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Azelaic acid is a chemical compound naturally found in wheat, rye, and barley. It has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, which make it useful in the treatment of various skin diseases. It’s fairly gentle and can be used up to twice a day.
Azelaic acid can clean your pores of bacteria, therefore curing acne, and preventing future outbreaks from occurring. It helps the skin heal faster, which means it can reduce the occurrence of pimples and blackheads. Plus, it has skin-lightening abilities, which make it effective at treating blotchy areas of skin. Azelaic acid is used topically to treat acne and rosacea, among other conditions.
It can cause several side-effects, including a burning or tingling sensation, peeling skin at the site of application, dry skin, and skin redness. You may also experience blistering, irritation, swelling, and hives, although these are rare. Make sure you wear sunscreen before you go outside, as your skin will be more vulnerable to the sun’s UV radiation.
There are several different types and causes of acne. Cystic acne occurs when pores in your skin are clogged with sebum, dirt, and dead skin cells. This creates a perfect opportunity for the growth of bacteria, which can cause an infection. The infection can grow deeper into the skin, leading to inflammation and redness, causing raised acne bumps (AKA cysts) with pus that can be tender to the touch.
Benzoyl peroxide is a topical agent for fighting bacteria and can be good for some type of cystic acne. Jojoba oil and rosehip oil are also good for reducing inflammation, fighting bacteria, and keeping in moisture for healthier skin. Ingredients that help exfoliate dead skin cells and increase new skin cell production, such as Vitamin A/Retinol, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid, are good for treating cystic acne as well.
The secret to winning the battle against cystic acne is having the right regimen for your skin. Products that are too strong can be irritating and drying, causing your skin to overproduce oil, which leads to more acne. Picking the wrong active ingredients may have no effect. Using the right regimen for your acne type and skin tolerance can effectively clear acne while keeping your skin healthy and balanced.
azelaic acid may be effective for cystic acne, but there are many other factors that may affect whether this ingredient would work on your skin or if there are better ingredients that may work for you. Take this skin quiz to find the best ingredients for your skin and build your skincare routine.
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