I’ve been writing about skincare for over 10 years and have tried every product under the sun (special thanks to SPF). Acid is my personal favorite and always a part of my routine. So when azelaic acid started blowing up my social media feeds out of nowhere, I had to dig deeper. It flew under the radar forever and somehow I had completely missed this skin care ingredient. I decided to give it a try. I discovered the benefits of azelaic acid and added it to my nightly skin care routine for four weeks to see what the new hype was all about.
What is azelaic acid? | Azelaic acid benefits | my experience | my results
acids in skin care
Acids continue to be part of the skin care conversation. After all, these powerful potent substances are known to help with everything from acne to aging. And while the word “acid” may conjure up images of chemical burns and science labs, some are very mild acids and are real players in the world of skin care. Used to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, increase skin thickness, improve scars, and even out skin tone, it is versatile and effective. Some come from nature, while others are actually made in a lab. When used as directed, you will get amazing results.
What is azelaic acid?
azelaic acid A natural acid found in grains such as barley, wheat, and rye. It has both anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, making it an effective ally in treating skin conditions such as acne and rosacea. This acid can prevent future breakouts, protecting your skin and reducing redness while also removing acne-causing bacteria from your pores. Azelain promotes cell turnover and has the effect of reducing skin texture, so some people use it not only to treat acne outbreaks but also to treat acne scars.
Beyond its use in acne treatment, azelaic acid has age-defying benefits. Helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve uneven skin tone. With all these potential effects in mind, I decided to try this “new” acid. Although my acne problems are mild (I suffer from large pores and some redness), I’ve always been able to slow down the signs of aging, even out my skin tone, and combat the mild hyperpigmentation that recently appeared on my face. I’m trying to deal with it. A few years.
Azelaic acid benefits
acne treatment
As mentioned earlier, azelaic acid is an effective ally in treating symptoms. However, it may take some time for acne to begin to take effect and may have side effects such as burning, dryness, and peeling of the skin. For these reasons, azelaic acid is often used in combination with other active ingredients such as salicylic acid, but dermatologists typically recommend azelaic acid by itself as the first choice for treating acne. I don’t. Reducing inflammation removes inflammation and breakout-causing bacteria from your pores, making acne less noticeable and reducing redness and inflammation.
Salicylic acid softens a skin protein called keratin. This will prevent pores from becoming clogged and reduce acne breakouts. Salicylic acid and azelaic acid together make a dream team. Azelaic acid not only unclogs pores, but also helps kill acne-causing bacteria on the skin. Additionally, it can help even out your skin tone by removing free radicals, which are toxins that can damage cells. Win, win.
help with rosacea
Azelaic acid treats rosacea by reducing swelling and redness of the skin. It’s a great addition to your skin care routine as its soothing properties help calm redness and sensitivity. As mentioned above, this is also a mild exfoliant, so it can unclog and improve pores. This helps target bumps, pimples, and enlarged pores that are common in rosacea-prone skin.
Reduces hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is caused by overproduction of melanin and appears as dark spots or spots on the skin.Azelaic acid is a gentle exfoliant, so it’s perfect for evening out your complexion and reducing pigmentation by inhibiting an enzyme called azelaic acid Tyrosinase This leads to dark marks on the skin.
Helps manage the appearance of irritated skin
according to mind body green, research has shown that azelaic acid has “deep anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties,” which contributes to azelaic acid’s many other positive effects. It has the ability to neutralize free radicals and stop inflammatory processes. Acne and rosacea are both types of inflammation, so it’s no wonder azelaic acid is often used to treat them.
improves scars
Azelaic acid is also often used to treat and prevent acne scars, as it is highly effective in eliminating hyperpigmentation and managing inflammation. It gently promotes cell turnover, which accelerates skin healing and minimizes scarring.
Adding Azelaic Acid to My Routine
As an employee of eminence organic, I have access to all their products. I did a quick search and discovered azelaic acid in peel that seemed perfect for my needs.of Clear Skin Willow Bark Exfoliating Peel is a deep cleansing, clarifying liquid solution that is used with dual-textured cotton rounds. It contains gentle salicylic acid that removes impurities and dirt from the skin’s surface, while the action of biogenic sulfur and tomato extract balances sebum. Willow bark soothes the look of skin, while lilac and my new BFF, azelaic acid reduce redness, inflammation, and pore size, leaving skin clear, smooth, and energized. As I said earlier, this is my type of product.
A happy customer, Alexa S.calling it a “game changer.” [the look of] “I used this product at night and my skin literally felt tighter and smoother the next morning,” says one online reviewer.We are already seeing a decline [the appearance of] My cystic acne scars were not inflamed. Even though I have sensitive skin, my face didn’t turn red after using it. I plan to continue using this product for many years to come. ”
I decided to use it at night after cleansing my skin with my favorite Stone Crop Cleansing Oil. I dispensed two pumps onto a textured cotton pad and applied in circular motions all over my face and neck. I also applied it to my décolletage. Because I had a very uneven skin tone in my décolleté area due to an unfortunate sunburn when I was younger.
I didn’t know what was going to happen, but I didn’t feel any tingling. The thin layer of liquid dried almost instantly, leaving my skin feeling moisturized and maybe just a little greasy, but in a good way. Some nights I’d leave it alone, and other nights I’d wait about 10 minutes and then apply Ride or Die’s Rosehip Triple C+E Firming Oil before bed.
Product selection
For problematic skin types
Rebalance and remove…
My results using azelaic acid
After using it for about 4 weeks, I noticed a few things. First of all, my skin feels cleaner. Maybe it’s because I haven’t had a single pimple or breakout since implementing it into my nighttime routine, or maybe it’s because I’m not a fan of gentle exfoliation. My pores appear smaller and my skin feels fresh and renewed.according to Carmen Castile, Maryland, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, says, “In cosmetics, azelaic acid acts as an exfoliant, promoting skin cell turnover and unclogging pores. It also has mild anti-inflammatory properties.” Check, check, check. My skin also feels softer and smoother than before. I noticed that my makeup went on a little easier, there were no dry patches or streaks, and my makeup stayed put throughout the day. I also feel like my other skin care products are absorbed more evenly into my skin.
Another big gain is that the skin looks more even. The dark spots that have been bothering me for years are now brighter and less noticeable, especially on my chest area. It’s a subtle change, but it’s enough to continue with this new skin care regimen and see the results.
Of course, I wouldn’t be able to do my job without highlighting the importance of wearing SPF when using azelaic acid. It’s always a good idea to wear sunscreen when going out, but if you use azelaic acid, wear an SPF product as it can make your skin more sensitive and susceptible to sun damage. Please take special care to
Overall, I’m glad I discovered this ingredient and am thrilled with the results so far. Again, this is a slow and steady process, but it’s worth the wait.
Want to add azelaic acid to your routine? Visit our Eminence Organics Spa Partners to find the product that’s right for you.
