Azelaic Acid®

What is Azelaic Acid?

Azelaic acid (AA) is a commonly used drug for treating acne. It’s effective in reducing pimples and blemishes in various ways. It exfoliates the skin, which promotes new skin cell growth, and has antibacterial properties, which help kill harmful bacteria on the skin.^[1]

Azelaic acid has been used for several years to treat mild to moderate acne. It’s considered a mild ingredient, meaning it’s well tolerated by people with sensitive skin and doesn’t cause many side effects.

How does Azelaic Acid work?

Acne can be a complicated condition to treat, as it’s usually caused by multiple factors. Azelaic acid can be an effective treatment for acne because it works in a few ways, tackling the different causes. AA can also treat active acne, inflammation and post-acne hyperpigmentation, making it an effective treatment. Here’s a short list of its properties:

• Anti-inflammatory: Excess oil on the face can block your pores, resulting in inflammation and acne. AA can help reduce oil production, which helps reduce inflammation.^[1]
• Antibacterial: Acne-causing bacteria can cause inflammation, pimples, and whiteheads. AA can kill bacteria that cause acne and help treat bacterial infections.^[1]
• Antioxidative: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are chemicals that can cause dark spots and hyperpigmentation. AA can reduce these chemicals, helping fade the marks left by acne. ^[1]
• Anti-keratinisation: Keratin is a protein that forms the outer layer of your skin. But too much keratin production can cause comedones (skin-coloured spots) and block the pores causing pimples. AA slows down the growth of the cells, which helps reduce comedones and acne. ^[1][2]

In addition to treating active acne, AA can reduce hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation often occurs after a spot has healed. It’s sometimes referred to as scarring, and is usually red and dark. AA can block tyrosinase, an enzyme needed for melanin production, effectively helping treat dark skin spots without affecting the natural colour of your healthy skin.^[1]

What doses of Azelaic Acid are there?

Azelaic acid is available as a 15% cream. It’s usually applied twice a day, morning and evening.

How to use Azelaic Acid

Before using Azelaic Acid, gently clean your face with water and pat dry thoroughly. Apply a pea-sized amount onto your finger and apply a thin layer to the affected area. Massage gently until absorbed. Wash your hands after use.

Use twice daily, preferably once in the morning and once in the evening.

How long does Azelaic Acid take to work?

It can take around four weeks before you start to see improvements in your acne. For the best results, though, it usually takes several months of consistent use.

When starting treatment with azelaic acid, you might notice your skin worsens initially. If this happens, don’t panic; it’s usually a good sign that the treatment is working. With most acne treatments, your skin goes through a process called ‘purging.’ This process essentially brings all the impurities underneath your skin (like germs and oil) to the surface to remove them. Once this process is over, your skin will look clearer.