Although it’s not a household name, azelaic acid is fast becoming a staple for people with acne. This skincare ingredient has been used as a natural treatment for acne for centuries. It’s particularly helpful in fighting the redness associated with pimples.
As you learn more about the benefits of azelaic acid, it’s becoming more common in skincare products from anti-aging serums to blemish treatments. Here are some reasons why you should include azelaic acid in your skincare routine.
What is Azelaic Acid?
Azelaic acid is a type of dicarboxylic acid with the molecular formula CH3COOH. It’s usually found in plants like wheat, barley, and rye. Azelaic acid also has antibacterial and antifungal properties, which makes it great for fighting acne.
How Does Azelaic Acid Treat Acne?
Azelaic acid is new type of naturally occurring acid that is usually found in wheat, rye, and barley. The compound is also produced by the human body. In its pure form, azelaic acid is white and odorless with a slightly acidic pH of 4-5.
The acid works by killing acne-causing bacteria while also soothing inflammation. It’s best to leave azelaic acid on your skin overnight to give it time to fight acne-causing bacteria and soothe inflammation. That’s why many people use azelaic acid as an ingredient in their nighttime moisturizer.
Acts as an Exfoliant to Clear Pores
One of the many benefits of azelaic acid before and after is that it can act as an exfoliant. Pores are clogged pores and are often one of the major causes of acne breakouts. Azelaic acid is a great dirt remover, especially when used in a toner or serum.
As mentioned before, it’s also been shown to reduce redness associated with acne by about 30 percent. This means that you won’t need to cover your skin with makeup or hide your blemishes like you would if you didn’t use azelaic acid. By using this ingredient regularly, you will get better results than if you just relied on topical treatments such as retinol or benzoyl peroxide.
Works as an Anti-Inflammatory Agent
Azelaic acid is a natural anti-inflammatory agent, which can be effective in treating acne. When applied to the skin with acne, azelaic acid reduces redness and inflammation. This can help to reduce the severity of the pimples and make them easier to manage. It also helps to prevent future breakouts by decreasing oil production, which prevents pore-clogging.
Can Be Used By Itself or With Other Treatments
You may be surprised to learn that azelaic acid can work alone, but it’s also effective when combined with other treatments, like benzoyl peroxide. One of the benefits of azelaic acid is that it can be used alone or in conjunction with other acne treatments. Treatment options for people with acne are often limited and not everybody responds well to the same treatment.
May Help Prevent UV-Induced Skin Aging
Lastly, UV rays can damage your skin, causing wrinkles and age spots. Azelaic acid helps prevent UV-induced skin aging by reducing the number of UV rays that penetrate your skin surface. In addition to helping prevent UV-induced skin aging, azelaic acid is also a great treatment for rosacea, which is also associated with redness.
