Skin Perfecting 10% Azelaic Acid Complex in a liquid fluid hydrating calming base.
Azelaic Acid is a well established for it's ability to improve the look of redness, blemishes, and dark spots. The formula is Clarifying • Tone-Refining • Skin Perfecting • Skin-Comforting. It was created for improvements in skin tone, visible redness, and overall skin clarity with a lower likelihood of irritation.
This professional skincare formula has a "water like", light liquid serum texture that is ever so slightly milky.
Ingredients were carefully chosen to meet both Acne Safe + Fungal Acne Safe ingredient criteria. It's Non-comedogenic Oil-free, Fragrance-free, and Alcohol-Free.
What makes it special is not only is the liquid formula easy to layer and layers well with other products. It's not thick, not gritty, and no drying chalky texture. And it was formulated with extra emphasis on the skin barrier, hydration and skin comfort.
With our Skin Barrier 1st philosophy, the formulas contain high doses of clinical medical-grade level actives balanced in a system that helps skin feel good. This is important for all skin types - beyond sensitive or reactive skin. Skin that is healthy and happy supports better treatment outcomes.
Can also be used as an active treatment toner.
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Key Benefits
Clarify + Clearer Complexion
Helps improve the appearance of blemishes and congestion-prone skin.
Tone Refinement
Helps improve the appearance of discoloration, uneven-looking tone or uneven texture and post-blemish marks.
Calm Balanced Complexion
Helps reduce the appearance of redness and promotes a calmer-looking complexion
Hydration and Skin Comfort support
Maintain a comfortable, hydrated feel.
An effective skincare product should consider skin comfort and the skin barrier as well as visible results.
This thoughtfully balanced formula pairs Azelaic with higher doses of star hydrating and calming ingredients -- and supporting the skin barrier: 2% Panthenol, plus 2% Saccharide Isomerate (known as the 72 hr hydrator), and Glycerin, Betaine, Trehalose, and Sodium Hyaluronate.
Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, and Cica (Gotu Kola, Centella) complement the formula with added calming benefits and support a more comfortable skin feel.
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Who is it for
Designed for professional skincare lines, this versatile serum is suited for:
- Blemish-prone or congestion-prone skin
- Uneven-looking skin tone
- Post-blemish marks
- Calming + helping look of visible redness
- Uneven texture, smoother, more refined complexion
- Skin that benefits from a clarifying treatment with added hydration
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10% Azelaic Acid Complex
Combines of 2 forms of Azelaic Acid: 8% pure Azelaic Acid + 2% Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate (Glycinated Azelaic Acid)
The combination of 2 forms makes it tolerable for daily use + easy to use.
Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate (also known as PAD or Glycinated Azelaic Acid) is a derivative of Azelaic Acid combined with the amino acid Glycine. This form is gentler on the skin. Both work similarly for the appearance of blemishes and pigmentation, but PAD is considered more hydrating and less irritating than pure Azelaic Acid.
FAQ
Can Azelaic Acid be used in the same routine as Retinol, Bakuchiol, Vitamin C, Niacinamide, or Peptides, including Copper Peptides?
Yes Azelaic Acid is generally well tolerated and compatible with other actives -- but should not be paired with strong acids.
Azelaic acid is not something that will deactivate other actives and it plays well with other actives.
For sensitive or sensitized skin, consider limiting the number of strong actives used at the same time of day. Consider separating strong actives into different times of day (AM, PM) or every other day until a tolerance is developed.
Does Azelaic Acid exfoliate?
Yes, Azelaic Acid is an exfoliant. It is an acid that gently exfoliates. What makes it special is that it's also soothing and an antioxidant.
Azelaic Acid is a dicarboxylic acid, so it's distinct from AHAs or BHAs. Azelaic Acid is viewed as generally non-sensitizing and pregnancy-safe.
What should Azelaic Acid not be combined with?
Azelaic Acid should not be combined with strong exfoliating actives at the same time of day. The reason is to avoid irritation, peeling, and compromising the skin barrier.
For example, do not layer Azelaic with high dose AHAs or BHAs, such as Glycolic or Salicylic Acid products. Or do not layer with Benzoyl Peroxide.
Use these ingredients at a separate time of day (ex: one in AM and other in PM)
If it contains hydrators, should it replace a hydrating serum?
No, this is not intended to replace a separate dedicated hydration serum for those who need that step.
The hydrators here are meant to balance the 10% Azelaic Acid complex to help keep skin comfortable and reduce potential dryness, tightness, or irritation that may been seen when incorporating an Azelaic Acid product.
KEY INGREDIENTS
10% Azelaic Acid Complex: 8% pure Azelaic Acid + 2% Glycinated Azelaic Acid (PAD)
2 forms of Azelaic Acid for improvements in skin tone, visible redness, and overall skin clarity with a lower likelihood of irritation.
8% pure Azelaic Acid - This dicarboxylic acid is a multi-functional ingredient with brightening, soothing, and texture refining powers. It combats against clogged pores, visibly reduces the appearance of pigmentation, calms, and improves the appearance of dull, tired-looking skin. Suitable for sensitive skin types.
- Gentle exfoliant
-Clears pores and minimizes the look of pores
- Calms
- Redness reducing treatment (look of redness)
- As a tyrosinase inhibitor, it helps prevent and fade the look of dark spots and PIH
- Antioxidant
2% Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate (Glycinated Azelaic Acid) aka PAD. Gentle yet effective derivative of Azelaic acid combined with glycine. The glycine component gives it a hydrating/moisturizing effect.
Supports a more balanced-looking complexion. Used in formulations targeting visible redness and uneven tone.
- Balances oil
- Hydrates
- Soothing
- Reduces look of redness
- Improves look of uneven skin tone
2% Panthenol - Supports skin's moisture barrier, contributing to skin comfort. Pro-Vitamin B5 hydrates, soothes, and supports the skin barrier.
2% Saccharide Isomerate - Moisture binding ingredient that provides long-lasting hydration and reduces the "dry, tight" feeling common with Azelaic Acid.
- Known as a "72 hour moisture reservoir" ingredient.
- Soothes and strengthens the skin barrier
- Plant based humectant that mimics skin’s natural moisturizing factor, NMF.
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate - One of the best ingredients for red looking skin; pairs particularly well with Azelaic Acid. Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate is a concentration of the most soothing components of Licorice. Calms the look of redness and irritation and supports the skin barrier.
Allantoin - Soothing. used to skincare to help buffer potential irritation from active ingredients. It also acts as a hydrating humectant that helps skin retain moisture. Supports the skin barrier.
Centella (aka Cica, Gotu Kola, Indian Pennywort, Hydrocotyl) - Calming and soothing. Helps keep skin hydrated. Rich in antioxidantss. Supports the skin barrier.
Propanediol - humectant that helps keep skin hydrated. Also acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Natural ingredient, corn derived.
Glycerin - superstar humectant.
HOW TO USE
Directions: Apply to clean dry skin. Wear sunscreen in the AM.
Start by using 1x per day. Can be used AM + PM if desired and as tolerated.
If skin feels sensitive / sensitized, client may want to start slowly [such as using every other day] and build up to more frequent use.
Tips
As this formula is very thin, apply it first before other serums, moisturizers, and spf.
Example routine steps: Cleanse, toner/essence [if applicable], then Azelaic Serum, then any other serums, moisturizer, spf.
If this formula is used in the "toner step" as an active treatment toner, then follow with serums, etc.
Scent: fragrance-free
Feel: light fluid serum.
Skin types: All skin types
Time of day: Anytime (AM/PM/Both)
FULL INGREDIENT LIST
See main images above
VEGAN - CRUELTY FREE - CLINICAL - CLEAN
Vegan. Cruelty Free. Clinical. Clean*
Formulated without parabens, phthalates, sulfates, PEGs, mineral oils, drying alcohols, formaldehyde, artificial fragrance or dyes, silicones, and more. We aim for an EWG score of 1.
