Dr. Inexperienced echoes Dr. Shirazi’s sentiments. Each professionals additionally observe azelaic acid’s antimicrobial and anti inflammatory properties, wonderful for treating pores and skin circumstances like pimples and rosacea, because it kills breakout-causing micro organism and reduces irritation. This versatile acid, additionally thought-about a mild exfoliant, stimulates cell turnover as nicely. As such, Dr. Inexperienced says that azelaic acid “may also help cut back the looks of pimples scars.”
Who can use azelaic acid?
The excellent news is azelaic acid is secure for all pores and skin sorts, however with that being mentioned, Dr. Inexperienced advises these with delicate pores and skin to begin utilizing the ingredient “as soon as a day, growing the frequency to twice a day after a number of weeks.” And, when you expertise any irritation, it is best to seek the advice of your physician earlier than persevering with.
You additionally needn’t fear an excessive amount of about adjusting your whole skin-care routine to include azelaic acid. Happily, Dr. Inexperienced and Dr. Shirazi agree that azelaic acid is usually mild sufficient and secure to make use of with different elements like vitamin C, AHAs, BHAs, and retinoids. Nevertheless, says Dr. Inexperienced, “When you have prescription-strength azelaic acid, Retin-A, or different topical lotions, you need to seek the advice of a dermatologist.”
Relying in your pores and skin kind and issues, azelaic acid could be present in over-the-counter merchandise in all types of strengths, from as little as 1% to as excessive as 15%, with the very best prescription-strength focus coming in at 20%, per Dr. Shirazi. Nevertheless, decrease concentrations could be simply as efficient and “could assist stop pores and skin irritation” for these with reactive, delicate pores and skin, says Dr. Inexperienced. “Pores and skin-care merchandise with a low focus of azelaic acid could be useful in the case of unclogging pores, stopping pimples breakouts, and soothing pores and skin irritation,” he provides. For these with acne-prone pores and skin, decrease concentrations of azelaic acid are sometimes mixed with different actives like AHAs and BHAs for a multi-pronged method.
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When Attract exams a product, our editors have a look at it from each angle in an effort to greatest serve you. We evaluate elements, scrutinize model claims, and, when vital, look at peer-reviewed scientific and medical research. Along with testing every product that’s included in every evaluate, we depend on consultants who form their fields, together with dermatology, beauty chemistry, and medication, to assist us vet the elements and formulation.