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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Dermatica Custom Formula (Tretinoin 0.025% & Azelaic Acid 8%) versus Dermatica Azelaic Acid 20% Cream .

Published on December 07, 2022

Overview

What they are

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

Cool Features

They both contain Vitamin E

Suited For

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

Prescription British Brand United Kingdom
Facial Treatment British Brand United Kingdom

Prescription

Prescription skincare treatments. The ingredients in these product are prescription strength and considered medication. In many countries, these must be prescribed by a certified professional.

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

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

Retinoid
Vitamin E

Benefits

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

Concerns

Irritating
Rosacea

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)
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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 Custom Formula (Tretinoin 0.025% & Azelaic Acid 8%) contains this as ingredient number 1.

Dermatica Azelaic Acid 20% Cream 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

Dermatica Custom Formula (Tretinoin 0.025% & Azelaic Acid 8%) contains this as ingredient number 3.

Dermatica Azelaic Acid 20% Cream contains this as ingredient number 2.

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 Custom Formula (Tretinoin 0.025% & Azelaic Acid 8%) contains this as ingredient number 5.

Dermatica Azelaic Acid 20% Cream contains this as ingredient number 3.

4
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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

Dermatica Custom Formula (Tretinoin 0.025% & Azelaic Acid 8%) contains this as ingredient number 6.

Dermatica Azelaic Acid 20% Cream contains this as ingredient number 6.

5
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 Custom Formula (Tretinoin 0.025% & Azelaic Acid 8%) contains this as ingredient number 7.

Dermatica Azelaic Acid 20% Cream contains this as ingredient number 10.

6
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 Custom Formula (Tretinoin 0.025% & Azelaic Acid 8%) contains this as ingredient number 8.

Dermatica Azelaic Acid 20% Cream contains this as ingredient number 7.

7
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.

Dermatica Custom Formula (Tretinoin 0.025% & Azelaic Acid 8%) contains this as ingredient number 12.

Dermatica Azelaic Acid 20% Cream contains this as ingredient number 5.

8
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.

Dermatica Custom Formula (Tretinoin 0.025% & Azelaic Acid 8%) contains this as ingredient number 17.

Dermatica Azelaic Acid 20% Cream contains this as ingredient number 9.

9
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 Custom Formula (Tretinoin 0.025% & Azelaic Acid 8%) contains this as ingredient number 18.

Dermatica Azelaic Acid 20% Cream contains this as ingredient number 11.

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

35% are loved or liked
6% have mixed ratings
41% are disliked or very disliked
18% have no rating yet
57% are loved or liked
5% have mixed ratings
33% are disliked or very disliked
5% 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

Dermatica Custom Formula (Tretinoin 0.025% & Azelaic Acid 8%) 17 ingredients

Custom Formula (Tretinoin 0.025% & Azelaic Acid 8%) hasn't been rated yet.
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Dermatica Azelaic Acid 20% Cream 21 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Absorbs Well (2) Light (2) No Scent (1) Works Well (1)
Facewasher's avatar

Facewasher

2 months ago · Oily Skin
Review

Absorbs well, feels nice and light on the skin.

John1's avatar

John1

2 months ago · Oily Skin
Review

20% AA OTC with amazing ingredients. Best AA in the the market, imo.

Alternatives

We haven't detected any alternatives for Dermatica Custom Formula (Tretinoin 0.025% & Azelaic Acid 8%).

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