Here are some examples of which
ingredients can be coated with azelaic acid.
Azelaic Acid and Niacinamide. The combination of these two ingredients can improve the overall appearance and health of the skin. With less inflammation, less congestion, post-acne scars and dark spots are visibly different.
Both Azelaic Acid and Niacinamide work on the outer surface of the skin, with Niacinamide locking in moisture within the protective barrier, keeping it at its healthiest and most functional.
Azelaic Acid and AHA BHA. While combining azelaic acid with an AHA or BHA could spell disaster, it’s actually completely safe to use. Azelaic Acid is gentle enough not to disrupt the skin barrier or cause dryness.
Still, it’s best to keep an eye out for other, stronger acids you’re using on your skin, as overuse can lead to severe dryness, redness, and acne. For a simple yet effective routine, alternate products containing AHAs (like
glycolic acid) and BHAs (like salicylic acid).
Azelaic Acid and Vitamin C Combining these two powerful ingredients is a simple task. Both are rich in antioxidants and work together to help rejuvenate the skin, repair damage, and protect the outer barrier as you go about your
daily routine. As I mentioned before, it’s best to rotate each ingredient in your regimen to avoid unwanted reactions.
Here are three examples of the best ingredients to coat with azelaic acid. With other popular skincare ingredients in mind, I recommend seeking the advice of a doctor, dermatologist, or licensed healthcare professional before
introducing any new ingredient into your routine.
Which is better, azelaic acid or vitamin C?
If I had to decide which skin ingredient is better, vitamin C or azelaic acid, I would choose vitamin C. This is because both forms of vitamin C are naturally found in the skin. Since both ingredients have an impressive array of
skin benefits, they’re completely safe to use together. If both of these ingredients are new to your routine, I recommend doing a patch test 24 hours in advance to prevent irritation.
To do a patch test, apply 10p of skincare to the inner forearm and leave overnight. If you don’t experience any swelling or irritation in the morning, you can apply the cream to your face. Can acid and vitamin C be layered? Yes,
you can, but it may take some time to learn what works best.
Here are a few options you can try. Option 1: Using Vitamin C and AHA/BHA at Different Times This is the best option for those with extremely dry and sensitive skin. By using acids and vitamin C at different times, you can
ensure returns without worrying about irritation or skin barrier disruption. You’ll also find that by using these ingredients at different times of the day, you can adjust the pH of your natural protective barrier.
This is important because it prevents the risk of the surface of the skin becoming weak and brittle from exposure to free radicals. Option Two: Combination of Vitamin C and AHA/BHA When used correctly, the combination of acids
and vitamin C can be a powerful combination. However, you must remember that developing your skin’s tolerance will affect how each ingredient works best. If you want to learn more about what not to mix with vitamin C, read the
related blog post.
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.