Can You Mix Azelaic Acid and BHA for Clear, Radiant Skin?

Can You Mix Azelaic Acid and BHA?

There is a lot of research backing the benefits of azelaic acid and how it works on the skin. Although it’s still one of the lesser-known acids, in recent years there has been a surge in popularity with many of us realising how this powerhouse is the missing ingredient in our daily skincare routine.

BHA on the other hand, especially salicylic acid has established itself as the key ingredient to tackling problematic skin. It’s known for its potency and effectiveness at combating spots, blemishes, and acne. With this comes some side effects, such as dryness to the skin, itchiness, and mild irritation.

If you find yourself getting a little confused with each of these ingredients and whether they would work in your routine, here is a brief recap.

What are the benefits of azelaic acid?

Derived from grains, such as barley, wheat, and rye

Helps to unclog pores of excess sebum, bacteria, dirt, debris, and surface impurities

Evens out the skin tone reducing the appearance of dark spots, sun damage, post acne marks, and melasma

Slough away the build-up of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin, revealing a younger looking, smoother complexion

If you wanted to know more about azelaic acid and how it works on the skin, check out our dedicated blog post.

What are the benefits of BHA?

Most used BHA, salicylic acid is derived from willow bark

Often oil-soluble and works deeply into the pores unclogging them of the build-up of gunk

Exfoliates the outer surface of the skin ridding it of dead skin cells and debris

Decreases inflammations, such as breakouts and spots

For more information about BHA, check out our blog about the skin benefits of AHA and BHA.

Now that you’ve had a quick researcher on these ingredients, let’s now dive in to finding out more about whether you can mix them or not.

Can you use BHA and azelaic acid together?

Yes, it is thought safe to use BHA and azelaic acid together. To avoid any unwanted skin reaction, it’s best to not layer them together. Teaming these powerhouse ingredients are a perfect combination when tackling all sorts of skin concerns, such as breakouts, spots, uneven skin tone, signs of ageing, and a lack lustre complexion. Try using the ingredients, leaving enough time in between applications, such as 30 minutes, to ensure the pH levels of the skin have had a chance to rebalance and settle. Mixing them together will result in irritation, increases sensitivity, rashes, and redness.

We have a fully dedicated blog post about using azelaic acid and BHA together, so check that out for more.

What should you not mix with BHA?

There are a few ingredients that should be avoided mixing with a BHA, such as salicylic acid.

Do not mix with AHAs- Applying too many acids can have too much exfoliation to the skin which can often strip it of the vital sebum needed. When the skin barrier is lacking the correct level of sebum, it can begin to over produce sebum which will lead to more breakouts, spots, and acne.

Do not mix with retinol- both these ingredients are highly potent and must be avoided applying together as this will lead to severe side effects and irritation to the skin.

Do not mix niacinamide with AHAs and BHAs as the difference in pH levels can cause redness and the pH levels of niacinamide, such as 5-7. This can cause the acids to not work as effectively making them unable to deliver their results.

Can you mix azelaic acid and salicylic acid?

No, you should not mix azelaic acid and salicylic acid as this will increase the chances of your skin becoming irritated. This is because azelaic acid works on the outer layers of the skin, whilst salicylic acid can penetrate further into the skin. This will result in too much stimulation for the face, leading to itchiness, redness, sensitivity to sun exposure, and overall discomfort.

If you wished to use azelaic acid and salicylic acid in your skincare routine, the best way of doing this is to alternate when you apply them on the skin. You can either apply each active during your evening routine, or apply azelaic acid in the morning, followed with salicylic acid in the evening. Just ensure you always apply a daily SPF of 30 and above to keep the skin protected from exposure to UV damage.

Is azelaic acid an AHA or BHA?

Surprisingly, it is neither an AHA nor BHA. It is naturally occurring in the skin and is derived from grains, such as wheat, rye, and barley. It’s this form of yeast that is formulated into an array of skincare products. Azelaic acid still delivers similar results and benefits the skin by exfoliating away the dead skin cells, ridding the complexion of impurities, and giving an all-over improved finish.

Where does azelaic acid go in routine?

If you’ve built the skin’s tolerance to using azelaic acid, there are a couple of products enriched in azelaic acid you can use in your daily routine. The most popular formulas are cleansers, and exfoliating toners. These products are the best to start with when you first introduce azelaic acid into your routine as they are rinsed off the skin avoiding too much irritation. Following your cleanser or toner with a serum packed with hyaluronic acid will counteract any dryness and instead lock moisture into the skin and keep it hydrated and comfortable.

Can I use azelaic acid on wet skin?

Not really, this is because the percentage of azelaic acid used in formulas such as serums, and creams are often prescription strengths and applying them to damp skin will in fact, cause skin irritation.

There you have a little more information about mixing azelaic acid and BHA. If you have any further questions about using these powerhouses together, come, and follow us on Instagram, you can find one of our skincare experts in the direct messages.

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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