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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Apostrophe Azelaic Acid 20% Prescription versus Apostrophe Azelaic Acid 15% Prescription .

Published on October 27, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe prescription. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain Vitamin E

Suited For

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

Free From

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

What's Inside

They both contain fragrances

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

Prescription American Brand United States
Prescription American Brand United States

Prescription

Prescription skincare treatments. The ingredients in these product are prescription strength and considered medication. In many countries, these must be prescribed by a certified professional.

Prescription

Prescription skincare treatments. The ingredients in these product are prescription strength and considered medication. In many countries, these must be prescribed by a certified professional.

Price

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Buy Azelaic Acid 20% Prescription

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Buy Azelaic Acid 15% Prescription

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E

Benefits

Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation
Reduces Large Pores
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E

Benefits

Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation
Reduces Large Pores
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Loved

Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring acid that is derived from grains. However, the lab-created form is typically used within cosmetic products as it has better shelf-stability.

It has been shown to be effective in the treatment of acne, rosacea, and other skin conditions. Azelaic acid helps reduce the growth of bacteria that cause acne and helps to reduce inflammation.

It also helps to improve the appearance of skin by reducing the production of sebum and unclogging pores.

Azelaic Acid also has antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.

One of the main benefits of azelaic acid is that it is gentle and well-tolerated by most people. It is also non-comedogenic, meaning that it will not clog pores.

Learn more about Azelaic Acid

Apostrophe Azelaic Acid 20% Prescription contains this as ingredient number 1.

Apostrophe Azelaic Acid 15% Prescription contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice comes from leaves of the aloe plant. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is best known for helping to soothe sunburns. It is also anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, antiseptic, and can help heal wounds.

Aloe is packed with good stuff including Vitamins A, C, and E. These vitamins are antioxidants, which help fight free-radicals and the damage they may cause. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells, such as pollution.

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice also contains sugars. These sugars come in the form of monosaccharides and polysaccharides, folic acid, and choline. These sugars are able to help bind moisture to skin.

It also contains minerals such as calcium, 12 anthraquinones, fatty acids, amino acids, and Vitamin B12.

Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

Apostrophe Azelaic Acid 20% Prescription contains this as ingredient number 2.

Apostrophe Azelaic Acid 15% Prescription contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Emollient, Solvent
Community Rating: Very Disliked

C13-14 Isoparaffin is created from petroleum-based mineral oils. It is an emollient and helps thicken a product.

As an emollient, it helps keep the skin soft and smooth by creating a barrier on top. This barrier traps moisture in, keeping the skin hydrated.

C13-14 Isoparaffin may not be fungal-acne safe.

Learn more about C13-14 Isoparaffin

Apostrophe Azelaic Acid 20% Prescription contains this as ingredient number 3.

Apostrophe Azelaic Acid 15% Prescription contains this as ingredient number 3.

4
What it does: Cleansing, Emulsifying, Masking
Community Rating: Mixed

Caprylic Acid is a fatty acid commonly found in plant oils, such as palm and coconut oils.

Much of the research is based on caprylic acid derived from coconut oil. Coconut oil is an emollient and helps moisturize the skin.

Caprylic Acid has antimicrobial and antifungal properties. Several studies found it to be effective at treating yeast infections. It also has anti-inflammatory properties. Besides cosmetics, this ingredient is also used for a variety of medical purposes such as treating digestive disorders.

This ingredient is minimally soluble in water.

Read more about a similar ingredient Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride.

Learn more about Caprylic Acid

Apostrophe Azelaic Acid 20% Prescription contains this as ingredient number 4.

Apostrophe Azelaic Acid 15% Prescription contains this as ingredient number 4.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Apostrophe Azelaic Acid 20% Prescription contains this as ingredient number 5.

Apostrophe Azelaic Acid 15% Prescription contains this as ingredient number 5.

6
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Laureth-7 is created by the ethoxylation of lauryl alcohol using ethylene oxide. Lauryl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with hydrating properties.

Laureth-7 is an emulsifier and cleansing ingredient. As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent ingredients from separating. It also helps cleanse the skin by gathering dirt, oil, and pollutants to be rinsed away.

Apostrophe Azelaic Acid 20% Prescription contains this as ingredient number 6.

Apostrophe Azelaic Acid 15% Prescription contains this as ingredient number 6.

7
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

Apostrophe Azelaic Acid 20% Prescription contains this as ingredient number 7.

Apostrophe Azelaic Acid 15% Prescription contains this as ingredient number 7.

8
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

Polyacrylamide is a synthetic polymer. It is used to stabilize products and bind ingredients. When hydrated, Polyacrylamide forms a soft gel.

Polyacrylamide is low-toxicity. If source properly, it is deemed safe to use in cosmetics.

It should be noted the precursor to Polyacrylamide is acrylamide. Acrylamide is a carcinogen. Most reputable sources of Polyacrylamide will screen for residual acrylamide to make sure the count is in a safe range. Acrylamide is not able to be absorbed through the skin.

We recommend speaking with a professional if you have concerns.

Learn more about Polyacrylamide

Apostrophe Azelaic Acid 20% Prescription contains this as ingredient number 8.

Apostrophe Azelaic Acid 15% Prescription contains this as ingredient number 8.

9
What it does: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.

One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.

Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.

Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate

Apostrophe Azelaic Acid 20% Prescription contains this as ingredient number 9.

Apostrophe Azelaic Acid 15% Prescription contains this as ingredient number 9.

10
What it does: Masking, Perfuming

Triethylene Glycol is a fragrance.

Apostrophe Azelaic Acid 20% Prescription contains this as ingredient number 10.

Apostrophe Azelaic Acid 15% Prescription contains this as ingredient number 10.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

40% are loved or liked
10% have mixed ratings
40% are disliked or very disliked
10% have no rating yet
40% are loved or liked
10% have mixed ratings
40% are disliked or very disliked
10% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

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