Be it acne, blemishes, or an uneven skin tone, adding the best azelaic acid products to your routine will change your skincare game! We know how vexing acne breakouts and the dark spots they leave behind can be. Although, if there is one impeccable ingredient that can change your skincare game and can fix your skincare woes, then add azelaic acid to the list. Add this hero ingredient to your everyday skincare regime and let it work its magic!

Azelaic acid is an underrated ingredient that boasts an immense amount of anti-inflammatory benefits and antioxidant benefits (1). It gently exfoliates your skin to eradicate any presence of dead skin cells or clogged pores, and kills acne-causing bacteria. The formula even soothes the appearance of redness, and radical damage, and diminishes dark spots and pigmentation. Add it to your routine and you will notice a new skin turnover that heals and reduces your acne scarring. So, with consistent use, this ingredient gives you acne and blemish-free skin with an enhanced complexion. Now, isn’t that tempting? While there are umpteen products formulated with azelaic acid that have wonderful skin benefits, we shortlisted nothing but the best ones for you. Listed below are the 15 best azelaic acid products that you must check out right away!

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  Best for Hyperpigmentation

  Urban Skin Rx Even Tone Cleansing Bar

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The Urban Skin Rx Even Tone Cleansing Bar is a three-in-one treatment that multitasks as a cleanser, mask, and exfoliator. This top-notch product enhances your complexion and reduces signs of aging, irritated skin, and dryness.The cleanser has the goodness of niacinamide, kojic acid, and licorice root which adds to the benefits of its star ingredient- azelaic acid. The potency of this cleansing bar helps in exfoliating the skin, reducing stubborn pigmentation and dark spots, and brightening it. It promotes a healthier and even-toned complexion while visibly reducing redness, fine lines and wrinkles, discoloration, and texture. The formula is best suited for normal, oily, and combination skin types. It also contains mild tea tree extract which soothes your skin and leaves it feeling fresh.

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Best Skin Repair Formula

Jan Marini Bioclear Face Cream

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Made with a powerful combination of azelaic, salicylic, and glycolic acid, this face cream by Jan Marini is a perfect skincare essential to revitalize your skin. It helps boost collagen production, exfoliate the skin, and reduce inflammation, leaving you with clearer and healthier skin. This multi-functional cream also works on clogged pores and prevents the occurrence of acne breakouts. Whether you want to even out your skin tone or add softness to your skin, this versatile cream is a solution to all your skin woes! 

3

Best Non-Greasy Formula

Cos De Baha Azelaic Acid 10% Serum

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Get rid of acne breakouts and redness with the Cos De Baha Azelaic Acid 10% Serum. It is packed with a powerful combination of 10% azelaic acid, niacinamide (B5), and hyaluronic acid along with vitamin V3. The formula targets acne, and blemishes and helps in fading away dark spots and marks from previous acne breakouts. This azelaic acid serum is non-greasy, lightweight, and has an oil-free texture. It blends with other serums, and creams or can be used on its own. The serum helps in enhancing your skin texture and also aids in repairing skin damage caused by rosacea. The formula does not contain any harsh toxins like sulfates, paraben, or dimethicone. This makes the formula suitable for everyday use.

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Best Lightweight Formula

Paula’s Choice BOOST 10% Azelaic Acid Booster

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Paula’s Choice BOOST 10% Azelaic Acid Booster comes in serum-like, thin consistency. The power-packed formula contains 10% azelaic acid with salicylic acid, licorice root extract, and glycerin. These effective ingredients exfoliate and brighten your skin and also boost hydration which works wonders on your skin. This multi-action formula is oil-free, and lightweight and helps your skin appear smoother, radiant, and younger-looking. It reduces dark spots and previous acne marks and also reduces appearance of blemishes to even tone your skin. The versatile formula works well when used on its own or when mixed with other acne treatments and skin care products. No matter what your skin type is or if you have signs of aging, this azelaic acid cream gel will work wonders on your skin.

5

Best for Acne-Prone Skin

Naturium Azelaic Topical Acid 10%

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Say hello to younger-looking skin with the Naturium Azelaic Topical Acid 10% serum’s anti-aging properties. The serum has a high concentration of glycerinated azelaic acid complex, vitamin C, niacinamide, and coffee seed extract. The potent formula helps in improving the appearance of skin tone by enhancing radiance. It also aids with cystic acne treatment and caters to blackhead removal. Made with natural botanicals and marine-based ingredients, this azelaic acid serum balances excess sebum in your skin. This non-irritating and non-toxic formula balances pH levels, minimizes inflammation, and unclogs pores. It also consists of exfoliating properties which diminish dark spots and keep dullness at bay to leave you with smooth and thoroughly hydrated skin.

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Best for Tightening Pores

REN Clean Skincare Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic

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Powerful, but gentle enough for daily use try the REN Clean Skincare Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic for skin-refining results. Designed to limit irritation, this azelaic acid toner helps to smoothen your skin texture by tightening your pores and minimizing signs of aging. It visibly even tones the skin, leaving it luminous and supple. The hero ingredients of this toner are radiance-boosting azelaic acid precursors extracted from olives, skin-smoothing lactic acid (AHA) from sugar cane, and pore refining (BHA) from willow bark. The potent toner exfoliates your skin deeply, unclogs pores, and eradicates dead skin cells, thus preventing future breakouts. It is suitable for all skin types and gives you an even-looking complexion and rejuvenated skin.

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Best for Dark Spots

Sesderma Azelac Ru Liposomal Serum

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The Sesderma Azelac RU Liposomal Serum is a depigmenting serum that makes your skin clear and radiant. This serum containing azelaic acid is also rich in other beneficial ingredients including  niacinamide, the good old retinol, glycerin, moisturizing castor oil, and phenylalanine. These potent ingredients improve skin texture, even tone skin, reduce blemishes, and prevent acne scars. It blocks out and reduces excessive melanin production, and prevents further blemish formations. The formula also slows down signs of aging along with sun damage. The azelaic acid serum is suitable for all skin types, including dry, combination, and oily skin. It also can be used on its own or combined with other products and acne treatments.

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Best Antioxidant Formula

Ordinary Azelaic Acid 10% Suspension

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Thanks to its ability to brighten the skin and reduce textural irregularities, the Ordinary Azelaic Acid 10% Suspension has gained a cult following. This formula is known to be one of the excellent choices when it comes to products with azelaic acid. It tackles most skin concerns like uneven skin tone, blemishes, dullness, and pigmentation. This lightweight formula is packed with the potency of 10% pure azelaic acid sourced naturally from grains using yeast. Its high concentration also acts as a calming agent for rosacea, redness, and inflammation, and also caters to reducing breakouts. The cream-gel formula has antioxidant properties that work great with all skin types and helps in boosting even tone skin and enhanced complexion.

9

Bliss Green Tea Wonder Clarifying Overnight Gel Mask with Azelaic Acid

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Loaded with skin-beneficial properties, get brighter skin with the Bliss Green Tea Wonder Clarifying Overnight Gel Mask with Azelaic Acid. The Bliss Green Tea Wonder Clarifying Overnight Gel Mask reviews promise that the product maintains the skin’s natural barrier and reveals a clear complexion. The formula consists of azelaic acid that acts as a natural exfoliant that deep cleans pores and removes excess sebum while rosa canica extract minimizes your pores. Fermented green tea oil is packed with antioxidant and moisture-laden molecules which balance your skin and green tea extract protects your skin against pore-clogging pollutants. The natural astringent properties in aloe leaf juice absorb excess oil, moisturize, and rejuvenate the skin without making it greasy.

10

PCA Skin Hydroquinone-Free Pigment Gel

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Try this – one of the best azelaic acid serums and get an even tone and beautiful glowing skin. Add the PCA Skin Hydroquinone-Free Pigment Gel to your skincare regime and notice a visibly rejuvenated and youthful complexion. The formula diminishes age spots and discoloration for a clear and enhanced complexion. This azelaic acid serum is an exfoliating complex of kojic, lactic, and azelaic acids which refine, smoothen, and promote even tone skin. It diminishes signs of aging, hyperpigmentation, and acne breakouts. While glutathione and tyrosinase in this serum obstruct melanin production to prevent new dark spots from forming. The formula is suitable for mature, dry, oily, and combination skin.

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Best Unscented Formula

PCA Skin Pigment Bar

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Perfect for everyday use, the PCA Skin Pigment Bar tackles skin discoloration and uneven skin tone. This azelaic acid cleansing bar is suitable for normal to combination skin that is prone to discoloration and pigmentation. Formulated with potent active ingredients like azelaic acid (our star player), kojic acid, and niacinamide (our humble brightener), this bar restores healthy-looking skin that is well-hydrated and even-toned. The azelaic acid cleanser bar has anti-inflammatory properties that have a calming effect on the skin and work on the face and body. This is one such azelaic acid product that is recommended by dermatologists and aestheticians.

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TULA Skin Care Clear It Up Acne Clearing & Tone Correcting Gel

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Prevent future breakouts with the fast-acting TULA Skin Care Clear It Up Acne Clearing & Tone Correcting Gel. This azelaic acid gel fades out previous acne marks and blemishes and helps in enhancing skin texture and dullness. The formula has probiotic extracts which smoothen your skin, while the prebiotics (chicory root) aids in maintaining skin balance. With FDA-approved 2% salicylic acid, the formula treats and prevents acne breakouts. Azelaic acid and niacinamide work in coherence to lighten blemishes and brighten your skin tone. While willowherb, hyaluronic acid, along with wild mint and mushroom refine your pores, soothes, and hydrates your skin. With no alcohol or added fragrance, this gel is a must-have!

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Best Non-comedogenic Formula

Glytone Enhance Brightening Complex

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Brighten your complexion and say goodbye to signs of aging with the Glytone Enhance Brightening Complex. This exfoliating and moisturizing azelaic acid cream diminishes dark spots and pigmentation. The lightweight formula promotes instant hydration, improves the appearance of dull skin, and boosts natural glow. It contains our new favorite azelaic acid, which visibly enhances your complexion and reduces signs of pigmentation and dark spots. Along with glycolic acid which exfoliates dead skin cells and promotes healthy cell turnover for a clearer complexion. The cream hydrates your skin and leaves it feeling supple for penetration of skincare ingredients. So, give your skin a rejuvenating glow by adding this toxin and chemical-free cream to your skincare routine.

14

Divine Derriere Skin Rejuvenation Tropical Formula

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Divine Derriere Skin Rejuvenation Tropical Formula contains 10% azelaic acid, along with hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide. This azelaic acid serum has brightening properties and helps minimize redness, congestion, and dullness. It is a multitasking formula that also fades stubborn acne marks, bumps, and blemishes. Packed with antioxidant properties, the leave-on serum is lightweight and feels comfortable on the skin. It rejuvenates the skin, enhances natural complexion, and evens out the texture of your skin. For those with redness, inflammation, and irritated skin, this serum calms it with a cooling effect. The formula contains no artificial colorants or fragrances and is free from toxins and chemicals.

15

Glytone Enhance Brightening Solution

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Restore the skin’s pH balance with the Glytone Enhance Brightening Solution. This dark spot treatment improves discoloration and dullness of the skin and even tones it. Lightweight and oil-free, the formula is powered by a potent combination of acids. It has potassium azeloyl diglycinate which is an azelaic acid derivative. It combines with niacinamide and helps in reducing unwanted dark spots and blemishes to improve skin complexion. The glycolic acid and salicylic acid unclog pores and exfoliate dead skin cells to enable better penetration of other skincare products. While the malachite extract in this azelaic acid toner, protects your skin against external free radicals and oxidative. The formula works impeccably as a brightening and lightening treatment and is ideal for daily use.

16

InstaNatural 10% Azelaic Acid Moisturizer

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wonders on your skin. This azelaic acid moisturizer gently exfoliates the skin and aids in clearing the complexion. To brighten it further, vitamin C plays a key role and also firms the skin to support collagen production. The formula is further powered with witch hazel and green tea extract which balance oil production, defend against free radicals, and soothe redness and irritated skin. With consistent use, you will notice smoother skin, tighter pores, and enhanced complexion. For effective results, it is best to use this azelaic acid moisturizer twice a day topped with sunscreen.

Azelaic acid products are beneficial to your skin since they have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant characteristics. While many products claim to be the best, there are a few aspects to consider before you pick the best azelaic acid products. These factors will make sure you reap all the benefits of azelaic acid products have to offer.

Concentration

If you want to incorporate azelaic acid skincare products into your skincare routine, start with the appropriate concentration. After all, playing with actives or acids isn’t for weak-hearted ladies who have super sensitive skin. So, to avoid unwanted breakouts or stings, note the amount of azelaic acid in each product. There are some azelaic acid over-the-counter products that have a maximum of 10% concentration. This is best for beginners who want to introduce azelaic acid to their routine. These show effective results with consistent use in 3 to 4 months.

However, for anything around 20% or higher, it is best to have a dermatologist’s prescription handy. The higher concentration is best for those who have previously used azelaic acid products for at least 6 months without having any side effects. 20% or higher concentration of azelaic acid typically shows visible results within a month or two.

Other active ingredients

Once you have narrowed down the concentration, you need to see what other actives or supporting ingredients work best with azelaic acid. It's essential to understand which active ingredients complement this acid, and which don’t and are best to be avoided. Azelaic acid can be used alongside vitamin C. Niacinamide, and our potent friends — alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) are also compatible with azelaic acid. Azelaic acid also works well with retinol and can be used once a day or on alternate days. Don’t forget to follow it up with a good moisturizer and sunscreen if you apply it in the morning.

Formula

Best azelaic acid products range from creams, serums, gels, toners, moisturizers, and even masks. Pick the type of formula that is best for your skin imperfections and skin type. Azelaic acid mostly suits all skin types, but it is good to go for a formula that is hypoallergenic. And if you have sensitive skin, it might lead to slight inflammation or redness when the formulation is not suitable for those with allergies or reactive skin.

The next factors to consider are that the formula must be non-comedogenic, with no added fragrances, colorants, alcohol, toxins, or chemicals. As these may lead to clogging of pores, inflammation, and breakout.

Usually, azelaic acid is available in abundance in the market. You will find both doctor-prescribed and azelaic acid over-the-counter products. Whether you are opting for an OTC formula or a prescription one, follow these steps of application -

• Cleanse your face thoroughly and pat it dry.
• Take the product and apply it gently on the affected area.
•  Rub or pat it in and allow it to dry completely.
• If you are mixing it with other actives like AHA or BHA, then apply these first followed by azelaic acid.

Azelaic acid products are used twice a day. Also, when you use azelaic products during the day, always top it up with a moisturizer and sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30. Remember to introduce the product slowly into your regime, so start by using it just a few times a week.

Azelaic acid is a powerhouse of skin-beneficial properties that caters to multiple skincare concerns. But with the best azelaic acid products available at your disposal, you achieve the flawless skin you always dreamt of. From acne, pigmentation, blemishes, dark spots, and even rosacea, azelaic acid products tackle all your concerns. We listed a few of the best azelaic acid products that you are bound to fall in love with, thanks to their effective visible results and top-notch reviews. So, pick the ones that tick all your skincare requirements and say hello to flawless and clear skin. Moreover, this powerful ingredient is even pregnancy and breastfeeding safe when used in low concentration.