I’m sure you’ve heard about salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid while trying to find the best products to include in your skincare routine. But have you heard about azelaic acid and its benefits for the skin?
If you don’t know what azelaic acid is and how it can help you achieve beautiful, smooth, young-looking skin, make sure to continue reading as I’ll explain everything in detail.
What is Azelaic Acid?
This acid occurs naturally in grains such as rye, wheat, or barley and it is used in various skin treatments for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the compound used by the skincare industry is a lab-engineered form since the naturally occurring one is not as stable or effective.
Azelaic acid is part of a class of drugs called dicarboxylic acids, and when used in medical treatments (in small amounts), you can find it as a gel, foam, or cream.
Can You Buy Azelaic Acid Over the Counter?
If you’re looking for azelaic acid prescription strength (15% and more), then you can’t find it in over-the-counter stores. However, you can ask your dermatologist if it would work on your skin. If they believe it to be a good fit, the dermatologist will write you a prescription and tell you where it’s most likely to find it.
However, if you don’t need a high concentration of azelaic acid or you have thin, dry skin, it’s best to use low-concentration products, which are readily available over-the-counter.
Why Include Azelaic Acid in Your Skincare Routine
Most people who will benefit from these types of products are people with acne-prone, oily skin, but there are other reasons to make azelaic acid a part of your daily routine. Here are the most important ones:
#1: Constant Outbreaks & Rosacea
Azelaic acid helps remove the bacteria living in the skin pores (the ones guilty of producing outbreaks over and over).
So if you’re always breaking out even if you use proper cleansers and other acne products, azelaic acid may be a better option. Plus, some studies show that it can be efficient against hormonal acne as well.
However, it does take some time to see the effects, so if you are suffering from cystic acne your derm may prescribe a different treatment.
#2: Acne Scars and Rosacea-affected Skin
The anti-inflammatory properties of azelaic acid also help reduce acne scars and redness produced by rosacea outbreaks. Plus, by unblocking pores and reducing swelling, these treatments can help prevent the forming of any long-lasting surface scars.
In time, if included in your routine, it can smooth out the skin and reduce the appearance of blood vessels that give the skin the appearance of irritation and redness.
#3: Hyperpigmentation & Melasma
Both hyperpigmentation and melasma create coloration of the skin, due to an excess of melanin, which presents as darker patches or marks. These are not as uncomfortable as acne or rosacea, but many people want to fix this discoloration and get a more uniform skin tone.
Products containing azelaic acid can help lighten the skin and reduce the effect of hyperpigmentation if the product is applied topically, on the affected area, for a certain period of time.
This happens because azelaic acid inhibits the enzyme tyrosinase, which is responsible for melanin production.
Wrap Up
Azelaic acid is mostly used for the treatment of acne and rosacea, which is why it’s easy to find it in products designed for teenage skin. However, there are some creams, foams, and gels designed for mature skin as well (especially in hyperpigmentation and melasma treatments).
Overall, the treatment is effective in the long term, but it can also cause some irritations and dry skin. So before you start using these types of products, it’s best to make sure you’re following a strict beauty routine designed for teenagers in order to avoid acne or, at least, keep it under control.
If these don’t work, then you can combine your current routine with an azelaic acid product and see if there’s any improvement. But it’s important to continue your current routine and always wear SPF!
