What it does
A gentle acid that calms the look of redness, helps clear breakouts, and fades the appearance of post-acne marks and uneven tone.
Best for
Redness, rosacea-prone and acne-prone skin, and post-inflammatory marks. Well tolerated, including on sensitive skin.
What is azelaic acid?
Azelaic acid is a gentle multi-tasking acid found naturally in grains. It calms the look of redness, helps clear breakouts, and fades the appearance of post-acne marks, all with low irritation.
That combination is why it suits people who have both acne and redness, a group that often struggles with harsher treatments.
What does azelaic acid do for skin?
Azelaic acid reduces the look of blemishes and evens the appearance of tone at the same time.
Dermatology acne guidelines include azelaic acid as an effective topical for inflammatory acne and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
It pairs well with niacinamide for redness-prone, blemish-prone skin. It is gradual, so give it several weeks of consistent use.
Who should use azelaic acid?
Azelaic acid suits acne-prone, rosacea-prone, and marks-prone skin, including sensitive skin that cannot handle stronger actives. Apply a thin layer after cleansing, and follow with moisturizer and daily sunscreen.
Evidence
Azelaic acid appears in dermatology acne guidelines as an effective topical for inflammatory acne and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Read the source: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology: Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris (2024) ->