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What Not to Mix with Azelaic Acid?
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What Not to Mix with Azelaic Acid?

30 August 2024





What Not to Mix with Azelaic Acid?




Many people mistakenly believe that azelaic acid is a member of the larger family of alpha hydroxy acid chemical peels. However, the problem with azelaic acid is that, believe it or not, it is neither an AHA, BHA, nor a PHA.





Derived from yeast that naturally occurs on the skin, it is popular with dermatologists for its versatility and gentleness. Not to mention the effects it provides for a clear complexion by combating acne breakouts and other skin imperfections. It is incorporated into a variety of skincare products, from face washes to leave-on treatments, all of which deliver impressive results. For more information on this unique skin ingredient, visit our website for a dedicated blog post on what it is and the benefits you can expect.




Now that I’ve briefly explained what azelaic acid is, let’s look at what not to mix with azelaic acid.





Can Vitamin C and Azelaic Acid Be Mixed?




Both Vitamin C and Azelaic Acid are highly effective ingredients that deliver immediate results to the skin. With this in mind, you might think that combining them together isn’t a great idea. Generally, it’s considered to be completely harmless. However, to avoid feeling too intense on the skin, it’s best to apply each ingredient separately.





Which came first, vitamin C or azelaic acid?




Since vitamin C is packed with antioxidants, making it a powerful force against free radicals, it’s best to use it in your morning skincare routine to allow it to work throughout the day, protecting your skin and keeping it healthy. Then at night, you can use azelaic acid-rich products to address any concerns during your beauty sleep.





Can Azelaic Acid and Lactic Acid Be Mixed?




Technically, azelaic acid is a dicarboxylic acid that works similarly to AHAs and BHAs, but also offers other skin benefits, such as: B. It has a huge effect on skin tone and correcting other skin concerns. However, there’s nothing wrong with combining azelaic acid with other chemical peels like lactic acid. You’ll find that using these acids together can help you address any concerns and target specific areas of your skin, making it easy to treat uneven skin texture, dark spots, and signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles.





Since lactic acid is considered one of the gentlest AHAs, combining azelaic acid with lactic acid is a great place to start if you have dry skin or are new to using acids in your skincare routine. That way you can avoid overloading your skin and unwanted side effects.




Can I mix azelaic acid with glycolic acid?





Yes, you can. As I mentioned in the previous section of this post, the combination of AHAs and azelaic acid is completely safe. Using glycolic acid and azelaic acid has the added benefit that the combination of active acid concentrations with the skin has been shown to have a greater impact on the skin than tretinoin. For those who are unsure, tretinoin, also known as all-trans retinoic acid, is commonly found in prescription drugs and medical products designed to treat and clear acne and other serious skin blemishes.




Just a warning: glycolic acid is the most potent of the AHAs and can cause skin irritation if overused on the skin. That’s why I recommend that you consult a doctor or dermatologist first. Then do a 24-hour patch test before applying the acid all over your skin to avoid any adverse skin reactions.




What else can I use in addition to azelaic acid?

Ideally, you should apply a moisturizer with a daily SPF of 30 or higher over azelaic acid.

To get the most out of azelaic acid, it’s best to use it in the later stages of your routine. Many skin care experts recommend adding AHAs (like lactic and glycolic), BHAs (like salicylic acid), and retinols (retinol) before using azelaic acid. This ensures that these active ingredients can work their way into the skin while clearing away dead skin cells, allowing the azelaic acid to absorb quickly and effectively into the skin.

Can I use a moisturizer after using azelaic acid?

Azelaic acid is praised for its versatility and is used in a range of skin care products. This is important because when using skin care products, I generally achieve the best results when I apply the product based on the thickness of the formula. This usually means that a moisturizer should be applied at the end of your routine. You will also find that applying a moisturizer after using products containing azelaic acid will help balance the skin and add more moisture to the skin. This is an effective way to combat signs of dryness that can occur when using azelaic acid and other chemical peels.

Can salicylic acid and azelaic acid be mixed?

When it comes to using azelaic acid with BHAs (especially salicylic acid, which is the most commonly used), many dermatologists are hesitant to recommend combining these two powerful duos. It is believed that the small molecular size of salicylic acid allows it to penetrate deeper into the skin, causing some irritation side effects. While azelaic acid is much gentler, the combination of these two acids can be too harsh on the skin and you’ll notice an increase in dryness, redness, and general discomfort.

If you want to use these two ingredients in your daily routine, I recommend alternating between them and don’t forget to wear sunscreen every day to ensure your skin is protected from UV rays.

What are the side effects of azelaic acid?

You may be wondering why I wanted to share the side effects of this acid with you after explaining how gentle azelaic acid is on the skin. Because even with the gentlest ingredients, there is always a chance of side effects. If you are unfamiliar with an ingredient or may be using skincare for the first time, you should always seek the help of a dermatologist or a trained professional to ensure that your new product or routine is the best fit for you and your skin type.

The main side effects that may occur when using azelaic acid are:

Itching

Burns

Stinging

Stinging

These should only be mild sensations, but if you experience any of the above side effects severely or for a long time, stop using the product immediately and call your doctor.

Here are some examples of which acids work well and which ones you should avoid when using azelaic acid in your skin care routine. As always, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram.

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.
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