How to Use Azelaic Acid for Rosacea?

If you have skin issues like rosacea, then it’s natural to be cautious about using any old ingredient in your daily skincare routine. The beauty of azelaic acid is that it has anti-inflammatory properties, which means it can reduce redness and soothe the skin. It is able to reach the lower layers and prevent future redness and other levels of rosacea severity. With that in mind, let’s explore how to use azelaic acid for rosacea.

How long does it take for azelaic acid to work for rosacea?

Before we discuss how long does azelaic acid take to work for rosacea, let me first cover what azelaic acid is and how it benefits the skin.

Azelaic Acid

The chemical name for azelaic acid is dicarboxylic acid, and it’s a natural extract from barley, wheat, and rye. Thanks to modern technology, keeping this powerful yet gentle acid at effective and stable levels has become the norm, and you can expect to see this clever ingredient used more and more frequently in various skincare formulas.

Often mistakenly considered a member of the alpha hydroxy acid group, azelaic acid offers the same exfoliating and purifying benefits as the other acids while being gentle on the skin and acting as a powerful antioxidant. It is typically found in concentrations between 15% and 20%, although lower percentages have been known to produce impressive results on the skin. However, if you suffer from a skin condition such as rosacea, it is important to find the right formula to ensure there are no signs of irritation or sensitivity.

Key Benefits of Azelaic Acid

Fights breakouts, including pimples, blackheads, and frequent breakouts

Reduces the appearance and severity of rosacea

Exfoliates to remove dead skin cell buildup for a brighter complexion

Reduces signs of dark spots and hyperpigmentation

Does Azelaic Acid Make Rosacea Worse?

Rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, azelaic acid has earned its reputation for being able to penetrate deep into the underlying layers of the skin to reduce redness and irritation for longer-lasting results. As with all acids, especially chemical peels, you have to find the right formula first, as it’s hard to find azelaic acid concentrates at 10% or less, which means that many products with higher percentages can compromise the consistency of the formula because it becomes very grainy. This can be a problem for people with rosacea, as the physical disruption to the skin can lead to increased redness and flaky patches on the face.

When should azelaic acid be used routinely?

There are many products that contain azelaic acid, and all produce equally impressive results. You can find products like serums and moisturizers. Whatever formula you choose, it’s important to understand how it works for you and your skin type.

Whether it’s an over-the-counter or prescription product, it’s best to apply a thin layer to the surface of your skin, especially if it’s a new ingredient you’re adding to your routine. Once your skin has developed a tolerance to azelaic acid, you can use it morning and night without worrying about a lasting reaction. Still, it’s best to consult a doctor or dermatologist before trying a new skincare product to avoid any adverse reactions. Once you’ve decided that azelaic acid is a perfect fit for your routine, you can optimize the results by using a serum or cream product after using an exfoliating toner containing an AHA or BHA, such as glycolic or salicylic acid. This way, you’ll eliminate the barrier created by the layer of dead skin cells, allowing the azelaic acid to penetrate deeper into the skin. Don’t forget to follow up with a moisturizer enriched with hyaluronic acid and with an SPF of 30 or higher.

What shouldn’t you mix with azelaic acid?

Since azelaic acid is one of the gentler facial acids, you can combine it with more ingredients. However, that doesn’t mean you can safely use them with anything. Here’s a list of ingredients you should be aware of when mixing with azelaic acid.

Azelaic acid and salicylic acid (BHA)

If you want to combine these ingredients without worrying about skin irritation, consider using products that complement each other. For example, if you want to use a serum enriched with azelaic acid, choose a toner that contains BHA, salicylic acid. Not only will this allow the azelaic acid to penetrate the skin better, it will also allow you to leave enough time between applications to avoid allergies. Of course, keep in mind that if you have dry or sensitive skin that’s prone to rosacea and similar breakouts, it’s best to avoid salicylic acid in your routine altogether.

Azelaic Acid and Vitamin C

These two ingredients have a reputation for being unstable in formulas. You might think the two don’t go together, but if you introduce them into your routine correctly, you’ll really benefit from these skincare powerhouses. If I were to suggest anything, it would be to use a vitamin C serum first thing in the morning and then an azelaic acid moisturizer at night.

Azelaic Acid and Hyaluronic Acid

Luckily, hyaluronic acid can be combined with any skincare ingredient without worrying about irritation. If you’re prone to rosacea, this combination is actually the most beneficial. The moisture that hyaluronic acid provides to the skin helps soothe the outer surface and allows the azelaic acid to work its magic in peace, with little to no side effects, but a healthy, balanced, and radiant complexion.

Can Azelaic Acid be Used Daily?

You can actually do this! In fact, you can use it twice a day, morning and night, in your routine. If you want to learn more about azelaic acid and its benefits for your skin, check out our dedicated blog post all about this clever ingredient and how it can affect your complexion, especially if you suffer from rosacea.

You can learn more about using azelaic acid to treat rosacea here. As I mentioned before, always consult a doctor or dermatologist for the health of your skin. Once you better understand how this ingredient can benefit your skin, you’ll be amazed at how your complexion improves.

Don’t forget: If you love skin, check out our new YouTube channel, The Green Sofa. We’ll save a spot for you, and follow us on Instagram if you have any additional questions.

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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