In my opinion, azelaic acid is THE ingredient of 2021. It’s all over Instagram and TikTok and is the most up and coming skincare ingredient. Azelaic acid is still gaining traction and I think more azelaic acid products will be out soon! There lots of popular skincare ingredients, so is azelaic acid really worth the hype? Today I’m breaking down the benefits of azelaic acid and how to add it to your routine.
What is Azelaic Acid?
Azelaic Acid is an anti-inflammatory ingredient that is commonly used to treat acne and rosacea. It’s a unique ingredient because it’s gentle yet effective in treating these concerns. It works by killing acne-causing bacteria and reducing inflammation in the skin. It’s a very multi-functional ingredient that’s a great option for sensitive skin.
Azelaic Acid Benefits
Azelaic Acid has many benefits – it can help unclog pores and treat acne and is very gentle on the skin. It’s one of the few acne-fighting ingredients that is safe for use during pregnancy. Azelaic acid can also help with treating post-inflammatory erythema, hyperpigmentation, and melasma. It’s a great choice for rosacea-prone skin to help calm redness and sensitivity.
However, since azelaic acid is very gentle, it can take awhile to see results, especially with acne. It’s typically not the first choice for treating acne because of this. But if your skin is sensitive and can’t tolerate stronger acne treatments like tretinoin, it could be a great option to try out! You can also use azelaic acid alongside/alternated with other acne treatments. Although azelaic acid is typically well-tolerated, it’s important to take it slow when starting out.
If you’re already using retinoids or exfoliating acids, you may not need to add azelaic acid to your routine. If you’re looking to treat acne and are seeing results with retinoids or exfoliating acids, you likely don’t need it. However, if you have redness, rosacea, or inflammation, azelaic acid could be a great addition!
Product Recommendations
So what products should you look for to incorporate azelaic acid in your routine?
If you pick up an over-the-counter azelaic acid product, most of them are at about 10% concentration. For milder cases of acne and rosacea, this is a great place to start! If you’re looking for over-the-counter options, Topicals Faded is a great option. The Ordinary Azelaic Acid 10% Suspension is another popular product.
If you’re looking for a stronger, more effective way to get azelaic acid’s benefits, try talking to your derm! Checking in with a dermatologist is a great way to see if it’s a good fit for you and your skin. Azelaic acid is typically prescribed at 15-20% concentration. This higher % is more effective than over-the-counter products. I personally use 15% Azelaic Acid 🙂
How to incorporate azelaic acid into your routine
So you’ve found the azelaic acid product of your dreams and are looking for a way to add it to your skincare routine. No worries, I’ve got you!
I recommend using azelaic acid 2 or 3 times a week to start, and you can build up from there! To start out, avoid combining azelaic acid with other active ingredients. If you’re using an azelaic acid serum, use it after cleanser/toner and before moisturizer/SPF. Once your skin builds a tolerance to your azelaic acid product, you can increase to daily use if you’d like! Compared to exfoliating acids like glycolic acid, azelaic acid is quite gentle on the skin. You can also try combining it with other active ingredients but proceed with caution. Start slowly and listen to your skin to avoid irritation or sensitivity.
And that’s it! Azelaic acid has some amazing skin benefits and is a great option for most skin types! While it may not be the most effective for acne on its extremely multi-functional. I personally love incorporating azelaic acid in my routine to help with PIE, redness, and inflammation. So my verdict? Azelaic acid is definitely worth the hype! Have you tried azelaic acid before? Let me know your thoughts!
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