What is Azelaic Acid?
Azelaic Acid is a naturally occurring chemical compound found in wheat, barley and rye. It has gained popularity as a skincare ingredient due to its antimicrobial properties making it an excellent treatment for acne.
Benefits of Azelaic Acid
- It has anti-inflammatory properties.
- It can reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation.
- It can help diminish acne scars.
- It increases the rate of cell turnover.
- It can be effective against acne.
- It has skin lightening properties.
How does Azelaic Acid help in treating different skin conditions?
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Acne- Azelaic Acid is well known for its anti-acne properties. As the skin sheds older skin cells, the older keratin producing cells can clog the pores. Azelaic Acid helps control keratin production and prevents the formation of plugs which result in acne. Azelaic Acid also helps get rid of bacteria which are a major culprit for acne.
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Hyperpigmentation- Azelaic Acid helps treat hyperpigmentation by acting as a tyrosinase inhibitor and reducing the synthesis of melanin in the skin. It helps get rid of hyperpigmentation and PIH with consistent usage.
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Rosacea- Azelaic Acid has anti-inflammatory properties which can be helpful in treating the redness and flushing associated with rosacea.
How does Azelaic Acid work?
Azelaic Acid has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which help in treating acne. Azelaic Acid increases the cell turnover rate, meaning it exfoliates the skin effectively. It’s also a tyrosinase inhibitor which makes it effective against hyperpigmentation and acne scars.
How to use Azelaic Acid?
Azelaic Acid isn’t a very common ingredient in skincare products, so it’s important to start slow and test it out for an allergy or sensitivity to it. Azelaic Acid can be used at night and in the morning every day. Apply your Azelaic Acid product to freshly cleansed, dry skin and let it absorb before the application of any other product. Make sure to use sunscreen every day regardless of whether or not you’re using Azelaic Acid.
Who can use Azelaic Acid?
Azelaic Acid can safely be used by people with oily and combination skin. Dry and sensitive-skinned people need to be wary. It also happens to be one of the few skin lightening ingredients which can be safely used during pregnancy. Although it has a wide range of benefits for the skin, it’s especially beneficial for people with hyperpigmentation.
Which ingredients can be used with Azelaic Acid?
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AHAs– Using an AHA alongside Azelaic Acid can help increase the efficacy and benefits of both the ingredients. Together this combination can be effective in treating many skin problems like acne, hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone and texture.
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Hyaluronic Acid- Hyaluronic Acid is a gentle, hydrating ingredient which can safely be used with Azelaic Acid. The combination provides brightness and hydration in one go.
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Niacinamide- Azelaic Acid helps reduce the production of melanin while Niacinamide can help prevent the transfer of any existing melanin in the skin. Both of these ingredients can be effective in treating hyperpigmentation and brightening the skin. Niacinamide also acts as a barrier repairing ingredient and Azelaic Acid helps increase the cell turnover rate and can be effective against acne.
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Kojic Acid- Both Kojic Acid and Azelaic Acid reduce the amount of melanin in the skin and are effective in getting rid of hyperpigmentation.
Which ingredients to avoid with Azelaic Acid?
Although Azelaic Acid is considered to be gentle enough to be safely used alongside other ingredients, it’s best to avoid using certain ingredients with it to avoid any risk of irritation. Using ingredients like Vitamin C or Retinol with Azelaic Acid may be too much for some skin types and result in irritation. The interaction of these ingredients with Azelaic Acid depends on your skin’s sensitivity and tolerance. These ingredients can technically be used with Azelaic Acid and their benefits cannot be disregarded. So, you can try using these ingredients together if you’re sure that your skin can tolerate these combinations.
Precautions while using Azelaic Acid
Azelaic Acid has been associated with dryness, peeling, redness, stinging and burning after application which is why it’s important to patch test before using it. Using Azelaic Acid may cause thinning of the skin because it affects the synthesis of skin protein leading to a compromised skin barrier, which increases a risk of irritation. Make sure to avoid application of Azelaic Acid on broken, damaged or sunburnt skin.
Azelaic Acid or Alpha Arbutin?
Both of these ingredients are effective in treating hyperpigmentation by acting as tyrosinase inhibitors. There really isn’t a better choice when it comes to these two- Azelaic Acid also helps in treating acne along with hyperpigmentation while Alpha Arbutin has fewer side effects in comparison to Azelaic Acid. Choose one based on your requirement and skin concerns.
Deconstruct’s Range of products of Azelaic Acid-
Deconstruct Breakout Control Serum with 3.3% Potassium Azeloyl Diglycenate
This serum contains 3.3% Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate, which not only controls acne but also acts as a skin brightening agent. It’s also formulated with Lactococcus ferment lysate which helps in the maintenance of the skin barrier.
Conclusion
Fairly new to the skincare game, Azelaic Acid is a multi-tasking ingredient which needs to be used with care. As with any other skincare ingredient, following the precautions and keeping the side effects in mind is essential. With a variety of benefits, Azelaic Acid has the potential to take you a step closer to your goal skin.
FAQs
- Can Azelaic Acid be used every day?
Yes, Azelaic Acid can be used every day. It’s important to be consistent with usage to see optimum results.
- Is Azelaic Acid safe to use?
Yes, Azelaic Acid is an ingredient with sufficient research supporting that it’s safe for topical use up to a concentration of 20%.
- Is Azelaic Acid good for acne?
Yes, due to its anti-inflammatory properties, Azelaic Acid can be effective in treating acne.
