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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Boots Azelaic Acid Gel Cream versus The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% .

Last updated on August 16, 2023. Published on August 14, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe . They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain Vitamin E

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, 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 need an update? Let us know.

General Moisturizer British Brand United Kingdom
Serum Canadian Brand Canada

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

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

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

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating
Redness Reducing
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

Irritating (2)
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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: 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

Boots Azelaic Acid Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
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

Boots Azelaic Acid Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 3.

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% contains this as ingredient number 4.

3
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

Boots Azelaic Acid Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 6.

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% contains this as ingredient number 3.

4
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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 60

Boots Azelaic Acid Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 9.

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% contains this as ingredient number 13.

5
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.

Boots Azelaic Acid Gel Cream contains this as ingredient number 11.

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% contains this as ingredient number 16.

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

36% are loved or liked
18% have mixed ratings
41% are disliked or very disliked
5% have no rating yet
24% are loved or liked
18% have mixed ratings
47% are disliked or very disliked
12% 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

Boots Azelaic Acid Gel Cream 22 ingredients

Azelaic Acid Gel Cream hasn't been rated yet.
Rate it now

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% 17 ingredients

3.3 /5
from 12 ratings
Pilling (5) Works Well (4) Great Value (4) Irritating (2) Absorbs Well (1) No Scent (1)
fyr's avatar

fyr

6 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

really really good, helped with my skin texture and closed comedones!! only downside is the extreme pilling so i would recommend using it as the...

really really good, helped with my skin texture and closed comedones!! only downside is the extreme pilling so i would recommend using it as the last step of ur night routine

Virago's avatar

Virago

1 month ago · Combination Skin
Review

I noticed improvements in my skin texture almost immediately. This is the first exfoliant that doesn’t dry me out yet is still effective - fewer...

I noticed improvements in my skin texture almost immediately. This is the first exfoliant that doesn’t dry me out yet is still effective - fewer breakouts, quicker healing, and less hyperpigmentation and redness. Overall, a great product to have on standby!

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Our Dupe Finder has found 6 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%.

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