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What Is Azelaic Acid? (And Why is Reddit Obsessed With It?)

Here's what you need to know about the do-it-all treatment
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Let's be real: the million-plus strong r/SkincareAddiction subreddit is an absolute gold mine of skin care tips and advice. One Reddit-approved ingredient that's been grabbing our attention lately? Azelaic acid.

It's not just a passing trend, either — it's got the dermatologists' seal of approval. "Azelaic acid is a fruit acid derived from grains such as wheat, rye, and barley," says board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Peterson Pierre, MD. "It's been around for years, and is fantastic for acne and rosacea because of its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It also helps improve the appearance of pores, tone and texture, and eliminates whiteheads, blackheads, and pigmentation."

One small warning: It might take a little getting used to (though this isn't the case for everyone). "When you first start using it, you may experience some stinging, burning, redness, peeling, or dryness," he explains. "Those symptoms typically resolve within a week or two. It causes a gentle exfoliation, which helps improve the tone and texture of your skin."

Curious to give this skin care star a try? Keep reading to shop some of our favorite azelaic acid skin care products.

Image via Han Myung-Gu/Getty

This face and body scrub combo is sure to become your new BFF once the temperatures dip: It combines azelaic acid with blue lava salt and lactic acid to ensure that dry winter skin is a thing of the past.

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If you prefer exfoliating pads over a traditional facial scrub, trust that the many blends of acids (including azelaic acid, of course) inside these peel pads tame breakouts, and improve skin texture with continued use.

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Azelaic acid can also be incorporated into your go-to toner. This daily tonic fuses the ingredient with lactic acid and willow bark extract to reveal a smoother and acne-free complexion.

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This alcohol-free pimple paste puts azelaic acid to good use — the hardworking ingredient is combined with willowbark, sulfur, and tea tree oil to send breakouts and blemishes packing.

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BY COURTNEY LEIVA | OCT 7, 2020 | SHARES
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