Natural Sources of Azelaic Acid

Azelaic acid is produced by a yeast of the Malassezia species which lives on the skin as part of our normal healthy mantle of microorganisms. It occurs naturally in grains such as barley, rye and wheat and because of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, is synthesized for use in creams to treat acne and rosacea.

Wheat

• Wheat is one of the world's most commonly grown cereal crops and archaeologists believe has been used by man for about 10,000 years. The modern variety has the Latin name Triticum aestivum and though the amount of azelaic acid in wheat is small, the desire for natural skin products has made it a popular source.

Barley

• Barley can be identified by its bristles.

  Barley is also a cereal crop but is a more resilient plant being grown in less fertile soils and harsher climates than wheat. It has been developed less than wheat and so the barley we eat today is much as it was in Biblical times. It is readily identified by its hairy beard of bristles. Its Latin name is Hordeum gramineae and it is used mostly in the brewing industry or as farm animal feed. Like wheat, it contains small amounts of azelaic acid but is being used more commonly as a natural source, particularly for ointments and skin creams.

Rye

• Rye is grown mainly in Eastern Europe.

  Rye is a hardy cereal crop grown principally in Eastern Europe. It has a lower yield per hectare than either wheat or barley but will grow during harsh winter months. It has a distinctive bitter taste, but contains less gluten than wheat and can be eaten by many people with wheat intolerance. Rye has the Latin name of Secale cereale gramineae and is used mainly for bread, whisky and cattle feed. It too contains small amounts of azelaic acid and is increasingly used as a natural source.