Can You Mix Tretinoin with Azelaic Acid Together?
Tretinoin and azelaic acid both have a reputation for being highly effective ingredients for combating acne and other blemishes. Both can perform exfoliating properties on the outer skin surface, sloughing away the build-up of dead skin cells. They both improve the skin’s texture, clarity, and tackle areas of hyperpigmentation and dark spots.
Each acid can penetrate the pores unclogging them of dirt, bacteria, and excess sebum all this gunk works its way to the surface forming into various blemishes, such as whiteheads, blackheads, and other spots.
The question we are left with is, can you mix tretinoin with azelaic acid? Or would this be a potential recipe for skin disaster? This is exactly what we will be focusing on today, and if you find yourself still wondering what tretinoin and azelaic acid are and how they work on the skin, this next section is for you.
If you are already clued up to the benefits of these powerhouse ingredients, feel free to skip to the next part and dive right in to finding out more.
What is azelaic acid?
Azelaic acid is often mistaken as a member of the AHA and BHA family of chemical exfoliants. It is in fact, its own acid that is naturally occurring in the skin and derived from grains to formulate into skincare products.
Packed with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties azelaic acid can help combat swelling and redness whilst killing off any bacteria. You will be left with an all over even skin tone and improved complexion with fine lines and wrinkles visibly reduced.
There is more to know about azelaic acid in our dedicated blog post about its skincare benefits.
What is tretinoin?
We all know or have at least heard of retinol, and tretinoin is the prescribed form of retinoid. Don’t let the change of name fool you, retinol and retinoid belong in the same family of vitamin A that vary in potency. Because of its potent traits, retinoids and tretinoin is favoured by many for combating frequent breakouts and acne, as well as reducing the appearance of ageing, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity. It is also able to increase the skin cell turnover resulting in the complexion looking brighter, firmer, and more vibrant.
With tretinoin only being available via prescription, this leads to it being highly potent and must be applied to the skin as instructed. I would strongly suggest you do not use tretinoin without the advice or guidance of a medical professional. If you wanted to know more about tretinoin, you can check out our blog post about the powerhouse and how it works on the skin.
How do you mix tretinoin with azelaic acid?
The way to mix tretinoin with azelaic acid comes down to the formulations they are blended in to. Consistency plans an important role in the order you apply your skincare products, by starting with the thinnest consistency and working your way up to the thickest will ensure all active ingredients can deliver results.
If you are new to both ingredients in your routine, you may want to start slowly to avoid any unwanted side effects. Azelaic acid is formulated into various products, start by using a face wash or cleanser to build your skin’s tolerance. Both these products formulas usually contain lower percentages of the acid and have the gentlest impact on the skin due to them being rinsed off the skin. After about 3 weeks you can then move on to using serums, face oils and moisturisers that are enriched in higher percentages.
Tretinoin is highly potent and so using any product containing this ingredient should be carried out correctly. Apply the product as instructed by your doctor and instructions on the packaging. Remembering to only use tretinoin in your evening routine to avoid exposure to UV light as this can render this powerhouse completely useless. To counteract this, ensure you always apply a daily SPF of 30 and above for full protection from sunlight and any long-lasting damage.
Can I use azelaic acid and retinol together?
Yes, you can, although only if used correctly to avoid the skin from becoming irritated. When layering these ingredients together I would suggest you wait for 15 minutes in between applications as this allows the skin pH levels to rebalance.
If this is still causing some concern and perhaps resulting in the skin becoming flushed or itchy, then try applying azelaic acid and retinol during different skincare routines. Apply azelaic acid teamed with a SPF for your morning regime and leave retinol for the evening.
Finally, if for complete peace of mind that you won’t cause any irritation to the skin, you can alternate the day you apply the ingredient. This allows enough time to pass between applications and prevent any flare-ups in discomfort and damage for the skin.
Is azelaic acid better than tretinoin?
When comparing how potent and effective each ingredient is you will find 20% of azelaic acid is equal to 0.05% of tretinoin. This gives you a better idea of how each ingredient works on the skin and how rapidly it delivers results. Having said that, azelaic acid is known for being an overall better ingredient to use due to how it is tolerated by the skin.
What shouldn’t you use with azelaic acid?
It’s recommended to avoid using ingredients such as salicylic acid and other beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) as this can increase skin dryness and irritation very quickly. This will not only feel uncomfortable, but once the skin is stripped of the necessary oils it needs to keep the protective skin barrier strong and capable for warding off damage caused by free radicals.
As for alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), such as glycolic acid, mandelic, and lactic acid, although azelaic acid is gentler than these popular acids, to avoid skin dryness avoid layering these actives on top of each other.
How long does azelaic acid purging last?
Purging usually lasts about a month to 5 weeks to begin to subside. Purging is often experienced during the initial period of introducing a new active ingredient to your skincare routine. If like azelaic acid, the skin ingredient increases your cell turnover the breakout will last a lot longer, however if you reach 6-8 weeks and have found there to be no improvement stop using your azelaic acid product and seek the advice of your doctor or dermatologist.
There you have some more information about mixing tretinoin with azelaic acid together, I hope I have answered your questions about these ingredients, but if you have any more questions, come, and 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.
