Have acne, rosacea or dark spots? Azelaic acid can tame all three

If you struggle with acne , you’ve probably used your fair share of benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid . However, when it comes to sensitive skin, irritation from strong actives can take many options off your product list. That’s where azelaic acid comes in: The under-the-radar ingredient helps unclog pores and prevent acne with less irritation, while also lightening dark spots and acne scars in the process, says Dr. Rachel Westbay , a board-certified cosmetic and general dermatologist at Marmur Medical.

I spoke with dermatologists about how azelaic acid works and how you can incorporate it into your skin care routine. I also compiled some azelaic acid products in line with our experts’ guidance.

Selected. Our top picks

What is azelaic acid and how does it work?

Azelaic acid is a tyrosinase inhibitor (the enzyme responsible for making melanin), which helps to even out your skin tone and prevent and treat hyperpigmentation due to conditions like melasma , says Westbay. It can also lighten acne scars, dark spots (most often seen on darker skin tones) and red scars (most commonly seen on fair skin tones), according to Westbay.

Azelaic acid is also an antibacterial antioxidant that unclogs pores, reduces inflammation and treats acne. It’s milder than other acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid and adapalene, which makes it more suitable for those with sensitive skin , acne and rosacea , says Dr. Lindsey Bordone , a board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology at ​Columbia University Medical Center. Plus, it’s one of the only pregnancy-safe acne treatments on the market.

Prescription-level azelaic acid is available at 15% and 20% strengths, and these have more research to back up their efficacy. However, you can also find over-the-counter options at strengths up to 10%. If your skin can tolerate it, try combining a lower-grade strength OTC option with other acne-fighting ingredients, which can be “much more effective than when [azelaic acid is] used alone,” says Westbay.

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What are the best azelaic acid products?

Below, I’ve compiled our experts’ favorite products containing azelaic acid, as well as highly rated options from NBC Select staff-favorite brands.

Best brightening

Cocokind Vitamin C Glow Serum

Cocokind is one of our favorite women-owned brands , and this serum combines the brightening effects of azelaic acid and vitamin C , plus the hydrating power of hyaluronic acid . Though the serum has one of the lowest percentages of azelaic acid on this list, it’s great for those with very sensitive skin (sporting the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance, to boot).

Best for scars

Topicals Faded Brightening and Clearing Serum

This spot treatment from Topicals helps to fade scars and hyperpigmentation, and includes actives like azelaic acid, tranexamic acid and niacinamide . We tried the serum over the course of two months noticed our dark spots became lighter and scars had begun to fade almost entirely. The brand recommends using this serum at night after washing your face and before your moisturizer . Since it has tranexamic acid, avoid using it with AHAs, BHAs and retinols since it can irritate your skin, according to the brand.

Best for dark spots

Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster

This face serum brightens dark spots, evens out skin tone and improves hyperpigmentation caused by breakouts, says Dr. Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital. It’s noncomedogenic and hypoallergenic, so it’s safe for sensitive skin.

Best overall

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid 10% Suspension Brightening Cream

This cream from The Ordinary is a favorite among our experts because it helps improve the appearance of blemishes and dark spots. The cream, which is also one of our favorite acne and melasma treatments , has 10% azelaic acid, and it’s gentle enough to use up to twice a day, according to the brand.

Best with vitamin C

Naturium Azelaic Topical Acid 10%

Naturium, a favorite brand among NBC Select staff , makes some of our favorite body lotions and salicylic acid products . This azelaic acid serum has niacinamide, vitamin C and coffee seed extract, which work together to even out skin tone, gently exfoliate and balance excess oil, according to the brand. The brand recommends using 1-2 pea-sized drops in the morning and at night, and gradually increasing the amount you use over time (depending on how much your skin can tolerate). The serum is available in both 1-ounce and 2-ounce sizes.

Best for redness

The Inkey List Azelaic Acid Serum

This azelaic acid serum comes recommended by Dr. Erum Ilyas , a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology. It’s especially great if redness is a major concern since the serum has microfine green-colored particles that can help mask redness, as well as 0.3% allantoin, which is a chemical compound that can help soothe the skin, according to the brand. You can apply it twice a day.

Best for irritated skin

Peach Slices Redness Relief Azelaic Acid Serum

This azelaic acid serum from Peach Slices —the brand behind some of our favorite pimple patches — also has panthenol, which is a humectant that helps the skin retain moisture, experts say. You can use this serum both day and night, and it can help reduce signs of redness and rosacea thanks to ingredients like hydrating green algae and soothing cica, according to the brand.

Best for acne-prone skin

Tula Clear Up Pore Clearing Gel

This gel pairs azelaic acid with niacinamide, which work together to brighten your skin’s tone and improve texture, says Dr. Hadley King , a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. It also has 2% salicylic acid that keeps acne at bay, probiotics that soothe and calm inflammation and hyaluronic acid that helps with hydration, according to the brand.

Best face mask

Drunk Elephant Bouncy Brightfacial Brightening Mask

Drunk Elephant makes some of our favorite expert-recommended cleansing balms and alpha hydroxy acid products , and this gel-cream from the brand has azelaic acid to reduce dark spots and redness. It also has 1% salicylic acid to keep blemishes at bay, and a blend of brightening ingredients to tackle hyperpigmentation, according to Drunk Elephant. The brand recommends applying two to three pumps of the cream as the last step of your nighttime or daytime skin care routine.

Best for melasma

Sesderma Azelac Ru Facial Serum

This Sesderma serum is one of Westbay’s favorites for excessive pigmentation on the skin. It can tackle melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from acne scars, too, she says. The serum is a combination of several active ingredients, including azelaic acid, retinol and vitamin C. The formula also contains tranexamic acid, a topical treatment that “works particularly well for [treating] discoloration resulting from UV light,” says Westbay.

Best cleanser

Urban Skin Rx 3-in-1 Even Tone Cleansing Bar

This 3-in-1 cleanser, mask and exfoliator has azelaic acid, niacinamide and kojic acid , another tyrosinase inhibitor that can lighten dark spots. You can apply the cleanser on its own or use the included exfoliating sponge to massage it onto your skin and leave it on for a few minutes, according to the brand. You can also use it as a brightening mask and leave it on for 3-5 minutes before rinsing it off with cold water.

How I picked the best azelaic acid products

While shopping for OTC products that contain azelaic acid, experts recommend considering the following factors, all of which I kept in mind while compiling this list:

Frequently asked questions

Azelaic acid is a safe and gentle option for those who have sensitive skin, are in their early teens or are pregnant or breastfeeding, according to the experts I spoke to.

Even though it’s a milder option, people with very sensitive skin should still be cautious when using this ingredient since they may experience some stinging, burning and even worsening of hyperpigmentation, according to Dr. Ronda Farah , a board-certified dermatologist at the University of Minnesota Medical School and M Health Fairview . “That's probably the biggest issue because if you get a rash going, it can leave dark spots instead of what you actually intended it to do, which is to lighten and brighten the skin,” says Farah.