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Azelaic acid

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

Azelaic acid

Azelaic acid gently clears acne lesions, lightens dark spots, and calms redness for a smoother, more even complexion. It suits dry skin and oily skin particularly well when applied as serums, usually at 10%. To keep your skin comfortable, use it apart from glycolic acid, AHA blend glycolic and citric acids, and salicylic acid.

Pharmaceutics, 2021Dermatology and Therapy, 2024

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Azelaic acid serums

What reviewers say about popular azelaic acid products

The highlight reviewers mention most for each popular azelaic acid product on Lovi.

Other azelaic acid products

10% azelaic acid

Azelaic acid for dry skin

Azelaic acid for oily skin

Azelaic acid for combination skin

Azelaic acid for sensitive skin

All azelaic acid products

See all 33 azelaic acid products

What to combine azelaic acid with

IngredientTogetherHow to use them
Glycolic acid Keep apart Use them on alternate nights, applying glycolic acid first and azelaic acid next, because combining them causes too much irritation. Azelaic acid and glycolic acid
AHA blend glycolic and citric acids Keep apart Use them on alternate nights because they are both strong exfoliants. Azelaic acid and aha blend glycolic and citric acids
Salicylic acid Keep apart Use them on alternate nights to prevent too much irritation and dryness. Azelaic acid and salicylic acid
Bio-placenta peptides Keep apart Use azelaic acid and bio-placenta peptides at different times of day, applying the acid in the morning and peptides at night, because acids break down peptides. Azelaic acid and bio-placenta peptides
Hexapeptide Keep apart Use azelaic acid and hexapeptide at different times of day, applying the acid in the morning and the peptide at night, because mixing them together makes the peptide lose its power. Azelaic acid and hexapeptide
Lactic acid Keep apart Use them on alternate nights to avoid over-exfoliating your skin. Azelaic acid and lactic acid
Acetyl hexapeptide-3 Keep apart Use them at different times of day by applying azelaic acid in the morning and acetyl hexapeptide-3 at night, because acids break down peptides. Azelaic acid and acetyl hexapeptide-3
Mandelic acid Keep apart Use them on alternate nights because combining them can cause too much peeling. Azelaic acid and mandelic acid
Hyaluronic acid Keep apart Apply azelaic acid first, wait ten to fifteen minutes, and then apply hyaluronic acid, because the strong acid can break down the hydrating gel. Azelaic acid and hyaluronic acid
Collagen peptide Keep apart Use them at different times of day, applying azelaic acid in the morning and collagen peptide at night, because acids ruin peptide strength. Azelaic acid and collagen peptide
Copper peptide Keep apart Use them at different times of day, applying azelaic acid in the morning and copper peptide at night, because acids break down peptides. Azelaic acid and copper peptide
Citric acid Keep apart Use them at different times of day, applying azelaic acid in the morning and citric acid at night. Azelaic acid and citric acid
Hexapeptide-9 Keep apart Use azelaic acid and hexapeptide-9 at different times of day, applying the acid in the morning and the peptide at night, because the acid ruins the peptide. Azelaic acid and hexapeptide-9
Peptide-rich plasma Keep apart Use them at different times of day, applying azelaic acid in the morning and peptides at night, because mixing them reduces their effectiveness. Azelaic acid and peptide-rich plasma
Triple peptide blend Keep apart Use azelaic acid and triple peptide blend at different times of day, applying the acid in the morning and peptides at night, because the acid ruins the peptide results. Azelaic acid and triple peptide blend
Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 Keep apart Use them at different times of day by applying azelaic acid in the morning and peptides at night because mixing them lowers their effectiveness. Azelaic acid and palmitoyl pentapeptide-4
Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 Keep apart Use them at different times of day, applying azelaic acid in the morning and palmitoyl tripeptide-1 at night. Azelaic acid and palmitoyl tripeptide-1

From the ingredient rules behind the "Works well with" and "Don't mix with" notes on every product in the Lovi app.

Questions and answers

Should you use azelaic acid in the morning or at night?

You can use azelaic acid in the morning or at night, depending on which other ingredients you use in your routine. For instance, you should apply it in the morning when pairing it with peptides to prevent the acid from breaking them down.

Does azelaic acid cause purging or irritation?

Azelaic acid may cause irritation, particularly when combined with strong exfoliants or other active ingredients that increase sensitivity. To minimize discomfort, you should keep it separate from ingredients like glycolic or salicylic acid by using them on alternate nights.

Which skin types is azelaic acid best for?

Azelaic acid helps acne-prone, oily, combination, sensitive, and dry skin, as Lovi rates products like Topicals Faded Serum, Dr. Sebagh Deep Exfoliating Mask, Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Serum, and Cos De BAHA Azelaic Acid 10% Serum as superior or high fits for these skin types.

Can you use azelaic acid with glycolic acid?

You should keep azelaic acid and glycolic acid apart, using them on alternate nights to prevent too much irritation. Apply glycolic acid first and azelaic acid next.

Research on azelaic acid

Behind this ingredient guide

Lovi checks every ingredient with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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