Boots Azelaic Acid Gel Cream Versus Dr.Ceuracle 5α Control Clearing Serum in Emulsion
Updated on August 08, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 13 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain silicones
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
Boots Azelaic Acid Gel Cream 22 ingredients
Dr.Ceuracle 5α Control Clearing Serum in Emulsion 43 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Boots Azelaic Acid Gel Cream 22 ingredients
Dr.Ceuracle 5α Control Clearing Serum in Emulsion 43 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Azelaic Acid
Buffering
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingBisabolol
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
O-Cymen-5-Ol
Antimicrobial
Disodium EDTA
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Water, Butylene Glycol, Azelaic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Behenyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Polysorbate 60, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Hydroxide, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Bisabolol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycerin, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Disodium EDTA, Beta-Glucan, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract
Skin Conditioning
Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract
Antimicrobial
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Sucrose Stearate
EmollientArgania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Capryloyl Glycine
CleansingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingSarcosine
Skin ConditioningMagnesium Aluminum Silicate
AbsorbentPolysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningTriticum Vulgare Germ Extract
Skin ConditioningBisabolol
Masking
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Emulsifying
Spent Grain Wax
Skin Conditioning
Sucrose Cocoate
Emulsifying
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-60 Almond Glycerides
Emulsifying
Tamarindus Indica Fruit/Seed Extract
Skin ProtectingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientParfum
Masking
Tromethamine
BufferingDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhellinus Linteus Extract
Skin ConditioningCordyceps Sinensis Extract
Antioxidant
Ganoderma Lucidum Extract
Skin ProtectingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Glycerin
Humectant
Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid
Antioxidant
Oleanolic Acid
Skin ConditioningWater, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Sorbitan Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Sucrose Stearate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Capryloyl Glycine, Hexylene Glycol, Sarcosine, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Polysorbate 60, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Triticum Vulgare Germ Extract, Bisabolol, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Spent Grain Wax, Sucrose Cocoate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract, Carbomer, PEG-60 Almond Glycerides, Tamarindus Indica Fruit/Seed Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Parfum, Tromethamine, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phellinus Linteus Extract, Cordyceps Sinensis Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Glycerin, Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid, Oleanolic Acid
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 WaterButylene 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.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeGlyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
It is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.
As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.
In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced.
This ingredient may not be fungal-acne safe
Fun fact: The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.
Learn more about Glyceryl StearateSorbitan Stearate comes from sorbitol and stearic acid. Sorbitol is a type of sugar and stearic acid is a fatty acid.
It is used as an emulsifier and helps ingredients stay together by creating water-in-oil emulsions.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Polysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.
In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.
Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60Bisabolol is famous for its skin soothing properties. It does this by blocking inflammatory signals, helping to reduce your body's reaction to irritation.
This ingredient also interferes with the process of hyperpigmentation. This can help with reducing dark spots and uneven tone.
Bisabolol is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. By fighting these free-radicals, Bisabolol may slow down signs of aging.
Studies have shown Bisabolol to have antimicrobial properties and may be a fungicide. These properties help preserve a product's shelf life.
All these properties makes bisabolol a great skin barrier helper ingredient.
Bisabolol also helps the absorption of other ingredients.
Note: Synthetic Bisabolol has been shown to be less effective.
Learn more about BisabololEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
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 AcetateGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinDisodium 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 EDTA1,2-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
Hydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant with skin conditioning and soothing properties. It also boosts the efficiency of preservatives.
This ingredient is not irritating or sensitizing.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Boots Azelaic Acid Gel Cream 22 ingredients
Dr.Ceuracle 5α Control Clearing Serum in Emulsion 43 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Boots Azelaic Acid Gel Cream 22 ingredients
Very thick and hard to spread. The silicone in this is also comedogenic for me.
