Can azelaic acid help reduce acne or breakouts?

Fed up with cussed zits that doesn’t go away even after making an attempt thousands and thousands of hacks? It’s time to give azelaic acid a strive. This powerhouse skincare ingredient, derived from grains like wheat, barley, and rye, may not be as well-known as salicylic or hyaluronic acid, however it’s a game-changer on your pores and skin. Azelaic acid helps stimulate the manufacturing of recent pores and skin cells, which might fade these pesky zits scars. Plus, its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties make it a go-to answer for tackling zits and soothing eczema flare-ups. Know all the advantages of utilizing azelaic acid for zits or breakouts.

What’s azelaic acid?

Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring dicarboxylic acid present in grains like rye, barley, and wheat. “It’s utilized in skincare merchandise for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and keratolytic properties. This makes it an efficient ingredient in treating zits, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation by unclogging pores, decreasing irritation, and inhibiting melanin manufacturing,” explains dermatologist Dr Rinky Kapoor. Out there within the type of gel, lotions, moisturisers, and serum, it will also be utilized topically and has loads of advantages, together with enhancing the tone and texture of your pores and skin.

How does azelaic acid work on zits?

Topical azelaic acid is an efficient remedy for addressing a number of elements that contribute to breakouts. Right here’s how azelaic acid works for zits:

1. Has antibacterial properties

Azelaic acid targets and reduces the expansion of acne-causing micro organism, corresponding to Propionibacterium acnes. This truth is supported by a research revealed within the Italian Journal of Dermatology and Venereology, which highlights azelaic acid’s capacity to inhibit bacterial progress.

2. Anti-inflammatory results

The acid helps alleviate irritation and calm the redness related to zits. “This reduces the swelling and irritation typically seen with breakouts, which can trigger uneven pores and skin tone,” says Dr Kapoor.

You might also like

3. Keratolytic and comedolytic motion

Azelaic acid promotes the shedding of useless pores and skin cells and prevents clogged pores, that are widespread triggers for zits. A research in Scientific, Beauty, and Investigational Dermatology reveals these properties assist scale back the formation of blackheads and whiteheads.

4. Enhances pores and skin cell turnover

By encouraging the pure means of pores and skin cell turnover, azelaic acid helps within the removing of useless pores and skin and prevents new zits lesions from forming.

5. Reduces hyperpigmentation

If some areas of your pores and skin are darker than the others, you in all probability have hyperpigmentation. Azelaic acid inhibits the enzyme tyrosinase, which helps in fading post-acne pigmentation and darkish spots, enhancing general pores and skin tone.

General, azelaic acid is an efficient remedy for controlling and enhancing acne-prone pores and skin.

Is azelaic acid higher than salicylic acid for zits?

Salicylic acid and azelaic acid are each efficient therapies for zits however they work in another way. Dr Kapoor explains, “Salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid, exfoliates the pores and skin and unclogs pores by dissolving useless pores and skin cells and extra oil. This makes it significantly efficient for treating blackheads and whiteheads. Azelaic acid, a dicarboxylic acid, reduces irritation and kills acne-causing micro organism whereas additionally encouraging pores and skin cell turnover.” It’s particularly helpful for these with delicate pores and skin or who expertise redness and post-acne marks.

For deep pore cleaning and oil management, salicylic acid is commonly more practical. Nevertheless, for general pores and skin texture enchancment and decreasing redness, azelaic acid is likely to be preferable. Each might be helpful for combating zits or breakouts. Nevertheless, don’t consider combining these two substances.

How you can use azelaic acid for zits?

When utilizing azelaic acid for zits, the quantity and technique of software can range relying on the type of the product. Right here’s methods to apply every product:

1. Azelaic acid cream or moisturiser

Start by cleaning your pores and skin and gently patting it dry. Apply a skinny layer of the cream to the affected areas twice each day—as soon as within the morning and as soon as earlier than mattress. Be sure that the product is totally absorbed earlier than making use of another skincare merchandise.

2. Azelaic acid serum

Earlier than utilizing the serum, carry out a patch check to examine for any hostile reactions. Cleanse and dry your face completely, then apply a number of drops of the serum to a small space of your pores and skin. Wait 24 hours to see if any redness or irritation happens. “If there are not any destructive results, apply a skinny layer of the serum to your whole face. Use the serum after making use of your moisturiser,” suggests Dr Kapoor.

Well being Pictures Recommends: 7 greatest azelaic acid serums to cut back zits and hyperpigmentation

3. Azelaic acid gel

Usually used to deal with rosacea, the gel kind must also be utilized twice each day. Cleanse your face earlier than software and apply a skinny layer of the gel to the affected areas within the morning and night.

Notice: Azelaic acid can improve pores and skin sensitivity and the danger of sunburn. Due to this fact, it’s essential to make use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with not less than SPF 30 throughout the day to guard your pores and skin from UV harm.

What are the uncomfortable side effects of azelaic acid?

Azelaic acid is usually well-tolerated, however it could possibly trigger some uncomfortable side effects that you ought to be conscious of:

• Burning or tingling sensation: This will happen shortly after software and is often gentle.
• Peeling pores and skin: Pores and skin might start to flake or peel the place the product is utilized.
• Itchy or irritated pores and skin: Some folks may additionally expertise itching or irritation.
• Dryness or redness: Azelaic acid could cause dry pores and skin, which can be liable to redness the place the product is utilized.

These uncomfortable side effects are sometimes as a result of sluggish manufacturing of sure pores and skin proteins attributable to azelaic acid. This will result in the breakdown of the outer layer of your pores and skin and end in irritation. Furthermore, utilizing merchandise with astringents, exfoliants, alcohol-based cleansers, or scrubs can exacerbate these points.

Some much less widespread uncomfortable side effects embody:

• Soreness
• Extreme redness
• Swelling
• Blisters and flaky pores and skin
• Fever

In case you expertise any extreme uncomfortable side effects or signs that don’t enhance, cease utilizing azelaic acid and see a health care provider.

Who ought to keep away from azelaic acid?

“Azelaic acid needs to be averted by these with extreme allergy symptoms to it, extraordinarily delicate pores and skin, open wounds, or energetic infections. Pregnant or nursing girls must also chorus from utilizing azelaic acid or seek the advice of a healthcare supplier earlier than use,” says Dr Kapoor. Additionally it is greatest to keep away from combining azelaic acid with different irritating merchandise, like retinoids or robust exfoliants, to stop elevated irritation.