What it does
Azelaic acid is one of the few ingredients that genuinely does several jobs: it calms inflammation, has antibacterial activity against acne, and interferes with excess pigment production, which makes it effective on the marks spots leave behind.
It is also well tolerated by skin that cannot handle retinoids or strong acids, and it is a standard recommendation for rosacea-prone redness. The main complaint is cosmetic — some formulas are thick and can pill under makeup.
A brief tingling on application is common and settles. Results on pigmentation build over two to three months, so this is not a fast active, just a reliable one.
In a routine
Layers well with
- Niacinamide
- Ceramides
- Hyaluronic acid
