What Is Aluminum/Magnesium Azelate Hydroxide?
Aluminum/Magnesium Azelate Hydroxide is a complex made when azelaic acid reacts with magnesium chloride and aluminum chloride, then gets neutralized with a touch of sodium hydroxide. The result is a fine white to off-white powder that disperses well in water and oil blends, making it handy for cosmetic chemists.
Azelaic acid itself comes from grains such as barley and wheat but is usually produced in labs for consistency. When chemists first combined azelaic acid with metal salts in the late 1990s they noticed the mixture added stability to creams and lotions. Over time this metal-based version found its way into mainstream skincare labs because it kept emulsions from separating while giving formulas a pleasant silky feel.
Manufacturing starts with high-purity azelaic acid. This is mixed with controlled amounts of magnesium chloride and aluminum chloride in water. After the reaction completes sodium hydroxide is added to balance the pH and create the hydroxide form. The slurry is filtered dried then milled to a uniform powder that meets cosmetic grade standards.
Today you are most likely to spot Aluminum/Magnesium Azelate Hydroxide in moisturizers lightweight lotions face masks eye creams makeup primers and specialty anti-aging blends where stability and texture are key selling points.
Aluminum/Magnesium Azelate Hydroxide’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses
This ingredient pulls double duty in skincare formulas
- Emulsion stabilising: It helps water and oil stay blended so your cream stays smooth from the first scoop to the last drop on your skin. Better stability means a longer shelf life and a consistent feel each time you apply the product.
- Viscosity controlling: By thickening or thinning the mix as needed it lets chemists fine-tune the texture. The result can be anything from a rich buttery balm to a light fast-absorbing lotion without greasy residue.
Who Can Use Aluminum/Magnesium Azelate Hydroxide
Because it is largely inert and sits on the skin’s surface, Aluminum/Magnesium Azelate Hydroxide suits most skin types including oily, combination, normal and even mildly sensitive skin. Dry or very reactive skin can also tolerate it since the ingredient does not draw out moisture or clog pores.
The powder is synthesized entirely from mineral salts and lab-made azelaic acid so it contains no animal by-products. That makes it acceptable for both vegans and vegetarians.
No specific warnings exist for pregnant or breastfeeding women, but as with any new cosmetic ingredient it is best to confirm with a healthcare professional before use. This information is not medical advice.
The ingredient does not increase photosensitivity, so daytime application does not require extra sun precautions beyond your regular sunscreen.
Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions
Responses to topical Aluminum/Magnesium Azelate Hydroxide vary from person to person. The following are potential side effects yet most users will not experience them when the ingredient is properly formulated and used as directed.
- Mild redness or warmth at the application site
- Transient stinging in very sensitive skin
- Dry or tight feeling if used in high concentrations alongside other astringent ingredients
- Rare allergic contact dermatitis presenting as itching or rash
- Potential interaction with highly acidic actives that could destabilize the product texture
If you notice any persistent irritation stop using the product and seek advice from a medical professional.
Comedogenic Rating
Rating: 0–1
Aluminum/Magnesium Azelate Hydroxide is a mineral-based powder that remains on the skin surface and is not oily or waxy, so it does not block pores the way heavier plant butters or certain silicones can. Its main job is to keep water and oil mixed, not to form an occlusive film. Because of this it scores at the very low end of the comedogenic scale.
Suitable for acne-prone or breakout-prone skin in most formulas.
As with any ingredient the overall pore-clogging potential depends on the full product blend and how heavily it is applied.
Summary
Aluminum/Magnesium Azelate Hydroxide stabilises emulsions and fine-tunes viscosity. It slots between water and oil droplets to keep them from separating and adjusts thickness so a formula feels silky or creamy instead of runny or stiff.
It is a quiet workhorse rather than a headline act. You will not spot it as often as hyaluronic acid or niacinamide, but formulators like it for its reliability and ease of use.
Overall safety is high with low irritation and virtually no comedogenic risk. Still, every skin is unique so patch testing a new product that contains it is a smart precaution.