Azelaic Acid: The Grain Ingredient That Is Great for Acne and Rosacea

Azelaic acid is a newcomer in the beauty world, and it is getting a lot of attention.

In this article, we will cover the basics of Azelaic Acid, and how it may benefit multiple issues including Acne, Melasma, and Rosacea.

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What is Azelaic Acid?

Azelaic Acid is a naturally occurring acid that is found in wheat, barley, and rye.

((If you avoid any of these due to a gluten allergy, ask your pharmacist about the source of the Azelaic Acid in your product, since it is often produced synthetically.))

It is also naturally produced by a yeast naturally found on the skin.

It is considered a dicarboxylic acid.

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Learn More: People Are Swearing by the Power of Azelaic Acid for Rosacea

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What does Azelaic Acid do for skin?

Azelaic acid kills certain bacteria strains on the skin that normally play a part in acne development by blocking the bacteria’s ability to make proteins.

Azelaic Acid also helps smooth skin by gently exfoliating thickened, rough areas (keratolytic) and clearing clogged pores (comedolytic).

This mild acid has also been found to have powerful free-radical scavenging abilities, making it a gentle antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.

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How does Azelaic Acid help with Acne, Rosacea, and Melasma?

For acne:

Azelaic Acid’s ability to reduce inflammation while clearing bacteria helps significantly with inflammatory acne.

If your issue is more blackheads/whiteheads, Azelaic also helps clear those by infiltrating and clearing out the pores.

For Rosacea:

The biggest problems involved in Rosacea is redness, inflammation, and tiny pimples.

Azelaic Acid soothes reddened inflamed skin while mopping up excess bacteria.

For Melasma:

Azelaic Acid is a natural skin lightener that can block or destroy some of the pigment cells causing the overproduction of melanin in Melasma.

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How effective is Azelaic Acid?

One study tested out Azelaic Acid in combination with broad-spectrum sunscreen in women with Melasma and found that after 24 weeks 65% of the Azelaic Acid group had good or excellent results.

Another study had 100 participants with Acne apply 15% Azelaic acid cream twice daily for 3-9 months and reported significant acne improvement in every case!

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Read Related: How our Rosacea Cream Gets the Red Out

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How to use Azelaic Acid?

Apply Azelaic Acid to clean, dry skin once or twice daily.

Wash hands after use.

Ask your healthcare provider before combining it with other products, since harsh exfoliants, peels, or scrubs may cause irritation.

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How long does Azelaic Acid take to work?

For Acne, improvements may be seen within 4 weeks of treatment.

Rosacea may take a bit longer, and you should check with a healthcare provider if you don’t see improvement after 12 weeks of treatment.

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Azelaic Acid side effects

Side effects may include:

Itching, burning, stinging, tingling, tenderness, or dryness.

See your healthcare provider if the following occur, as this may be a sign of an allergic reaction:

Swelling of the face, tongue, throat, lips, or eyes, difficulty swallowing or breathing, rash, or hives.

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Where to buy Azelaic Acid?

Azelaic Acid is available in some over-the-counter products, but only in weaker strengths (generally 10% or less).

For stronger 15%-20% Azelaic Acid products you will need a prescription.

Our compounded Rosacea Formula contains Azelaic Acid in combination with Brimonidine, another potential redness reducer.

Have an online questionnaire-based consultation with our U.S. licensed providers today to see how we can help with your skin regimen.

*Compounded drug products are not approved or evaluated for safety, effectiveness, or quality by the FDA. Rx required.