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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Dermatica Clarifying Azelaic Acid 15% Cream versus The Agency Dark Spot FormulaRX .

Last updated on January 19, 2024. Published on February 21, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe facial treatments. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, 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

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 British Brand United Kingdom
Facial Treatment American Brand United States

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 Clarifying Azelaic Acid 15% Cream

Shop

Buy Dark Spot FormulaRX

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
Ceramides (3)

Benefits

Hydrating (5)
Redness Reducing (4)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (2)
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C
Vitamin E

Benefits

Redness Reducing (2)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots (4)
Scar Healing (3)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin
Acne Trigger
Rosacea
Eczema (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

Dermatica Clarifying Azelaic Acid 15% Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.

The Agency Dark Spot FormulaRX contains this as ingredient number 5.

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

Dermatica Clarifying Azelaic Acid 15% Cream contains this as ingredient number 2.

The Agency Dark Spot FormulaRX contains this as ingredient number 3.

3
What it does: Solvent
Community Rating: Liked

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

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

Dermatica Clarifying Azelaic Acid 15% Cream contains this as ingredient number 3.

The Agency Dark Spot FormulaRX contains this as ingredient number 25.

4
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying
Community Rating: Disliked

Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.

Glyceryl Stearate 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. The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.

Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate

Dermatica Clarifying Azelaic Acid 15% Cream contains this as ingredient number 7.

The Agency Dark Spot FormulaRX contains this as ingredient number 11.

5
What it does:

Peg-75 Stearate isn't fungal acne safe.

Dermatica Clarifying Azelaic Acid 15% Cream contains this as ingredient number 8.

The Agency Dark Spot FormulaRX contains this as ingredient number 12.

6
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.

Cetyl Alcohol is not related to SD alcohol, denatured alcohol, or ethyl alcohol. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.

Dermatica Clarifying Azelaic Acid 15% Cream contains this as ingredient number 10.

The Agency Dark Spot FormulaRX contains this as ingredient number 18.

7
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

Dermatica Clarifying Azelaic Acid 15% Cream contains this as ingredient number 11.

The Agency Dark Spot FormulaRX contains this as ingredient number 19.

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

57% are loved or liked
5% have mixed ratings
33% are disliked or very disliked
5% have no rating yet
24% are loved or liked
12% have mixed ratings
40% are disliked or very disliked
24% 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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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 38 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Dermatica Clarifying Azelaic Acid 15% Cream.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 3 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to The Agency Dark Spot FormulaRX.

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