Loved
Azelaic Acid
Acne Fighter
Acne Fighter
Good for Oily Skin
Oily Skin is determined by your genetics, but can also be influenced by factors such as stress levels, changing hormonal levels, and humidity.
Reduces Redness
These ingredients are commonly used to help calm visible redness and soothe irritated skin. While they can be effective for many people, results can vary depending on the cause of redness and individual skin sensitivity. If redness persists or worsens, it's best to check with a dermatologist.
Reduces Irritation
These soothing ingredients help calm irritated skin and strengthen your skin barrier. They're particularly beneficial after during flare-ups or for chronically sensitive skin. Look for products with multiple calming ingredients for best results.
Good for Texture
The most common cause of textured skin is a build up of dead skin cells. The easiest way to get rid of textured skin is to exfoliate and give your skin the proper nutrients.
Reduces Large Pores
Pores are tiny openings in the skin that release sweat and oil. Everyone has them, and it's completely normal for them to be visible. While factors like excess oil, acne, sun damage, and even genetics can make pores appear larger, these ingredients may help minimize their appearance. Just keep in mind: you can't erase pores entirely, and that's okay!
Helps with Dark Spots
These ingredients are known for their brightening properties, helping to even out skin tone and reduce the look of dark spots or dullness.
Good for Scar Healing
These ingredients are commonly used to support the skin's natural healing process and improve the appearance of scars over time. While results can vary, they may help with texture, discoloration, and overall skin recovery.
Explained
Azelaic acid is a multitasker ingredient that helps treat acne, pigmentation, and irritation. It is a great option for sensitive skin.
What makes azelaic special?
- Anti-inflammatory: Azelaic acid helps calm redness and swelling, making it helpful for inflamed acne or rosacea. Prescription strength formulas (20% acne / 15% rosacea) are commonly used by dermatologists.
- Regulates skin cell turnover: Azelaic acid gently encourages normal skin cell production. This prevents clogged pores, blackheads, and whiteheads from forming while smoothing out skin texture without the harshness of traditional exfoliants.
- Antibacterial: It targets acne-causing bacteria like Propionibacterium acnes. This helps reduce breakouts.
- Brightens skin tone: Azelaic acid can fade dark spots from acne (aka post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) and melasma. Studies have shown it works just as well as lower concentrations of hydroquinone, a common lightening agent.
- Antioxidant: The antioxidant properties of this ingredient means it protects skin cells from damage caused by free-radicals.
The best thing about azelaic acid is it's gentleness. It's generally well-tolerated and safe to use alongside other actives like niacinamide or salicylic acid.
Unlike AHAs, azelaic acid will not make you photosensitive/sun sensitive.
You can find this ingredient naturally occurring in grains like wheat, rye, and barley. In cosmetics, azelaic acid is typically lab-made, which is more stable and effective.
See all 554 products with Azelaic Acid
Users who like it
99%
Users who avoid it
1%
What it does
Masking
Obscuring or blocking
Buffering
Buffering ingredients help stabilise or adjust the ph level of a product.
Prevalence
Less common
Percentage of products that contain it
0.6%
Top categories
Treatments
Other Skincare
Cleansers
Position
Predominant list placement
Top 25%
Concentration
Concentrations we've seen
1% to
20%
References
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Products with Azelaic Acid
CosIng Data
CosIng ID
74538
INCI Name
AZELAIC ACID
EC #
 204-669-1
All Functions
Buffering, Masking
