Azelaic Acid for Melasma
Calms redness, fades acne marks, and clears bumps, all without aggravating sensitive skin. Pregnancy-safe.
Why it works for Melasma
Fades dark patches by slowing pigment production, and it also calms inflammation. In a 155-person trial, 20% azelaic acid beat 2% hydroquinone (73% had a good-to-excellent response versus 19%), and later head-to-head trials matched it against 4% hydroquinone. It is safe to use in pregnancy, so it is the first topical to reach for when melasma shows up during pregnancy.
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.
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