How Long Can You Use Azelaic Acid For?
Azelaic acid, we’ve discussed this unsung hero before on the Beauty Insiders. There’s no denying that is a favourite amongst skin experts and dermatologists alike. You’ll also find that its popularity has increased rapidly over recent years, with many serums packed with the powerhouse making their way into our daily skincare routine.
This acid is a natural compound found in grains, such as wheat, rye, and barley. You’ll often find it’s formulated into products that can help treat acne as well as rosacea. This is uncommon as most ingredients used for targeting acne are too harsh for those suffering from rosacea and other similar skin conditions. This is just an example of how this unique ingredient works at restoring, calming, and rejuvenating the complexion, without any unwanted side effects. If you wanted to know more about this clever ingredient and how it works on the skin, check out our dedicated blog post.
Now, let’s dive right in and find out how long can you use azelaic acid for?
Can you use azelaic acid long term?
The length of time you must use azelaic acid is very much dependent on the product formulation you are using. This is because it is important to understand how the variety of products will affect how much you are able to apply it to your skin.
When it comes to the scientific backing of azelaic acid, you’ll often find that much of the research was done with prescription formulations. These often have a percentage of 15%-20% of azelaic acid making the products highly potent and require you to apply them as instructed by your doctor or dermatologist.
As for over-the-counter products, these will contain a considerably lower percentage and can be used in conjunction effectively with other actives already established in your routine. You can usually apply these products twice a day or however long you are wanting to use them. Having said that, it is still vital you consult with a doctor, especially if you are new to azelaic acid to ensure the acid will work for you and your skin.
When should I stop using azelaic acid?
If you have checked with your doctor and performed a patch test for 24 hours, you are able to apply azelaic acid with the peace of mind you won’t cause irritation to the skin. Having said that, there are some signs that azelaic acid isn’t the ingredient for you, such as.
Severe itching or tingling
Severe redness
Dryness
Skin peeling
Changes in skin colour
Burning or warmth to the skin
Stinging
Difficulty breathing
These symptoms are signs of an allergic reaction and can have long lasting damage to the skin if you do not act fast. If you find you suffer with any of the side effects I have mentioned, rinse the product of the skin immediately with cool water. Avoid using any other potent or harsh ingredients on the skin, instead apply a liberal amount of hyaluronic acid to the skin to lock in moisture and boost hydration.
If you find you suffer from the more severe side effects, it is best to consult your doctor quickly and stop using your azelaic acid enriched product until you have spoken to an expert.
Does azelaic acid damage the skin?
Yes, it can, but only if you suffer from an allergic reaction, like the ones I have previously mentioned. As for azelaic acid causing skin damage when used correctly, this is something that isn’t necessarily true, however, you will find that if you use the acid in your routine during your morning skincare routine, it is essential to apply a daily SPF of 30 and above to protect the skin from exposure to the sun’s UV rays.
As azelaic acid provides the skin with exfoliation, you’ll find it sloughs away the top layer of dead skin cell build-up, reveal fresh, new cells underneath. These new skin cells are highly sensitive to UV light, so to avoid any deep-set damage you must apply sunscreen to protect the new cells as well as keeping the skin barrier strong and fully functioning.
How long does azelaic acid purging last?
You’ll find that skin purging begins to subside after one month, however many find the skin continues to show signs of purging up to 8 weeks. This is very much dependant on the state of the skin when you first introduced azelaic acid in topical form, and how high the percentage is of the acid in the formulation. If you find the purging continues after 8 weeks, I suggest you ask for some advice from a dermatologist or trained professional to find a better product or alternative.
If you are about what exactly is purging, it is a term used to describe the look of the skin once you have introduced a highly effective exfoliant to your skincare routine. The exfoliant will penetrate deeply into the pores and help unclog them of any excess sebum, bacteria, dirt, and other debris build-up. This “gunk” will then make its way to the surface of the skin and will often result in breakouts, such as whiteheads, blackheads, and under the surface bumps. The trick is to continue using your routine as normal, as this will encourage the purging to finish more rapidly and result in brighter, smoother, healthy skin in no time.
Can I use azelaic acid for years?
As evidence shows, it is perfectly safe to use azelaic acid in your routine for years. I do wish to remind you however is that our skin can change over the years, with it often becoming dryer as we age as well as hormonal changes affecting the overall health and appearance of the complexion too.
Many enjoy using skincare and will often mix up their routines with different ingredients and formulas, this is something I personally encourage as it results in you gaining the best results for your skin and reaping the rewards of powerhouse actives. Just ensure you are following the instructions and introduce new ingredients properly into your routine.
There you have a little more information about how long you can use azelaic acid, don’t forget if you have anu further questions, come and follow us on Instagram for more.
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.
