Azelaic acid is a versatile asset for facial care. Learn its benefits and how to add it to your routine.
Acne, post-breakout dark spots and redness are some of the most common concerns in facial care. To address them, azelaic acid has taken a leading role in skincare routines and on social media, where it stands out for its versatility.
This ingredient can help improve different skin conditions, even in people who do not tolerate other actives well. However, its incorporation requires certain precautions. Carolina Romanello, a cosmiatra specializing in skin care, explains what its benefits are and what to consider before starting to use it.
What Azelaic Acid Is For and Its Benefits
Azelaic acid is a naturally derived compound that belongs to the family of dicarboxylic acids. It stands out for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which allow it to address various skin needs.
One of its main uses is the treatment of acne-related blemishes. It also helps fade dark spots and post-breakout marks, as well as improving the appearance of skin that tends to redden.
Its action can also promote a more uniform texture and a radiant appearance. This combination of benefits explains why it has become an ingredient of interest for those looking to simplify their routines while addressing different skin concerns.
Why It Is a Good Option for Sensitive Skin
One of azelaic acid’s most notable features is its good tolerance compared with other actives that can be irritating. Therefore, it is often considered an alternative for sensitive, reactive, or acne-prone skin.
“One of the major advantages of azelaic acid is its versatility: it can be an excellent ally for skin with a tendency to acne, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, or redness, even when the skin does not tolerate other actives well,” explains Carolina Romanello.
However, that it is generally well tolerated does not mean it is suitable for everyone nor that it can be used without precautions. The answer depends on the characteristics of each person’s skin and on the products that are already part of the routine.
How to Incorporate Azelaic Acid into the Facial Routine
Before starting to use it, it is important to consult with a professional. An assessment of the skin helps determine whether this active ingredient is suitable, especially when there is sensitivity, irritation, or any skin condition that requires attention.
Once indicated, it is usually incorporated at night, on clean and dry skin and before the moisturizer. It is advisable to start gradually, following the specialist’s instructions and paying attention to the skin’s tolerance.
Romanello also warns about the importance of adapting the rest of the routine: “The frequency of use and the rest of the routine should be adapted to the needs and condition of each skin”.
Which Products to Avoid When Using Azelaic Acid
When incorporating a new active, you must also pay attention to the other products you use. Combining several potentially irritating ingredients can increase the chances of sensitization, especially on more reactive skin.
Therefore, it is recommended to avoid using azelaic acid simultaneously with other strong exfoliating acids or retinoids, unless a professional indicates otherwise. The key is to tailor the routine and not add ingredients without evaluating how the skin responds.
Broad-spectrum sunscreen is also a fundamental daytime step. Although azelaic acid does not have the same photosensitizing characteristics as other actives, protecting the skin from the sun is especially important when aiming to improve spots.
Azelaic acid can be a useful ally for those looking to treat several skin concerns with a single ingredient. The key is to choose it according to the skin’s needs and to use it with an appropriate routine, without rushing to add more products than necessary.
Consulted: Carolina Romanello, cosmiatra and skin care professional (@CRCosmiatra)
