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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Dermatica Custom Treatment (0.015% Tretinoin, 4% Niacinamide, 4% Azelaic Acid) versus Dermatica Azelaic Acid 20% Cream .

Last updated on October 22, 2023. Published on August 19, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 11 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain ceramides and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin and sensitive skin

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.

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

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Buy Custom Treatment (0.015% Tretinoin, 4% Niacinamide, 4% Azelaic Acid)

Shop

Buy Azelaic Acid 20% Cream

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

PHA
Vitamin E
Ceramides (3)
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (5)
Redness Reducing (4)
Reduces Irritation (4)
Skin Texture
Anti-Aging (4)
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Eczema (3)

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 Treatment (0.015% Tretinoin, 4% Niacinamide, 4% Azelaic Acid) contains this as ingredient number 1.

Dermatica Azelaic Acid 20% Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
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 Treatment (0.015% Tretinoin, 4% Niacinamide, 4% Azelaic Acid) contains this as ingredient number 4.

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

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 Treatment (0.015% Tretinoin, 4% Niacinamide, 4% Azelaic Acid) contains this as ingredient number 15.

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

4
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 Treatment (0.015% Tretinoin, 4% Niacinamide, 4% Azelaic Acid) contains this as ingredient number 16.

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

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Ceramide AP is a type of Ceramide.

Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. Having a strong skin barrier leads to more firm and hydrated skin.

They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.

If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.

Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide NP Ceramide EOP

Learn more about Ceramide AP

Dermatica Custom Treatment (0.015% Tretinoin, 4% Niacinamide, 4% Azelaic Acid) contains this as ingredient number 17.

Dermatica Azelaic Acid 20% Cream contains this as ingredient number 16.

6
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Ceramide EOP is a type of Ceramide. EOP stands for a linked Ester fatty acid, a linked Omega hydroxy fatty acid, and the Phytosphingosine base.

Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.

Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.

If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.

Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide AP Ceramide NP

Learn more about Ceramide EOP

Dermatica Custom Treatment (0.015% Tretinoin, 4% Niacinamide, 4% Azelaic Acid) contains this as ingredient number 18.

Dermatica Azelaic Acid 20% Cream contains this as ingredient number 21.

7
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Ceramide NP is a type of ceramide.

Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.

Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.

If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.

Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP

Learn more about Ceramide NP

Dermatica Custom Treatment (0.015% Tretinoin, 4% Niacinamide, 4% Azelaic Acid) contains this as ingredient number 19.

Dermatica Azelaic Acid 20% Cream contains this as ingredient number 15.

8
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Phytosphingosine is a phospholipid naturally found in our skin. It helps moisturize, soothe, and protect skin.

Phytosphingosine is already present in our skin. On our skin, it is a building block for ceramides.

Phytosphingosine tells our skin to increase its natural moisturizing factor (NMF). The NMF is responsible for hydration, a strong barrier, and plasticity. Our NMF decreases with age. Increasing NMF leads to more healthy and hydrated skin.

Studies show products formulated with NMF ingredients help strengthen our skin's barrier. Having a healthy skin barrier reduces irritation and increases hydration. Our skin barrier is responsible for having plump and firm skin. It also helps protect our skin against infection, allergies, and inflammation.

Phytosphingosine is also abundant in plants and fungi.

More ingredients that help boost collagen in skin:

Learn more about Phytosphingosine

Dermatica Custom Treatment (0.015% Tretinoin, 4% Niacinamide, 4% Azelaic Acid) contains this as ingredient number 20.

Dermatica Azelaic Acid 20% Cream contains this as ingredient number 17.

9
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning, Stabilising
Community Rating: Liked

Cholesterol is a class of organic molecules called lipids. It helps hydrate your skin and is essential to having a healthy skin barrier.

Our skin naturally contains cholesterol in the outermost layer. Besides cholesterol, it also contains ceramides and fatty acids. Cholesterol makes up about 1/4 of your skin's outer layer and barrier. Your skin barrier is responsible for keeping allergens and microbes out. Having a healthy skin barrier is also responsible for keeping your skin firm and plump.

Our bodies use cholestrol to create vitamin D, steroid hormones, and more.

Learn more about Cholesterol

Dermatica Custom Treatment (0.015% Tretinoin, 4% Niacinamide, 4% Azelaic Acid) contains this as ingredient number 21.

Dermatica Azelaic Acid 20% Cream contains this as ingredient number 18.

10
What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

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

Dermatica Custom Treatment (0.015% Tretinoin, 4% Niacinamide, 4% Azelaic Acid) contains this as ingredient number 23.

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

11
What it does: Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming
Community Rating: Disliked

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create gel consistency within products.

Carbomer is commonly found in many types of cosmetics products. It is found to be safe in concentrations up to 15%. However, a high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Most products contain 1% of less of carbomer.

Dermatica Custom Treatment (0.015% Tretinoin, 4% Niacinamide, 4% Azelaic Acid) contains this as ingredient number 24.

Dermatica Azelaic Acid 20% Cream contains this as ingredient number 19.

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

52% are loved or liked
0% have mixed ratings
36% are disliked or very disliked
12% 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.

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Dermatica Custom Treatment (0.015% Tretinoin, 4% Niacinamide, 4% Azelaic Acid) 25 ingredients

Custom Treatment (0.015% Tretinoin, 4% Niacinamide, 4% Azelaic Acid) 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

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