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Niacinamide went viral earlier this year as a do-it-all skin-care ingredient, and rightly so. However, there is another fairly underrated ingredient that is just as versatile and deserves as much of the hype. Meet azelaic acid, the game-changing skin-care ingredient that also does it all! It is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and a tyrosinase inhibitor (in other words, it helps diminish hyperpigmentation). Traditionally, azelaic acid is used to treat those with rosacea, but it is truly beneficial for everyone.
This ingredient is a must have for those who have acne-prone, sensitive, or generally reactive skin. If you have stubborn hyperpigmentation, it is as powerful as the controversial ingredient hydroquinone but has none of the side effects. It's pregnancy-safe, plays well with a lot of other ingredients including niacinamide, and can be used by all skin types. Whether you use products with this ingredient day or night, sunscreen is a must! From serums to masks, we curated the best skin-care products that contain azelaic acid.