Back to Ingredient Dictionary

Common Name(s): Nonanedioic acid alternative,azelaic acid functional equivalent

CAS Number: 1852-14-8

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Provides azelaic acid-functional tyrosinase inhibition and anti-acne activity from natural oleic acid ozonolysis.

Why It's Used: Natural-origin azelaic acid functional alternative for clean beauty formulations seeking the proven benefits of azelaic acid with plant-derived provenance.

How It Works: Mixture of c7-c10 dicarboxylic acids (azelaic, pimelic, suberic, sebacic) from plant oleic acid ozonolysis provides tyrosinase inhibition (ic50 comparable to azelaic acid), anti-acne p. acnes antimicrobial activity, and anti-inflammatory prostaglandin inhibition.

Typically Found In: Natural brightening products,anti-acne clean beauty formulas

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Active ingredient โ€“ azelaic acid inci alternative

Secondary Functions: Natural azelaic acid equivalent,tyrosinase inhibition

Application Areas:

Facial Skincare

Body Care

Hair Care

Beard Care

Color Cosmetics (Makeup)

Dietary/Oral Supplements

Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%โ€“10%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Yes โ€“ from plant oleic acid (olive, sunflower)

Halal Status: Yes

Source Notes: Fermentation-derived or synthetic. ph must be โ‰ค4.0 for aha activity.

SKIN COMPATIBILITY

Irritancy Rating: 2/5 โ€“ low to moderate

Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ€“ non-comedogenic

Sensitivity Concerns: Photosensitizing โ€“ mandatory spf use. start at low frequency.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Use with caution โ€“ spf required

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Safe at otc concentrations. eu: โ‰ค10% leave-on at ph โ‰ฅ3.5. mandatory spf advisory.

Works Well With: Niacinamide,ceramides,hyaluronic acid,spf

Avoid Combining With: Retinol in same step; multiple exfoliants simultaneously

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Dioic acid's functional equivalence to azelaic acid is mechanistically rational โ€“ both are dicarboxylic acids with medium-length carbon chains (c7-c10), and the structural similarity provides essentially identical tyrosinase competitive inhibition through the same active site binding geometry. the difference is solely in origin: petrochemical fermentation (azelaic acid) vs plant oleic acid ozonolysis (dioic acid).

Last Verified: Cosing database,symrise dioic acid technical data

Primary Sources: 2026-03-12