Azelaic Acid: The Multi-Purpose Hero Ingredient

Why is azelaic acid a trending skincare ingredient?
Azelaic acid is a multitasking skincare hero, celebrated for its ability to tackle a wide range of concerns including redness, breakouts, hyperpigmentation, and uneven texture. Unlike many actives, it’s generally well tolerated, making it a great choice for almost every skin type including sensitive skin. It can deliver visible results without the need for prescription-strength formulas.

What Is Azelaic Acid?

Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring dicarboxylic acid, originally derived from grains like barley, wheat, and rye. In skincare, it’s celebrated for its wide range of benefits, making it a powerful yet gentle active suitable for most skin types. Its benefits include:

• Anti-inflammatory: Helps calm redness and soothe irritation, making it suitable for sensitive or rosacea-prone skin.
• Antibacterial: Targets blemish-causing bacteria, helping to reduce breakouts, congestion, and acne.
• Even skin tone: gently fades hyperpigmentation.
• Mildly exfoliating: Promotes skin renewal and clears clogged pores without the harshness of traditional acids.

Who can use azelaic acid?
Azelaic acid is a versatile ingredient suitable for a wide range of skin types and concerns. It’s ideal for those dealing with acne, congestion, or blemishes, thanks to its antibacterial and pore-clearing properties. It's also well-suited for individuals with redness or rosacea, as it calms inflammation and reduces redness without irritating the skin. If you're struggling with uneven tone, dark spots, or post-acne marks, azelaic acid can help brighten and smooth the complexion over time. As it's generally non-irritating, it’s a great choice for sensitive skin or those looking for a gentle, multitasking treatment. It is also safe for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. However, it is always best to consult your doctor or healthcare professional before use.

What other ingredients does azelaic acid work well with?
Azelaic acid works well alongside several other actives to enhance results without overwhelming the skin. It pairs especially well with niacinamide, which helps to calm inflammation, strengthen the skin barrier, and improve uneven tone, making the combination ideal for redness, breakouts, and hyperpigmentation.

For extra support with skin hydration and barrier repair use with hyaluronic acid, ectoin and ceramides helping to minimise any dryness or sensitivity.

For those targeting acne or texture, azelaic acid can be used with salicylic acid (BHA), though it’s best to introduce them gradually to avoid irritation.
It also layers safely with retinal or retinol, though alternating usage may be recommended for sensitive skin. (*retinol & retinal should not be used if you are pregnant or breastfeeding)

Most importantly, it should always be paired with SPF, to protect the skin.

How does it help with redness-prone skin?

Azelaic acid helps to calm irritation and reduce visible redness and gently soothes inflammation. Azelaic acid also helps keep pores clear and reduces the bacteria that can lead to breakouts, which often cause redness too. It’s a gentle, non-irritating ingredient that supports a more even, balanced complexion over time.

Shop Recommendations

Recommended Morning Routine
Cleanse: HydraCleanse Rebalancing Gel Cleanser
Treat: Blemicalm Azelaic Acid 15% Clarifying Serum
Hydrate: Ectoin BarrierBuild Milk
Protect: Glow-C Daily Moisturiser SPF 30

Recommended Evening Routine
Cleanse: HydraCleanse Rebalancing Gel Cleanser
Treat: Ectoin BarrierBuild Milk
Protect: HydraSerene Night Cream

How does it help with hyperpigmentation?

Azelaic acid helps with hyperpigmentation by reducing the amount of melanin your skin produces by blocking an enzyme called tyrosinase. This makes it especially effective for treating dark spots, post-acne marks, and melasma. It also gently exfoliates the skin, helping to improve uneven skin tone.

Shop Recommendations

Recommended Morning Routine
Cleanse: Glow-C Vitamin C Cream Cleanser
Treat: Blemicalm Azelaic Acid 15% Clarifying Serum
Protect: Glow-C Daily Moisturiser SPF 30

Recommended Evening Routine
Cleanse: Glow-C Vitamin C Cream Cleanser
Treat: Glow-C Tranexamic 5% Serum
Hydrate: Ectoin BarrierBuild Milk

How does it help with blemishes and acne?

Azelaic acid is a great ingredient for tackling blemishes and breakouts, while still being gentle on skin. It helps by clearing out clogged pores and reducing the bacteria that cause blemishes in the first place. It also calms any redness or swelling, so blemishes look less irritated. Unlike some acne treatments that can dry your skin out, azelaic acid is much gentler and works well even if your skin is sensitive. It can also help fade the marks left behind after breakouts, leaving your skin looking clearer and more even over time.

Shop Recommendations

Recommended Morning Routine
Cleanse: ClariCleanse AHA & BHA Exfoliating Cleanser
Treat: Blemicalm Azelaic Acid 15% Clarifying Serum
Protect: Glow-C Daily Moisturiser SPF 30

Recommended Evening Routine
Cleanse: ClariCleanse AHA & BHA Exfoliating Cleanser
Treat: Retinal Supreme MultiCream*
Hydrate: Ectoin BarrierBuild Milk

*Do not use retinal (vitamin A) if you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant or breastfeeding. Alternatively use Bakuchiol Firming Daily Moisturiser

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