Versus

Common Clouds Cloud Milk Soothing Redness-Relief Serum Versus The INKEY List Azelaic Acid 10% for Redness Relief

Serum
Serum
Swedish Brand Sweden
British Brand United Kingdom

Updated on March 27, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe serums. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common

Suited For

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

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, 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

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Benefits

Concerns

Benefits

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

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
Buffering, Masking

Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring acid derived from grains. This ingredient is effective in treating acne, rosacea, and other skin conditions.

It has been shown to reduce the growth of acne-causing bacteria and helps reduce inflammation. On top of that, it helps reduce the production of sebum and unclog pores.

Azelaic Acid also has antioxidant properties. Antioxidants protect our skin cells from free-radical damage.

One of the main benefits of azelaic acid is that it is gentle and well-tolerated by most people.

Fun fact: The lab-created form of azelaic acid is typically used within cosmetic products for its shelf-stability.

Learn more about Azelaic Acid
Solvent

Propanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin. 

It’s often used to:

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Glycerin 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 Glycerin
Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum
Preservative

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.

Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (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.

Buffering

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

When to use

39 Routines
44% use in am
56% use in pm
87% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
449 Routines
41% use in am
59% use in pm
79% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Common Clouds Cloud Milk Soothing Redness-Relief Serum 14 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
Absorbs Well (1) Great Value (1) Hydrating (1)
veronicall's avatar

Veronica ll

3 months ago
Review

This seems to clear up my scars a little already!! (used for a month+). I think it’s a good azealic-acid with a soft milky texture that doesn’t dry out the skin - in a cute packaging ☁️:) Love it!

It is supposed to sting a little in the beginning and it’s normal. I recommend using it with a moisturizer. Doesn’t have a weird smell, feels lightweight and melts in fast in the skin.

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well

The INKEY List Azelaic Acid 10% for Redness Relief 17 ingredients

3.2 /5
from 6 ratings
No Scent (3) Sticky (3) Great Value (1)
avq's avatar

A V

4 months ago
Review

unfortunately i cannot use this product anymore as i have developed FA, but before that this was my HOLY GRAIL! i used to have immense CC on my nose bridge as well as redness on my cheeks circa end of 2021. i started using this i believe winter of 2021-2022 and by the time spring rolled around (around 2-3 months) the redness, PIE, CC were gone or barely noticeable. i have used this product up Show more

#great value
#sticky
#oily
#no scent
sarape's avatar

Sara

1 year ago
Review

It literally pills with every product I've tried, it's impossible to use. It has a very gummy texture that never gets absorbed into the skin, it only stays on top like a silicon-y film that will ruin any other product you combine it with, and also avoiding the formula to penetrate and actually do some work into your skin. So despite it's relatively high concentration of Azelaic Acid, it takes way Show more

#heavy
#sticky
#pilling
#no scent