What are the benefits of azelaic acid?

It always amazes me that so many great ingredients in skincare rarely get the recognition they deserve. Don’t get me wrong, the ingredients you often hear about, like retinol, hyaluronic acid, and glycolic acid, deserve the spotlight, but believe it or not, there are still a lot of ingredients for your skin that you’re missing out on. Azelaic acid is one of those ingredients that works hard in the background, quietly but effectively. It’s time to take a look at this (relatively) unknown skin hero and learn what exactly it does for your skin and how it can help you achieve your skin goals. So if you want to get a better understanding of this acid and find ways to incorporate it into your daily skincare routine, stay tuned.

What does azelaic acid do for your skin?

Azelaic acid occurs naturally on our skin and can be sourced from grains like barley, wheat, and rye. You’ll often find it created in labs when formulating skincare products to enhance its effectiveness to achieve the skin results it’s so popular for.

Benefits of Azelaic Acid for Skin

Prevents and reduces breakouts like spots and acne

Helps visibly reduce red spots or discoloration that occurs after a breakout

Helps skin feel smoother overall

May help even out skin tone

Suitable for daily use on all skin types

Helps calm rosacea flare-ups

May help reduce skin sensitivity over time

This acid has been extensively studied, especially when used in prescription products at concentrations up to 15% and 20%. This percentage is for medical purposes and should only be used if a doctor has prescribed it for you. You will also find that some skin care professionals incorporate it into professional treatments. Therefore, it is important not to use any of these products at home without consulting a doctor or dermatologist. This will help you avoid unnecessary severe skin irritation or allergic reactions. There are some over-the-counter products that have lower levels of azelaic acid, but many skin care brands still use it sparingly. You may find that if it is not properly incorporated into the formula, the texture can become too grainy, which can cause skin problems.

If you have concerns about using products containing azelaic acid, it is best to consult a doctor or dermatologist first. However, in general, using products with around 10% or less of azelaic acid is a good starting point to incorporate into your daily routine and build up your skin’s tolerance.

Can Azelaic Acid Be Used Every Day?

Azelaic acid has the seal of approval from many dermatologists and is generally considered safe for daily use as part of your morning and night skin care regimen. People should be aware that this acid can dry out and flake the skin. Therefore, it’s best to follow up with a serum or moisturizer that contains hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. Once you’ve completed your morning routine, don’t forget to apply an SPF of 30 or higher (the higher the better) before you apply makeup for the day. By the way, you can use azelaic acid with AHAs, but I recommend using these products beforehand because they help the azelaic acid penetrate deeper into the skin without having to fight the barrier of dead skin cells that form on the surface of the skin.

How long does it take for azelaic acid to work?

If this is your first time using azelaic acid in your daily routine, after 6-8 weeks of consistent use and application, you’ll see an overall improvement in your complexion. Here are a few things to keep in mind before you try to apply it all over your skin, and what you can do to safely introduce it into your daily routine.

Always perform a patch test

Start at night by applying azelaic acid skincare to a small area on your forearm. Leave it on for 24 hours, and if there are no signs of irritation, apply a thin layer of the product to your entire face every night for a week. After this week, you can increase the amount to use once in the morning and once at night.

There will be a slight tingling sensation

You may notice that your skin starts to sting after applying azelaic acid to your skin. This is completely normal. If it becomes too uncomfortable and painful, rinse it off your skin immediately!

Expect your skin to turn pink!

If you notice your skin turning pink or showing signs of redness, this is also completely normal. It just shows that the acid is working its magic and rejuvenating the skin.

Apply it all over your skin.

Avoid sensitive areas like the eyes, lips, and mouth, but don’t be shy and apply it all over your skin to fight bacteria, reduce active acne, and prevent future breakouts.

What shouldn’t you mix with azelaic acid?

Although azelaic acid works well with AHAs like glycolic and lactic acid, many advise against combining it with the popular BHA salicylic acid. This is mainly because the skin can become too dry and irritated as the two acids stacked on top of each other can be too much for the skin. However, if you want to use both of these powerful ingredients together, you can alternate between them in your evening routine throughout the week.

Should I Stop Using Azelaic Acid?

If you experience any of the following side effects, stop using azelaic acid:

Severe burning

Stinging or warm sensations

Severe itching

Severe redness in the form of bumps or hives

Peeling skin

Severe irritation

If you are extremely concerned and experience any of these side effects, call your doctor as soon as possible.

Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of the benefits of azelaic acid and how to incorporate it into your daily routine. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram if you have any questions or want to join in the skin chat.

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.

Related Articles

Ad Blocker Detected