I’m sure a lot of us are familiar with the many benefits of azelaic acid, but one question I get asked all of the time is whether or not you can use azelaic acid with a moisturizer.
It’s a very good question and something we will look at here today.
Can You Use Azelaic Acid With a Moisturizer?
The combination of azelaic acid and a moisturizer can make your skin look better, but only if the moisturizer is appropriate for your skin type. If it isn’t, the combination can make your skin worse.
Here are some points to keep in mind when choosing the right moisturizer for using with azelaic acid:
1. Some moisturizers don’t absorb into the skin well enough to be compatible with azelaic acid. They won’t work together, and they could cause irritation or other problems.
2. Some may contain ingredients that can interact with azelaic acid to produce a reaction that’s worse than either product would produce separately. In other words, if you use them together you may see redness and irritation that wouldn’t occur if you used each one separately.
3. Your choice of moisturizer could influence how well azelaic acid works on your acne. For example, an oil-free product might make azelaic acid more effective than an oil-based one would because it doesn’t block the pores from opening up as much as oil does.
How Does Azelaic Acid Work?
Azelaic acid has anti-inflammatory properties, which help to reduce the redness associated with rosacea. It also kills the bacteria that cause acne and sebaceous gland inflammation.
Azelaic acid works best when used in combination with other products.
How Do You Get Started Using Azelaic Acid?
Here are tips on how to get started using azelaic acid safely:
1. Do your homework
Do a little research on the benefits of azelaic acid.
Learn about the kinds of skin it is effective for treating and what results to expect from using it.
It is also important to read reviews from other users before buying any products containing azelaic acid.
2. Look for products that contain azelaic acid
There are many different products that contain azelaic acid in varying percentages, so you will need to look at the ingredients labels and compare them accordingly in order to find one that contains the right amount of this ingredient.
3. Exfoliate your skin before applying azelaic acid products
It is essential to exfoliate your skin before applying any products containing azelaic acid.
This will ensure that they can penetrate your skin properly and work their best.
You may want to start with a mild exfoliating regimen first, like using a mild soap or an exfoliating cleanser, in order to judge how harsh you need the exfoliation process to be.
4. Use azelaic acid products at night
Make sure that you are applying azelaic acid products at night.
This is because your skin is more receptive to lightening agents at that time of the day.
So, if you’re willing to do this part right, you’ll be able to get faster results.
5. Use it regularly for best results
Apply it every night before going to bed for about two weeks or until you notice some changes in your skin tone and texture.
If there are no visible improvements after two weeks, it’s a good idea to switch to another product or give up on this one altogether.
6. Use mild cleansers when washing your face
When washing your face, remember that not all cleansers are created equal so choose one that is gentle on your face.
How Do You Use Azelaic Acid With Moisturizer?
The power of this product lies with the fact that it has multiple uses, is easy to use and works really fast.
If you don’t know where to start or how to use Azelaic Acid, here are tips and tricks on how to use it with moisturizer:
1. Be gentle when applying azelaic acid
Azelaic acid comes in a variety of strengths, but it can still cause irritation if you don’t apply it gently.
Always wash your hands before applying it and make sure to pat dry any area you’re going to treat rather than rubbing it vigorously with a towel.
2. Use the correct moisturizer with azelaic acid
Azelaic acid is drying. If you’re using a product made for dry skin, it will help to alleviate some of the drying effects that azelaic acid has on your skin.
Try using a moisturizer that contains ingredients like jojoba oil, shea butter, or vitamin E.
3. Ingredients to look for
When looking for a quality moisturizer to use with azelaic acid, it is best to choose one that contains hyaluronic acid and glycerin as key ingredients.
4. Try a Moisturizing Gel
It may be helpful to use a moisturizing gel with azelaic acid.
This will help the skin stay hydrated and healthy, which reduces irritation that may occur when using this product on dry skin.
You may want to try Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser with Moisturizers as a moisturizing cleanser and Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion as your moisturizer of choice.
Can You Use Azelaic Acid and Benzoyl Peroxide Together?
Yes. When used in tandem, both are effective at reducing redness, inflammation, blemishes, and comedones.
Azelaic acid is better at killing the bacteria responsible for acne while benzoyl peroxide kills acne-causing bacteria as well as helps remove dead skin cells that can clog pores.
Both ingredients are known to be safe so there is no reason to worry about using them together.
Be sure to begin using these ingredients slowly and in low amounts to prevent irritation.
Start by applying the azelaic acid once a day and the benzoyl peroxide twice a day.
If you do not experience any irritation, gradually increase the frequency of application until you reach the recommended dosage for each ingredient.
Can You Use Azelaic Acid Every Day?
Yes, you can use azelaic acid every day. It is a non-prescription medication that is available over the counter in 2% strength and also in 15% strength for prescription use.
The 2% strength is available in various forms including a gel and a cream, which are often used for acne treatments.
If you have sensitive skin or rosacea, it may be best to start off with the 2% formulation on just one or two nights per week.
Be sure to follow the directions on your particular product carefully as some require leaving the cream on overnight while others do not.
How Often Should You Wash Your Face Before Applying Azelaic Acid?
Only wash your face once a day for the first week. That gives your skin time to adjust to the azelaic acid.
Then, if you’re comfortable with how your skin feels when you wake up in the morning, you can start washing it twice a day if desired.
I personally have never washed it twice a day, but many people do that after the first week.
The key is to see what works best for your skin type and decide based on that.
How Long Before You See Results With Azelaic Acid?
The short answer is that it may take anywhere from weeks to months to see results with azelaic acid. The length of time it takes for an individual to see improvement is dependent on a couple of factors, including the severity of your acne and the type of azelaic acid treatment being used.
The process typically works something like this: First, you’ll start out using a mild treatment and noticing little or no improvement.
You may even notice that your skin gets worse in the beginning, but don’t get discouraged — that’s normal.
As your body gets used to the new medication, you will start to notice a reduction in your acne symptoms.
At this point, you’ll want to make sure that you’re still using your treatment every day as directed, and as long as you are, you can expect continued improvement over time.
You may even break out during this time period — that’s normal too.
It just means that your skin is trying to adjust itself to the new regimen.
Finally, when your body has adjusted to the treatment and you’ve been treating your skin for several months or longer, you can introduce more potent treatments and more aggressive treatment methods (if necessary).
Who Can Use Azelaic Acid?
Azelaic Acid can be used by anyone who wants to reduce the appearance of pimples, acne scars, and other skin blemishes.
It is a great choice for both men and women because it has minimal side effects, is easy to use, and can be applied to all skin types.
Can You Layer Azelaic Acid With Vitamin C Serum?
It is safe to layer vitamin C with azelaic acid, but there could be a few complications. Vitamin C can be an effective exfoliator for reducing pigmentation, but it’s not as strong as azelaic acid in that regard.
To get the best of both worlds, you can layer an azelaic acid cream or lotion under a vitamin C serum.
However, if you have sensitive skin and are prone to redness and irritation from acids, you may want to apply the vitamin C serum first, followed by the azelaic cream or lotion.
Be aware that if you’re using a retinoid at the same time as your azelaic acid treatment, it’s best to use them at different times of the day so they don’t interact and make each other less effective.
You don’t have to wait long between applying them — just don’t use both at once. And always wear sunscreen when using either product!
Is Azelaic Acid a Moisturizer or an Exfoliator?
It’s both! Azelaic acid is a powerful skincare ingredient with multiple benefits for those with acne and rosacea.
Treating Rosacea
Azelaic acid reduces redness and inflammation on the skin by slowing down the activity of your oil glands.
It also helps to reduce some of the bacteria that can cause pimples and blackheads.
Many users have reported visible improvement in their rosacea after using azelaic acid-based products.
Treating Acne
Azelaic acid has antibacterial properties as well, which is why it’s so effective against acne.
When combined with other ingredients, like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, it can be part of an effective daily treatment for acne.
Are There Any Side Effects Associated With Azelaic Acid Treatment?
Side effects from azelaic acid treatment are rare, but if you have sensitive skin, you may experience mild irritation and stinging.
If this occurs, use the product less frequently or in a lower concentration.
Final Thoughts
Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring acid that works by suppressing the activity of genes responsible for skin cell production, which helps to even out skin tone and keep breakouts at bay.
However, when azelaic acid is combined with a moisturizer, it is more effective at inhibiting future breakouts than as a stand-alone treatment.
