Azelaic Acid for Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis)

Calms redness, fades acne marks, and clears bumps, all without aggravating sensitive skin. Pregnancy-safe.

Why it works for Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis)

Slows the growth of the yeast behind fungal acne and fades the dark marks a flare leaves behind. Fittingly, azelaic acid is something the yeast itself makes (it was first found in Malassezia furfur). In lab tests it blocks the energy the yeast needs to grow. It is a useful daily leave-on for upkeep.

How Azelaic Acid works

Dicarboxylic acid that inhibits tyrosinase and is antimicrobial against C. acnes.

Evidence

4 citations from our ingredient database. Full citation list on the Azelaic Acid ingredient page.

review2025

Petrovici AG et al., A Comprehensive Review of Azelaic Acid Pharmacological Properties, Clinical Applications, and Innovative Topical Formulations, Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2025

review2024

Feng Y et al., Azelaic Acid: Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Applications, Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology 2024;17:2359-2371 — antibacterial, anti-keratinizing, antimelanogenic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory; FDA-approved for papulopustular rosacea

systematic review2023

King A et al., A systematic review to evaluate the efficacy of azelaic acid in the management of acne, rosacea, melasma and skin aging, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2023;22(10):2650-2662 — azelaic acid more effective than vehicle for rosacea, acne, and melasma; aging evidence limited

systematic review2020

Liu H et al., Topical agents for acne (covers azelaic arm), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2020;5:CD011368 — conclusion: clinical benefit is unclear

Products with Azelaic Acid in our catalog

These are the catalog products that list Azelaic Acid as a tracked ingredient.

Naturium

Azelaic Topical Acid 10%

$18 · Serum

Axis-Y

Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum

$22 · Serum

Topicals

Faded Serum for Dark Spots & Discoloration

$38 · Treatment

Anua

Azelaic Acid 10 Hyaluron Redness Soothing Serum

$22 · Serum

Kisocare

Azelaic Acid Cream 20%

$11.36 · Moisturizer

Anua

Azelaic Acid 10 Hyaluron Redness Soothing Serum Bundle Set

$39.6 · Serum

Full Azelaic Acid guide →Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) overview →