Azelaic Acid
If you’re dealing with acne, rosacea or uneven skin tone, azelaic acid should star in your skincare routine. It helps skin by clearing congestion, refining texture, and fading post-acne marks and discolouration, all while calming redness and reducing sensitivity. Explore our range of azelaic acid serums and creams to restore balance and calm to stressed-out skin.
Your Questions, Answered
Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring dicarboxylic acid found in grains like wheat, rye and barley, as well as within your skin’s own microbiome.
Azelaic acid gently exfoliates to unclog pores, smooth texture, even out skin tone, maintain long-term skin health and fade post-acne marks and other discolouration. It also helps reduce sensitivity and improve your skin’s tolerance over time, making it particularly helpful for rosacea, perioral dermatitis or reactive skin.
Apply a thin, even layer over your face and wait around 10 minutes before applying hydrating serums, moisturiser and SPF (if using it in the morning).
As with any active ingredient, it’s best to introduce azelaic acid gradually. Start by applying it every other day, then build up to daily use as your skin adjusts. Great beginner options include The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% and the Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster.
Azelaic acid plays well with most other ingredients, including retinol, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, salicylic acid and vitamin C. To begin with, introduce each ingredient slowly to check how you react to it.
Yes, you might experience a temporary increase in breakouts when you begin using azelaic acid. This is normal! The exfoliating action is working to unclog pores and bring everything to the surface, which can result in more breakouts at first.
