How to Use Azelaic Acid with Retinoic Acid
The ingredients in this blog post are well known in the beauty industry. However, their names and skin benefits may still be unknown to the average person, but don’t worry, that will be clarified by the end of this blog post.
You’ll find a wide variety of skincare products that contain these two powerful ingredients, but the question is how to use azelaic acid with tretinoin together. That’s exactly what we’re going to demystify in today’s blog post, and with any luck, you’ll have a better understanding of how to combine these lesser-known skincare ingredients together and what results you’ll see on your skin.
Can you use tretinoin and azelaic acid together?
Before I tell you the best ways to use tretinoin and azelaic acid together, let’s first take a closer look at the benefits you can expect from using it.
What is tretinoin?
Retinoic acid is a medication, also known as retinoic acid, that is often found in many skincare products to treat acne and sun damage, such as dark spots and hyperpigmentation. You’ll also find that it can fight deeper wrinkles and improve overall skin texture and skin tone. While Retinoic Acid is effective in combating these skin concerns, you need to remember that you need to introduce it slowly into your daily skin care routine.
A common side effect of using any form of Retinoic Acid (also known as Vitamin A) is an increase in flaky, dry patches of skin. This is completely normal for most skin types and is a result of the skin’s tolerance to the power of Retinoic Acid and its skin-boosting benefits. If you’d like to learn more about Retinoic Acid, you can read our dedicated blog post.
What is Azelaic Acid?
Often mistakenly considered a member of the larger family of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), Azelaic Acid is a chemical exfoliant extracted from grains such as barley, wheat and rye. It removes layers of dead skin cells and impurities that often cause your complexion to appear dull, lackluster and often show signs of breakouts.
It’s great for nearly all skin types, especially when combined with moisturizing and nourishing ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide. Both have impressive hydrating properties, namely that they draw moisture into the skin and lock it in, keeping the skin’s protective barrier hydrated and plumped all day long. This helps combat any potential dryness caused by using azelaic acid in your skin care routine.
When combining azelaic acid and tretinoin, it’s important to use the right combination and the optimal percentages of each formula. For example, many scientific studies have shown that the most effective combination of 20% azelaic acid and 0.05% tretinoin cream can effectively treat melasma and hyperpigmentation. Retinoic acid helps combat pigmentation that causes uneven skin tone, and azelaic acid helps remove dead skin cells from the skin that often make dark spots appear darker. A word of advice: Use this powerful cocktail in your evening skin care routine, as both ingredients increase your skin’s sensitivity to light. Leave the tretinoin and azelaic acid in overnight while you get your beauty sleep, and don’t forget to apply a high SPF sunscreen afterward to protect your skin from UV rays.
How to Use Retinoic Acid and Azelaic Acid Together?
I’ve mentioned this many times on the Beauty Insider blog, but the product formula and each ingredient plays a big role in how to use azelaic acid and tretinoin together. The general skin rule is to apply products from thinnest to thickest consistency. This allows each product to be absorbed into the skin without having to compete with the physical barrier created by the thicker consistency. You may find that azelaic acid and tretinoin are formulated in similar products, most likely serums or other thicker products. Therefore, if you wait about 15 minutes between applications, you will have plenty of time for the products to fully absorb into the skin.
Which comes first, azelaic acid or retinol?
Let’s say you use azelaic acid in conjunction with the type of retinol you use on a daily basis. This primes the skin for azelaic acid and prepares it for the azelaic acid. This allows each product to penetrate to the underlying layers and remove the buildup of dead skin cells, dirt, bacteria, and other impurities that often clog pores and cause blackheads and other acne.
When should you use azelaic acid on a regular basis?
To incorporate the benefits of azelaic acid into your skin care routine, it’s best to apply it to thoroughly cleansed skin after using toner and gentle exfoliation. This allows the azelaic acid to effectively penetrate new layers of skin and fight all possible skin concerns.
However, as with all skin types, introducing skin care ingredients takes some time and dedication. Talk to your doctor or dermatologist first to make sure you can safely incorporate this ingredient into your daily routine.
What Not to Mix with Azelaic Acid?
When using azelaic acid, it is recommended to avoid using it with strong acids, such as the popular BHA salicylic acid. This is because the increased skin sensitivity and irritation can not only cause a lot of discomfort, but also prevent the azelaic acid and all other skincare ingredients from working optimally.
Can I apply a moisturizer after using azelaic acid?
In fact, it is considered a good idea overall as this will help to soothe and calm the skin after an azelaic acid chemical peel. Choosing a moisturizer that is rich in hydrating and nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide will keep the skin’s water and oil levels balanced and its protective barrier fully functioning, allowing it to fight any signs of free radical damage.
I hope that today’s post has answered some of your questions about using azelaic acid and tretinoin. If you have any questions, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram.