A dicarboxylic acid used in skincare and medicinal products for acne and uneven-looking pigmentation.
Sources: 1, 2No alternative names recorded.
Ask your clinician
AAD considers topical azelaic acid a potential option in pregnancy. Confirm the actual treatment and application with your clinician; breastfeeding use also needs product-specific advice.
Sources: 2Some supporting studies
Azelaic Acid
What it does
Evidence supports certain medicinal azelaic acid preparations. Cosmetic products should not inherit every claim made for prescription formulations.
Sources: 1, 2Good for
- Acne-prone skin in appropriate preparations
- Post-blemish discoloration
How to use it
Follow the medicine label or prescriber's instructions for amount, frequency and wash-off versus leave-on use. Do not copy a prescription regimen onto an unrelated cosmetic.
Sources: 1, 2Who should be careful
May cause stinging, itching or dryness, particularly at introduction. Do not apply to eyes, mucosa or damaged skin.
Sources: 1, 2Pairs well with
No supported pairings have been documented for this record.
Usage, safety and formulation details
Mechanism of action
Has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and keratinization-related actions; pigment effects involve tyrosinase-related pathways.
Sources: 1, 2Potential adverse effects
Stinging, redness, dryness or peeling may occur; a marked allergic-type reaction needs medical assessment.
Sources: 1, 2Formulation considerations
Strength, vehicle and drug-versus-cosmetic status affect use and performance.
Sources: 1, 2Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Ask your clinician
AAD considers topical azelaic acid a potential option in pregnancy. Confirm the actual treatment and application with your clinician; breastfeeding use also needs product-specific advice.
Sources: 2Safety tags
- Fragrance allergen
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Essential oil
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Drying alcohol
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
What remains uncertain
- Exact concentration, final pH and the full composition of any unprovided finished product
Clinical evidence and research
Clinical evidence
Evidence for its main benefitSome supporting studies
The 2024 AAD acne guideline gives topical azelaic acid a conditional recommendation. This supports defined medicinal use, not every cosmetic strength or vehicle.
Sources: 1, 2Regulation and ingredient label names
Regulatory information
No jurisdiction-specific assessment is recorded. An inventory listing is not blanket approval.
Names on ingredient lists
azelaic acid
Chemical identity and molecular structure
Chemical information
Chemical structure
| Detail | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PubChem CID | 2266 | PubChem compound 2266: chemical identity |
| molecular formula | C9H16O4 | PubChem compound 2266: chemical identity |
| molecular weight | 188.22 g/mol | PubChem compound 2266: chemical identity |
| iupac name | nonanedioic acid | PubChem compound 2266: chemical identity |
Content updated 9 November 2026.
Sources (3)
Scientific sources
- AAD: Guidelines of care for acne vulgarisclinical guideline · 2024
- AAD: Acne treatment during pregnancyclinical guidance
- PubChem compound 2266: chemical identitychemical identity
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