Dr. Inexperienced echoes Dr. Shirazi’s sentiments. Each professionals additionally notice azelaic acid’s antimicrobial and anti inflammatory properties, glorious for treating pores and skin circumstances like zits and rosacea, because it kills breakout-causing micro organism and reduces irritation. This versatile acid, additionally thought of a mild exfoliant, stimulates cell turnover as effectively. As such, Dr. Inexperienced says that azelaic acid “can assist cut back the looks of zits scars.”
Who can use azelaic acid?
The excellent news is azelaic acid is protected for all pores and skin varieties, however with that being stated, 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, in case 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 protected to make use of with different substances like vitamin C, AHAs, BHAs, and retinoids. Nonetheless, says Dr. Inexperienced, “In case you have prescription-strength azelaic acid, Retin-A, or different topical lotions, you must seek the advice of a dermatologist.”
Relying in your pores and skin kind and issues, azelaic acid will 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. Nonetheless, decrease concentrations will be simply as efficient and “could assist forestall 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 will be useful in the case of unclogging pores, stopping zits 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 strategy.
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When Attract tests a product, our editors take a look at it from each angle in an effort to finest serve you. We overview substances, scrutinize model claims, and, when mandatory, look at peer-reviewed scientific and medical research. Along with testing each product that’s included in each overview, we depend on consultants who form their fields, together with dermatology, beauty chemistry, and drugs, to assist us vet the ingredients and formulation.