Is it possible for azelaic acid to cause your skin to get worse before it gets better? Can azelaic acid cause purging?
These questions originally appeared on Reddit’s health tab, and many people are wondering whether this mysterious acid causes skin purging or not. So, you’ve come to the right place, because in this post we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about acid. To learn whether it can cause purging, we will first explore what it is, its benefits, and how to use it
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What is Azelaic acid?
Azelaic acid naturally occurs in whole grains like barley, wheat, and rye. Because of its stability and effectiveness, synthetic azelaic acid is more commonly found in skincare products.
The acid treats acne scars and melasma, and it calms rosacea and redness due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Azelaic acid is antibacterial, meaning it kills the acne bacteria present in existing breakouts.
In addition, with its exfoliating properties, azelaic acid prevents future blackheads and whiteheads from forming on the skin.
Despite being a powerful ingredient, azelaic acid is gentle and safe for all skin types including dry sensitive skin.
Benefits
Fights acne: Azelaic acid is known as one of the most effective acne treatments. The antibacterial properties of azelaic acid mean that it kills acne bacteria, and unlike many other acids that fight acne, some of them being (salicylic, glycolic, and alpha-hydroxy acids), it is an OTC option that is powerful enough to fight cystic acne.
Dead skin cells are removed: Due to its ability to increase the turnover rate of dead skin cells, azelaic acid keeps your pores healthy. Dead skin cells are washed off your face as a result.
Helps lighten acne scars and melasma: In hyperactive areas (darker spots on the skin), azelaic acid reduces melanin production to lighten hyperpigmentation. By inhibiting tyrosinase, an enzyme needed for the creation of melanin, azelaic acid limits melanin production.
It’s anti-inflammatory: Azelaic acid is an anti-inflammatory, therefore acne, rosacea, and other types of inflammation are reduced in redness, pain, and swelling. It calms breakouts and prevents the development of new pimples on acne-prone skin. Azelaic acid soothes inflammation underlying rosacea by calming redness.
Helps prevent acne: As an azelaic acid comedolytic, it protects against future whiteheads and blackheads. Pores that are kept clean will prevent bacteria from building up and causing blackheads and whiteheads.
Types of azelaic acid
It can come in a form of:
When to use it?
Remember to patch test before applying it to your entire face! If you are planning to use azelaic acid at night-time, apply a small amount to your forehead (the thickest part of your face). If you don’t experience irritation within 24 hours, apply a thin layer of product to your entire face every evening. After a week, if there is no irritation, you can apply the azelaic acid product both morning and night
If you apply azelaic acid, you may feel tingling or redness.
What to take into consideration?
Azelaic acid can cause dryness, peeling, burning, and tingling when applied topically. Make sure you test new products on a small patch of skin before applying them to your entire face.
You should also apply a moisturizing moisturizer and sunscreen for maximum protection.
Purging: What Is It?
People often say that certain skincare ingredients can deplete your skin of its natural moisture – usually when referring to acne-fighting ingredients.
Skin ‘purging’ is what they mean.
The term skin purging refers to a breakout that occurs after you begin using a new skincare product that increases your skin’s natural exfoliation rate.
Due to the presence of microcomedones, up to 30% of your pores appear acne-free. Even in severe acne cases, a maximum of 0.25% of your pores contain active pimples.
What are microcomedones?
A microcomedone is a tiny spot that clogs the pores with oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells. It eventually grows, causing acne outbreaks. This is the beginning of an acne breakout.
If you use skincare products that help your skin exfoliate naturally, they can surface quicker and resolve faster. Microcomedones usually take around 8 weeks to come to the surface of your skin and cause a pimple.
The long-term benefit of this is that it can prevent the formation of new pimples and microcomedones in the future. In the short-term, this can lead to a lot of pimples popping up at once, causing a breakout that may be more severe than usual.
During a purge, there may be a temptation to stop using these types of skincare ingredients. However, continuing to use them will help you clear the breakout more quickly and you’ll see fewer breakouts after the first purge.
Does azelaic acid cause purging?
Azelaic acid works as a mild exfoliant to clean out your pores of dirt, bacteria, and oil, so when it’s first used, it’s likely to cause purging. The skin cell turnover rate is increased by azelaic acid, so microcomedones turn into acne more quickly, causing a sudden rush of breakouts.
The good news is that this is not a bad thing! This indicates that your azelaic acid product is working. If, however, the product is causing you to break out in places where you don’t usually break out, or if your acne is becoming inflamed, then it’s a negative reaction. It’s best to stop using the product in this case since it’s irritating your skin. I know I get it can be confused with breaking out. Let’s find out the main differences. 😉
Purging vs Breaking Out
A breakout that occurs shortly after introducing azelaic acid into your routine is highly likely to be the result of purging, but there is always a chance that it isn’t.
There can also be breakouts caused by skin irritation caused by skincare products.
It can be hard to determine whether a breakout is caused by an irritation or purging, but here is how to tell the difference:
- It is likely that a breakout caused by purging will only occur in areas of the skin that normally cause breakouts, and it will clear up quicker than usual if you continue using the product.
- Irritation can cause breakouts on areas of your skin where you don’t usually experience breakouts, take longer to clear up, and won’t clear up (they can get worse) if you continue using the product.
Azelaic Acid Purging: How to Reduce It
Azelaic acid may not be able to prevent completely skin purging, but you can reduce its intensity in certain ways:
- · Azelaic acid should be applied less frequently at first so your skin can get used to it. In addition to preventing skin barrier damage, this is always the best thing you can do with any skincare ingredient if you have sensitive skin.
- · As azelaic acid is anti-inflammatory, you can use soothing skincare ingredients alongside it (the size of acne pimples depends on how inflamed they are).
What to note?
Be consistent:
You won’t see results overnight Consistency is key It usually takes 6-8 weeks of consistent topical use before you begin to see improvement. You have to be patient. it is recommended that if you are not seeing results after 90 days that you try another azelaic acid product or another acne-fighting ingredient such as adapalene, benzoyl peroxide, or salicylic acid.
Don’t go for a higher % –
Gels (15-20%) containing azelaic acid are the most effective azelaic acid skincare products. These aren’t for everyone – those with sensitive skin may be irritated by higher azelaic acid concentrations. You should consult your dermatologist if you wish to take a more aggressive approach.
Most recommended ones:
The Ordinary-Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
An antioxidant and multi-functional ingredient for all skin types. This formula contains a remarkably high concentration of high-purity Azelaic Acid at 10% in a lightweight cream-gel system.
Paula’s Choice – 10% Azelaic Acid Booster
Using azelaic acid at 10%, salicylic acid, and plant extracts, this multitasking hero fades brown spots caused by sun damage, fights breakouts, and diminishes red marks from past blemishes.
*They all help fight acne, brighten the skin and soothe redness.
*These products are paraben-free, sulfate-free, and phthalate-free.
-Don’t expect results right away. You will begin to see results after 6-8 weeks of using the product consistently, so be patient.
To conclude we have seen that azelaic acid can be a powerful component to implement into your skincare routine. Skin concerns such as acne, hyperpigmentation, and rosacea respond well to azelaic acid. This may however cause an initial breakout that is often known as ‘skin purging’ due to its mild exfoliating properties. By introducing azelaic acid-containing skincare products into your routine gradually, you can minimize the severity of skin purging.
