How do I choose the right azelaic acid for my skin concerns?
Azelaic acid is trending (ViRaL) but there’s not enough discussion on what it does. Used properly it can help with stressed-out, inflamed skin, acne, melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (post-acne brown marks), redness, post-inflammatory erythema (post-acne red marks), rosacea, and even perioral dermatitis. But it’s hard to figure out which product is right for you. And where does it go in your routine? And once you get there, how do you introduce it?
This is where the spreadsheet comes in. Each product contains pure azelaic acid with the percentage listed where available. I’ve excluded cleansers and also products that don’t contain pure azelaic acid. If it’s just a derivative, they’re out. If the product contains extra ingredients for soothing, exfoliation, pigment or anti-aging, that column will have a +. You can sort by any column, which should help to filter for your budget and concerns. At the bottom of the page you’ll find further guidance on each skin concern; factors you might want to consider when choosing a product. There’s also a quick guide to introducing azelaic acid.
| Brand | Image | Product | Azelaic acid | Price (AUD) | Price per | Size | Soothing | Exfoliant | Pigment | Wrinkle | Fragrance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nine Less |  | A-Control Azelaic Acid Cream | 1% | $23.00 | $0.46 | 50 | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Anua |  | Azelaic Acid 10 + Hyaluron Soothing Pad | 1% | $28.00 | $0.31 | 90 | ✔ | ||||
| Cos de BAHA |  | Azelaic Acid 5% Serum | 5% | $19.00 | $0.63 | 30 | ✔ | ||||
| Cos de BAHA |  | AT Facial Toner | 5% | $24.00 | $0.12 | 200 | ✔ | ||||
| Cos de BAHA |  | AC Clearing Serum | 5% | $15.00 | $0.50 | 30 | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| MaryenB |  | ANC5 Serum | 5% | $11.00 | $0.37 | 30 | ✔ | ||||
| Dr. Ceuracle |  | Azelaic 10 & Madeca Ampoule | 10% | $23.00 | $0.77 | 30 | ✔ | ||||
| The Ordinary |  | Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% | 10% | $19.40 | $0.65 | 30 | |||||
| Anua |  | Azelaic Acid 10 + Hyaluron | 10% | $32.00 | $1.07 | 30 | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Peach Slices |  | Redness Relief Azelaic Acid Serum | 10% | $35.00 | $1.17 | 30 | ✔ | ||||
| Naturium |  | Azelaic Acid Emulsion 10% | 10% | $44.00 | $1.47 | 30 | ✔ | ||||
| La Roche-Posay |  | Effaclar AZ Gel Cream | 10% | $66.00 | $1.65 | 40 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Paula's Choice |  | 10% Azelaic Acid Booster | 10% | $62.00 | $2.07 | 30 | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Drunk Elephant |  | Bouncy Brightfacial | 10% | $125.00 | $2.50 | 50 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Regimen Lab |  | Azelaic Advanced | 10% | $89.00 | $2.97 | 30 | ✔ | ||||
| Dr Sam Bunting |  | Flawless Brightly Serum | 10% | $100.00 | $3.33 | 30 | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Dermaceutic |  | Dual + Anti-Blemish Serum 30ml | 10% | $158.00 | $5.27 | 30 | ✔ | ||||
| Allies of Skin |  | Azelaic & Kojic Advanced Clarifying Serum | 10% | $185.00 | $6.17 | 30 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Cos de BAHA |  | Azelaic Acid 10% Serum | 10% | $16.00 | $0.53 | 30 | ✔ | ||||
| Nine Less |  | A-Control 10% Azelaic Acid Serum | 10% | $22.00 | $0.73 | 30 | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| MaryenB |  | ANC10 Serum | 10% | $15.00 | $0.50 | 30 | ✔ | ||||
| Freshly |  | Azelaic Radiance Serum | 10% | $58.00 | $1.16 | 50 | ✔ | ||||
| Celdyque |  | Azelaic Acid 12% Serum | 12% | $20.00 | $0.67 | 30 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Leo Pharma |  | Finacea | 15% | $28.00 | $0.93 | 30 | |||||
| Anua |  | Azelaic Acid 15 + Cica | 15% | $42.00 | $1.40 | 30 | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Facetheory |  | Blemicalm Azelaic Acid 15% Clarifying Serum | 15% | $52.00 | $1.73 | 30 | ✔ | ||||
| Niche Beauty Lab |  | Azid | 15% | $65.00 | $2.17 | 30 | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Cos de BAHA |  | AZ15 Azelaic Acid Serum | 15% | $14.00 | $0.47 | 30 | ✔ | ||||
| ACM Laboratoire |  | Azéane Cream | 15% | $40.00 | $1.33 | 30 | ✔ | ||||
| Azclear |  | Azelaic Acid 20% | 20% | $19.00 | $0.76 | 25 | |||||
| Helloskin |  | Azelaic Acid 20% w/w Serum | 20% | $40.00 | $1.33 | 30 | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Cos de BAHA |  | AZ20 Azelaic Acid Cream | 20% | $19.00 | $0.38 | 50 | ✔ | ||||
| APLB |  | Azelaic Acid Peptide Ampoule Serum | ? | $15.00 | $0.38 | 40 | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| APLB |  | Azelaic Acid Peptide Facial Cream | ? | $15.00 | $0.27 | 55 | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| VT |  | Azelaic A1 Calming Ampoule | 10% | $24.00 | $0.80 | 30 | ✔ | ||||
| VT |  | AZ Care Toner Pad | ? | $35.00 | $0.58 | 60 | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Freshly |  | Azelaic Active Body Treatment | ? | $60.00 | $0.60 | 100 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Abib |  | Clear Spot Serum 7.325 Pump | 7% | $37.00 | $1.23 | 30 | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Anua |  | Azelaic Acid 3 Cica Skin Soothing Moisturiser | 3% | $35.00 | $0.35 | 100 | ✔ | ||||
| APLB |  | Azelaic Acid Peptide Body Lotion | ? | $25.00 | $0.08 | 300 | ✔ | ||||
| Bubble |  | Dream Fade Discoloration Rescue Serum | 10% | $30.00 | $1.00 | 30 | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Celladix |  | Glycylglycine 3.0 Pore Serum | 5% | $29.00 | $0.97 | 30 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Centellian24 |  | Madeca Azelaic Acid 10+ Calming Serum | 10% | $21.00 | $0.70 | 30 | ✔ | ||||
| Cosmetex Roland |  | B:ample Exosome Azelaic Acid Beauty Serum Lotion Clear | ? | $32.00 | $0.11 | 300 | ✔ | ||||
| CosRX |  | Azelaic Acid 10 B5 Redness Soothing Cream | 10% | $20.00 | $0.67 | 30 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| CosRX |  | Azelaic Acid 20 B5 Redness Soothing Cream | 20% | $21.00 | $0.70 | 30 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| daymellow |  | Azelaic Acid 10% Balancing Serum | 10% | $25.00 | $0.83 | 30 | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Dehiya |  | Mami Wata | 2% | $100.00 | $2.00 | 50 | ✔ | ||||
| delphyr |  | SOS Azelaic Acid 10% + Niacinamide 2% Serum | 10% | $21.00 | $0.70 | 30 | ✔ | ||||
| Dr Idriss |  | Left Un-Red Reducer Serum | 5% | $100.00 | $7.14 | 14 | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Dr. Reju-all |  | Micronized Azelaic Acid Concentrate 12% | 12% | $42.00 | $1.40 | 30 | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| EIOM |  | A.CNEX Ampoule | 20% | $29.00 | $0.97 | 30 | |||||
| EIOM |  | A.CNEX Cream | 10% | $25.00 | $0.50 | 50 | |||||
| Formotopia |  | BFFECT C-013 Azelaic Acid 13% Anti-Acne Lotion | 13% | $46.00 | $1.53 | 30 | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| FULLight |  | Re:dence Azelaic Cica Serum | 18% | – | – | 30 | ✔ | ||||
| fwee |  | Calming Azelaic Acid Pudding Cream | ? | $28.00 | $0.56 | 50 | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Glenmark Pharmaceuticals |  | SIBZEOS azelaic acid 15% Gel | 15% | $25.00 | $0.50 | 50 | |||||
| Good Molecules |  | 10% Azelaic Acid Treatment | 10% | $19.00 | $0.63 | 30 | ✔ | ||||
| HiCA |  | AZA Repair Cream Azelaic Acid 10% | 10% | $30.00 | $2.00 | 15 | ✔ | ||||
| Holika holika |  | Azelaic Acid 12 Ectoin Serum | 12% | $22.00 | $0.73 | 30 | ✔ | ||||
| ISISPharma |  | Metroruboril A.Z | 15% | $50.00 | $1.67 | 30 | ✔ | ||||
| ISISPharma | TeenDerm AZ | 15% | – | – | ✔ | ||||||
| Isntree |  | Onion Newpair Azelaic Toner | 4% | $33.00 | $0.13 | 250 | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| iUNIK |  | Azelaic Acid Lacto PDRN Serum | 12% | $29.00 | $0.73 | 40 | ✔ | ||||
| John Jeff |  | 10% Azelaic Acid Cream | 10% | $18.00 | $0.60 | 30 | ✔ | ||||
| John Jeff |  | 20% Azelaic Acid Cream | 20% | $34.00 | $1.13 | 30 | ✔ | ||||
| John Jeff |  | 20% Azelaic Acid Acne Treatment Gel | 20% | $19.00 | $1.27 | 15 | ✔ | ||||
| Kisocare |  | Houttuynia Cordata Leaf Extract 70% + Azelaic Acid 10% Lotion | 10% | $40.00 | $0.33 | 120 | ✔ | ||||
| Kisocare |  | Azelaic Acid Serum 15% | 15% | $25.00 | $0.83 | 30 | ✔ | ||||
| Kisocare |  | 15% Azelaic Acid Cream | 15% | $16.00 | $0.80 | 20 | ✔ | ||||
| Kisocare |  | Azelaic Acid Cream 20% | 20% | $18.00 | $0.90 | 20 | ✔ | ||||
| Kisocare |  | Azelaic Acid Serum 20% | 20% | $27.00 | $0.90 | 30 | ✔ | ||||
| Lagom |  | Cellus Refining Purple Serum | 10% | $19.00 | $0.54 | 35 | ✔ | ||||
| Makari |  | Kojic & Azelaic Brightening Serum | 10% | $70.00 | $2.33 | 30 | ✔ | ||||
| Mancodes |  | Azelaic Acid Acne Removing Gel | ? | $18.00 | $0.90 | 20 | ✔ | ||||
| Mary and May |  | Spicule Azelaic PDRN Spot Cream | 2% | $17.00 | $1.13 | 15 | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| medicube |  | Azelaic Acid Niacinamide Clear Toner | 4% | $40.00 | $0.16 | 250 | ✔ | ||||
| medicube |  | Azelaic Acid 16 BB Soothing Serum | 16% | $35.00 | $1.17 | 30 | ✔ | ||||
| medicube |  | Azelaic Acid Exosome Shot 7500 | 0% | $40.00 | $1.33 | 30 | ✔ | ||||
| medicube |  | Azelaic Acid Exosome Shot 2000 | 0% | $40.00 | $1.33 | 30 | ✔ | ||||
| Murad |  | Blemish Control Retexturizing Body Pads | 1% | $92.00 | $2.04 | 45 | ✔ | ||||
| Needly |  | Azelaic Acid 15 Glutathione Serum | 15% | $29.00 | $0.97 | 30 | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Needly |  | Azelaic Acid 12 Ceramide Cream | 12% | $28.00 | $0.93 | 30 | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Numbuzin |  | Zero Blemish Azela Cica Balancing Dual Pads | 1% | $30.00 | $0.50 | 60 | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Ooznary |  | Azelaic Micro Oil Blender 37 Serum | 12% | $27.00 | $0.90 | 30 | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Purito |  | Azelaic Acid 10 Kojic Tea Tree Serum | 10% | $26.00 | $0.87 | 30 | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Q+A Skin |  | Azelaic Acid Facial Serum | ? | $24.00 | $0.80 | 30 | |||||
| Rael |  | Microcrystal Activated Serum 2000 | 0% | $30.00 | $0.94 | 32 | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Rael |  | Microcrystal Activated Serum 5000 | 1% | $32.00 | $1.00 | 32 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| REALE ACTIVES |  | Go Calm Serum | 10% | $60.00 | $2.00 | 30 | ✔ | ||||
| Remedy Skin |  | Advanced Clarifying Serum | 10% | $37.00 | $1.23 | 30 | ✔ | ||||
| Shimbi Method |  | Derma Serum Azelaic Acid 15% + BHA 0.2% + Pyridoxine HCl | 15% | $47.00 | $3.13 | 15 | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Shimbi Method |  | Derma Serum Azelaic Acid 5% + Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate | 5% | $42.00 | $1.40 | 30 | ✔ | ||||
| skin & Lab |  | Azelaic Acid Balancing Moisturiser | 5% | $32.00 | $0.32 | 100 | ✔ | ||||
| skin & Lab |  | Azelaic Acid 10% Balancing Serum | 10% | $22.00 | $0.73 | 30 | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Skin Control |  | Liquid Pimple Patch | 10% | $11.00 | $0.79 | 14 | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Skin1004 |  | Madegascar Centella Azelaic Acid 10 Ampoule | 10% | $27.00 | $0.90 | 30 | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Skinceuticals | Phyto A+ Brightening Treatment | 3% | $196.00 | $6.53 | 30 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Skinoren |  | Azelaic Acid 20% Cream | 20% | $40.00 | $1.33 | 30 | |||||
| Skintegra |  | ROS AC 10 | 10% | $35.00 | $1.17 | 30 | ✔ | ||||
| Sunday Riley |  | Peace Keeper Acne Treatment Serum | 8% | $125.00 | $4.17 | 30 | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Thome |  | ABC Triple-Synergy Redness Comfort Serum | 10% | $38.00 | $1.27 | 30 | |||||
| Tirtir |  | Azelaic Acid 12% Serum | 12% | $39.00 | $1.30 | 30 | ✔ | ||||
| Topicals | Faded Brightening Serum for Dark Spots and Discoloration | ? | $50.00 | $1.67 | 30 | ✔ | |||||
| Torriden |  | Balanceful Azelaic Acid Serum | 9% | $35.00 | $1.17 | 30 | ✔ | ||||
| TOSOWOONG |  | Azelaic Acid 10% Face Serum | 10% | $43.00 | $1.30 | 33 | ✔ | ||||
| VT |  | Azelaic Acid Care Capsule Cream | ? | $30.00 | $0.60 | 50 | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| VT |  | Cica Exosome Azelaic Acid Toner | ? | $32.00 | $0.13 | 250 | ✔ | ✔ |
Skin Concern Guide
If your concern is acne, keep in mind that azelaic acid is best for mild to moderate acne with blackheads and clogged pores. It’s also best used twice per day. An added exfoliant could be nice for you if tolerated. Exfoliants can help to clear any post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Steer clear of added exfoliants if you also have intermittent redness, rosacea or are prone to perioral dermatitis. If your acne is deep, under-the-skin pimples (cystic/nodular), that’s classified as severe. It’s best to speak to a doctor to mitigate the risk of scarring.
Azelaic acid does not work for sun spots/solar lentigo. For other pigment disorders (melasma or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation), it’s important to prevent inflammation as this will contribute to further hyperpigmentation. An added exfoliant could help speed up the clearing of dark spots but conversely, could contribute to a damaged barrier and inflamed skin. If something feels spicy or you’re in doubt, just avoid the extra exfoliation. You’ll get best results using twice per day. This means you’ll need to eventually be able to tolerate your chosen product twice per day.
When managing perioral dermatitis, simplest is best so go for pharmacy creams with minimal extra ingredients. For rosacea, redness or post-inflammatory erythema (red marks after a pimple), calming ingredients are nice but not essential. You can probably use it once per day and still see good results here.
How To Introduce Azelaic Acid
If you’re introducing a new active ingredient and you go too hard, too fast, what happens?
Your skin barrier could be compromised! Which means you have to stop using all your actives, then handle your skin very carefully until it’s strong enough to try again. Neither you or I have time for that, so instead, use a pea size of your azelaic acid twice per week for a couple weeks, then every second day, then every day, then twice a day. No rush. You might feel some heat or stinging initially, or the day after using, but that will subside as your skin gets used to it and the calming effects start to kick in. Azelaic acid is a calming ingredient but it works over time; it’s not immediately calming. Definitely keep an eye out!
As always, free to leave a comment with your favourite or one you’ve found and I’ll happily add it to the table!
For some additional reading, check out this post on introducing retinol to your routine:
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