How Azelaic Acid Helps Reduce Rosacea and Redness

What Does Azelaic Acid Do for Rosacea?

We’ve focused a lot on azelaic acid recently, as mentioned in previous posts you will know it is a high performing skin ingredient that offers an impressive amount of benefits.

One of the most interesting is the fact it is able to combat acne and redness in the skin, such as rosacea.

The reason these two benefits are so unusual to find in an ingredient is due to the fact that (quite often) anything formulated to target breakouts,

such as spots and blackheads can often become drying on the skin and if used incorrectly results in irritation and redness.

Azelaic acid demonstrates again how it is a one of a kind ingredient by perfecting the balancing act of treating flare-ups in breakouts and redness so effectively.

This brings me round nicely to today’s topic and answering a question we have found reappearing often which is- “What does azelaic acid do for rosacea?”

I’ve done some digging around and will share with you what results you can

expect to see when using azelaic acid in your skincare routine and how it can combat any redness or rosacea.

Does azelaic acid reduce redness?

Yes, there are a lot of clinically proven studies surrounding azelaic acid and the benefits it can provide for the skin, particularly reducing any inflammation and post breakout redness and hyperpigmentation.

It has the ability to do this by preventing the overproduction of melanin to cause the pigmentation to darken on any areas or patches of discolouration.

This then leads to another ability of azelaic acid to improve the appearance of swelling caused by visible blood vessels that result in a flare-up of rosacea and other forms of redness.

Although azelaic acid provides exfoliation that often irritates rosacea and skin inflammation it delivers this in a gentle and effective way without stripping the skin of the vital oil

it needs remain healthy and doesn’t penetrate too far down the lower layers of the skin making it feel severely dry, tight and uncomfortable.

Just as a side note- you must ensure you speak to your doctor about introducing azelaic acid into your skincare routine, particularly if you have a hyper-sensitive and dry skin type.

How long does azelaic acid take to work on rosacea?

Let’s start at the beginning and the best way of starting your azelaic acid skin journey:

First you want to double check with a dermatologist that the concentrate and formulation is safe to use by you at home.

Next you should perform a patch test by applying some of the product to your forearm and leaving it for 24 hours to ensure there will be no reactions to the skin.

If at any point you find the product begins to make your skin burn, sting or itch, wash it off immediately and avoid using it in the future.

To get the best idea of how azelaic acid works for the skin and signs of rosacea you should use it for consistently for 3 months.

The time in which you see results varies between each person, some see a difference with an improvement in areas of pigmentation after 1 week.

For redness and areas of rosacea you may see the benefits within four to six weeks, or even sooner for some depending on the severity of the rosacea.

There you have a guide of how to introduce azelaic acid to your skin and how long it takes for it to work on rosacea and redness.

You can also help the process by ensuring you follow these top tips on keeping your skin healthy and happy when using new acids on the skin.

Always ensure you are applying a daily SPF to protect the skin from sun damage.

Help azelaic acid penetrate the skin by removing the barrier of dead skin cells that gather on the surface of the skin with AHAs, such as lactic acid.

Avoid using BHAs, such as salicylic acid and other potent ingredients to prevent the skin becoming too dry and irritated.

Team your azelaic acid products with others that are enriched with ingredients that contain humectant traits such as hyaluronic acid to help draw moisture into the skin and lock it in place.

Remember that slow and steady wins the race, plan out and develop your routine to include products that will combat signs of rosacea whilst nourishing and protecting the skin barrier.

Which acid is best for rosacea?

There are many acids available that provide many skin benefits but which one exactly is the best for applying to help with rosacea? Well, it’s Azelaic acid! No really, it is the best one and here’s why:

Azelaic Acid

Not only does it kill the bacteria known for creating spots and blemishes, also contains anti-inflammatory properties helping to reduce symptoms of rosacea flare-ups of the skin.

It is able to do this whilst still remaining gentle on the skin.

Ascorbic Acid

Also known as vitamin C, this acid does also provide rejuvenating benefits for combating rosacea but can be quite irritating to the skin.

What you must also remember is that azelaic acid and ascorbic acid are best avoided to be used together as they have a tendency to counteract each other.

You can find out more about this in our previous blogpost about using vitamin C and azelaic acid together in your skincare routine.

Hyaluronic Acid

This ingredient will help in many ways due to the fact it is able to lock in moisture into the skin helping to repair the protective barrier.

It is also safe for all skin types to use and you may find when teamed with azelaic acid will provide impressive skin results.

There you have some examples of which acids are best to use when wanting to combat signs of rosacea and other areas of redness.

Don’t forget if you ever have any concerns or questions about any of these ingredient and how you can add them to your skin, it is best to consult your GP or a dermatologist.

Can I use azelaic acid twice a day?

Yes, it is perfectly safe to use azelaic acid twice a day preferably once in the morning and again later in the evening.

If you are wanting to target your rosacea effectively and reduce any inflammations we would suggest using it consistently to see quicker results and achieving your skin goals.

Once your skin has built a tolerance and become used to how the rest of the products in your routine work you will be able to have the confidence

that your skincare routine is delivering the best benefits giving you an all-over improvement of the health and appearance of your complexion.

So, now I hope you have a better understanding of azelaic acid and how using it in your skincare routine will improve the appearance of rosacea.

If you have any questions or fancy joining the skin chat come and follow us on

Instagram, look forward to seeing you there!

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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