Azelaic acid is a gentle exfoliating acid suitable for people who have mild to moderate rosacea. This ingredient naturally occurs on skin as a byproduct of bacterial yeast and is generally tolerated well by sensitive skin. A cream containing a 14% concentration of azelaic acid can have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Learn more about the benefits of regularly applying azelaic acid cream during rosacea flare ups.
Water-Soluble Cream Base
Azelaic acid is not as strong as alpha-hydroxy and beta-hydroxy acids used in skincare. In a serum formulation, even this relatively gentle ingredient can dry out skin. A cream can be a better choice for people who have symptoms of rosacea.
An azelaic acid cream with a water-soluble base provides hydration to offset any drying effects from using a high concentration of the active ingredient. The best cream with azelaic acid also contains moisturizing ingredients such as jojoba seed oil, avocado oil and aloe barbadensis leaf juice that can help to protect against irritation.
Formulated by Chemists & Dermatologists
An azelaic acid cream formulated by skincare experts provides all of the benefits of this active ingredient with fewer drawbacks. As with vitamin C serum vs cream, azelaic acid is commonly sold as a serum. Many serums do not contain high concentrations of these ingredients as vitamin C and azelaic acid can both dry out skin.
A cream formulation makes it possible to treat sensitive skin with rosacea with a medical-grade 14% concentration of azelaic acid. Applying a pea-sized amount of this product to skin affected by rosacea once a day can start to reduce inflammation and address the raised bumps that often accompany this condition.
Azelaic Acid and Rosacea
Rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition that can cause enlarged blood vessels and bumps to appear on skin for weeks or months. While there is no cure for rosacea, azelaic acid can be an effective skin care ingredient for controlling the severity of flare ups.
Azelaic acid reduces redness and provides gentle exfoliation, which can gradually minimize the appearance of bumps on skin. This ingredient also balances oil production to keep skin moisturized and protected by a natural barrier.
Tips for Using Azelaic Acid
You can try layering an azelaic acid cream with other gentle and effective skin treatments. People who have rosacea can also benefit from applying niacinamide 10% lotion on a daily basis. As with the best supplement to grow hair, you will see the best results with regular use. Start with one daily application. If your skin shows signs of dryness or irritation after several days, you can still get results by using azelaic acid every other day.
Azelaic acid provides anti-inflammatory benefits while accelerating skin cell turnover. People who have rosacea or sensitive skin should consider using azelaic acid cream. A flare up of rosacea can last for a few weeks up to a few months. In six to eight weeks, you should see noticeable results from using azelaic acid with full results in about three months.