These formulations contain two effective ingredients for treating skin conditions such as acne, melasma, and rosacea – azelaic acid and niacinamide.

Azelaic acid has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that are useful for treating acne. Bacteria on the skin lead to breakouts and subsequent inflammation. In addition to treating acne, some doctors prescribe this medication for reducing the appearance of acne scars.

Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, azelaic acid is also used for treating rosacea. Rosacea involves flushing of the face – redness and often lesions. Azelaic acid has been shown to be effective at treating rosacea and may be a good first-line treatment before systemic medications are tried.