Overview
- A naturally occurring dicarboxylic acid found in grains
- Used for variety of skin concerns related to acne
- Helps improve both active breakouts and the marks
Azelaic Acid: Why it Matters
What is azelaic acid, and why do people use it?
Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring dicarboxylic acid found in grains such as wheat, rye, and barley. It is valued for its ability to improve multiple concerns including breakouts to uneven skin tone. Generally well tolerated, azelaic acid is widely used by people dealing with adult acne, rosacea-prone skin, post-inflammatory erythema (PIE), and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).
How does azelaic acid actually work on the skin?
When skin is prone to breakouts, concerns like clogged pores, inflammation, redness, and excess pigment often develop beneath the surface. Azelaic acid helps rebalance these processes within the skin.
- Helps reduce acne-causing bacteria associated with breakouts
- Clears dead skin buildup inside pores to reduce congestion
- Calms visible redness and irritation linked to inflammation
- Helps slow excess pigment production after breakouts heal
Why is azelaic acid recommended for dark spots and post-acne marks?
These marks happen because the skin can stay inflamed or produce extra pigment after a breakout. Azelaic acid is often recommended because it helps with both visible redness linked to inflammation and uneven tone linked to excess melanin. This makes it a helpful option for acne-prone skin dealing with active blemishes and the marks they leave behind.
Finding the Right Fit: Skin Types & Usage Tips
Quick Check
-
-
-
-
✓ Acne-Prone Skin with Inflammatory Breakouts
-
✓ Acne-Prone Skin with Inflammatory Breakouts
-
-
Suitable for skin experiencing recurring blemishes, clogged pores, and visible inflammation. Particularly useful for people who find acne treatments too irritating or dry.
- ✓ Combination Skin with Uneven Texture
Support smoother looking skin texture by helping clear buildup within pores without harsh physical exfoliation.
-
✓ Skin with Post-Acne Marks
Helps improve the appearance of lingering discoloration after breakouts, especially uneven tone associated with PIH.
Practical Usage Tips
Q. Why can azelaic acid sometimes feel itchy or warm after application?
A. On sensitive or barrier-weakened skin, this may temporarily stimulate sensory nerves, creating a mild prickly sensation. These sensations are usually mild and tend to decrease as the skin adapts over time. Applying azelaic acid on fully dry skin and following with moisturizer may help improve comfort.
Q. How much azelaic acid should I apply?
A. A thin, even layer is enough. Applying more azelaic acid does not make it work faster and may increase the chance of dryness, itching, or irritation. Start with a small amount, especially if your skin is sensitive, and adjust slowly as your skin builds tolerance.
Did you know?
Azelaic acid offers benefits for human skin and also has a natural role in plant defense. Naturally existing in some plants, it helps protect against infection by acting as an alarm signal. Azelaic acid alerts healthy parts of the plant so they can prepare for future stress or infection. In a similar way, it helps calm inflammation in the skin.
References
Feng, X., Shang, J., Gu, Z., Gong, J., Chen, Y., & Liu, Y. (2024). Azelaic acid: mechanisms of action and clinical applications. Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology, 2359-2371.
Fitton, A., & Goa, K. L. (1991). Azelaic acid: a review of its pharmacological properties and therapeutic efficacy in acne and hyperpigmentary skin disorders. Drugs, 41(5), 780-798.
King, S., Campbell, J., Rowe, R., Daly, M. L., Moncrieff, G., & Maybury, C. (2023). A systematic review to evaluate the efficacy of azelaic acid in the management of acne, rosacea, melasma and skin aging. Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 22(10), 2650-2662.
Layton, A. M., & Dias da Rocha, M. A. (2023). Real-world case studies showing the effective use of azelaic acid in the treatment, and during the maintenance phase, of adult female acne patients. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 515-527.
Priya Reddy, Y. N., & Oelmüller, R. (2024). Lipid peroxidation and stress-induced signalling molecules in systemic resistance mediated by azelaic acid/AZELAIC ACID INDUCED1: signal initiation and propagation. Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants, 30(2), 305-316.
Shucheng, H., Zhou, X., Du, D., Li, J., Yu, C., & Jiang, X. (2024). Effects of 15% azelaic acid gel in the management of post-inflammatory erythema and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in acne vulgaris. Dermatology and Therapy, 14(5), 1293-1314.
*https://dermnetnz.org/topics/azelaic-acid*