The skin benefits of Azelaic Acid

Azelaic acid occurs naturally in various grains (e.g., barley, wheat, rye, etc.) but it also occurs naturally on the skin, produced by yeast living on your epidermis. It’s known for having both anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. This makes it the perfect addition to skin care intended to treat rosacea, eczema, and acne too. Azelaic acid is a favorite of dermatologists for its gentleness and versatility and its overall skin benefits.

This multi-purpose ingredient helps gently fight acne, exfoliate, reduce inflammation, treats rosacea, and evens skin ton. Research has shown azelaic acid is a effective bactericide that even shows benefits against bacteria resistant to traditional medications. By killing the bacteria in and unclogging pores while it exfoliates it is conducive to clearing blemishes and treating acne prone skin. It also helps to calm inflamed skin and can soothe red bumps due to irritation. It’s why azelaic acid is helpful when used to combat rosacea and the related issues stemming from it.

Azelaic acid helps to even skin tone

From post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation to melasma, along with other skin pigmentation issues, azelaic acid is benefical in improving irregular skin tone. Again, this versatile ingredient targets abnormal melanocytes (which means it only affects dark spots while leaving normal skin cells alone) by inhibiting tyrosine, an enzyme that’s a precursor to hyperpigmentation. And because azelaic acid naturally occurs on our skin, it’s one of the few acne and brightening ingredients that’s generally regarded as safe to use during pregnancy – for hormonal related breakouts or melasma, etc.

While azelaic acid is generally well tolerated, it can cause stinging or dryness or dermatitis at prescriptive strengths (15% to 20%) or for those that are sensitive to the ingredient. Though even lower percentages can cause a reaction this generally subsides in a few weeks if you’re able to continue with it.

Overall, azelaic acid is a wonderful skin care ingredient that has multiple uses and applications. And it generally works well in conjunction with other skin care ingredients. It’s been utilized to treat acne for a long while and now appears in skin care products focused on brightening. It may be an ingredient worth adding to your routine. Just be sure to apply sunscreen after its use as it can be sun sensitizing.

Francesa Fusco, MD, an NYC-based dermatologist who specializes in dermatologic surgery states “it’s comedolytic (meaning it prevents comedones – blackheads) and works to exfoliate deep within the pores.” ¹

¹ https://www.byrdie.com/azelaic-acid-4705426

Related Reading

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2807702/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2921758/
• https://www.forhers.com/blog/benefits-of-azelaic-acid