Synergistically reduces redness, clears breakouts, and fades dark spots while strengthening the skin barrier against initial active tingling.
Read the passport아젤라익애씨드 · 전성분
Azelaic Acid
A naturally occurring 9-carbon dicarboxylic acid that selectively targets hyperactive melanocytes, reduces Cutibacterium acnes bacterial load, normalizes follicular keratinization, and suppresses inflammatory kallikrein-5 / cathelicidin pathways to clear acne, rosacea, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
GentlenessGentle — four of fiveEvidenceIndicativeTopical
- INCI
- AZELAIC ACID
Also called AZA · 1,7-Heptanedicarboxylic Acid · Nonanedioic Acid
Early-stage page
This ingredient page is still early. We're actively researching before it's ready to stand fully on its own — check back as more sections are verified.
The short answer
Four lines, each compressed from the section it links to. Every line carries the sources of the claim it compresses.
- What it does
Inflammatory Acne and Papulopustular Rosacea Clearance
See the evidence - Where it goes
serum or moisturizer step · day and night
See how to use it - What shows, and when
4 weeks: Noticeable reduction in inflammatory acne papules, decreased rosacea facial redness, and initial brightening of dark marks.
Source1
See the timeline
How to use it
Where it sits in the seven-step ladder, and the record's own fields for the habit.
아침DayDay: used
저녁NightNight: used
day and night
Cleanser클렌저
Toner토너
Essence에센스
Serum세럼 sits here
Eye cream아이크림
Moisturizer크림 sits here
Sunscreen자외선차단제
Filled steps are where Azelaic Acid commonly appears. No product is recommended.
Everything here comes from the sources below. None of it is a product recommendation.
- Time of day
- day and night
- Where it sits
- serum or moisturizer step
- Starting frequency
- daily
- Amount
- pea-sized amount for the entire face
- Application
- Apply a thin layer to clean, dry skin after cleansing and hydrating serums. Gently pat until absorbed. Follow with moisturizer and daytime sunscreen.
- Storage
- Store at room temperature away from direct light and excessive heat. Keep container tightly closed.
Plays well with / keep apart
One card per pair. Where the partner has its own passport, the name links to it.
Do layer it with
Combines Salicylic Acid's oil-soluble pore de-clogging with Azelaic Acid's anti-bacterial and anti-tyrosinase action for comprehensive acne and post-acne mark clearance.
Source1
What to expect, and when
The record's own timeline. Each step keeps the source of the study it came from.
- Immediate
Initial reduction in skin surface oiliness and mild soothing of active blemish discomfort.
- 4 weeks
Noticeable reduction in inflammatory acne papules, decreased rosacea facial redness, and initial brightening of dark marks.
Source1
- 12 to 16 weeks
Significant clearance of stubborn acne lesions, sustained suppression of rosacea erythema, and marked fading of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Source3
Is this safe for me
Everything the record says about suitability, consolidated. Pause-first comes first.
Before you start
Generally well tolerated across all Fitzpatrick skin types, though mild, transient tingling, itching, or superficial scaling may occur during the first 1-2 weeks of onboarding.
Best match
acne-prone skin
rosacea-prone skin · hyperpigmentation and melasma · post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation · sensitive skin
Routine
serum or moisturizer step
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Not medical advice · ask your own clinician
Pregnancy. Per a systematic review of azelaic acid's clinical applications, it is FDA Pregnancy Category B and is widely considered by dermatologists to be one of the safest and most effective topical treatments for acne, rosacea, and melasma during pregnancy and breastfeeding 1.
Breastfeeding. Topical application is applied locally with minimal expected systemic absorption; no ingredient-specific breastfeeding safety trial was located. As a general precaution common to topical actives, avoid applying directly to the breast or nipple area, since incidental transfer to a nursing infant has not been studied for this ingredient. If you are breastfeeding, ask your doctor before use.
| Common, and it usually settles | Stop using it |
|---|---|
| A slight, brief tingling or prickling sensation immediately after application during initial use, which subsides as the skin adapts. | severe burning sensation |
| persistent intense redness | |
| allergic hives or facial swelling |
Allergen history
Not yet researched
Research in progress — check back soon. How we verify
Who should not use it
Not yet researched
Research in progress — check back soon. How we verify
What it will not do
- The 15% to 20% clinical acne, rosacea, and melasma clearance demonstrated with leave-on topical gels cannot be expected from quick-rinse foaming cleansers due to minimal contact time.
- The selective inhibition of hyperactive melanocytes by Azelaic Acid does not alter normal baseline melanin production or lighten unaffected surrounding skin.
- The anti-inflammatory kallikrein-5 suppression achieved by topical Azelaic Acid does not permanently eliminate underlying genetic rosacea vascular hyperreactivity.
The evidence
One card per claim. Concentration, form, population and limitation sit with it, always visible.
Grade legend
- Indicative
- Limited
- Moderate
- Strong
Inflammatory Acne and Papulopustular Rosacea Clearance
IndicativeReduces inflammatory papules, pustules, and facial erythema while suppressing Cutibacterium acnes bacterial proliferation and normalizing follicular keratinization; FDA-approved for treating papulopustular rosacea.1,2
- Tested concentration
- 10.0% to 20.0%
- Which form
- Micronized Pure Azelaic Acid
- Population and duration
- Synthesized across randomized controlled trials in acne vulgaris and papulopustular rosacea, per two independent systematic reviews
- Limitation
- Reviews synthesize data across diverse trial designs and vehicle formulations rather than reporting a single trial's own population.
Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation and Acne Reduction in Darker Skin
IndicativeTwice-daily application of 15% azelaic acid gel over 16 weeks significantly reduced both acne lesion counts and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation intensity in patients with Fitzpatrick IV-VI skin, with high patient satisfaction and safety.3
- Tested concentration
- 15.0%
- Which form
- Micronized Pure Azelaic Acid
- Population and duration
- Patients with darker skin tones (Fitzpatrick IV-VI) and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation applying 15% azelaic acid gel twice daily for 16 weeks
- Limitation
- Baseline-controlled single-arm pilot trial design; pigment clearance is a gradual multi-month process requiring concurrent daily broad-spectrum sun protection.
Inhibition of Inflammatory Kallikrein-5 and Cathelicidin Pathways
IndicativeDownregulates serine protease kallikrein-5 (KLK5) and cathelicidin (LL-37) gene expression, curbing vascular reactivity and rosacea-associated facial redness.2,4
- Tested concentration
- 15.0%
- Which form
- Micronized Pure Azelaic Acid
- Population and duration
- Review of expert consensus and clinical trials in rosacea patients treated topically
- Limitation
- The KLK5/cathelicidin-specific mechanism source (a 2017 review PDF) could not be text-extracted this cycle to independently confirm; the co-cited systematic review (S002) corroborates azelaic acid's general anti-inflammatory action but does not name KLK5/cathelicidin specifically.
The clinical recordHow it works · Forms · Manufacturing · Regulations · Study ledger · Gaps · Sources
How it works
- Anti-Tyrosinase and Melanocyte Inhibition
Competitively inhibits tyrosinase and mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes, selectively damaging abnormal, hyperactive melanocytes without affecting normal skin cells.
What that rests on: systematic review of in-vitro and clinical evidence
Source2
- Antimicrobial Membrane Disruption
Inhibits intracellular protein synthesis and alters internal pH in Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis, exerting bactericidal effects without inducing resistance.
What that rests on: systematic review of in-vitro bacterial assays
Source1
- Inhibition of KLK5 and Cathelicidin Inflammatory Cascade
Suppresses serine protease kallikrein-5 (KLK5) activity, blocking the processing of inactive precursor protein into vasoactive cathelicidin peptide LL-37 to reduce rosacea redness.
What that rests on: clinical evidence review
Source4
Reading the label
| Attribute | Micronized Pure Azelaic Acid |
|---|---|
| What it is | The standard high-purity crystalline dicarboxylic acid active used in topical creams, gels, and serums. |
| Official INCI | AZELAIC ACID |
| Where it comes from | Ozonolysis or oxidation of oleic acid derived from vegetable oil feedstocks |
| How it is made | Synthesized via oxidation of oleic acid, followed by crystallization, purification, and micro-milling to achieve a micronized particle size for optimal suspension and skin bio-dispersion. |
How it is actually made
- Produced industrially via the chemical oxidation or ozonolysis of oleic acid obtained from natural vegetable oils (such as sunflower, rapeseed, or castor oil), followed by crystallization, washing, micro-milling, and purification to obtain fine micronized powder.
Where the ceiling is set
United States
- The rule
- FDA drug approval status (per a 2024 systematic review)
- What it allows
- FDA-approved for treating papulopustular rosacea, per a peer-reviewed systematic review's own statement.
Source1
What the evidence rests on
Study records
Systematic scientific literature review2024
Azelaic Acid: Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Applications
AZA is FDA-approved for treating papulopustular rosacea and shows significant efficacy in acne vulgaris and melasma, with antibacterial, anti-keratinizing, antimelanogenic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Where it falls shortSynthesizes data across diverse clinical trial designs and vehicle formulations.
Source1
Systematic review and pharmacokinetic evaluation2024
The multiple uses of azelaic acid in dermatology: mechanism of action, preparations, and potential therapeutic applications
AZA is an inhibitor of tyrosinase, mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes, and neutrophil reactive oxygen species; well tolerated with mild transient local irritation only.
Where it falls shortLiterature synthesis across various delivery vehicles and concentrations.
Source2
Baseline-controlled prospective clinical trial2011
Efficacy and Safety of Azelaic Acid (AzA) Gel 15% in the Treatment of Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation and Acne: A 16-Week, Baseline-Controlled Study
Twice-daily application of 15% azelaic acid gel over 16 weeks in dark-skinned patients significantly reduced both acne lesion counts and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation intensity.
Where it falls shortBaseline-controlled single-arm trial design.
Source3
Clinical evidence review and expert consensus2017
Azelaic Acid 15% Gel: The Versatile Foundation of Combination Therapy in Mild to Moderate Rosacea
Demonstrates that 15% azelaic acid gel downregulates kallikrein-5 and cathelicidin LL-37 expression to clear inflammatory papules and facial erythema in rosacea.
Where it falls shortLive WebFetch confirmed the real PDF exists (588.6KB) but its content could not be text-extracted for independent confirmation this cycle.
Source4
What is still missing
Not yet researched
Research in progress — check back soon. How we verify