When you’re dealing with acne, you’re likely trying to find the right ingredients and cocktail of products to heal your skin. Regardless of your skin type, you’ve probably heard of using salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and other skincare ingredients to treat your acne. However, there’s yet another skincare ingredient that needs to be on your radar: Azelaic Acids.
Dr. Jody A. Levine, MD, FAAD, FAAP, a New York Dermatologist at Plastic Surgery & Dermatology, and Dr. Karyn Grossman, a board-certified dermatologist at Karyng Skincare, tells ESSENCE all about azelaic acids and its wonderful benefits for acne, rosacea and melasma.
What is Azelaic Acid?
“Azelaic acid is a naturally-occurring acid found in grains such as wheat and barley,” Dr. Levine tells Beautycon. “It has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a good ingredient for use in skincare products.” Azelaic acids are suitable for all skin types since it’s considered a gentle acid. Dr. Levine recommends people to do a patch test before starting to use azelaic acid as high percentages of this acid can irritate the skin.
What are the benefits of Azelaic Acid?
Azelaic acids have many benefits including reducing redness and swelling in your face. Both Dr. Levine and Dr. Grossman note that it also can help with those dealing with rosacea. For anyone with bad breakouts, Dr. Levine also shares that azelaic acids help treat acne by “unclogging pores, reducing inflammation, lightening dark spots and melasma for a more even skin tone.”
Can Azelaic Acid treat acne?
Dr. Grossman notes that azelaic acid “reduces the growth of acne-causing bacteria, decreases inflammation, and helps to keep pores clear by exfoliating dead skin cells.” Dr. Levine also shared that azelaic acids are non-comedogenic and helps prevent pores from becoming clogged.
Dr. Grossman also shares that azelaic acids are beneficial for dark tones as it “address hyperpigmentation without the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, a common concern for people of color.”
