Versus

Anua Azelaic Acid 15+ Intense Calming Serum Versus Tia’m Vita B3 Source

Serum
Serum
Korean Brand South Korea
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on September 24, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Azelaic Acid 15+ Intense Calming Serum

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse. 

It is a:

  • Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
  • Emollient, helping to soften skin
  • Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
  • Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives 
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.
  • It has mild preservative properties.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Emulsion Stabilising, Stabilising

Hydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.

This ingredient helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product.

This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients.

Learn more about Hydroxyethylcellulose
Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing

Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.

Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.

Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.

Learn more about Allantoin
Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.

Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.

One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.

Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.

Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.

Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.

Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.

Learn more about Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate

When to use

240 Routines
40% use in am
60% use in pm
84% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
414 Routines
47% use in am
53% use in pm
89% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Anua Azelaic Acid 15+ Intense Calming Serum 44 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Absorbs Well (2) Great Value (2) No Scent (2)
justinwooten's avatar

Justin Wooten

4 months ago
Review

For the short time that I've used this serum Ive grown to love it. A great serum for acne prone/irritated skin. This serum has helped the redness in my face as well as my post acne marks almost clear completely. Highly recommended.

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well
ShayyA's avatar

ShayyA

14 days ago
Review

This serum is VERY VERY POTENT the 5% difference from the AZ 10 is a real difference, I use it as a spot treatment for now, it literally kills any inflamed acne overnight and makes it go away in 3 days, worked for whiteheads, pimples and even under the skin bumps and cysts that I felt coming to a head went back down after applying for 3-6 days. I don't know I will try and see if I can work up to Show more

#great value
#absorbs well
#no scent
#works well

Tia’m Vita B3 Source 15 ingredients

4.4 /5
from 16 ratings
Works Well (8) Great Value (5) Hydrating (5)
venti's avatar

venti

2 years ago
Review

lovely serum
it took a while to work but it helped fade my acne scars and my skin felt a lot smoother

boladeborah's avatar

Bola Deborah

9 months ago
Review

Perfect for my oily combination skin type. Helps eliminate whiteheads and get rid of acne. I just make sure to use a hydrating moisturiser after and in the day SPF

#great value
#light
#no scent
#works well