Azelaic Acid: The Multi-Purpose Ingredient That Does It All (Without Ruining Your Barrier)
Welcome to The Acid Edit! This is a new blog series I am starting where we do a deep dive into different acids in skincare. I am SO stoked you landed here and are ready to learn about all things SKN!
If I could keep only one multitasking acid to use in treatment rooms or recommend at home, it would be Azelaic acid. It works for acne, rosacea, pigmentation, and sensitivity. It is clinically backed, barrier-friendly, and I just LOVE it.
Let’s get into it.
What Is Azelaic Acid?
Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring dicarboxylic acid that is derived from grains. In skincare, it’s used because it has the ability to work on multiple pathways in the skin at once. Basically it gets results without causing havoc on your barrier.
Heres what is actually does in the skin:
- Reduces inflammation and calms redness, pamphlets, pustules, and reactive skin.
- It kills acne causing bacteria without the resistance issues that sometimes can occur when using antibiotics.
- It helps to regulate keratin production- meaning less clogged pores!
- Azelaic acid is a pigment inhibitor too, meaning it is great for calming melanocyte activity and brighting the skin, particularly scarring.
AND.. it’s pregnant and nursing safe!
Azelaic Acid At Sénse Of SKN
At sense of SKN, I am INCREDIBLY picky and particular with my retail. I take pride in doing the research to bring you the best of the best! AN-DEW serum by ANFISA skin contains 10% Azelaic acid PLUS a PHA (polyhydroxy acid) called gluconalactone. This serum gently exfoliations the skin, helping to improve texture and tone with less irritation than other common AHA/BHA’s.
I reach for An Dew when I am treating multiple skin concerns at the same time. It provides gentle exfoliation, reduces redness and evens out skin completion (fantastic for scarring too!) and provides a high level of antioxidant support with botanicals such as kakadu plum (source of vitamin c, yay!)
How I Like To Use It
After cleansing once a day (I recommend morning with this serum in particular) take 1-1.5 pumps and gently massage into the skin in circular motions. Finish with moisturizer and SPF. Azelaic acid is known as a “Team Player” in skincare so generally it pairs well with other actives in your routine that you may, but be sure not to overdo the acids either. It’s alllll about balance babes.
Azelaic acid isn’t the loudest ingredient on the shelf — but it’s one of the smartest. It works at the root of inflammation, regulates pigment production, supports normal keratinization, and helps restore balance without compromising the skin barrier. Whether you’re navigating acne, redness, post-inflammatory marks, or reactive skin, azelaic acid offers a strategic, long-term approach instead of a quick, aggressive fix. And at the end of the day, healthy skin isn’t about overcorrecting — it’s about choosing ingredients that work with your skin, not against it! It is so important to remember that when it comes to skin- it is a marathon, not a sprint.