Can Vitamin C be combined with Azelaic Acid?
You may already know what Vitamin C is, but the lesser-known benefits of Azelaic Acid are often overlooked. This ingenious multifunctional acid has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, often appearing as a main active ingredient in a variety of formulations. You may have benefited from it without even realizing it.
So let’s learn more together and see if you can combine Vitamin C with Azelaic Acid! Don’t forget to follow Procoal on Instagram for any of your skincare questions.
What is Azelaic Acid?
It occurs naturally in grains like barley and wheat, and was later synthetically formulated to make it stable and easy to incorporate into skincare products. Often incorrectly referred to as a member of the AHA and BHA families, Azelaic Acid is a class of drugs known as dicarboxylic acids. It was originally formulated in topical skincare products to fight acne and rosacea. It is rich in antimicrobial properties and can chemically exfoliate the skin. It fights dead skin cell buildup, pimples, blackheads, and other breakouts.
It also fights hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and acne scars, while having impressive anti-inflammatory properties that are gentle enough to soothe rosacea and skin redness. Would you like to learn more? See our Skin School post on Azelaic Acid for more information.
What is Vitamin C?
Vitamin C isn’t just in your morning orange juice, but it’s one of the most popular and commonly used ingredients in skincare. Rich in antioxidants, it fights free radicals we’re exposed to on a daily basis, such as UV damage and pollution. With Vitamin C’s powerful damage-neutralizing abilities, you’ll find it fights fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots, and hyperpigmentation, leaving you with a healthy glow and an even skin tone. There’s a detailed blog post covering all the benefits of Vitamin C, so be sure to read it.
Now that you’ve gotten a refresher course on the benefits of these two powerful ingredients, let’s jump right in and learn more about the combination of these two ingredients.
Can Vitamin C be combined with Azelaic Acid?
The short answer is: yes, both azelaic acid and vitamin C are rich in antioxidant and skin-boosting properties that can help even out skin tone and significantly reduce fine lines and wrinkles. I recommend using these ingredients with caution, especially if you have a dry or sensitive skin type.
It may take some time for your skin to get used to combining these two ingredients in your daily routine. To build up your skin’s tolerance, I recommend using vitamin C in the morning and azelaic acid in the evening. This will ensure you get the benefits while avoiding any adverse reactions, irritation, or discomfort. For more on this topic, visit the Beauty Insider blog. So click here to learn more.
What can azelaic acid be combined with?
Fortunately, azelaic acid is an acid that is relatively easy to incorporate into our daily routine. You may even find it versatile enough to be combined with other active ingredients, including acids. Here are some examples of ingredients that can be combined with azelaic acid.
Azelaic Acid and Niacinamide
By combining these two ingredients, you’ll notice an improvement in the overall appearance and health of your skin. Inflammation is reduced, signs of congestion are lessened, and acne scars and dark spots are visibly improved. Both azelaic acid and niacinamide work on the outer surface of the skin, with niacinamide locking moisture within the protective barrier to keep it at its healthiest, fully functional state.
Azelaic Acid and AHA BHAs
Although it feels like combining azelaic acid with an AHA or BHA is a recipe for disaster, they are actually completely safe to use. Azelaic acid is gentle enough that it won’t disrupt the skin barrier or cause dryness. However, you should be wary of other stronger acids applied to your skin, as overuse can lead to severe dryness, redness, and acne. For a simple and effective skincare routine, alternate between products containing AHAs like glycolic acid and BHAs like salicylic acid.
Azelaic Acid and Vitamin C
Combining these two powerful ingredients is easy. Both are rich in antioxidants and work together to rejuvenate the skin, repair damage, and protect the outer barrier as you go about your daily routine. As I mentioned before, you should alternate between each ingredient in your skincare routine to avoid adverse reactions.
Below are three examples of the best ingredients to layer with azelaic acid. Considering other popular skincare ingredients, I recommend seeking advice from a doctor, dermatologist, or trained medical professional before adding any new ingredients to your skincare routine.
Which is better, Azelaic Acid or Vitamin C?
If I had to choose between Vitamin C and Azelaic Acid, I would go with Vitamin C. This is because both of these vitamins are naturally found on the skin. Since both ingredients have impressive skin benefits, it is completely safe to use them together.
If both ingredients are new to your routine, I recommend doing a patch test 24 hours beforehand to prevent irritation. To do a patch test, apply a 10p-sized amount of the skincare product to the inside of your forearm and leave it on overnight. If you don’t notice any breakouts or irritation in the morning, you can apply it to your face.
Can acids and Vitamin C be used together?
Yes, you can, but it may take some time to get the hang of what works best. Here are a few options you can try.
Option 1: Use Vitamin C and AHA/BHA at different times
This is best for people with extremely dry and sensitive skin. Using acids and vitamin C at different times of day allows you to reap the benefits without worrying about irritation or disrupting your skin barrier. You’ll also find that by using these ingredients at different times of day, you can adjust the pH of your natural protective barrier.This is important because it reduces the risk of the skin’s surface being weakened and damaged by exposure to free radicals.
Option Two: Use Vitamin C and AHA/BHA Together
The combination of acids and vitamin C can be a powerful combination if used correctly. However, you must remember that building 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 dedicated blog post.
I hope this clears up some of the confusion about whether you can mix vitamin C with azelaic acid. It won’t take long before you’ll be amazed at the results.
