Acne blemishes are the biggest nightmare for those with acne-prone skin, especially for us Indians whose skin is prone to hyperpigmentation. While a lot has been said about skincare to prevent and reduce acne, there isn’t enough talk about the most effective skincare products to reduce blemishes or hyperpigmentation. Personally, for me, ingredients like Vitamin C and Retinol have reduced my blemishes, but Azelaic Acid has given me the fastest results when it comes to reducing blemishes quickly. What further makes Azelaic Acid one of my favourite ingredients is that it is gentle and usually doesn’t sensitize the skin like Retinol and BHAs. Also, it is a stable molecule that doesn’t oxidize on you like Vitamin C. Then, why haven’t I been talking more about Azelaic Acid on this page? Simply because there are very few Indian skincare products with Azelaic Acid, and the international products are a pain to ship to India or are too expensive. Hence, I have personally been using Aziderm Cream for the longest time, but it is a prescription cream that I can’t recommend to others without consulting a dermat.
So, I decided to make a list of the non-prescription Azelaic Acid products from Indian brands that you could try instead. Please note that in this blog post I am not reviewing these products. I am simply listing down the readily available products in India that contain Azelaic Acid as their star ingredient. Basically, I am saving you some time that you would otherwise spend on Google Searches and scouring the ingredient lists. My plan is to try these products over the course of this year, so that I can review them for you. But in the mean time, here are the Azelaic Acid products in India that you could consider buying to reduce your blemishes.
The Skincare Benefits Of Azelaic Acid
Before we jump into the Indian products with Azelaic Acid, let me quickly summarize for you what this ingredient can do for your skin. Azelaic Acid is a multi-functional skincare ingredient that reduces inflammation, hyperpigmentation or blemishes, and acne, all in one shot. It is a tyrosinase inhibitor, which means it prevents over-production of melanin in inflamed parts of your skin (around acne). It also has antioxidant and antibacterial properties, and is a milder exfoliant than BHAs. Based on my personal experience, it can reduce fresh blemishes within a couple of weeks and can also significantly lighten old blemishes with consistent use. If all of this sounds extremely tempting to you, then here are some of the Indian skincare products with Azelaic Acid that you could try.
Indian Skincare Products With Azelaic Acid
1. Eclat Fadeout Serum
The Eclat Fadeout Serum is a 10% Azelaic Acid serum that has helped a couple of my friends with stubborn blemishes. This formula also contains Tranexamic Acid, Butyl Resorcinol, Phytic Acid and Niacinamide, that further reduce inflammation and blemishes with their combined properties. Priced at INR 1900 for 30ml, this serum leans on the expensive side, but is a powerhouse of effective ingredients. Also, you can save a whopping 20% with my Elcat coupon code – MRINALINI and they run some even better deals during sale season which I share on my Instagram stories (follow me there too!). When used as a spot treatment, this serum can last you a long time and can end up being an excellent investment! Click here to buy the Eclat Fadeout Serum!
2. The DermaCo 10 Azelaic Acid Cream
The DermaCo 10 Azelaic Acid Cream is one of the cheapest Azelaic Acid creams in India, and is priced at only INR 499 for 30gms. This is only slightly more expensive than the prescription creams available at Indian pharmacies, and I am assuming that the formulation is going to be pretty similar. The good thing about this brand is that they have the full ingredient list available on their website, and apart from 10% Azelaic Acid, I also spotted Niacinamide, Mandelic Acid, and Aloe in the list of ingredients. If you don’t want to burn a hole in your pocket, this Azelaic Acid cream might be the best option for you! Click here to buy!
3. Earth Rhythm Blemish Control Concentrate
The Earth Rhythm Blemish Control Concentrate is yet another product with 10% Azelaic Acid, but this time in a gel format. The complete ingredient list of this product is also available on the brand’s website, and the formula seems to be a gentle and minimalistic one, which I appreciate. Apart from 10% Azelaic Acid, this product contains Vitamin E as an antioxidant, along with hydrating glycerin and butylene glycol. Plus it is fragrance-free and seems like a good bet for most skin types. It is priced at INR 1499 for 30ml, which is a little expensive, but it should last you a while if you use it only on your blemishes. I am highly tempted to try this one and might review it soon! Click here to buy!
Apart from these three products, I am quite sure that the brand Minimalist will also come out with an Azelaic Acid product sooner or later, if they haven’t already when you are reading this post!
International Skincare Products With Azelaic Acid
Apart from these Azelaic Acid products from Indian brands, I had to mention two of my favourite international skincare brands that also feature this ingredient. These brands are Paula’s Choice and The Ordinary. The Paula’s Choice BOOST with 10% Azelaic Acid, Licorice and BHA is available on Amazon India (yes, the product is not a fake). You can pick it up if you don’t mind spending a little bit extra on your skincare. On the other hand, The Ordinary 10% Azelaic Acid Suspension can be purchased from Cult Beauty but you may get charged customs and shipping.
If you do not want to splurge or deal with shipping hassles, you can always pick one of the Indian products from the list above or ask your dermat if you can use Aziderm cream.
How To Use Azelaic Acid
So you picked up one of the beautiful Azelaic Acid products from the list and are confused how to use it. My tip is to use it at night on top of your moisturizer as a spot treatment, wherever you have blemishes. Do not layer it with Retinol or exfoliating acids as the combination can end up drying or sensitizing your skin. Theoretically, Azelaic Acid can be layered with hydrating ingredients and antioxidants such as Niacinamide. However, since most Azelaic Acid products will contain some other antioxidant or exfoliant already, I will recommend using it on top of a basic hydrating serum and/or moisturizer. Also, patch testing the product before the first use and wearing sunscreen during the day is non-negotiable!
I feel that if you use this ingredient every night, you may not need any other active at all, but if you feel the urge to use another active, use them on alternate nights, or add something like a Niacinamide or Vitamin C serum to your AM skincare routine.
As you may know, I don’t like juggling too many actives at the same time, which is why I am in favour of Azelaic Acid, as it can be a one and done active for us acne-prone people. So, if you have blemished, acne-prone skin, do give Azelaic Acid a shot. I am quite certain you will love it as much as I do!
Great content✨I really like azelaic acid for sure recommend it! ❤️