Treating acne (and the discoloration it leaves behind) is no easy task, but the best azelaic acid serums can speed up the process. If you're a skin-care enthusiast, you've likely heard of—and experimented with—a handful of acids, be it glycolic, salicylic, or polyhydroxy. However, azelaic acid is particularly effective at killing acne-causing bacteria, loosening skin to unclog pores, reducing inflammation, and evening skin tone (all without irritating sensitive skin types). "[Azelaic acid serum] is a great product to use in combination with other acne medicines or alone,” says Ava Shamban, MD, a Beverly Hills-based board-certified dermatologist. If your skin-care concerns involve pesky pimples, dark spots, and redness, we've rounded up the best azelaic acid-infused serums to add to your routine, stat.

Our Top Picks

• Best Overall: SkinCeuticals Phyto A+ Brightening Treatment, $110
• Best Overnight Treatment: Lion Pose Unspotted 4X Acid Jelly Night Serum, $79
• Best Prescription-Strength Formula: Agency by Curology Future Formula, $40
• Best Soothing: Shani Darden Skin Care Rescue Serum with 10% Azelaic Complex, $68
• Best for Dark Spots: Glytone Enhance Brightening Complex, $82
• Best Brightening Booster: Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster, $39
• Best Budget: The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%, $12

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is azelaic acid?
• Who can use azelaic acid?
• Meet the experts
• How we test and review products
• Our staff and testers

Best Overall: SkinCeuticals Phyto A+ Brightening Treatment

Why it's worth it: SkinCeuticals' Phyto A+ Brightening Treatment contains 3% azelaic acid (a lower dose of the ingredient to avoid sensitizing skin) and 2% brightening alpha arbutin, a gentler derivative of the somewhat controversial hydroquinone. This green-tinted serum also contains a soothing, moisturizing botanical blend of cucumber, thyme, and olive leaf extracts to calm redness and irritation. Our editors love this gel-cream moisturizer's cooling, skin-soothing texture and redness-neutralizing tint. "Its lightweight, oil-free, silicone-free, [and] non-comedogenic formula is suitable for acne-prone and sensitive skin," says Michele Green, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist.

Key ingredients: azelaic acid (3%), alpha arbutin, cucumber extract, thyme extract, olive leaf extract | Who it's for: all skin types | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Overnight Treatment: Lion Pose Unspotted 4X Acid Jelly Night Serum

Why it's worth it: Ever wished achieving a clearer, brighter complexion was as easy as sleeping? Well, it’ll never be (sorry), but using a high-dose overnight treatment like Lion Pose’s Unspotted 4X Acid Jelly Night Serum will take your beauty sleep up a radiance-boosting notch. This Best of Beauty-winning serum contains a 15% concentration of the brand’s proprietary exfoliating acid blend that works through the night to minimize active acne and any discoloration they’ve left behind. “It’s a great combination of azelaic and tranexamic acid for decreasing hyperpigmentation, and also contains glycolic and lactic acids to help lift pigment," says Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City. To offset any irritation, this serum is spiked with a skin-calming mix of Centella asiatica extract (also known as cica), hyaluronic acid, and aloe vera.

Key ingredients: 15% acid blend (tranexamic acid, glycolic acid, azelaic acid, lactic acid), cica, aloe vera extract, glutathione, hyaluronic acid | Who it's for: acne-prone skin, those with dark spots and hyperpigmentation | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Prescription-Strength Formula: Agency by Curology Future Formula

Why it's worth it: If the lower doses of azelaic acid available over the counter aren’t doing your skin justice (and if you have approval from a trustworthy dermatologist), it’s time to look into a prescription-strength formula. Our editors love the Best of Beauty-winning Agency by Curology Future Formula, a customized night cream available via telehealth prescription. Since it’s personalized for your skin, your exact formula will vary, the brand states that most formulas contain tretinoin (a prescription-level retinoid that addresses fine lines) paired with azelaic acid and other skin-brightening ingredients like tranexamic acid and niacinamide.

Tester feedback: "This made me so at ease with my skin journey," Allure tester Devon Abelman says. "Every night—after cleansing and spritzing on my favorite essence—I spread one pump of the creamy, buttery-yellow Future Formula all over my face. Straight away, you can tell the serum is not going to suck the moisture out of your skin because its rich texture spreads on a layer of hydration without feeling like you're undergoing a painful chemical peel. Plus, I love that it doesn't have the overwhelming, chemical smell that retinol tends to have. I simply layer a moisturizer on top and I'm free to get my beauty sleep. It puts everything my skin needs—over-the-counter and prescription ingredients—in one simple bottle."

Key ingredients: azelaic acid (concentration varies), tretinoin, tranexamic acid, niacinamide | Who it's for: acne-prone skin, mature skin | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Soothing: Shani Darden Skin Care Rescue Serum With 10% Azelaic Complex

Why it's worth it: Shani Darden Skin Care’s Rescue Serum features mid-strength 10% azelaic acid, a Goldilocks-type dose to target acne and dark spots without erring on irritation-causing levels for sensitive skin. Made specifically for targeting discoloration and inflammation, this calming serum combines azelaic acid’s soothing properties with other skin-coddling favorites, including oat kernel extract, hyaluronic acid, and aloe vera. To double down on its tone-evening properties, this serum is also infused with brightening licorice root extract and antioxidant panthenol.

Tester feedback: “I was using a prescription-strength azelaic acid to control my breakouts, but swapped to this when it ran out,” says contributing editor Deanna Pai. “It’s done wonders to take the redness out of my acne and reduce swelling, keeping my skin calm and relatively clear. I also like that it seems to be fading my dark spots too—a win-win.

Key ingredients: azelaic acid (10%), oat kernel extract, aloe vera extract, licorice root extract, panthenol, hyaluronic acid | Who it's for: all skin types, including sensitive | Fragrance-free: yes

Best for Dark Spots: Glytone Enhance Brightening Complex

Why it's worth it: If you’re working overtime to fade your dark spots, try the fast-acting Glytone Enhance Brightening Complex, a derm favorite for its deep-exfoliating combination of 12% azelaic acid and 3% glycolic acid. Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid known for its blemish-reducing properties, but it's also a great ingredient for minimizing hyperpigmentation and fine lines (mature skin types, take note). Azadeh Shirazi, MD, a La Jolla, California-based board-certified dermatologist, tells Allure that Glytone's Enhance Brightening Complex is an especially "great option for those with hyperpigmentation" and credits the cream with helping to "brighten skin tone and smooth skin texture." Lastly, the dermatologist notes its "lightweight formula," that’s also non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog your pores.

Key ingredients: azelaic acid (12%), glycolic acid | Who it's for: acne-prone skin, those with hyperpigmentation, maturing skin, normal-to-oily skin types | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Booster: Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster

Why it's worth it: Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster combines azelaic acid, exfoliating salicylic acid, and bonus ingredients like brightening licorice root extract and hydrating glycerin. What makes this treatment stand out is that it’s developed as a “booster,” meaning you can use this versatile formula alone as an all-over treatment or combine it with your favorite moisturizer, mask, or serum to enjoy all the pore-clearing goodness it has to offer. Additionally, says Dr. Green, "Its cream-gel formula is lightweight and helps to exfoliate the skin for a smoother, more radiant, and youthful complexion."

Key ingredients: azelaic acid (10%), salicylic acid, licorice root extract, glycerin | Who it's for acne-prone skin, those with hyperpigmentation, normal-to-oily skin types | Fragrance-free: yes

Best Budget: The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%

Why it's worth it: The Ordinary Azelaic Acid 10% Suspension Brightening Cream is among the best azelaic acid creams on the market, and, better yet, it clocks in at under $15 per tube. This cream's high concentration of azelaic acid targets dark spots and discoloration left behind by acne, rosacea, and sun damage. Dr. Green also praises this cream's thin formula, which can be layered under your favorite moisturizer for an extra boost of hydration without feeling greasy.

Key ingredients: azelaic acid (10%) | Who it's for: acne-prone skin | Fragrance-free: yes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is azelaic acid?

When most people hear the word "acid," they usually think of a harsh chemical, but actually, azelaic acid is a sensitive skin-friendly molecule (well, depending on its concentration, which we’ll dive more into) found and derived from barley, rye grains, and wheat. It's part of the dicarboxylic acids family and has antibacterial, keratolytic, comedolytic, and antioxidant properties. Dr. Shirazi tells Allure that azelaic acid works by inhibiting tyrosinase (a.k.a. the enzyme involved in pigment production) and, thereby, "reduces hyperpigmentation" and describes this buzzy acid as a "dermatologist favorite, ack-of-all-trades, and one of the most underrated skin-care ingredients." Okay, we’re officially sold.

Dr. Green echoes Dr. Shirazi's sentiments. Both professionals also note azelaic acid's antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, excellent for treating skin conditions like acne and rosacea, as it kills breakout-causing bacteria and reduces inflammation. This versatile acid, also considered a gentle exfoliant, stimulates cell turnover as well. As such, Dr. Green says that azelaic acid "can help reduce the appearance of acne scars."

Who can use azelaic acid?

The good news is azelaic acid is safe for all skin types, but with that being said, Dr. Green advises those with sensitive skin to start using the ingredient "once a day, increasing the frequency to twice a day after several weeks." And, if you experience any irritation, it's best to consult your doctor before continuing.

You also need not worry too much about adjusting your entire skin-care routine to incorporate azelaic acid. Fortunately, Dr. Green and Dr. Shirazi agree that azelaic acid is generally gentle enough and safe to use with other ingredients like vitamin C, AHAs, BHAs, and retinoids. However, says Dr. Green, "If you have prescription-strength azelaic acid, Retin-A, or other topical creams, you should consult a dermatologist."

Depending on your skin type and concerns, azelaic acid can be found in over-the-counter products in all sorts of strengths, from as low as 1% to as high as 15%, with the highest prescription-strength concentration coming in at 20%, per Dr. Shirazi. However, lower concentrations can be just as effective and “may help prevent skin irritation" for those with reactive, sensitive skin, says Dr. Green. "Skin-care products with a low concentration of azelaic acid can be beneficial when it comes to unclogging pores, preventing acne breakouts, and soothing skin inflammation," he adds. For those with acne-prone skin, lower concentrations of azelaic acid are often combined with other actives like AHAs and BHAs for a multi-pronged approach.

Meet the experts

• Ava Shamban, MD, a Beverly Hills-based board-certified dermatologist
• Azadeh Shirazi, MD, a La Jolla, California-based, board-certified dermatologist
• Michele Green, MD, a New York City-based, board-certified dermatologist

How we test and review products

When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.

For our list of the best azelaic acid products, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.

Our staff and testers

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

Find more Allure staff-approved skin-care products:

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• Our Favorite Face Serums for Every Skin Concern
• Every Wrinkle Cream for Plumping Fine Lines

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