Where Can I Find Azelaic Acid Naturally?

November 2, 2025 •

4 min read

While azelaic acid is a powerful skincare ingredient, less than 1% of commercially available products are made from its natural sources. This dicarboxylic acid can be found naturally in certain whole grains and is also a byproduct of a common skin yeast.

Quick Summary

The primary natural sources of azelaic acid are specific whole grains such as wheat, barley, and rye, alongside the yeast Malassezia furfur that resides on healthy skin. These sources, however, produce the acid in very low concentrations, making them unsuitable for therapeutic topical application.

Key Points

Grains contain natural azelaic acid: Azelaic acid is found in small, natural amounts in grains such as wheat, barley, and rye, but not in therapeutic concentrations.
Malassezia furfur produces azelaic acid: The yeast naturally found on human skin produces azelaic acid as a metabolic byproduct, but this is an unreliable source for skincare.
Synthetic versions are used for skincare: Commercially available azelaic acid is synthetically produced to ensure potency, purity, and effectiveness for dermatological treatments.
Dietary intake is not effective: The amount of azelaic acid in grains is too low to provide any meaningful therapeutic benefit for skin conditions.
High-concentration products are required: Effective treatment for conditions like acne and rosacea requires topical products with concentrated, synthetically derived azelaic acid.
Synthetic azelaic acid is more stable: Laboratory synthesis ensures a stable and predictable product, unlike variable concentrations from natural sources.

Grains: The Dietary Source of Azelaic Acid

Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring compound found in several types of cereal grains, including wheat, rye, and barley. These whole grains contain the dicarboxylic acid in small amounts, which are released and absorbed during the digestive process. While consuming these grains can contribute to overall health, the concentration of azelaic acid is minimal and not high enough to have a therapeutic effect on skin conditions like acne or rosacea. Laboratory studies have successfully extracted azelaic acid from these grains, demonstrating their natural presence, but the extraction process is complex and the yield is low.

The Role of Whole Grains

For the average person looking to incorporate more wholesome, nutrient-dense foods into their diet, adding whole grains like barley and rye is beneficial for many reasons beyond their minimal azelaic acid content. These grains are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals that support overall health, including skin health. However, relying on dietary grains to treat specific skin concerns that require a high concentration of azelaic acid is impractical. Topical formulations, which typically contain between 10% and 20% azelaic acid, are derived from synthetic processes to ensure potency and stability, not from natural grain extracts.

The Skin's Own Producer: Malassezia furfur

Another significant natural source of azelaic acid is the yeast Malassezia furfur, which is a normal part of the human skin microbiome. This fungus naturally produces azelaic acid as a metabolic byproduct, converting fatty acids into dicarboxylic acids. This discovery occurred in the 1970s when it was noticed that the yeast could cause hypopigmentation (lighter patches of skin) in pityriasis versicolor patients. Further research revealed that the yeast's production of azelaic acid was responsible for inhibiting the activity of tyrosinase, the enzyme that produces melanin.

How Malassezia Affects Skin Health

The natural production of azelaic acid by Malassezia furfur is a key part of its complex relationship with human skin. The acid's ability to inhibit tyrosinase is why some fungal-related skin conditions show changes in pigmentation. While this is a fascinating biological process, it is not a practical way to harness azelaic acid for skincare purposes. The amount produced by the yeast varies and cannot be controlled or concentrated effectively for clinical use. Furthermore, an overgrowth of Malassezia furfur is associated with conditions like dandruff and fungal acne, underscoring why it is not a reliable source for skincare.

Natural vs. Synthetic Azelaic Acid

For medical and cosmetic applications, azelaic acid is produced synthetically in a lab. This ensures a high level of purity, stability, and effectiveness that would be impossible to achieve through natural extraction from grains or skin yeast. The synthetic manufacturing process, often through the ozonolysis of oleic acid, allows for precise concentration levels (such as 10%, 15%, or 20%) needed to treat specific dermatological conditions. Relying on natural sources for therapeutic levels would be both impractical and ineffective.

Why Synthetic Production is Necessary

Potency and Concentration: For conditions like acne and rosacea, a specific, potent concentration of azelaic acid is required. These concentrations are far higher than what is found naturally in grains.
Stability: Synthetically derived azelaic acid is more stable, allowing it to be formulated into consistent creams, gels, and serums that have a predictable shelf life.
Efficacy: The controlled, synthetic process guarantees a consistent, high-quality ingredient. Natural extracts, on the other hand, can vary in potency depending on the source and extraction method.

Comparison of Azelaic Acid Sources


Feature	Grains (Wheat, Barley, Rye)	Skin Yeast (Malassezia furfur)	Synthetic (Commercial Products)
Availability	Abundant in common foods	Naturally on all human skin	Widely available in topical creams, gels, and serums
Concentration	Very low, trace amounts	Variable, not quantifiable	Precise, high concentrations (10-20%)
Therapeutic Effect	None, for treating skin conditions	None, not a practical source	Significant, well-documented efficacy
Purity	Mixed with other grain compounds	Mixed with skin oils and other yeast metabolites	High purity, consistent ingredient
Application	Ingested via diet, no topical use	Naturally present, but unreliably produced	Topically applied for targeted skin benefits
Production Method	Plant metabolism	Fungal metabolism	Industrial chemical synthesis

Conclusion

While azelaic acid is found naturally in grains like wheat and barley and produced by yeast on the skin, these sources are not practical for therapeutic use. The concentrations present in nature are simply too low and inconsistent to effectively treat skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, or hyperpigmentation. For reliable, potent, and safe application, commercially available skincare products containing synthetically produced azelaic acid are the established standard. This manufacturing method ensures the ingredient is effective, stable, and delivers the consistent results that natural sources cannot. When searching for azelaic acid products, look for formulations with a precise concentration, typically between 10% and 20%, rather than relying on natural dietary intake for skincare benefits.

Visit the Cureus Journal website for an in-depth review of azelaic acid's mechanisms of action.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the amount of azelaic acid naturally occurring in these grains is too low to have a therapeutic effect on skin conditions like acne. Effective treatment requires topical applications with higher, standardized concentrations.

You will not gain a therapeutic level of azelaic acid for skincare by eating grains. While beneficial for overall health, the concentration is not high enough to address specific skin concerns.

No, the yeast Malassezia furfur produces azelaic acid naturally on the skin, but the amount is inconsistent and cannot be harnessed for therapeutic purposes. Overgrowth of this yeast is also linked to skin problems.

Synthetic production of azelaic acid allows for controlled, high concentrations and ensures the purity and stability necessary for effective and consistent dermatological treatment. Natural sources are too low in concentration and inconsistent.

The term 'natural' can be misleading in this context. Synthetically produced azelaic acid is rigorously tested and standardized for safety and efficacy. Natural grain extracts contain other compounds and cannot provide the necessary concentration for targeted skin treatment.

Commercial azelaic acid is not extracted from grains because the yield is too low and the process is inefficient. It is industrially produced through chemical synthesis from oleic acid.

For effective treatment of skin conditions, you should look for products containing synthetically derived azelaic acid in concentrations typically between 10% and 20%, as this is the form used in clinical dermatology.