dicarboxylic acid
Reversible competitive inhibitor of tyrosinase; also reduces 5α-reductase activity (anti-androgenic in sebaceous glands), inhibits Cutibacterium acnes growth, and scavenges reactive oxygen species.
| Concern | Strength | Studies | What the research says |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acne & breakouts | Strong | 2 | 20% azelaic acid cream (Azelex, Finevin) is FDA-approved for mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris, based on clinical trial evidence from the late 1980s and early 1990s including Katsambas 1989 (Acta Derm Venereol Suppl… |
| Blackheads | Strong | — | 20% azelaic acid cream (Azelex, Finevin) is FDA-approved for mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris, based on clinical trial evidence from the late 1980s and early 1990s including Katsambas 1989 (Acta Derm Venereol Suppl… |
| Dark spots & hyperpigmentation | Strong | 1 | Review: Consolidated review of azelaic acne and hyperpigmentation evidence base. |
| Post-acne marks | Strong | — | Azelaic acid is particularly well-suited to PIH because its mechanism addresses both the inflammation that drives pigment production and the resulting pigmentation itself. Selective action against hyperactive… |
| Redness & sensitivity | Strong | 6 | Thiboutot 2003 (PMID 12789172) reported two identical multicenter, double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled Phase III RCTs of 15% azelaic acid gel for moderate papulopustular rosacea: n=329 (study 1) and n=335… |
| Uneven tone & radiance | Strong | — | Azelaic acid evens diffuse red-brown unevenness via selective melanocyte action + anti-inflammatory effect; complements its discrete-pigment action. |
| Oiliness & shine | Relevant | — | Azelaic acid has modest sebostatic and antimicrobial activity; oiliness-specific instrumental data limited. |
Not recommended for: Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema. Azelaic Acid may aggravate this concern/condition.
Strength reflects the ingredient’s effect on each concern; study counts match research whose findings relate to that concern.
Azelaic Acid is a dicarboxylic acid backed by a large, consistent body of clinical evidence (evidence tier 1 of 4). We track 9 studies for it, 8 reporting a positive effect. It is typically effective at 10–20% in a formulation.
Acta Dermato-Venereologica. Supplementum · 1989 · rct · n=155
Azelaic acid 20% cream was superior to hydroquinone 2% cream for facial melasma in dark-skinned patients, with 73% achieving good-to-excellent results versus 19%. Both treatments caused transient mild-to-moderate irritation.
Archives of Dermatology · 2006 · systematic review
Systematic review: Consolidated rosacea evidence confirming efficacy.
Cutis · 2015 · rct
In this phase 3 trial, twice-daily azelaic acid foam 15% was significantly superior to vehicle in papulopustular rosacea, achieving higher investigator global assessment success rates and greater inflammatory lesion count reduction (both P<.001). Adverse events were mainly mild-to-moderate local cutaneous reactions.
International Journal of Dermatology · 2009 · rct
Randomized controlled trial: Dioic acid azelaic derivative vs hydroquinone PIH and melasma.
Acta Dermato-Venereologica Supplementum (Stockholm) · 1989 · rct
Randomized controlled trial: Acne evidence for 20% cream FDA approval basis.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · 2003 · rct · n=664
Randomized controlled trial (n=664, 12 weeks): FDA approval pivotal evidence for Finacea 15% gel for papulopustular rosacea; 58 and 51% inflammatory lesion reduction vs 40 and 39% vehicle.
+ 3 more studies in our evidence base.
In 102 products — most often serums (58), moisturizers (20), exfoliants (8), from $3.76 to $154.78. Set up a profile to rank these for your skin. Click any product to learn more.
Nip + Fab
NIP+FAB Ceramide Fix Serum 12% 50ml
Serum
$37.0850ml · $0.74/ml
Ideal for
Caution
May aggravate: Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema (Azelaic Acid)
Nip + Fab
NIP+FAB Ceramide Fix Serum 12% 50ml
Serum
$37.0850ml · $0.74/ml
Ideal for
Caution
May aggravate: Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema (Azelaic Acid)
NIP+FAB Ceramide Fix Serum 12% 50ml is a brightening serum by Nip + Fab. Key ingredients include Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Glycerin.
Complete your skin profile to see how well this product matches your skin
Set up your skin profileStriVectin
Serum
$49.00
Ideal for
Not recommended for
StriVectin
Serum
$49.00
Ideal for
Not recommended for
Daily Reveal Exfoliating Pads is a exfoliant by StriVectin. Key ingredients include Pentylene Glycol, Glycolic Acid, Azelaic Acid.
Complete your skin profile to see how well this product matches your skin
Set up your skin profile
Paula
Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster (1 fl. oz.)
Serum – for Acne & breakouts, Blackheads
$39.0029.6ml · $1.32/ml
Ideal for
Caution
May aggravate: Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema (Azelaic Acid and Salicylic Acid); Seborrheic Dermatitis (Cetearyl Alcohol and Glyceryl Stearate)
Paula
Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster (1 fl. oz.)
Serum – for Acne & breakouts, Blackheads
$39.0029.6ml · $1.32/ml
Ideal for
Caution
May aggravate: Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema (Azelaic Acid and Salicylic Acid); Seborrheic Dermatitis (Cetearyl Alcohol and Glyceryl Stearate)
Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster (1 fl. oz.) is a exfoliant by Paula. Key ingredients include Water, Azelaic Acid, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate.
Complete your skin profile to see how well this product matches your skin
Set up your skin profilecocokind
Vitamin C Glow Brightening Serum
Serum
$21.9929.6ml · $0.74/ml
Ideal for
Caution
May aggravate: Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema (Azelaic Acid)
cocokind
Vitamin C Glow Brightening Serum
Serum
$21.9929.6ml · $0.74/ml
Ideal for
Caution
May aggravate: Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema (Azelaic Acid)
Vitamin C Glow Brightening Serum is a brightening serum by cocokind. Key ingredients include Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Azelaic Acid.
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Set up your skin profileUrban Skin Rx
Witch Hazel Brightening & pH Balancing Toner
Toner
$17.99133.1ml · $0.14/ml
Ideal for
Not recommended for
Urban Skin Rx
Witch Hazel Brightening & pH Balancing Toner
Toner
$17.99133.1ml · $0.14/ml
Ideal for
Not recommended for
Witch Hazel Brightening & pH Balancing Toner is a retinoid treatment by Urban Skin Rx. Key ingredients include Water, Alcohol Denat, Glycerin.
Complete your skin profile to see how well this product matches your skin
Set up your skin profileBubble
Knock Out 1.8% Salicylic Acid Acne Spot Treatment
Serum
$12.009.8ml · $1.22/ml
Ideal for
Caution
May aggravate: Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema (Salicylic Acid and Azelaic Acid)
Bubble
Knock Out 1.8% Salicylic Acid Acne Spot Treatment
Serum
$12.009.8ml · $1.22/ml
Ideal for
Caution
May aggravate: Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema (Salicylic Acid and Azelaic Acid)
Knock Out 1.8% Salicylic Acid Acne Spot Treatment is a exfoliant by Bubble. Key ingredients include Salicylic Acid, Water, Pentylene Glycol.
Complete your skin profile to see how well this product matches your skin
Set up your skin profileUrban Skin Rx
Even Tone Cleansing Bar 3-in-1 Treatment - 2.0 oz
Cleanser
$15.9959.1ml · $0.27/ml
Ideal for
Not recommended for
Caution
May aggravate: Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema (Propylene Glycol, Witch Hazel and Azelaic Acid); Rosacea (Propylene Glycol, Witch Hazel and Camphor)
Urban Skin Rx
Even Tone Cleansing Bar 3-in-1 Treatment - 2.0 oz
Cleanser
$15.9959.1ml · $0.27/ml
Ideal for
Not recommended for
Caution
May aggravate: Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema (Propylene Glycol, Witch Hazel and Azelaic Acid); Rosacea (Propylene Glycol, Witch Hazel and Camphor)
Even Tone Cleansing Bar 3-in-1 Treatment - 2.0 oz is a water cleanser by Urban Skin Rx. Key ingredients include Coconut Oil, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide.
Complete your skin profile to see how well this product matches your skin
Set up your skin profileBubble
Mask
$19.0044.4ml · $0.43/ml
Ideal for
Caution
May aggravate: Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema (Azelaic Acid)
Bubble
Mask
$19.0044.4ml · $0.43/ml
Ideal for
Caution
May aggravate: Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema (Azelaic Acid)
Come Clean Detox Clay Mask is a mask by Bubble. Key ingredients include Water, Glycerin, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate.
Complete your skin profile to see how well this product matches your skin
Set up your skin profileBubble
Serum
$18.0044.4ml · $0.41/ml
Ideal for
Not recommended for
Bubble
Serum
$18.0044.4ml · $0.41/ml
Ideal for
Not recommended for
Deep Dive Exfoliating Mask is a exfoliant by Bubble. Key ingredients include Water, Glycolic Acid, Glycerin.
Complete your skin profile to see how well this product matches your skin
Set up your skin profileJack Black
Dual Defense Face Moisturizer SPF 30
Sunscreen
$35.0059.1ml · $0.59/ml
Ideal for
Caution
May aggravate: Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema (Azelaic Acid); Seborrheic Dermatitis (Polysorbate 60)
Jack Black
Dual Defense Face Moisturizer SPF 30
Sunscreen
$35.0059.1ml · $0.59/ml
Ideal for
Caution
May aggravate: Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema (Azelaic Acid); Seborrheic Dermatitis (Polysorbate 60)
Dual Defense Face Moisturizer SPF 30 is a sunscreen by Jack Black. Key ingredients include Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Water.
Complete your skin profile to see how well this product matches your skin
Set up your skin profileEducational information, not medical advice. Study findings summarise the cited research and may not reflect every formulation.