10 Best Azelaic Acid Serums for Acne, Rosacea, and Redness - 2024 Reviews & Recommendations

Discover the top 10 azelaic acid serums for acne, rosacea, and redness in 2024. Dermatologist-recommended skin care products for hyperpigmentation and melasma.

Acne, rosacea, and redness are some of the most common skin concerns that can greatly affect one's self-confidence and self-esteem. While there are countless skincare products available on the market, not all are effective in treating these specific conditions.

With the increasing demand for azelaic acid serums, we have researched and compiled a list of the 10 best serums containing this ingredient, based on 2024 reviews and recommendations from skincare experts and users.

What is Azelaic Acid in Skincare Products

Azelaic acid serum is a topical treatment that contains azelaic acid, a naturally occurring acid derived from wheat, barley, and rye^1. . It is known for its ability to target various skin concerns such as acne, rosacea, hyperpigmentation, and redness.

Dermatologists often recommend azelaic acid for the treatment of acne and rosacea. It is an effective ingredient for reducing inflammation and redness, as well as treating post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

How it Works

Azelaic acid works by exfoliating the skin, reducing inflammation, and inhibiting the growth of acne-causing bacteria, making it an effective treatment for several skin conditions.

Azelaic acid is a skincare ingredient that is readily available as an over-the-counter skin care treatment. Here are some of the best azelaic acid products that our team researched for you to shop:

Out Top Picks

This post includes affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through one of my links, I'd like to thank you for your support! I'm able to get a small commission, with no extra charges for you. To learn more, please check out the full disclosure with all the details.

Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster and C5 Super Boost 5% Vitamin C Moisturizer

This amazing daily face moisturizer not only hydrates your skin but also treats it with its multi-active ingredients. Achieve a glowing complexion, firmer skin, and even skin tone, thanks to the powerful antioxidants. Plus, the polyglutamic acid and peptides lock in moisture for a full 24 hours of hydration.

Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster also contains salicylic acid (BHA) a gentle exfoliator, Licorice root works its magic to soothe your skin. These two products work even better when used together. You can either layer them or mix them for an extra brightening boost.  

Works beautifully on its own or mixed with other acne treatments, like benzoyl peroxide. 5% Pure stabilized Vitamin brighten dullness, even tone & visibly firm with dermatologist's favorite anti-aging antioxidant in its most effective form: l-ascorbic acid. Peptides, squalene + a double-encapsulated lipid blend together to repair skin’s barrier, lock in moisture & leave skin bouncy and supple.

Don't worry, these formulas are gentle yet potent, making them suitable for all skin types, including acne-prone skin. So go ahead and give your skin the love it deserves with Paula's Choice C5 Super Boost Moisturizer and 10% Azelaic Acid Booster.

What it targets:

• Brighten dullness, even tone & visibly firm anti-aging antioxidant, dryness and dehydration
• Use this booster alone or add a couple drops to a moisturizer twice daily as part of your morning & evening skin care.
• Use along with your favorite Paula's Choice cleanser, toner, exfoliator, spot treatments & moisturizer with SPF for daytime wear.

Delighted Customer Testimonial

I went from red, rosy, and rosacea, to a beautiful creamy white complex. My skin has never looked better. My facial lady recommended this and I have been fighting this red sensitive skin for 30 years of my life. I'm forever a fan of everything Paula's choice!! 5 stars

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid 10% Suspension Brightening Cream

This is a brightening cream that contains 10% azelaic acid and vitamin E. It can improve the appearance of blemishes, uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation, textural irregularities, and dullness. It has a lightweight and oil-free texture that is suitable for oily skin.

This amazing azelaic acid cream is alcohol-free and fragrance-free! It works wonders by visibly brightening your skin tone, smoothing out its texture, reducing unsightly blemishes, and giving your skin a boost of antioxidants. Trust me, you'll love the results!

What it targets:

• Visibly brightens the skin tone.
• Improves the evenness of skin texture.
• Reduces the look of blemishes, and
• Offers antioxidant support. 

Delighted Customer Testimonial

I was hesitant to try this. But I love it! My skin is glowing! I put this on before my moisturizer and for the price- you can’t beat it!

Naturium Azelaic Topical Acid 10%

Naturium Azelaic Topical Acid 10% is a serum that contains 10% azelaic acid, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid. It can help treat and prevent acne, reduce redness and inflammation, and brighten and smooth the skin.

It also hydrates and balances the skin barrier. It has a silky and non-greasy texture that is suitable for dry and acne-prone skin.

What it targets:

• Formulated with a high concentration of glycinated azelaic acid complex, along with niacinamide, vitamin C and coffee seed extract to help improve the appearance of skin tone, for more radiant looking skin.
• Works well with aging skin, dry skin, sensitive skin and acne-prone skin.

Delighted Customer Testimonial

I love this. It made a great difference on my skin right away. My skin was soft radiant and clear. One I always make sure I have in my daily skincare products.

Eva Naturals Azelaic Acid 10% Facial Serum

Eva Naturals Azelaic Acid 10% Facial Serum

Eva Natural's Advanced Azelaic Acid Serum has 10% concentration of azelaic acid, this serum is designed to nourish your skin and banish blemishes. It also works wonders in fading dark spots, leaving your skin clearer and more vibrant.

It tackles redness, inflammation, dullness, and discoloration, while also replenishing moisture and restoring elasticity. Plus, it's infused with niacinamide and essential vitamins like A and C, along with hyaluronic acid, to help tighten, brighten, and rejuvenate your skin.

Their formula is gentle on all skin types. There are no parabens, added fragrances, or harsh chemicals, so it's perfect for even the most sensitive skin. Men and women alike can enjoy the benefits of this non-toxic skincare treatment.

What it targets:

• Fortified with 10% azelaic acid this advanced serum booster helps nourish your skin while diminishing the appearance of blemishes and. It also helps fade dark spots to leave skin clearer and vibrant.
• Brighter, Healthier-Looking Skin – Niacinamide and essential vitamins like A and C, along with hyaluronic acid is able to reduce redness, inflammation, dullness, and discoloration this dark spot corrector also restores essential skin moisture and elasticity while repairing skin.

Delighted Customer Testimonial

I bought this azelaic acid serum to even out my skin tone and some breakouts and it is an excellent product, it not only improves spots, it also hydrates, softens and provides light exfoliation, ideal for sensitive skin, the presentation brings a large amount 60 ml , and everything arrived on the exact date and in perfect sealed condition. good value for money, I apply it twice a day as part of my routine facial care steps, it absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving a noticeable odor.

Moskila Azelaic Acid Facial Serum, 12% Azelaic Acid Booster

12% Azelaic Acid Cream with incredible acne-fighting benefits. It contains natural ingredients and is extremely mild and non-irritating. You won't find any harmful chemicals in it!

Your skin will feel soft, silky, and revitalized after each use, helping to tighten skin and improve its overall condition.

This cream is suitable for all skin types and can be used as part of your daily care routine and skin barrier maintenance.

What it targets:

• This cream is designed to help reduce irritation, minimize facial redness, and diminish the appearance of freckles, pimples, and acne.
• Helps unclog pores and balance excess sebum, leaving your skin smoother and more elastic.
• Lightens pigmentation and melasma, evens out skin texture.
• Helps to minimize skin problems, nourish the skin and restore its vitality.

Delighted Customer Testimonial

I am absolutely thrilled with this cream! It has done wonders for my skin, leaving it incredibly smooth and my pores have noticeably shrunk.

Foundation Skincare Azelaic Acid 14% Cream

Experience the Amazing Benefits Foundation Skincare Azelaic Acid 14% Cream. It is here to revolutionize your skincare routine! Packed with an incredible medical-grade dose of azelaic acid.

Delicate Care for Sensitive ensures you won't experience stinging sensations with this product! Unlike other serums and gels, this cream is specially formulated to be non-irritating, making it perfect for even the most sensitive skin types.

Trust in the expertise of our skilled dermatologists who have meticulously formulated this incredible cream. With their guidance, this is a unique product that will leave your skin feeling nourished and rejuvenated.

What it targets:

• Helps Calm Acne, Rosacea, & Hyperpigmentation.
• Reduces Inflammation and Improves Skin Brightness, and Minimizes Pores.
• Lightens acne scars, subtle brown spots, and melasma.
• Also improves skin brightness and texture, making it a must-have for those with hyperpigmentation.

Delighted Customer Testimonial

Purchased this for my mom and she loves it so far! Has a great texture and feels wonderful on the skin.

BAHA Stores Azelaic Acid 5% Facial Serum with Niacinamide

Introducing our marvelous Azelaic Acid 5% Facial Serum enriched with Niacinamide by BAHA Stores! This remarkable skincare product is designed to swiftly tackle rosacea-prone skin, bidding farewell to stubborn cystic acne scars, and providing a soothing relief to redness on your lovely face.

Not only that, but it also works wonders in reducing the appearance of pimple pigmentation and blackheads.

Rest assured, this formula is alcohol-free and brimming with the goodness of Hyaluronic Acid and delightful herbal extracts. Give your skin the friendly care it deserves with this fabulous serum!

What it targets:

• Stubborn cystic acne scars.
• Providing a soothing relief to redness on your face.

Delighted Customer Testimonial

This serum is a little thicker than most, and stays where you put it initially, yet is easy to smooth over the whole face and absorbs rapidly. Once dry, I can't tell I have it on. After 2 weeks, pigmented areas are noticeably lighter (I am quite fair skinned).

KisoCare, Balancing Essence , Azelaic Acid Derivative 15% Facial Serum

This facial serum enriched with a powerful blend of Azelaic Acid Derivative, Niacinamide, and a stable vitamin C derivative.

Azelaic acid effortlessly harmonizes the oil and moisture levels in your skin, effectively suppressing sebum secretion. The result? A remarkably smoother complexion with reduced sensitivity.

Niacinamide, a delightful vitamin B variant, joins the party to work its magic. This skin-loving ingredient lovingly maintains the delicate balance between moisture and oil, leaving your skin feeling firm and radiantly beautiful.

This essence's silky-smooth texture effortlessly glides on your skin, making it a breeze to spread. Just a small amount is all you need to cover your entire face, making it a truly economical option.

What it targets:

• Improves skin firmness and lustre.
• Helps maintain the balance between moisture and oil.
• Leads to firm and radiant skin.

Delighted Customer Testimonial

It’s great, it shrinks pores a lot, though I will say use it sparingly at first. Especially if using retinol because you will get some skin irritation and dryness at first!

Q+A Azelaic Acid Balancing Serum

Introducing the amazing Q+A Azelaic Acid Balancing Serum! Experience the goodness of pore minimising Zinc PCA and a plethora of antioxidants for that ultimate fresh and smooth skin. Say goodbye to congestion and stress, as our serum keeps your skin looking flawless.

And here's some great news for all the vegans out there - this product is specially formulated to suit your lifestyle. Q+A products are never tested on animals and never will be.

With a remarkable 97.3% natural formula, this serum is packed with all the good stuff nature has to offer. Get ready to indulge in a luxurious skincare experience like no other.

What it targets:

• Removes unwanted, blemish-forming and aggravating bacteria.
• Perfect for those with an oily skin type. 
• Pore minimizing with Zinc PCA for acne-prone skin.
• Calms angry spots and helps to improve their appearance, so you can enjoy stress-free skin.
• Antioxidants to even skin tone and protect against environmental stressors.

Delighted Customer Testimonial

I was ready to give up on azelaic acid, but Rob from Mad About Skin on YouTube raves about this stuff. So glad I tried it, soothed my redness and helps with my oiliness, but doesn’t dry my skin out. This is great and affordable

Generic Store 10% Azelaic Acid Serum Solution

This is a great 10% Azelaic Acid Serum Solution! Our serum is enriched with a powerful organic active solvent called dimethyl isosorbitol, which works wonders in effectively addressing acne concerns.

This magical ingredient also provides relief from redness and helps in treating rosacea. It even tightens your pores and prevents acne from making a comeback, while removing blackheads.

What sets this serum apart is its gentle composition. They've incorporated niacinamide to replace exfoliating acid and glycolic acid. Niacinamide is clinically tested effective for the reduction of melasma and age spots. This means their product is incredibly kind to your skin and takes extra care of your sensitive skin.

We believe in providing a mild treatment that not only addresses rosacea and redness but also leaves your face feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

What it targets:

• Azelaic acid formula helps to regulate and astringe the vitality of the bottom layer of the skin, helps to dredge pores, and is very helpful for the rosacea treatment for face.
• Reliefs acne outbreaks and fade dark spots.
• Redness relief for face and makes the skin texture smoother, and periodically improves the skin pores and revitalizes.

Delighted Customer Testimonial

I am a really bad skin picker and I couldn’t keep my hands off a giant pimple, which resulted in a huge red spot on my face... I’ll say that it drastically helped heal the giant spot I made. In about 2 weeks, it was entirely healed... For the price it was great, and I’ll probably keep a tube of this on hand at all times from now on.

One of the key advantages of azelaic acid serum is its ability to effectively reduce facial redness or hyper-pigmentation, acne or rosacea. These conditions often results in persistent redness on the cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin, causing discomfort and self-consciousness.

You can expect to see a noticeable improvement in the overall appearance of your skin with regular use of azelaic products. By targeting the inflammation that underlies these skin issues, this compound works to calm and soothe the skin, resulting in a more even and balanced complexion.

Azelaic acid serum goes beyond simply alleviating redness by addressing the underlying causes of skin issues. It works to regulate the production of keratin, a protein that can contribute to the development of acne-like bumps and pustules commonly associated with skin breakouts or rosacea.

By keeping the skin's natural processes in check, azelaic acid serum helps prevent future flare-ups and promotes a smoother, clearer complexion. This versatile ingredient boasts antimicrobial properties, meaning it can help combat the bacteria that often worsen skin symptoms.

Azelaic acid serum is truly a game-changer for individuals struggling with rosacea or acne conditions. Not only does it effectively reduce facial redness, but it also tackles the root causes of the condition, offering a comprehensive solution for a healthier complexion.

Additionally, azelaic acid has been reported to have anti-aging benefits and can help to improve skin texture and tone. It is also safe for use in individuals with sensitive skin. It is important to use azelaic acid as directed and to start with a lower concentration to avoid potential irritation.

So, if you're looking to regain control over your skin and regain your confidence, consider incorporating azelaic acid serum into your skincare routine.

Takeaways

Dealing with rosacea redness and acne can be a constant battle for those with sensitive skin. The struggle to find the right skincare products that effectively treat acne and reduce redness without causing irritation can be overwhelming.

From serums to moisturizers, finding the right combination of ingredients to address both rosacea and acne can be a challenge. Luckily, there are solutions available that can help improve the appearance of rosacea and acne-prone skin.

These ingredients can also brighten the skin and reduce hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and melasma. However, it's important to keep in mind that different skin types may react differently to these ingredients, so it's essential to find products that are specifically formulated for sensitive skin to avoid further irritation or breakout.

With the right skincare regimen, it is possible to manage both rosacea redness and acne effectively.

Read More:

1. What are the Benefits of Using Azelaic Acid Serum?

Using an azelaic acid serum can offer a range of benefits for the skin. Some of the key benefits include: reducing acne and breakouts, improving skin tone and texture, minimizing redness and irritation, targeting hyperpigmentation and dark spots. Azelaic acid can help with conditions such as melasma and acne scars.

2. How to Choose the Best Azelaic Acid Product for Your Skin?

When selecting the best azelaic acid product for your skin, consider your specific skin concerns and type. Look for products that contain a significant concentration of azelaic acid, are formulated to be gentle on sensitive skin, and free from potential irritants. It's essential to consult with a dermatologist or skincare professional to determine the most suitable azelaic acid product for your individual needs.

3. Can Azelaic Acid Serum Help Reduce Redness and Rosacea?

Azelaic acid serum has been shown to be beneficial for individuals with rosacea due to its anti-inflammatory properties. It can help reduce facial redness.