Why Azelaic Acid Is the Underdog of Your Pimples-Combating Routine

Dr. Inexperienced echoes Dr. Shirazi’s sentiments. Each professionals additionally notice azelaic acid’s antimicrobial and anti inflammatory properties, glorious for treating pores and skin situations like zits and rosacea, because it kills breakout-causing micro organism and reduces irritation. This versatile acid, additionally thought of a delicate exfoliant, stimulates cell turnover as properly. As such, Dr. Inexperienced says that azelaic acid “may also help cut back the looks of zits scars.”

Who can use azelaic acid?

The excellent news is azelaic acid is protected for all pores and skin varieties, however with that being mentioned, Dr. Inexperienced advises these with delicate pores and skin to begin utilizing the ingredient “as soon as a day, growing the frequency to twice a day after a number of weeks.” And, in case you expertise any irritation, it is best to seek the advice of your physician earlier than persevering with.

You additionally needn’t fear an excessive amount of about adjusting your total skin-care routine to include azelaic acid. Happily, Dr. Inexperienced and Dr. Shirazi agree that azelaic acid is mostly mild sufficient and protected to make use of with different components like vitamin C, AHAs, BHAs, and retinoids. Nevertheless, says Dr. Inexperienced, “You probably have prescription-strength azelaic acid, Retin-A, or different topical lotions, it is best to seek the advice of a dermatologist.”

Relying in your pores and skin kind and issues, azelaic acid might be present in over-the-counter merchandise in all kinds of strengths, from as little as 1% to as excessive as 15%, with the very best prescription-strength focus coming in at 20%, per Dr. Shirazi. Nevertheless, decrease concentrations might be simply as efficient and “might assist forestall pores and skin irritation” for these with reactive, delicate pores and skin, says Dr. Inexperienced. “Pores and skin-care merchandise with a low focus of azelaic acid might be useful with regards to unclogging pores, stopping zits breakouts, and soothing pores and skin irritation,” he provides. For these with acne-prone pores and skin, decrease concentrations of azelaic acid are sometimes mixed with different actives like AHAs and BHAs for a multi-pronged method.

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When Attract assessments a product, our editors have a look at it from each angle in an effort to finest serve you. We evaluation components, scrutinize model claims, and, when needed, look at peer-reviewed scientific and medical research. Along with testing each product that’s included in each evaluation, we depend on specialists who form their fields, together with dermatology, beauty chemistry, and medication, to assist us vet the components and formulation.