"Effective Skincare: Combining Tretinoin and Azelaic Acid Safely"

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 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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