In this article
1What is succinic acid2What succinic acid is used for on the skin3How to use succinic acid in your routine4How succinic acid fits into your current routine5What results are realistic6When succinic acid is not the answer7Pregnancy and breastfeeding8Frequently asked questions9Sources and referencesIn summary: Succinic acid is a cosmetic ingredient primarily used in products for acne-prone skin due to its antimicrobial and sebum-regulating properties. It is not a substitute for more thoroughly studied active ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, but it can be useful in gentle formulations or as a supportive treatment for mild blemishes.
What is succinic acid
Succinic acid, with INCI Succinic Acid, is a dicarboxylic acid naturally present in living organisms and also usable in cosmetic formulations. In facial care, it is mainly incorporated into treatments for blemish-prone skin, occasional pimples, and a tendency to produce more sebum.
It is not one of the ingredients with the most clinical literature within cosmetic acne. Nevertheless, in practice, it is formulated for its antimicrobial capacity and its potential to help keep the skin somewhat more balanced when mild breakouts occur.
What succinic acid is used for on the skin
It is most useful for skin with mild blemishes, localized pimples, or slightly congested texture. Its main role is not intense exfoliation, but rather to help the formula have a more purifying approach.
It is mainly used for two reasons: its antimicrobial action and its possible contribution to visibly less oily skin. This is why it often appears in gels, serums, or localized treatments for breakouts.
- It can be suitable for mildly acne-prone skin.
- It is commonly used in products for occasional pimples.
- It can combine well with soothing or sebum-regulating active ingredients.
How to use succinic acid in your routine
It is most commonly found in light serums or localized treatments. Applied to clean, dry skin, it is used before moisturizer, once or twice a day as indicated by the formula and according to your skin's tolerance.
My advice as a pharmacist is not to just evaluate whether it contains succinic acid. What surrounds the ingredient influences as much as the ingredient itself: the cosmetic base, the presence of niacinamide, zinc or soothing agents, and the overall level of irritation the product can cause.
Morning or night?
It can be used in the morning or at night if the formula is well-designed and the skin tolerates it. If you incorporate it into a morning routine, a good sunscreen is a mandatory final step.
How often?
For reactive skin or skin already using other anti-acne treatments, I prefer to start once a day or every other day. If tolerance is good, it can be adjusted as needed.
How succinic acid fits into your current routine
It can be used with niacinamide, zinc, azelaic acid, or soothing ingredients. It can also appear alongside small amounts of exfoliants, although it's advisable not to accumulate too many active ingredients if your skin barrier is already compromised.
When skin is irritated, flaky, or sensitized, I usually don't recommend adding layer upon layer of acne treatments. In that context, the priority is to restore skin comfort and then decide which active ingredient deserves to stay.
What results are realistic
Here, I need to be clear: do not expect results comparable to a dermatological treatment or to active ingredients with more specific evidence for acne. Succinic acid can help with mild breakouts, small blemishes, or in occasional use formulas, but it is usually not the primary solution for moderate or persistent acne.
If your lesions are deep, easily leave marks, or repeatedly worsen, a professional evaluation is more worthwhile than constantly switching cosmetics every few weeks.
When succinic acid is not the answer
I don't consider it the best option if you're looking to treat very prominent blackheads, clear inflammatory acne, or post-inflammatory marks as the main goal. In these cases, other better-studied active ingredients, always chosen according to tolerance and skin context, tend to make more sense.
It may also not be worth it if you already use a powerful and well-designed routine. Adding it just because it sounds interesting rarely completely changes the outcome.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Specific information on topical succinic acid during pregnancy and breastfeeding is limited. Cosmetically, it's not one of the most concerning ingredients, but it's also not among the best supported in this context. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or following a dermatological regimen, I prefer that the specific product be reviewed individually.
Frequently asked questions
Does succinic acid exfoliate the skin?+
That is not its primary function. In cosmetics, it is used more for its antimicrobial profile and its suitability in formulas for blemish-prone skin than as a classic exfoliant.
Is it effective for cystic or moderate acne?+
It is usually not the reference active ingredient in such cases. It can support a routine for mild blemishes, but moderate, persistent, or deep acne requires approaches with more evidence.
Can it be combined with niacinamide?+
Yes. In fact, it is a reasonable combination for acne-prone skin because niacinamide helps strengthen the skin barrier and improve routine tolerance.
Does succinic acid dry out the skin much?+
It depends on the complete formula. By itself, it is not always very drying, but a poorly formulated product or an already overloaded routine can leave the skin feeling tight.
Sources and references
- Kircik LH. Advances in topical acne treatment. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2011. https://doi.org/10.36849/JDD.2011.10.6.606
- Dreno B, et al. The skin microbiome: a new actor in inflammatory acne. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology. 2017. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-017-0282-4
- Zaenglein AL, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2015.12.037
