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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Bayer Skinoren 15% Gel Azelaic Acid versus LEO Pharma Finacea 15% Gel .

Last updated on August 22, 2023. Published on January 16, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe facial treatments. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, 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 need an update? Let us know.

Facial Treatment German Brand Germany
Facial Treatment Danish Brand Denmark

Facial Treatment

Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.

Facial Treatment

Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.

Price

Shop

Buy Skinoren 15% Gel Azelaic Acid

Shop

Buy Finacea 15% Gel

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

Benefits

Redness Reducing
Reduces Large Pores
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Eczema (2)

Benefits

Redness Reducing
Reduces Large Pores
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Eczema (2)
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Ingredients Compared

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

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

Bayer Skinoren 15% Gel Azelaic Acid contains this as ingredient number 1.

LEO Pharma Finacea 15% Gel contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.

Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.

This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.

Those with sensitive skin or conditions may deliver a rash when using this ingredient.

Learn more about Propylene Glycol

Bayer Skinoren 15% Gel Azelaic Acid contains this as ingredient number 2.

LEO Pharma Finacea 15% Gel contains this as ingredient number 7.

3
What it does: Masking, Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

Benzoic Acid is used to preserve and adjust the pH of products.

The antimicrobial property of Benzoic Acid helps elongate a product's shelf life. Its main role is to reduce fungi growth and is not found to be effective at fighting bacteria. Therefore Benzoic Acid is always added along with other preservatives.

In its pure form, Benzoic Acid looks like a white crystalline solid. It has slight solubility in water.

The name of Benzoic Acid comes from gum benzoin, which used to be the sole source of deriving this ingredient. Benzoic Acid is the most simple aromatic carboxylic acid.

Benzoic Acid is naturally occuring in strawberries, mustard, cinnamon, and cloves. It has a slight scent but is not considered to be a fragrance.

Learn more about Benzoic Acid

Bayer Skinoren 15% Gel Azelaic Acid contains this as ingredient number 3.

LEO Pharma Finacea 15% Gel contains this as ingredient number 2.

4
What it does: Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming
Community Rating: Disliked

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.

Carbomer is commonly found in many types of cosmetics products. It is found to be safe in concentrations up to 15%. However, a high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Most products contain 1% of less of carbomer.

Bayer Skinoren 15% Gel Azelaic Acid contains this as ingredient number 4.

LEO Pharma Finacea 15% Gel contains this as ingredient number 3.

5
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA

Bayer Skinoren 15% Gel Azelaic Acid contains this as ingredient number 5.

LEO Pharma Finacea 15% Gel contains this as ingredient number 4.

6
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Lecithin is a term for a group of substances found in plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of fatty acids. These fatty acids usually are a mixture of phosphoric acid's choline ester connected to stearic, oleic, and palmitic acids. Most lecithins are created from plant ingredients scuh as sunflower.

Lecithin is an emollient. Emollients help soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.

As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin. The phospholipids in Lecithin can produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.

Learn more about Lecithin

Bayer Skinoren 15% Gel Azelaic Acid contains this as ingredient number 6.

LEO Pharma Finacea 15% Gel contains this as ingredient number 5.

7
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Polysorbate 80 is a surfactant and emulsifier. It is used to keep ingredients together, and prevent oils and waters from separating.

It is made from polyethoxylated sorbitan and oleic acid. This ingredient can be found in cosmetics, foods, and medicine. It is water-soluble.

Polysorbate 80 may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Polysorbate 80

Bayer Skinoren 15% Gel Azelaic Acid contains this as ingredient number 7.

LEO Pharma Finacea 15% Gel contains this as ingredient number 6.

8
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

Bayer Skinoren 15% Gel Azelaic Acid contains this as ingredient number 8.

LEO Pharma Finacea 15% Gel contains this as ingredient number 8.

9
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide

Bayer Skinoren 15% Gel Azelaic Acid contains this as ingredient number 9.

LEO Pharma Finacea 15% Gel contains this as ingredient number 9.

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

20% are loved or liked
10% have mixed ratings
60% are disliked or very disliked
10% have no rating yet
20% are loved or liked
20% have mixed ratings
60% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet

Usage

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

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Bayer Skinoren 15% Gel Azelaic Acid 10 ingredients

Skinoren 15% Gel Azelaic Acid hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

LEO Pharma Finacea 15% Gel 10 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 2 ratings
helldoll's avatar

helldoll

6 months ago · Sensitive Skin
Review

i couldnt tolerate it...
this made my skin itch so bad each time I tried applying it... i applied it on both damp and dry skin and it still itched...

i couldnt tolerate it...
this made my skin itch so bad each time I tried applying it... i applied it on both damp and dry skin and it still itched and stung like crazy. never again, gunna try 10% even tho there isn't much research for that :/

leonsah's avatar

leonsah

9 months ago · Oily Skin
Review

helped with my dermatitis instantly

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 21 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Bayer Skinoren 15% Gel Azelaic Acid.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 21 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to LEO Pharma Finacea 15% Gel.

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