Azelaic acid has the strongest evidence for treating rosacea, decent evidence for melasma and acne, but weaker support for other conditions like keratosis pilaris. It works through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and is well-tolerated, making it a solid first-line or backup option for several skin issues.

Researchers reviewed published studies on azelaic acid across multiple medical databases, filtering for English-language articles and ranking them by quality of evidence using established scientific standards.

Funding not disclosed in abstract