Explore Routine Login

Updated on June 11, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe facial treatments. They have a total of 1 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for brightening skin and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, parabens 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.

Differin Resurfacing Scar Gel
Differin Resurfacing Scar Gel
Facial Treatment
American Brand United States
Bayer Skinoren 20% Cream Azelaic Acid
Bayer Skinoren 20% Cream Azelaic Acid
Facial Treatment
German Brand Germany

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Resurfacing Scar Gel
Water 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.

Dimethicone Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
1 / 0 Silicon Icon
SiliconSilicon Icon

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.

1 Com. / 0 Irr.
Very Disliked Full details ->
Dimethicone Crosspolymer Emulsion Stabilising

Dimethicone Crosspolymer is a silicone created by modifying dimethicone with hydrocarbon side chains. Due to its large size, it does not penetrate skin. It is considered non-occlusive.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Masking, Skin Conditioning

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

Bis-Peg-12 Dimethicone Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon
SiliconSilicon Icon

Bis-Peg-12 Dimethicone is a type of silicone.

Unknown Full details ->
Glyceryl Oleate Citrate Emulsifying
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon
Not safe for Fungal AcneNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Glyceryl Oleate Citrate isn't fungal acne safe.

Unknown Full details ->
Ethoxydiglycol Humectant, Solvent
0 / 0

Ethoxydiglycol is a synthetic solvent.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Bakuchiol Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Emollient
Antioxidant IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconHelps brighten skin Icon
AntioxidantAntioxidant Icon 3 Benefits

Bakuchiol is a plant-derived antioxidant (it's vegan!). It is often called the replacement for retinol although it is not part of the same family.

Dextran

We don't have a description for Dextran.

Unknown Full details ->
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil Skin Protecting
Oil IconHelps reduce irritation IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon
OilOil Icon Helps reduce irritationHelps reduce irritation Icon Not safe for Fungal AcneNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Oil comes from the seabuckthorn berry. The seabuckthorn fruit contains carotenoids, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid and vitamin E.

Hippophae Rhamnoides Seed Oil Skin Protecting
Oil IconHelps reduce irritation IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon
OilOil Icon Helps reduce irritationHelps reduce irritation Icon Not safe for Fungal AcneNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Hippophae Rhamnoides Seed Oil comes from the seeds of the seabuckthorn plant.

Asiatic Acid Skin Conditioning, Stabilising

Asiatic Acid is a major component of Centella Asiatica Extract. It has wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.

Asiaticoside Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Antioxidant Icon
AntioxidantAntioxidant Icon

Asiaticoside comes from the super popular skin-soothing ingredient, Centella asiatica. It is one of four active compounds found in the extract of Centella Asiatica.

Rosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil Emollient
Oil IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon
OilOil Icon Not safe for Fungal AcneNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Rosehip oil is an emollient. It comes from the sweet-brier plant native to Europe and western Asia.

Butylene Glycol Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
1 / 0

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

1 Com. / 0 Irr.
Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate Emollient, Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate.

Unknown Full details ->
Phenoxyethanol Preservative
Preservative Icon
PreservativePreservative Icon

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.

Very Disliked Full details ->
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer Emulsion Stabilising

Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products.

Disliked Full details ->
Citric Acid Buffering, Masking
AHA IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon
AHAAHA Icon 4 Benefits 2 Concerns

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

Disliked Full details ->
Sodium Hydroxide 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.

Tocopheryl Acetate Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant IconHelps brighten skin Icon
Vitamin EVitamin E Icon AntioxidantAntioxidant Icon Helps brighten skinHelps brighten skin Icon

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.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Ethylhexylglycerin Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

Disodium EDTA

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

Disliked Full details ->
Squalane Emollient, Skin Conditioning
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon
Helps hydrate Dry SkinHelps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Squalane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.

1 Com. / 0 Irr.
Madecassic Acid Skin Conditioning

Madecassic Acid is a major component of Centella Asiatica Extract. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Tripeptide-1 Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Peptide Icon
PeptidePeptide Icon

Tripeptide-1 is a peptide.

Skinoren 20% Cream Azelaic Acid
Azelaic Acid Buffering, Masking
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne Icon
5 Benefits

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

Cetearyl Nonanoate Emollient

We don't have a description for Cetearyl Nonanoate.

Unknown Full details ->
Propylene Glycol Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
0 / 0 May worsen Eczema Icon
May worsen EczemaMay worsen Eczema Icon

Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Disliked Full details ->
Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon
2 Benefits

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.
Benzoic Acid Masking, Preservative
Preservative IconMay worsen Eczema Icon
PreservativePreservative Icon May worsen EczemaMay worsen Eczema Icon

Benzoic Acid is used to preserve and adjust the pH of products.

Disliked Full details ->
Water 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.

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
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Ingredient Ratings

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

Resurfacing Scar Gel
11
5
6
4
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated
Skinoren 20% Cream Azelaic Acid
3
2
1
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated

When to use

32 Routines
25% use in am
75% use in pm
91% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
165 Routines
39% use in am
61% use in pm
78% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Differin Resurfacing Scar Gel 26 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating

Bayer Skinoren 20% Cream Azelaic Acid 6 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Absorbs Well (2) Great Value (2) Works Well (2)
laila.21's avatar

Laila

3 months ago · Combination Skin
Review

I loveee this so much.💓
Used since Feb 27th, every other day at night after toner and hydrating serum.

I've been using it for around a month...

I loveee this so much.💓
Used since Feb 27th, every other day at night after toner and hydrating serum.

I've been using it for around a month now and I can finally say that I found something that does remove my old acne marks and hyperpigmentation!
this paired with alpha-arbutin serum worked soo fast as I saw improvements 15 days in.
not only does it help to even out the skin tone, but it also helps me so much with my active and hormonal acne as my skin rarely breakout when I used to get at least 4 new pimples every day.
Any 20% azelaic acid, I love you🥹💓