**Can You Mix Azelaic Acid with Moisturiser?**
Yes, you can absolutely mix **azelaic acid** with **moisturizer**, but there are a few important things to consider in how you apply them together for optimal results. Here’s a breakdown of how to incorporate both into your skincare routine and the best way to layer your products for maximum benefits.
### What is Azelaic Acid?
Azelaic acid is a **naturally derived ingredient** (from grains like barley, rye, and wheat) known for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and exfoliating properties. It’s often used to treat acne, rosacea, hyperpigmentation, and general skin texture issues. Azelaic acid helps to:
– **Unclog pores**: Prevents acne and breakouts.
– **Brighten skin**: Reduces hyperpigmentation like dark spots and post-acne scars.
– **Calm inflammation**: Helps with rosacea and other redness-related skin concerns.
### How to Use Azelaic Acid with Moisturiser
Azelaic acid is typically used in **serum or cream form**. If you’re using azelaic acid as part of your skincare routine, here’s how to effectively layer it with a moisturizer:
1. **Cleanse the Skin**: Start by using a gentle face wash or cleanser to remove dirt, oil, and makeup.
2. **Apply an Exfoliating Toner (Optional)**: If you use a toner in your routine, go for an **exfoliating toner** (optional), especially one that is gentle and free from harsh acids, as azelaic acid already provides exfoliation.
3. **Apply Hyaluronic Acid Serum (Optional)**: If you’re prone to dryness, apply a **hyaluronic acid serum** to lock moisture into the skin. This helps to hydrate and balance out the potentially drying effects of azelaic acid.
4. **Apply Azelaic Acid Serum or Cream**: Now apply the **azelaic acid serum** (or cream) to target acne, hyperpigmentation, or inflammation. Azelaic acid can be a bit drying, so this step will help address that.
5. **Follow with Moisturiser**: After the azelaic acid has been absorbed into your skin (wait about 1-2 minutes), follow with a **moisturizer**. The moisturizer will help lock in hydration and protect the skin barrier.
6. **Finish with Sunscreen (AM routine only)**: If you’re using this routine in the morning, always finish with a broad-spectrum **SPF 30 or higher** to protect your skin from UV damage, especially since exfoliating acids like azelaic acid can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun.
### Should Azelaic Acid Be Applied Before or After Moisturiser?
In general, **azelaic acid should be applied before moisturizer**. This allows the active ingredient to penetrate and deliver its benefits, while the moisturizer will form a barrier on top to lock in moisture and protect the skin from environmental damage.
Here’s the ideal order:
1. **Hyaluronic Acid (optional)**: Hydrates and locks in moisture.
2. **Azelaic Acid**: Targets acne, pigmentation, and inflammation.
3. **Moisturiser**: Seals everything in and provides hydration and protection.
### Can You Use Azelaic Acid on Wet Skin?
It’s best not to apply **azelaic acid** directly to **wet skin**. While some ingredients (like **hyaluronic acid**) benefit from being applied to damp skin, azelaic acid works best when the skin is **slightly damp or semi-dry**. Applying it to too-wet skin may dilute its effectiveness or cause irritation.
A good approach is to allow your skin to air dry or pat it gently with a towel after cleansing and before applying azelaic acid.
### Can You Mix Azelaic Acid with Niacinamide?
Yes, **azelaic acid and niacinamide** can be used together and make a great pair. Both ingredients have anti-inflammatory benefits, and together, they can help with:
– **Reducing acne and breakouts**: Both ingredients can help minimize pore congestion and calm redness.
– **Fading dark spots**: Niacinamide helps reduce the appearance of pigmentation, and when combined with azelaic acid, it can speed up the process of fading dark spots or post-acne scars.
In this case, it’s best to apply **niacinamide first**, followed by **azelaic acid**, as niacinamide helps hydrate and calm the skin, making it more receptive to the azelaic acid.
### Can You Use Azelaic Acid with Other Actives Like AHA/BHA?
You can use azelaic acid with **milder AHAs and BHAs**, but it’s best to alternate them (for example, use AHA/BHA in the evening and azelaic acid in the morning). Combining strong exfoliants like AHAs (e.g., glycolic acid) or BHAs (like salicylic acid) directly with azelaic acid can be too harsh and lead to irritation.
### Key Tips for Using Azelaic Acid:
– **Start Slowly**: If you’re new to azelaic acid, begin by using it every other day or just a few times a week. This will help your skin build tolerance.
– **Moisturize**: Since azelaic acid can be drying for some people, it’s crucial to follow up with a good moisturizer to prevent dryness or irritation.
– **Use Sunscreen**: Azelaic acid can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so applying sunscreen every day is essential to avoid UV damage.
### Conclusion
Yes, you can mix **azelaic acid with moisturizer**—in fact, it’s recommended to use moisturizer after applying azelaic acid to seal in hydration and protect the skin. Just make sure to apply the azelaic acid serum or cream **before** the moisturizer, and be mindful of how your skin reacts to avoid irritation.
If you have any further questions about your skincare routine, feel free to reach out to skincare professionals or drop us a message on **Instagram** for more personalized advice!
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.