Azelaic Acid: A Natural Acid That Offers Many Skin Benefits

Azelaic Acid

What is Azelaic Acid?

Azelaic acid is a natural acid found in wheat, rye, and barley. It is present in the cytoplasm of certain skins of these cereals in concentrations of 0.2% to 0.5%. It is a dicarboxylic acid that contains nine carbon atoms. Its chemical formula is C9H16O4. While it occurs naturally in some grains, the form used for cosmetic and pharmaceutical purposes is synthesized through chemical processes.

How Does It Work?
It works in multiple ways to provide benefits for the skin:

- It helps control acne: It reduces bacteria, dead skin cells, and inflammation that cause acne breakouts. It works by inhibiting the enzymes that cancerous skin cells need to grow. This makes it an effective acne treatment for both inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions.

- It lightens dark spots: The ability of it to suppress abnormal cell growth and reducepigmentation makes it useful for Azelaic Acid minimizing the appearance of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark spots) left behind by acne lesions. It helps prevent the transfer of melanin, reducing skin darkening over time.

- It soothes rosacea: It is non-irritating and gentler than other acne medications. This makes it well suited for treating rosacea, a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes redness, flushing, pustules and swelling. It reduces inflammation and reactive skin redness associated with rosacea.

- It helps renew skin: It encourages the replacement of abnormal skin cells with new healthy ones. This cell turnover and shedding promotes skin renewal and regeneration, leaving the complexion smoother and brighter.

- It reduces fine lines and wrinkles: By improving cell turnover and decreasing inflammation, it may help diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time. The antioxidant properties provide further anti-aging benefits.

Benefits for Acne-Prone Skin

Azelaic acid is very effective at treating acne due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Some key ways it benefits acne-prone complexions include:

- Inhibits growth of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) bacteria: P. acnes lives within skin follicles and contributes to acne formation. It blocks enzyme activity that P. acnes needs to grow and divide.

- Reduces inflammation:lowering levels of various inflammatory mediators in skin like IL-8 helps calm swollen and tender pimples. This makes it gentle on skin.

- Prevents blocked pores: It unclogs hair follicles and prevents new comedones or whiteheads and blackheads from forming. This is because it speeds shedding of dead skin cells.

- Treats pustular and cystic acne: Deeper varieties respond well due its anti-inflammatory effects along with ability to shrink existing pimple lesions and nodules from within.

- Lightens post-acne marks: By inhibiting abnormal melanin transfer, it aid in fading residual darkened spots and pigmentation left behind after breakouts heal.

- Suitable for acne of all severities: It can be used to treat mild acne with quelques or moderate to severe acne with nodules depending on its concentration and other actives combined with it.

How to Use It for Best Results

To reap maximum benefits, it is important to properly incorporate it into a daily skincare routine:

- Cleanse face thoroughly before applying. This removes excess oil, dirt and make-up.

- Apply a pea-sized amount of 15-20% azelaic acid cream or gel evenly all over face, including acne-prone areas.

- For sensitive skin, dilute with a small amount of moisturizer initially. Slowly increase concentration over weeks.

- Use morning and evening for more consistent acne clearing. Reapply sunscreen in morning if using during the day.

- Allow at least 8 weeks to see results. It works gradually to regulate skin cell turnover.

- Moisturize well after, as it may cause some dryness. Look for oil-free, non-comedogenic gels or lotions.

- Exfoliate 1-2 times a week with a gentle scrub to accelerate cell renewal and help absorption.

- Be consistent with your routine. Azelaic acid is effective when used as a long-term maintenance regimen.

Side Effects and Precautions

Overall, azelaic acid is well-tolerated by most skin types. However, some may experience:

- Transient stinging or burning: This usually subsides within 2 weeks as skin adjusts. Reducing frequency or diluting initially can help.

- Skin dryness: Regular moisturizing and gradual introduction into the routine prevents this.

- Mild sun sensitivity: Use SPF daily to shield skin, as it makes it photosensitive.

- No other serious side effects reported thus far. However, individuals with known allergies or sensitivities to other carboxylic acids or grains should patch test first.

- Avoid contact with eyes, nostrils and mouth and wash hands after application.

- Discontinue use and consult a dermatologist ifreactions such as excessive irritation or inflammation occur.

While natural, azelaic acid is a potent and multi-functional skincare ingredient backed by research. Used properly as directed, it provides multiple benefits for treating acne, rosacea and improving skin texture over the long term.

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