I definitely think azelaic acid helped reduce the spots especially during the purging stage. jacoxon. Like this, the products can stay more stable over time. If ceramides in the skin are decreased, more water can evaporate from the skin and there is less water remaining in the skin. Pro-Vitamin B5 is a goodie that moisturises the skin, has anti-inflammatory, skin protecting and wound healing properties. Azelaic Acid. Azelaic acid is well known to be a hater of acne, it kills acne causing bacteria(P. acnes) and cleanses the pores of pore-clogging impurities, all thanks to its mild exfoliating potentials. One of the many types of ceramides that can be found naturally in the upper layer of the skin. According to Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital, Unlike other acids, azelaic acid does not make you sensitive to the sun.. Therefore, after an intensive and rigorous research, I decided to use niacinamide and azelaic acid together on my skin to put them to the test. Word of advice, stick to using this potent cocktail in your evening skincare routine as both ingredients increase the photosensitivity of the skin. Another great thing about panthenol is that it has anti-inflammatory and skin protecting abilities. Retinoic acid irritates the skin and causes the cells of the skin to grow (divide) and die . Tretinoin, also called all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), is a naturally occurring derivative of vitamin A (or retinol) that increases cell turnover. PC Chiu, CC Chan , HM Lin, HC Chiu, The clinical anti-aging effects of topical kinetin and niacinamide in Asians: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, split-face comparative trial, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology vol.6, issue 4, pp. New skin cells lead to your skin looking brighter and more even. It clears the skin of blemishes and discolorations by speeding the process of cell renewal.1, 2, 3, 4, Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring substance found in wheat, rye, and barley. Curious about how to layer 3 popular actives? But that doesnt matter, as long as result is achieved without compromising skin barrier or incurring inflammatory-irritation. All Rights Reserved. Once again azelaic acid compares almost identically. While mild cases of acne may respond well to over-the-counter treatments, stubborn cases require stronger treatments. Shes on a mission to tell you what works and what doesnt do you can save time and money and get the skin of your dreams. Irritation, skin flaking, redness, and drier skin are usual, Do not use tretinoin (or any form of retinoids) while pregnant, To minimize side effects introduce tretinoin slowly into your routine (see more how to use tips in geeky details), A multi-functional skincare superstar with several proven benefits for the skin, Great anti-aging, wrinkle smoothing ingredient used at 4-5% concentration, Fades brown spots alone or in combination with amino sugar, acetyl glucosamine, Increases ceramide synthesis that results in a stronger, healthier skin barrier and better skin hydration, Can help to improve several skin conditions including acne, rosacea, and atopic dermatitis, Superstar ingredient with antibacterial, skin cell regulating, anti-inflammatory and skin-lightening magic properties, It is especially useful for acne-prone or rosacea-prone skin types (in concentration 10% and up), It is a prescription drug in the US but can be freely purchased in the EU in an up to 10% concentration, It's a helper ingredient that improves the freeze-thaw stability of products, It's also a solvent, humectant and to some extent a penetration enhancer, It has a bad reputation among natural cosmetics advocates but cosmetic scientists and toxicology experts do not agree (read more in the geeky details section), A natural moisturizer thats also in our skin, A super common, safe, effective and cheap molecule used for more than 50 years, Not only a simple moisturizer but knows much more: keeps the skin lipids between our skin cells in a healthy (liquid crystal) state, protects against irritation, helps to restore barrier, Effective from as low as 3% with even more benefits for dry skin at higher concentrations up to 20-40%, High-glycerin moisturizers are awesome for treating severely dry skin, Its a polyhydroxy acid (PHA), that is often referred to as next generation AHA, It gently lifts off dead skin cells form the skin surface making skin smooth and even, In the long term it provides anti-aging benefits, like increased skin thickness and decreased wrinkles (though a tad less than even more proven superstar AHAs), Its a great moisturizer and even helps to repair impaired skin barrier, Its antioxidant, and does not make your skin more sensitive to the sun, It can be used even if your skin is very sensitive, rosacea prone or if you are post cosmetic procedure. Ok, so now we know what ceramides are, let's see what they do in our skin: research shows clearly that they play a super important role in keeping the skin barrier healthy and the skin hydrated. An Ecocert-approved, natural preservative that counts as gentle and non-irritating to the skin. Azelaic acid is a superstar acid with some serious magic properties. From my experimental review with the usage of tretinoin and azelaic acid together, I have come to the conclusion that both acids are effective individually, but more effective when combined together in treating acne breakouts (especially cystic and hormonal acne) and improving skin texture and complexion. Can You Use Salicylic Acid And Niacinamide Together? While using these duo-actives, my skin was not only acne-free, but super-smooth, firm and plump. Azelaic Acid is effective during all stages of acne 1: it reduces active acne, it helps clear up the redness, scarring, and hyperpigmentation that acne can cause, and it keeps acne bacteria at bay once your skin has healed. Naturium Azelaic Acid Emulsion 10% Plus Bioactive Brightening Complex & Niacinamide, Aging Skin Treatment, 1 oz. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Application: 1/4 pea of tretinoin cream on dry skin (eep!) However, azelaic acid cream was better tolerated, causing fewer local side effects than the topical retinoid. It was terrible but then glorious. In fact, using the two together can actually help to improve the results of both ingredients. No votes so far! 3. So, instead of combining azelaic acid and tretinoin together which may increase irritation on your super-senstive skin, using retinol instead will be a smart move. If HA does not tell you anything we have a super detailed, geeky explanation about it here. It contains niacinamide, or vitamin B3, which has been shown to reverse sun damage and even out pigment. Oleosomes on the skin do not collapse at once, but slowly and they deliver the stored emollient plant oil and vitamin E over an extended period of time giving the skin long-lasting moisture. It only took several days from the day I signed up to receive my treatment plan and my prescription in the mail (white bottle Shown in middle picture above). TRENDING POST: Drmtlgy Needleless Serum Review. Meet the gold standard for anti-aging. Topically, niacinamide is a multitasking B vitamin that helps repair sun-damaged skin, reduce inflammation and dark spots, and improve skin elasticity. Its an extensively researched ingredient that helps to both heal and fortify the skin, thanks to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Its truly a do-it-all ingredient! Avoid anything irritating while your skin is getting used to tretinoin- no scrubs, benzoyl peroxide, vitamin C, glycolic acid or salicylic acid. Chemically speaking, ceramides are the connection of a fatty acid and a sphingoid base and both parts can have different variations that result in the different types of ceramides. Reason is because due to tretinoins potentials in skin cell turnover and regeneration can increase skin sensitization or sensitivity which leaves the skin vulnerable to the suns UV rays attack. For example, if youre using a niacinamide serum and a tretinoin cream, use the niacinamide serum first, followed by the tretinoin cream. Used alone, it can make the formula sticky and it is a good team player so it is usually combined with other thickeners and so-calledrheology modifiers (helper ingredients that adjust the flow and thus the feel of the formula). Step 3: Apply tretinoin cream all over your face. Well, the answer is probably a no, but they do work to some extent. Side effects with tretinoin are very common. In addition to using a retinol product that contains niacinamide, Dr. Bunting recommends the following tips. ), It's an all around skin issue fixer as it works at the skin cell level and makes your skin cells behave in a healthy and normal way, It makes the skin less wrinkled, firmer, smoother and tighter, everything you could want from an anti-aging ingredient, It's also an effective acne treatment. Store this medication at 68F to 77F (20C to 25C) and away from heat, moisture and light. Over time, they can help fade dark spots, even out skin tone, and improve fine lines. How To Tell The Difference, 10 Best Vitamin C Face Creams For Skin Brightening & Anti-Aging Benefits, The Ordinary Vs Paulas Choice Azelaic Acid (Which Is Best? Its not strong enough to be used in itself so its always combined with something else, often with potassium sorbate. How it works: It inhibits the activity of tyrosinase and kills abnormal melanocytes. . It is especially recommended for protective, baby care and general purpose emollient creams. Read full disclosure here. It's found both in "free-form" and as part of famous skin lipids, ceramides. Azelaic acid is one of the most popular picks for hyperpigmentation in patients of all skin typesand for good reason. Its anti-inflammatory properties are also beneficial in treating redness. Plus, it acts as a mild exfoliant; it helps with skin texture and with smoothing and refining the appearance of pores. The gold-standard, and only FDA-approved anti-aging active ingredient. As aforementioned, Im not new to acids, I know my way around acids. This is to prevent these acids from hitting your skin directly as not to incur inflammation-irritation in the course of treatment which can disrupt your moisture-barrier. Tretinoin (a metabolite of vitamin A) is the gold standard anti-aging ingredient that is also FDA-approved (and it's the only one so far!) In this experimental review, I used tretinoin and azelaic acid every-other-day, for three (3) weeks, at night-time only. Available: https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00548. Base Ingredients: Caprylic/capric triglycerides . Niacinamide and azelaic acid can be used together without any negative side effects. Heads up: Since tretinoin encourages new cell growth, it can cause sun sensitivityso its critical to apply sunscreen before going outside! Do not flush unused medications or pour down a sink or drain. In fact, many custom prescriptions like Curology and Apostrophe actually combine tretinoin and niacinamide in the same formula. It belongs to a class of molecules known as retinoids, which is an umbrella term for all Vitamin A compounds and derivatives like retinol or adapalene. Azelaic acid is a multifunctional skincare ingredient that tackles a multitude of concerns related to breakouts and inflammation: Gently exfoliates: It goes deep within the pores and removes dead skin cells that cause dull skin tone and clogged pores. You can read all about the pure form here. Get that glow! One more thing: the water used in cosmetics is purified and deionized (it means that almost all of the mineral ions inside it is removed). It is also difficult to find a single . So, if you want to use this combination, I strongly advise you should start from lower concentration for the sake of your skins moisture-barrier, (example: 0.05% tretinoin and 10% azelaic acid). Sorry if this has been asked but when can I start to incorporate azelaic acid? Weeks 3 and 4: On bare skin, every third day. I also have been doing at-home glycolic peels (30% by Instanatural, but I've just bought a 50% from another brand . I love 0.05% tretinoin. Apply a thick layer of occlusive cream over the treatment. That's why our products contain acne-fighting ingredients like azelaic acid, tretinoin, niacinamide, and clindamycin to help you achieve your best skin. A combination of tretinoin and azelaic acid is often used to treat skin concerns including acne and hyperpigmentation, improving texture and brightening skin in general. I used Azelaic Acid (Finacea) after pregnancy to help clear melasma and was happy with it, but I was breastfeeding at . Similar totretinoinand retinol, azelaic acid puts a stop to future outbreaks as it kills acne-causing bacteria and clean bacteria from your pores that causes acne. 1 person found this helpful. When it infects humans, it lightens patches of skin. Has antimicrobial and cell-communicating properties and is considered to be part of the skin's natural defence system. Dr. Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital, recommended this 10% azelaic acid face serum, noting that it's . Its a humectant meaning that it can help the skin to attract water and then hold onto it. Tretinoin and niacinamide are two powerful skincare ingredients that can be used together for some amazing skin benefits. Good old water, aka H2O. Background: Acne is an inflammatory disorder with a high global burden. There is also research showing that panthenol can help our skin to produce more lovely lipids that are important for a strong and healthy skin barrier. It works even better when combined with its pal, Ceramide1. A prescription from a medical provider (like your Curology provider!). Use just twice a week to begin with and increase slowly. By combining azelaic acid's anti-inflammatory properties with retinoids' cellular benefits, patients may be able to reach an equilibrium in their skin care plan. Heres The Truth. The most common side effects from tretinoin include: Niacinamide can actually help to reduce the irritation from tretinoin, so using the two together can actually help to minimize any tretinoin side effects. Be the first to rate this post. Can You Use Niacinamide With Salicylic Acid? Whats even better is that you can use both of these ingredients together for maximum results without any issues or side effects. It reduces inflammation and diminishes the . hydroquinone 4%, tretinoin 0.05%) compared with hydroquinone 4% cream in Asian patients with moderate to severe melasma. Normal (well kind of - it's purified and deionized) water. But worry not! Ceramides make up 50% of the goopy stuff that's between our skin cells and play a super important role in having a healthy skin barrier and keeping the skin hydrated.