Can I Mix Azelaic Acid with L-Ascorbic Acid?
When it comes to quality skincare ingredients, both Azelaic Acid and L-Ascorbic Acid are big names in the beauty world. Don’t let the overly scientific names confuse you, you already know about these two ingredients and chances are they’re already in the formula of some of your skincare products.
As I mentioned in my previous blog post, we often get carried away and overdo it when it comes to skincare products. It’s easy to happen, but it can sometimes lead to unwanted redness, irritation, and reactions. That’s what we’re going to be talking about today, and with any luck, we’ll make things a little clearer. So with that in mind, let’s take a deeper dive into whether or not you can mix Azelaic Acid and L-Ascorbic Acid together.
What is Azelaic Acid?
Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring acid in the body that’s derived from barley, wheat, and rye. Known for being effective in treating acne, rashes, and other blemishes by clearing out bacterial buildup in the pores, while boosting skin cell turnover, ensuring faster healing of the skin and minimizing the appearance of dark spots and uneven skin tone.
Commonly found in over-the-counter products, many prefer prescription formulas because of the higher ratio. This is because azelaic acid takes some time to work, as it needs to be used correctly to ensure that it does not cause burning, drying and flaking of the skin. To avoid this, always consult a doctor or dermatologist to ensure that you are using the right formula and percentage for you and your skin.
If you want to learn more about azelaic acid, read our dedicated blog post on how azelaic acid works on the skin.
What is L-Ascorbic Acid?
L-Ascorbic Acid, also known as Vitamin C, is a popular skincare ingredient among dermatologists and skincare enthusiasts. And for good reason, as it has amazing benefits for the complexion. It is rich in antioxidants and is one of the most effective ingredients for fighting free radicals, such as UV rays, pollution and other environmental influences. You will find that your skin looks and feels more radiant overall, fine lines and wrinkles become less noticeable, and your skin looks more even-toned and has a better texture.
You can find out more about L-Ascorbic Acid in our special blog post. So don’t forget to check it out.
Can Azelaic Acid and L-Ascorbic Acid be used together?
Yes, you can, but make sure you use them correctly to ensure the best effects of these powerful ingredients while avoiding unwanted side effects. There are a variety of ways to use both azelaic acid and L-ascorbic acid. Here are some examples of the most effective ways to reap the benefits.
Allow 15 minutes between applications.
Leaving about 15 minutes between applications will help rebalance the pH of your skin. This is important because L-ascorbic acid and azelaic acid have lower pH levels, meaning they are more acidic. Using them on top of each other can be too harsh on the skin and cause irritation. Plus, these powerhouses simply won’t be able to deliver their benefits to your face.
Alternate the time of day you use each ingredient
Many people find that altering the time of day they use these ingredients is the best way to ensure each ingredient works on their skin. Since vitamin C gives the skin a radiant glow and is rich in antioxidants, many prefer to use a vitamin C-rich serum as part of their morning routine. Completing this step with azelaic acid in the evening will help regenerate and rejuvenate the skin while you sleep and prevent irritation that can occur from overdoing it.
Alternate the days you use each ingredient
If you like to use azelaic acid and L-ascorbic acid in your morning routine, you can alternate between applying them to your skin. This way you can ensure that you are getting the benefits of both ingredients without having to worry about skin irritation. The important thing to remember is that both acids increase your skin’s sensitivity to light. Always use an SPF of 30 or higher every day to protect your skin from UV radiation and other environmental influences, even on cloudy days and when rain is in the forecast.
These are some of the most common ways to use L-ascorbic acid and azelaic acid together. If you’re still concerned about using these powerful ingredients in your daily life, talk to your doctor or dermatologist to find the most effective way to incorporate these ingredients into your daily routine.
Can Azelaic Acid and Vitamin C be used together?
Yes, technically you can use Vitamin C and Azelaic Acid together, but I would avoid doing so. While both ingredients are completely safe to use, it’s often possible to have too much of a good thing. As I mentioned before, pH is often the cause of skin irritation, and it can be very easy for this to happen. Since our skin’s average pH is around 4.7, this “neutral” value can often interfere with more acidic formulas, preventing them from achieving optimal results.
To avoid all of these issues, I recommend using both ingredients together with the options above. If you want to learn more about using Vitamin C and Azelaic Acid together, The Beauty Insiders has another blog post about their use.
Another way to make sure your skin is happy with both ingredients is to do a 24-hour patch test before applying all over your face. Take a 10p-sized amount of the product and apply it to the inside of your forearm, leave it on for 24 hours, and if there are no signs of irritation or redness, it’s good to go.
Here’s more about mixing Azelaic Acid and L-Ascorbic Acid. If you have any other skincare questions, don’t forget to follow us on the Procoal Instagram. There’s a skincare expert waiting to answer your questions via private message.
