Can You Use Lactic Acid and Azelaic Acid Together Safely?

Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of Using Lactic Acid With Azelaic Acid

Many skin care enthusiasts strive to build a comprehensive routine targeting multiple skin concerns ranging from acne to hyperpigmentation. Often this involves using more than one active skincare ingredient. For those hoping to reap the significant benefits of both lactic acid and azelaic acid, a key question emerges: Can you safely and effectively use lactic acid together with azelaic acid?

Understanding Lactic Acid and Azelaic Acid

First, let's briefly review what these ingredients do for skin and why someone may want to use them concurrently:

• Lactic acid belongs to the alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) family. It is an exfoliant that dissolves the bonds between skin cells, helping to improve texture and radiance. Additionally, lactic acid has humectant moisturizing properties.
• Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring dicarboxylic acid with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. It tackles breakouts while also brightening and evening out skin tone by preventing excess melanin production.

Potential Benefits of Using Both Together

Using lactic acid together with azelaic acid may confer significant skin enhancing perks by allowing you to simultaneously:

• Gently exfoliate and moisturize with lactic acid
• Control breakouts and reduce pigmentation with azelaic acid

In other words, you'll be able to both treat and prevent acne while also improving multiple signs of aging like fine lines, uneven texture, redness, blotchiness, and dull skin at the same time.

Safety Considerations for Combining Lactic Acid With Azelaic Acid

Using multiple actives can maximize skin benefits but also raises safety concerns about increased irritation, damage, and compromised skin barrier function. Assessing whether or not lactic acid and azelaic acid can be safely paired together calls for examining two key factors:

1. How the ingredients work and interact on a molecular level
2. How skin responds based on scientific studies and anecdotal evidence

Molecular Interactions

Chemically speaking, lactic acid and azelaic acid should be compatible for concurrent use because they have substantially different molecular structures and mechanisms of action.

As an AHA, lactic acid works by breaking bonds in the upper layers of skin to facilitate increased cell turnover. Azelaic acid tackles skin cells more indirectly by inhibiting certain metabolic processes in the cells.

Documented Skin Response

Furthermore, combining these ingredients does not seem to incite adverse effects for most skin types based on scientific research and consumer experiences. However, those with highly sensitive skin still need to take care when using multiple actives concurrently.

Tips for Trying Lactic Acid With Azelaic Acid

When incorporating both lactic acid and azelaic acid into your skincare regimen, adopt a cautious, gradual approach. Consider the following usage tips:

• If new to acids, introduce one active at a time slowly to assess how your skin tolerates it before adding the second ingredient.
• Pay attention as you add an acid if you experience irritation, stinging, redness or dryness, potentially signaling the need to reduce application frequency, use lower leave acid products, or buffer acids by applying after serum but before moisturizer.
• Use acids just 1-3 times per week initially, incrementally increasing frequency based on skin response, up to daily for some skins but every other day for sensitive skin.
• Always include gentle cleanser and moisturizer in routine when using acids to support skin barrier function.
• Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen daily when using any acid due to increased photosensitivity.
• Consider reducing usage or taking a break week if introducing additional potentially irritating products like retinoids or benzoyl peroxide.

An Expert Guide to Using Lactic Acid and Azelaic Acid Together For Best Results

Trying to figure out the best way to use lactic acid and azelaic acid together? Here is a comprehensive guide to maximizing the unique yet complementary advantages of these multi-tasking acids.

Step 1: Choose Wisely

With so many product options on the market ranging from gentle to very strong concentrations, start by selecting lactic acid and azelaic acid formulations suited to your skin goals and sensitivity:

• Opt for 5-15% lactic acid and 10-20% azelaic acid for maximum effectiveness.
• Seeking anti-aging benefits in addition to clearing and brightening? Choose products containing antioxidants like vitamin C, peptides, niacinamide, etc.
• Need an extra moisture boost? Seek hydrating formulas with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, etc.
• Prefers clean, fragrance-free options? Many brands offer products catering to sensitive skin.

Step 2: Assign Roles

To allow each active ingredient to work most effectively, use lactic acid and azelaic acid separately during different steps of your routine by:

• Applying lactic acid as part of your exfoliating toner or chemical peel prep
• Using azelaic acid in your targeted serum or spot treatment

Step 3: Alternate Applications

While it is generally fine to use lighter lactic acid and azelaic acid formulations together twice daily, alternate applications when incorporating richer or higher percentages of these acids. For example:

• AM: Cleanse, lactic acid toner, vit C serum, moisturizer/SPF
• PM: Cleanse, niacinamide serum, azelaic acid cream, moisturizer

Or every other day:

• Day 1 PM: Lactic acid peel
• Day 2 PM: Azelaic acid serum

Step 4: Listen to Skin Signals

Closely monitor skin tolerance as you adopt this duo into your regimen. Signs of sensitivity like stinging or itching warrants scaling back frequency of applications.

Step 5: Support Skin Health

When using potent ingredients like acids, nourishing and protecting skin is paramount. Be diligent with gentle cleansing, moisturizing, and SPF to maintain an intact, healthy moisture barrier.

The Best Lactic Acid and Azelaic Acid Products To Use Together

Not sure which specific items to purchase to reap the combined perks of lactic acid and azelaic acid? Discover the best formulations here:

1. The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA

This bestselling lactic acid serum contains a mid-range 10% concentration ideal for targeting multiple concerns. The added hydrating hyaluronic acid cushions against dryness and irritation.

2. Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster

This silky, fast-absorbing azelaic acid serum turbocharges any moisturizer to fade discoloration and clear acne. The ideal pick for layering with lactic acid.

3. Alpha Skincare Intensive Renewal Serum

Containing both 14% glycolic acid for enhanced cell turnover plus azelaic acid to even skin tone, this all-in-one treatment efficiently brightens while exfoliating.

4. Naturium Quadruple Hyaluronic Acid Serum

With a complex of 4 different types of hyaluronic acid, this deeply hydrating serum provides humectant moisture to balance multiple acids.

5. COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

Snail mucin extract is a nourishing, soothing antidote to acid overuse. This serum strengthens and protects sensitive skin from irritation.

The Bottom Line: Should You Use Lactic Acid and Azelaic Acid Together?

In summary, by approaching combo use strategically and carefully, lactic acid and azelaic acid can work beautifully together to simultaneously refresh skin texture while clearing up existing blemishes and minimizing the development of new ones over time. Supporting your acidified skin barrier with ample hydration and sun protection remains paramount.

Have you tried using these two hardworking acids together? What tips would you add for optimizing results?

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.