Azelaic acidandAHA
Can you use azelaic acid with glycolic acid?
CautionLimited evidence
Yes, they can work well together, but both can sting. It's gentler to use azelaic acid in the morning and the AHA at night.
Why
Azelaic acid and glycolic acid have been studied together for uneven skin tone and worked well, with only slightly more peeling, burning or dryness than a comparison cream. Each can sting on its own, so layering them raises the chance of irritation. AHAs also increase sensitivity to UV light, which makes evening use and daily sunscreen important.
How to use them
Apply azelaic acid in the morning before sunscreen and the AHA at night, introducing one at a time.
Sources
- 1Azelaic acid and glycolic acid combination therapy for facial hyperpigmentation in darker-skinned patients: a clinical comparison with hydroquinone · Clinical Therapeutics, 1998
- 2Cosmeceuticals in acne vulgaris: from mechanism of action to clinical application · Skin Health and Disease, 2026
- 3Alpha Hydroxy Acids · U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2022
General cosmetic information, not medical advice. Written with AI assistance from the sources above; updated October 2026.