Azelaic acid isn’t talked about very much in the greater skincare community, but that doesn’t mean it should be pushed under the bathroom rug. In fact, if we had our way it’d be the shiny centrepiece on any vanity!
This lesser-known acid is derived from grains, including wheat, barley, and rye, and is often used in skin care products to treat acne, acne rosacea, and hyper-pigmentation, said Dr. Zelickson.
Here's why we love it: azelaic acid is naturally keratolytic, which means it actively eats away at excess skin growth. It's also antioxidant rich, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and contains the aforementioned tyrosinase enzyme, which reduces hyperpigmentation to give you a more even, glowing complexion.